IMPERIAL PALACE HOTEL 

If you're going to be swimming 15km down a lake, in true SwimQuest style - we think you deserve a little luxury. On this trip you will stay in the 4* Imperial Palace Hotel, sitting at the head of the lake in Annecy town, and (conveniently) at your swim start point. As part of your booking you will also have access to the hotel spa, perfect for that post-swim relaxation.

ROOM ALLOCATION:

Rooms are allocated as Classic twin or Classic doubles, on a twin or double share basis. If you are travelling alone and would like to share a room - we can pair you up with a same sex guest. If you would like a room to yourself, there is a sole use supplement of £480. If you would like to upgrade your room to a suite or a lake view apartment or wish to bring a non-swimming partner, please contact the office for availability and pricing (sarah@swimquest.uk.com).

MEALS AND DRINKS

Breakfasts are included in your trip price, plus a packed lunch on your swim day. Please note -your swim will start early so the guides and hotel will offer you a pack up breakfast service on that day. Evening meals are not included however the guides can help with dinner reservations and may suggest suitable restaurant for a celebratory meal.

IMPERIAL PALACE ADDRESS

Impérial Palace, Allée de l'Impérial, 74000 Annecy - France

ARRIVAL DAY 

Check in is at 4pm, and your guides will meet you at 5pm and discuss your swim day with you, introducing you to your safety boat team. Once everyone has arrived and settled in you will complete a safety briefing. In the evening you can sit back, relax and get to know your fellow swimmers before getting an early night ready for your big day.

SWIM DAY 

Your swim will start early (eta. 6am) so that we can make the most of the quiet before the lake starts to get busy. You will meet your guide and walk down to the lakeside, where your swim will start from the Hotel Pontoon. At the swim finish, collect your medal and enjoy your packed lunch in Doussard before the guides take you back up the lake to relax and enjoy the town, or make the most of the hotel's spa facilities. In the evening, join your guides and fellow swimmers for a celebratory meal - you've earned it!

DEPARTURE DAY 

Relax and enjoy a lie in, or a leisurely hotel breakfast. Check out is at midday.

TRAVEL TO LAKE ANNECY

TRIP START / FINISH TIMES

• Check in is at 4pm on the first day, your guides will meet you on arrival and discuss the itinerary with you.
• Check out is at midday on the final day.

TRAIN

  Annecy has a train station with regular connections from major cities in France, including Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble. You can check schedules on the SNCF website. The hotel is a 25 minute walk from the train station, or a 10 minute taxi ride.      

FLY TO GENEVA

Annecy is 35km from the International Airport of Geneva. From Geneva airport, there are links to Annecy by train and bus. We would advise using www.skyscanner.net to find the cheapest flight options for you.

GETTING FROM GENEVA AIRPORT TO LAKE ANNECY

BLA BLA BUS

A cheap and easy option is to take a Bla Bla Bus service from  the airport to Annecy Rail Station. Book a bus ticket via www.blablacar.co.uk/bus (return travel to Annecy €28 – journey time 1 hour 50 minutes). The hotel is a 25 minute walk from the train station, or a 10 minute taxi ride.

TAXI

A private taxi from Geneva airport to Annecy can cost anything from €90 - 150 one way. You may wish to try Geneva Shuttle, or annecy-geneve.com.

CAR HIRE

Car hire costs can be reduced if shared among a group and can give greater independence during the weekend. If hiring a car, do so from the French side of the airport. The French side of Geneva airport is actually called Geneva Ferney-Voltaire Airport. Once you have picked up your luggage go through to airport arrivals, turn left and follow French flag signs to enter the French Sector. There are many car hire companies to choose from (e.g. Europcar, Avis etc).

N.B. - RETURNING TO GENEVA AIRPORT (FRENCH SIDE)

If you have hired a car from the French side of the airport you will have to return the car to the same side. Your car hire company will give you directions and advice when picking up your car on the best route to drop off the car.

DIRECTIONS TO LAKE ANNECY FROM THE AIRPORT

Once you have picked up your rental car there are two routes to get to Annecy. The most direct route crosses into Switzerland and along the Swiss Autoroute. For this, you will need to purchase a vignette (toll sticker) which costs around €40, payable at the toll. The alternative route does not cross into Switzerland, is slightly longer, but more scenic. This is the route that we would suggest taking and your car hire company will be able to provide a route map. Most hire cars offer satellite navigation for additional help if required.

WHAT DO I PACK?

To book, please click the ENQUIRE NOW link for the dates you are interested in and Sarah (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payments can be made by debit/credit card or by bank transfer. In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here.

LAKE ANNECY | 4-6 JULY 2025 | SWIM SATURDAY | ENQUIRE NOW

LAKE ANNECY | 5-7 JULY 2025 | SWIM SUNDAY | ENQUIRE NOW

LAKE ANNECY | 26-28 SEPT 2025 | SWIM SATURDAY | ENQUIRE NOW

LAKE ANNECY | 27-29 SEPT 2025 | SWIM SUNDAY | ENQUIRE NOW

In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us: Sarah Broadley | +44 7917 033670 | sarah@swimquest.uk.com Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.com Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com

Travel Insurance

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities.

Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim.

Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability.

If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy.

You can find more information on our Insurance page.

Columbus Direct offers three levels of cover Bronze, Silver and Gold, with differing levels of emergency medical, cancellation and baggage so you can choose the cover to suit your needs. All levels of cover include over 150 sports and activities covered as standard including open water swimming within 12 miles of shore (you will not be swimming more than 12 miles away from the shore on SwimQuest Holidays).

You will also benefit from free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed for 1hr or more*. Optional cover is available including Gadget, Winter Sports and Cruise, along with cover for many pre-existing medical conditions subject to online screening.  Columbus Direct offer single trip cover up to 85 years old and annual multi trip cover up to 74 years old.

*The policyholder can register both themselves and up to four additional travelling companions for Columbus Direct’s Airport Delay service. They will then be eligible to receive free airport lounge access in the event a delay of one or more hours is announced for their flight. View terms and conditions here