The Woodward in Geneva

As a proud ambassador for the Oetker Collection, I am more than happy to announce that spring 2021 will see the addition of The Woodward, a new hotel in the heart of Geneva, to its exclusive portfolio of masterpiece hotels. It will be the tenth hotel in the outstanding collection.

A historic transformation creates Geneva’s first all-suite hotel designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, with restaurants by Michelin-Starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and vegetable driven Le Jardinier by Alain Verzeroli as well as a 1,200 sq metre Spa by Maison Guerlain.

Rooted in classic French techniques, Chef Verzeroli, who has maintained for 11 consecutive years seven stars in the Michelin guide for Joël Robuchon’s three restaurants in Tokyo, is renowned for creating innovative dishes where vegetables play a starring role, many of which are vegan, and dairy and gluten-free.

Owned by Bastion Holdings, the hotel sits directly on the shores of Lake Geneva, offering panoramic views of Mont Blanc. Originally built in 1901 by French architect François Durel, in a post-Haussmann style, the hotel is located on Quai Wilson. Bastion Holdings and Bastion Management are part of The Bastion Collection group which owns 15 unique restaurant & food concepts globally and the masterpiece water-front hotel in Geneva – The Woodward.

Each of the 26-suites have been carefully curated to possess their own distinct character and individual design details with signature flourishes including marble fireplaces and bookcases. 21 of the suites have a full lake view. The jewels in the crown are the Presidential Suite, designed in elegant ivory tones and offering panoramic lake views from every room with a private dining room and loggia, and the Royal Suite, reached by private lift and designed to resemble a chic Parisian apartment.

The Woodward will offer two bars and a tea-room, as well as a private digestif lounge, which takes the buildings history as a bank into the modern-day through the transformation of a former vault. In keeping with Oetker Collection’s commitment to wellbeing, a 21-metre indoor swimming pool invites guests to indulge and relax. It will be the longest swimming pool in Geneva. There will be a state-of-the-art gym, two saunas, two steam-rooms, two Swedish baths and a jacuzzi. Guests will be able to enjoy exclusive treatments by Guerlain across six wellness suites, including one for couples and a corner dedicated to men.

I am so excited for this beautiful addition to Geneva!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of The Oetker Collection

Natalia Vodianova: Paris

Natalia Vodianova Paris

Supermodel and face of Guerlain NATALIA VODIANOVA shared her travel tips for Paris with us. The city where she is living with her three kids from a previous marriage and her partner Antoine Arnault with whom she is expecting her fourth child. The tall blonde was born 1982 in Gorky, Soviet Union (now Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) and moved to France 15 years ago when she signed with Viva Models to start her modeling career.

Your favourite city?
I love PARIS. It was the first city I moved to when I was 17. I feel more at home here than in any other city.

Your favourite hotel?
The BRISTOL is one of my favorite hotels in Paris. It was my second home before I moved to live in Paris.
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, +33 1 53 43 43 00

Your favourite restaurant?
L’ATELIER DE JOËL ROBUCHON, absolutely delicious, the perfect place for two.
133, Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris, +33 1 47 23 75 75

Your favourite bar or nightclub?
I love the CAVIAR KASPIA.
17, Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris, +33 1 42 65 33 32

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
I like to go to the PALAIS DE LA DECOUVERTE with my children, the science museum located in the Grand Palais.
Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris, +33 1 56 43 20 20

Your favourite park?
We love the playground at the JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG.
6e Arrondissement, 75006 Paris, +33 1 42 34 23 62

Your favourite shop?
The GUERLAIN BOUTIQUE on Champs-Elysées. The atmosphere is unique, it is absolutely magic and with an incredible attention to details. I feel like home.
68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, +33 1 45 62 52 57

Your must-have accessory?
A BAG.

Your favorite song?
I would say maybe “WHERE DO THE CHILDREN PLAY” by Yusuf Islam, I really like this song.

Your favorite holiday book?
My favourite book is Mikhail Bulgakov “THE MASTER AND MARGARITA”.

Thank you, Natalia, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us.

LoL, Sandra