I was lucky enough to visit Switzerland again in 2007 and 2008, staying at Hotel Helioda.
In 2007 I celebrated my 60th Birthday near Zurich, I had collected my niece, and a lady friend of mine in Brisbane and Dubai, and they travelled to Europe with me from Australia.
I just had to fit in an excursion to Lake Como, Zermatt and of course why not one night at Leas Avants along the way, to show them real Swiss Village life.
We arrived in Les Avants around sunset (6pm) and the girls were tired as we had that day arrived direct from Brisbane.
The girls loved the realxed Village of Les Avants, the great nights sleep that they had at Helioda, Sue wanted a small snack, hey no trouble said the crew at Les Avants, and bingo nice sandwiches appeared from the kitchen.
Sadly we had to leave early the next morning to keep the schedule, the girls and I waited at the Rail Station, and they said to me ! this was a great introduction to Switzerland, a great nights sleep, the breakfast and the atmosphere at Helioda, and the staff, always obliging.
In 2008 I was back again for a stay of 6 nights, when I arrived the Village was busy and they were not quite ready for me, but hey!again that Helioda Hospitality kicked-in and one of the Managers sons checked me in, got me coffee and I felt really relaxed and at home as it were.
I dont think that anyone staying at Helioda could have a uncomfortable night sleep, the beds are very comfortable indeed, the Manager and his wife are very hospitable, and relaxed, their 2
sons help out from time to time, and are a credit to their parents also.
I seem to see the same guests everytime I stay at Helioda, and it seems to me that there is a number of annual visitors that have found a very nice, comfortable and convenient, if small Chalet-Hotel to stay at.
You wont run into Paris Hilton or Elizabeth Taylor at this Hotel, though Im told that Elizabeth used to visit the Village of Les Avants some years ago on her way to Gstaad.
So why not drop in to Helioda, sit on the outside balcony, sip a coffee or beer and soak up that very enjoyable hospitality, ( and in Autumn look at the wonderful colours in the nearby forest), its not expensive to stay at Helioda, good value.
Its real easy with a rail pass, from Montreux to Les Avants, 24 mins.
I will be there again this October for 6 nights
on my way to the Isle of Capri in Italy,though I have not made a booking just yet, so if you like peace of mind, good hospitality,good sleep, and very nice people, visit Helioda along the way.
Kevin of Brisbane.

In October 2005 I stayed at the Helioda in Les Avants for 5 nights, I wished I had put more days aside to stay there.

The Manager was absent on vacation, and his mother acted as Manager.
Well it was really home for me as she looked after me too well, and I plan to stay there again possibly in 2006, and hopefully for around 10 days.

It's a quite place, very comfortable beds, good food, and very relaxed atmosphere.
It's a suitable place especially if you have a rail pass, Swiss or Eurail, as the trains to Montreux and other areas are half to hourly schedules, so you are not stranded.
The village is very postcard like, especially in October, great for photos.
You can order a small flask of house-wine, sit in the dining room, or head off to your room and sit on the balcony to read, and I did that a few times watching the local guys below me playing boules.

If you are looking for a quite, but good quality stop-over, Hotel Helioda in Les Avants is the place, 23 mins by train from Montreux, and even the Panoramic Express stops at the Les Avant rail station , which is about 5o metres if that, from the Hotel.
I was sorry to leave; it's a very reasonably priced accommodation with breakfast.
It's a very relaxed placed, and really no tourists other than yourselves.
Roger the Manager speaks English, but his Mother cannot, but believe me when I say we got on very well and she was very attentative, even inviting her elderly friend to visit, to talk in English with me, A GREAT PLACE TO BE.

I hope Roger keeps her on as Manager!
I am Kevin Kerrisk, of Brisbane.