Know Before You Go: Villars Palace (Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland)
Nestled in the Vaud Alps, Villars-sur-Ollon is a charming mountain village with much to offer, conveniently located just 30 minutes from Montreux, yet off the main tourist routes. The town and surrounding area are equipped for year-round family adventures thanks not only to ski tourism, but to four world-renowned boarding schools located in town. Our elegant home away from home while here was Villars Palace, a recently renovated historic hotel perched just above the main town and regional rail station. Villars Palace was an ideal base while here thanks to its stunning panoramic mountain views, solid dining program, spacious and well-equipped rooms, excellent wellness facilities, and good value compared to similar caliber hotels in Switzerland. The atmosphere here is decidedly elegant without being stuffy — classic Belle Époque architecture blends seamlessly with modern comforts. Dining was a highlight: refined cuisine, vibrant atmosphere with terrific views, a varied breakfast, and cozy lounges perfect for aperitifs after a day outdoors. The spa and outdoor pool area provided a restful retreat, ideal for unwinding after hiking and exploring nearby sights. The room was spacious, tastefully furnished, and offered incredible views of the surrounding Alps from our balcony that made every morning and sunset special. Overall, Villars Palace delivered a polished, luxurious stay that felt rooted in history and a sense of place, yet with updated aesthetics and modern amenities.
Sample Travel Club amenities and VIP benefits*:
EXCLUSIVE RATES
VIP WELCOME & SPECIAL AMENITY
$100 HOTEL / RESORT CREDIT
PRIORITY FOR ROOM UPGRADE
DAILY BREAKFAST
EXTENDED CHECK-IN / OUT
UNLIMITED HIGH-SPEED WI-FI
*Specific amenities and benefits vary by property
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Have an existing booking and want to add Travel Club benefits? Contact us
OVERALL RATING
💛💛💛💛
Notable
Overview
At-a-Glance
Date of stay: August 2025
Length of stay: 2 nights / 3 days
Trip type: Family trip around Switzerland and France
Property type: Family-friendly historic hotel in the mountains
Tailor-made for: Skiers, couples, families, wellness enthusiasts, groups
Highlights
Breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, Dents du Midi, and Mont Blanc massif from most of the common areas, dining venues, and “Panorama” category rooms
The hotel’s location in the town center was ideal for getting around Villars — there is a set of stairs from the hotel down to the main street, just steps from the train station
Ample outdoor attractions in town and the surrounding area — gondola and mountaintop hiking or skiing, exploring nearby towns by train or car, Glacier 3000, Villars Golf, multiple parks with playgrounds and two well-equipped community centers in town
Spacious, updated Deluxe Panorama Room, which had lovely views from the balcony plus the biggest closet and shower of anywhere we have stayed at in Switzerland
Solid dining program at the hotel — but also a short walk to other family-friendly dining options (Peppino, Clos Mazots, Chalet RoyAlp)
Outdoor heated pool with scenic mountain views
Sprawling, well-equipped gym — one of, if not the biggest hotel gyms we have seen in all of our European travels
Excellent kids play space, especially for younger children (unsupervised, except for special seasonal programs)
Strong value relative to comparable hotels in Switzerland
Good to Know
The hotel is ~1.5 hours from Geneva and 30 minutes from Montreux and Lac Leman
While the Swiss rail system is excellent, the best way to get here is by car
Stays here (and at other hotels and rentals in the area) include access to the Carte Bienvenue, a complimentary tourism card offering free and discounted activities and transportation around the Vaud Alps region — this saved us hundreds of dollars during our stay
The hotel is close to the town’s train station (regional train) and there was some faint train noise in the morning and evenings, though the train does not run through the night
Like many hotels in Europe, there is heating but not cooling in the rooms; if staying here in summer, Dyson fans are available in room upon request (request in advance if possible)
The hotel is a hospitality training school; several of the staff we interacted with were in training and our service experience was hit or miss
If traveling as a family, the Panorama Suite accommodates up to four people
Complimentary coffee, tea, and non-alcoholic beverages in club-style lounges on each floor
No residence-style accommodations here — for travelers seeking in-room kitchen / laundry facilities, check out Chalet RoyAlp or local Interhome rentals
Rating Detail
OVERALL RATING 💛💛💛💛
LOCATION & SETTING 💛💛💛💛💛
ROOM 💛💛💛💛+
SERVICE 💛💛💛
DINING 💛💛💛+
ACTIVITIES 💛💛💛💛💛
FAMILY SERVICES & AMENITIES 💛💛💛💛
WELLNESS 💛💛💛💛💛
WOW FACTOR 💛💛💛💛+
VALUE 💛💛💛💛+
Rating Legend*
💛💛💛💛💛 Exceptional
💛💛💛💛 Notable
💛💛💛 Standard
💛💛 Substandard
💛 Unsatisfactory
*All ratings are relative to similar-class properties
