Some hotels decorate for the holidays. Others create a celebration. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix in Geneva, has orchestrated a journey. To mark 160 years of hospitality, the hotel has unveiled The Geneva Express, an extraordinary festive programme transporting guests into the golden age of travel — marked by elegance, music, gastronomy, and unforgettable moments. This is not simply the start of the season, but the opening scene of a story designed to be experienced and remembered forever.
Since 1865, Hôtel de la Paix — now The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva — has stood on the lakeside as a true symbol of Genevan elegance, offering history, refinement and the warmth of Swiss hospitality. This holiday season, the hotel continues its extraordinary legacy, reimagining its spaces not simply as decorated venues but as chapters in an unforgettable story. Think Belle Époque charm, marble pillars dressed with winter greenery, rich fabrics, gold accents and twinkling lights that bring all the festive dazzle you could hope for.
The first stop on the journey unfolded with The Grand Departure gala evening, where the hotel transformed into a space reminiscent of a luxury train carriage, complete with vintage travel trunks, red carpets, draped tables and champagne towers. The hotel’s chefs presented a four-course festive menu paired with selected wines, capturing the ritual and elegance of celebratory dining. Live classical musicians played beneath chandeliers, their notes echoing through the marble corridors, enhancing the feeling not of a hotel event, but of a departure lounge from the golden age of travel. Later, the night continued in FRED Bar, where velvet seating, candlelight and polished brass evoked the charm of a 1920s piano lounge. Guests indulged in vintage cocktails , while live music and amber lighting shaped a setting that felt quietly cinematic and festive.
Following The Grand Departure, The Geneva Express continues its festive voyage with a curated sequence of elegant winter gatherings. On 10 December, the hotel hosts A Late Checkout Show, an evening blending fashion and music. Christmas Eve arrives with Enchanting Christmas Night on 24 December, offering an exquisite five-course and live music, followed by a series of Elegant Festive Brunches from 25 to 28 December, perfect for slow mornings, lake views, and delicious bites. The season reaches its height at The Sparkling New Year’s Eve Gala on 31 December, a refined evening of music, dinner, and celebration, before gliding gently into the new year with New Year’s Celebration Brunches from 1 to 4 January, where the tempo softens and the mood turns reflective and beautifully indulgent.
A Word from the General Manager:
“This gala, proudly celebrating 160 years of heritage, also marks the official launch of the festive season at The Ritz-Carlton Geneva. From December to January, we are delighted to welcome both our hotel guests and locals to experience the magic of the holidays at the heart of our house, through an exclusive programme combining conviviality, elegance, and unexpected delights.”— Antoni von Planta, General Manager
Whether for festive dining, dancing or simply to enjoy the hotel in its most atmospheric season, The Geneva Express invites guests to step aboard into a celebration of heritage, hospitality, and the enduring charm of winter in Geneva.
