vindesante

I think there was a missing comma in that sentence.

"The pool is great in the evening when it's dark and snowy, although make sure the hot soaking tub is free, for when you get out!"

And the hot tub is not all that large at this spa.

b1513

Yeah, I've been in it but I didn't have to pay. I'm not sure what I'm missing here

tasnam

Does anyone know which would be a better choice if just traveling through France?

This Hilton (Evian) vs. the Hilton Lyon?

Thanks Tasnam

MIKESILV

Through to where? Evian is close to the Eastern border quite close to Switzerland and not to far from Germany or Italy.
Lyon is in the 'middle" of the country.

mike

SanDiego1K

That really depends on the nature of your trip. The Hilton Lyon is a property at the edge of the city that is the gastronomic capital of France. It has good public transportation from outside the hotel into the city. It is a well run hotel, albeit of no particular charm. There is superb rail transportation from Lyon throughout France and air transportation from within and out of the country.

The Hilton Evian has a remarkable location on Lake Geneva. It is a true destination in beautiful setting. However, access by train/boat is slower with no main rail service. It has much warmer staff who are truly customer focused.

I stay at the Lyon Hilton because I want to be in Lyon, not because I consider it a destination hotel. I consider the Hilton Evian a destination hotel with its great service and its location of such natural beauty.

MIKESILV

And to make make you decision even easier both hotels have nice Executive lounges and both tend to upgrade HH elites.
The Hilton Lyon does have casino on the ground floor.

mike

tasnam

Just traveling through from CDG to NCE for 7-9 days. Using points and have a rental car.

Never have been to France, but have been to Interlaken FWIW.

Just looking to compare the two hotel for a 2(two) night stop over.

I am ok with driving a couple of hours for a better experience, but must balance that with local sights available.

Thanks.

MIKESILV

Using those parameters I would definitely go with the Hilton Lyon then ...Evian is a bit out of the way if you are heading down in to Nice.

Besides I would recommend a visit to the city of Lyon for anyone visiting France anyway.

mike

tasnam

Perfect - Thanks

price123

In Winter the pool is heated to around 25C. This is ok to swim in but as soon as you get out it's absolutely freezing and you have to dash inside to warm up. The hot tub is the best way to get warm and the contrast to outside is really nice.

price123

Sorry. I mean free as in vacant.

travelinfoo

Can anyone post directions on getting back to Geneva airport from Evian? I have an upcoming stay in April and will be flying out of GVA afterwards. When looking at the Swiss train sites, it seemed to be quite complicated with multiple changes of trains and trams to get there. Is there a more direct way? Also can anyone provide an updated link to the Lausanne-Evian ferry site? I tried to use the one in SanDiego1K's post but it is only for Winter 2009.
TIA

monahos

There is no more direct way for now, as the French train line on the lake's southern bank is not yet connected to the Swiss rail system (and won't be for nearly a decade).

The possible routes by public transportation both require two transfers:
1. Evian train station to Genève Eaux-Vives station, then take tram 16 to Genève Cornavin station, and catch a train to the airport.
2. take the boat across to Lausanne Ouchy, then take metro M2 to Lausanne station, and catch a train to Geneva airport.

Ironically, the boat option is actually a bit faster and more civilized (nicer equipment throughout). Option 1 should however be cheaper, as its last two legs can be done on a CHF3 all-Geneva 1hr public transportation ticket.

You can download 2010 PDF schedules at the CGN website (CGN is the monopoly that runs all commercial services on the lake).

Take the possible itineraries on the Swiss railways site with a grain of salt, and weed out the ones that do not require 2 transfers, as they will either involve a cross-town walk (1 transfer) or a preposterous routing through Annemasse (3+ transfers)

SanDiego1K

Having now seen for myself how easy the boat to metro to train transfer is, I would recommend this. I was a bit intimidated before my trip, but it was very straightforward. And though the boat is just a short walk from the hotel, the staff is very happy to provide a car to drive you and your luggage to the landing.

travelinfoo

Thank you monahaus and SanDiego1K.
Planning on doing the train-metro-boat route from GVA. Will take the boat-metro-train route back to GVA too. Just hope I can find a boat that will work w/my airplane res.

Looking forward to my visit. Does anyone if it's possible to do any skiing nearby in mid-April?