History, Luxury & Authenticity: A glimpse at student life in a historical palace

Entertaining prominent guests and bearing witness to an incredible history through the two World Wars, today it is host to one of the finest hotel management schools in the world providing a spectacular backdrop to educate our future hospitality leaders.

We caught up with Mexican SHMS student Eugenia González and some of her colleagues to learn about what its really like to study high up in the clouds in a true historical palace.

1. What was your first impression of Caux Palace
That it was absolutely beautiful and had an incredible view! A very magical place to study!

2. When someone comes to visit, where is the first place you take him or her?
There is this little spot next to the post office that lets you have a complete view of Caux Palace and Lake Geneva with the mountains in the background, it is the most beautiful spot in my opinion. Also, the Grand Hall because it has such a sense of greatness when you first enter the room.

3. Where is the best lookout for the view below?
The benches in the garden pathway have a great view, as there is nothing in between the scene and you! From inside the palace, the best lookout is from rooms 228 and 528 and the panoramic view from the Grand Hall.

4. What’s your preferred method of transport from Caux to Montreux?
The fastest way to go is by car, however, if you can spare 30 minutes; the way down on the train offers some of the best sights! And it doesn’t make you as dizzy as the car ride ;)

5. Where is your favourite place to go for a night out?
Montreux has a lot of nice restaurants to go for dinner downtown with lots of different types of cuisine! However if you want to stay close by, the Buffet le Gare is the student run restaurant and the food is amazing!

6. What is the most interesting thing that you learned about the history of Caux Palace?
Being a WWII history fan, I find it incredible that the Caux Palace housed around 1400 Jewish-Hungarian refugees during 1944 and 1945. Another interesting fact is about the theatre. During WWII, white walls were constructed to cover and protect the original intricate moldings and engravings. It was only recently during a refurbishment, one of the white walls broke and the beauty we see today was uncovered.

7. What is the most surprising thing about Caux Palace?
I loved the fact that even after a full semester of living here you can still get lost in the halls!

8. What do most students not know about Caux Palace?
There is a tunnel between the basement of the palace all the way to Montreux! It was built as a shelter during the war. There are also many secret passageways but the locations can’t be revealed online ☺

9. How does studying in a traditional setting add to your experience as a hospitality student?
I think that living in one of the true and original Swiss Hospitality settings really enhances the experience and motivation of becoming a hotelier.

10. What will you miss most about Caux when you leave?
Definitely living in this beautiful place, the atmosphere and being able to see the amazing view everyday from my room, especially the sunsets!