In the centre of Annecy at the edge of the pedestrian zone and the beautiful old town, the Best Western Plus Hotel Carlton sits about ten minutes' walk from the lake, with modern, warm, light-filled rooms, some featuring a spa bath, ideal for a romantic weekend. A private hotel bar offers an easy spot for an evening drink, and a varied breakfast buffet of local and regional products opens the day in a peaceful dining room. An eco-labelled hotel close to the train and bus stations, it keeps the shops, bars, and restaurants of the centre right at hand. Known as the Venice of the Alps, Annecy threads its pastel old town with flower-lined canals and a turreted island prison, opening onto one of the clearest lakes in Europe, ringed by mountains and made for swimming, cycling, and boating. With the canals on one side and the lake on the other, few towns in the Alps are prettier.