On 24 July, the Hilton Evian Resort & Spa, designed by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, will open its doors in the thermal resort of Evian on the shores of Lake Geneva. This is a significant development as it’s the ninth property to be opened by the hotel chain in France and the second in the RhĂ´ne-Alpes, the first of which was the Hilton Lyon.
This will also be the first Hilton Worldwide Resort to open in France. The arrival of Hilton on the territory of the Danone group, owner of the Royal Evian Resort (HĂ´tel Royal and HĂ´tel de l’Ermitage), will certainly help Evian to promote itself abroad especially as the hotel chain and its major investor, the Malta-based Tumas Group, have used every asset to create a stunning venue. 40 million euros were invested in the construction of the hotel which comprises 173 rooms and 34 suites.
Located in the town centre, on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Hilton Evian Resort & Spa will boast a range of services to match the very best of the area’s top hotels.
There will be two restaurants: the Cannelle, which will be more gastronomic, and the Riva, offering a more contemporary menu. Both will be under the supervision of chef Jean-René Trique, who has been in charge of the Orly Hilton until now.
As well as these two restaurants, the Hilton Evian Resort & Spa also offers the Cosmopolitan, a cosy bar at reception level, a 1 800 m2 Spa area, the Buddha-Bar Spa, the fitness version of the famous Paris restaurant, and a 570 m2 meeting space. The Spa is located on three levels, with an outdoor swimming pool at lake level, and is bound to play a major part in the success of this upmarket property.
The meeting space consists of a ballroom with capacity for 336 seats (500 people for a cocktail party) which can be divided into three; three other rooms with space for 200 people standing; a room with capacity for 23 people which would be ideal for board meetings.
Due to our location next to the thermal baths, we’re keen to attract customers who are looking for a relaxing event with an element of fitness or well-being , explains VĂ©ronique Terrisse, Finance Director. When it comes to business tourism, we’re concentrating on the Parisian and Swiss markets and in particular the medical and financial sectors. It’s a definite advantage to have Geneva, with its airport, on our doorstep and we’re also going to be able to benefit from the forthcoming opening of the Palais des Lumières, Evian’s former thermal establishment which has been transformed into a conference centre by the town authorities and which is just a five minute walk away from the hotel .
The Hilton Evian Resort & Spa is ready to give a boost to the business tourism market in the Haute-Savoie. A study day at the property is likely to cost around 100 € per person, inclusive of welcome coffee, room hire, two refreshment breaks and a lunch with drinks included.
