A hotel on a mountain-top location in Switzerland is being transformed into 24 high-end homes designed by leading architects, served by leading luxury brands and managed by a premier hotel group.

Nestled among the historic vineyards of Lavaux, with sweeping views of Lake Geneva, lies the spectacular turn-of-the-century Hotel Du Parc. Once the refuge of princes, diplomats and luminaries including Victor Hugo and Pierre Cardin, the estate is now being renovated to its former Belle Epoque glory to become one of the most exclusive properties in Switzerland.

No sooner had the idea of Du Parc Kempinski Residences taken form, than it began winning awards, including four Gold Awards (Best luxury project, Best apartment complex, Best architecture and Best eco-project) and the Grand Prix at the Homes Overseas Russia Awards 2010, as well as the Europe and Africa International Property Award for Best Redevelopment in Switzerland.

With picturesque views of Lake Geneva, the property is minutes from Lausanne and under an hour from Geneva International Airport.

The nearest private airport is just 30 minutes away and there is easy access to motorways leading to the acclaimed skiing mountain resort of Verbier. Situated at the very top of Mont-Pèlerin, Chardonne, the Hôtel du Parc offers stunning views of the Alps and Lake Geneva.

Chardonne is situated within the Lavaux area, where vineyard terraces stretch for 30km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva. These vineyards enjoy UNESCO's World Heritage list status.

Hôtel du Parc was built in 1906 - a golden era for tourism when visitors from across Europe and further afield arrived to experience the impressive beauty and clean alpine air of the region.

The Pèlerin Palace Hotel's 140 rooms were frequented by such characters as New York socialite Getrude Normand Smith and aristocracy from Paris and Russia.

Created in the architectural mould of the Grand Hotels of the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the building's style is synonymous with stateliness and symmetry, echoing the larger coastal resorts of Deauville and Biarritz.

The renovated hotel will house 24 ultra-luxury apartments under the title of ‘Du Parc Kempinski Private Residences'. The apartments will vary from two-bedroom 20 square meters units to six-bedroom 690 square meters options, with 14 meters high ceilings.

The three penthouses will be decorated by the prestigious interior design firm Fendi Casa, while the apartments will be skillfully designed by the interior design firm BBG-BBGM, famous for the W Hotels.

A selection of luxury brands will also be involved, including a cigar lounge by Davidoff, a private spa by Givenchy, and cavernous wine cellars as well as a tasting room managed by Quintessentially Wine.

Owners will benefit from the immediate lifetime membership at nearby Lavaux Golf Course,10-year membership at the Mirador Kempinski Country Club, and a membership at elite Quintessentially concierge services in five international cities.

Add to that management from the nearby Hotel Mirador Kempinski and owners will have an exclusive, tasteful private property, with all of the convenience of five-star hotel services. 

This includes valet parking, cleaning and room services, in-house massages, fitness facilities and event management services.

Du Parc Kempinski Private Residences will be a unique combination of luxury and privacy and the first of its kind in Switzerland.

"Du Parc will be the first branded hotel residences for sale in Switzerland," says Nicolas Garnier, Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Development Group.

"We're taking a fresh look at the scope and depth of luxury living, going beyond simply creating a property to creating an environment where owners can enjoy their highly individual lifestyles."

Lois Vitry Trapman, Sales and Marketing Manager agrees: "We are setting new and higher standards in the already high-luxury end of the market.

Our properties will be like haute couture: exclusive and high quality with exceptional attention to detail and finish." Renovation work will start in May 2010, with the private residences ready for occupancy at the end of 2011.

A two-bedroom 200 sqm apartment will cost approximately CHF 4.7 million while prices for the penthouses range from 19 - 24 million CHF.

More information here: www.du-parc.ch