USP Set in the vineyards of Montreux, the Givenchy Spa (part of the Mirador Kempinski) is one of only six worldwide and a stylish way to spa beside magical Lake Geneva.

AMBIENCE Mixing business with pleasure, the venue welcomes a diverse crowd of well-heeled locals, corporate types and high earners – most of which are looking for downtime. It’s also a haven for Nordic Walking junkies striding their way through the many weight-loss programmes on site. Less bent on botox than the country’s many "medi-spas", the spa instead draws on the serenity of the surrounding environment, even providing bizarre crystal infused "energy" water for guests - dredged from the lake’s depths apparently.

EXPERIENCE It’s hard to fault the Swiss on their standards, and the Givenchy team certainly live up to the hype. First up was a No Surgetics (no surgery, thankfully) Facial, where I found myself maneuvered onto a crisp, cotton-covered chair that flipped horizontally at the flick of a switch. The panorama alone is worth the visit, with each of the serene, Jean Cocteau-esque treatment suites delivering million-dollar views through open French windows. The freshness of the fabrics combined with a crisp Alpine breeze led me into some kind of fabric softener fantasia. As for the facial – nothing short of a spring-clean for the pores, it’s a sure fire way to get skin looking a little more "Alpine milk maid" and a little less "overworked urban dweller". I also enjoyed an expert Lomi Lomi massage from a small, perfectly formed Swiss masseur, whose hands beggared belief in terms of the strenuous kneading my lower back received. Small, in my case, was definitely better.

FOOD Five-star fanciness, including al-fresco breakfasts of egg whites, fluffy mountain cheese and local champagne - quaffed (obviously) while watching the morning mist swirl across lake Geneva. There’s no need to venture down the mountain at night either, as the hotel’s award-winning La Terrace restaurant plays into the hands of any seasoned foodie craving freshwater delicacies under the stars.

IN CROWD The annual Montreux Jazz Festival draws many an A-listed performer attracted by the discreet mountainside location and proximity to vineyards and vistas. It’s the perfect place to avoid the long-lens.

WALLET WATCH Get ready to splurge - this is no discount spa but one that’s worth every penny. A 55-minute No Surgetics Facial costs £70 and a 75-minute Lomi Lomi Massage costs £80. Lake-facing doubles including breakfast cost from £167.

Swiss Air flies to Geneva six times a day direct from London City Airport with return fares including taxes starting from £93; for further information contact: www.swiss.com

NEED TO KNOW Mirador Kempinski, Montreux, Switzerland (+41 (0)21 925 11 11; www.mirador.ch)

Times recommends

• The world's 10 weirdest things to eat
• Correspondents: hoteliers revenge for Tripadvisor
• A slow, ponderous journey up the Mekong