As soon as we referenced the West Coast among the Ethik Hotels I told myself that we had finally found the ideal ecological hotel to discover Annecy. So all that was left to do was to stall the weekend! It’s done as soon as we get back from our little week off this summer. We needed to plan a few relaxing getaways for ourselves!We couldn’t foresee it but as far as the weather was concerned we didn’t necessarily bet on the right days! 2020 is an exceptional year on all levels. This region generally benefits from a beautiful late season. However this year, as almost everywhere in Metropolitan France, it plunged quickly into autumn. Nevertheless, there is nothing we can do about it and we have nevertheless enjoyed it.
Côte Ouest Annecy
The Apartment
Côte Ouest Annecy is an aparthotel on the shores of the lake in Sevrier, a few minutes from the centre of Annecy. It is a small complex of 2 floors and 7 flats. We had reserved the “Grand Large”. It is a spacious T2 (50 m²). This is something we really appreciated. Due to the weather and contrary to our habits, we were forced to spend more time indoors in the warmth.
It is also very well equipped: Bluetooth speaker, good wifi connection, dishwasher, basic kitchen kit (salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, bin bags, maintenance kit with organic products…). We found the restaurants in the surrounding area relatively expensive. The possibility to prepare food on the spot is therefore a nice alternative.
The highlight is the large terrace with a breathtaking view of the lake and the mountains. We also spent several moments sitting on the sofa, judiciously positioned facing the bay window, contemplating the landscape. There is no need for a TV here!
The only thing to take into account is that, like all the hotels in the area, it is located between the lake and the road. This generates noise, but all this fades away when you realise that the landing door is an insulating door! So our advice, don’t do as we do, think about closing it especially at night ?
The services
First of all the arrival is completely autonomous because the flat does not have a key lock but a code lock. This is communicated by email a few days before. This is very practical for late arrivals, as was the case for us.
The establishment also provides childcare equipment for families. You just have to ask for it in advance. In addition, if you are staying for a long time, there is a laundry room on the ground floor. Finally, for those with a sweet tooth, a raclette machine is also available in the common areas.
The hotel also offers rental apartments for rent:
- Bicycles, of course, are THE mode of transport in the sector.
- paddles
- boat
The location
West coast is, in our opinion, ideally located. Indeed it is located at the entrance of Sevrier, that is to say at only 10 minutes from Annecy city centre by the cycle track. The latter is directly accessible from the garden gate.
Finally the lake is also at your feet as you only have to cross the famous cycle track to reach it.
All amenities are easily accessible. A small grocery shop and a bakery are also only 10 minutes away by bike. If you push a little further you will find a market crossroads, a great cheese shop where when you get home you want to buy everything #fromageaddict and finally a sourdough bakery, which unfortunately for us was closed when we passed by. The bikes are equipped with baskets so it’s easy to bring your shopping home.
Finally, Annecy can be reached by train. It took us a little less than 4 hours by TGV from Paris to get to the city centre.
Annecy and the Lake
As I told you in the preamble our programme has been somewhat disrupted due to the rainy weather. Nevertheless here’s what we were able to do in spite of everything: The first day between sleeping in for one, a bit of reading in front of the mountains under the only rays of sunshine of the day for the other, a few errands, a nap during the rain and a walk by the lake below us we didn’t see the time go by! We immediately managed to get into a holiday rhythm. It’s the mountain air for sure!
Annecy
On Friday we bet everything on the morning because from 2pm the weather forecast was announcing rain and they were not mistaken (for once ?). So we visited the city centre of Annecy. It’s really very pleasant because it’s pedestrian. In addition, Friday is market day so there was a lot of activity in the centre. So we wandered through the streets and along the canals and ended up at the castle. When we were there there were 2 exhibitions: one on the archaeological excavations on the Roman site of Boutae and one on the main lakes of the Alps. Although it was interesting, what I enjoyed most was the view over the rooftops of the town.
The Green Lane
Saturday finally no rain so we took advantage of it and we got on our bikes to discover the cycle track. By the way, it is a greenway, an old railway track that has been refurbished. There are no cars, the area is really reserved for cyclists, joggers, walkers… The icing on the cake is that it sometimes runs along the lake and offers superb views. When it is more inland it is a postcard landscape: green fields with cows and their big bells around their necks, in the background the snow-covered mountains… In short, you will have understood that it is a very pleasant space.
So we left in the opposite direction of Annecy to discover the other side of the lake. We made a stop at Duingt and took the footpath “Le Taillefer” to gain height and enjoy the panorama offered on… the lake. And yes here he is really the star. And there’s plenty of reason for that, because he really offers a very varied palette of colours and also many different landscapes.
After the lunch break we left again for the Bout du Lac reserve. I have to admit that we didn’t visit it, we were already starting to have pain in our legs and we had to come back! It’s still a 30 km trip so when you’re not used to cycling it’s a bit tiring at the end of the day. We also advise you to stop for a refreshing drink and/or a snack at the Abri Cyclette in Saint Jorioz. This is one of the old railway stations that has been converted and the atmosphere is really nice.
Here it is already Sunday and the return but before leaving I was able to enjoy the lake one last time during my Sunday jogging and once again I found it really nice!
Do you already know this region? If you do, don’t hesitate to list in commentary the things we missed for our next escapade there. We are aiming for spring this time to discover the lake in a different way and above all we hope under the sun!
The owners also offer a second address, which we did not visit, in Aix les Bains.
