Occuping a tranquil spot within a busy city, this Swissôtel-run hotel is nestled within the Eaux-Vives park overlooking Lake Geneva. With just seven guest rooms (including two suites) tucked into the eaves of this 18th century building, it’s an exclusive kind of place aimed at high-end guests looking for a hideaway stay. Rooms are ultra-modern and well-equipped, while retaining the character that’s innate to a building of such long history – slanted attic ceilings, round skylight windows, wooden floors. Given the limited accommodation, much of the hotel’s business comes from day visitors to its two restaurants – the casual brasserie, offering a summery Mediterranean menu, and the more formal A L’Etage (closed in winter) which, as you’d expect from the name, affords lovely views of the lake from its first floor Art Deco room and terrace. Particularly popular is the brasserie’s copious brunch on Sunday afternoon.
Geneva has an extraordinarily high concentration of luxury accomodation options, most of them strung along the shores of Lake Geneva and all of them, such as Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, offering superlative views and outstanding service and facilities. Finding somewhere to stay without blowing your budget is a trickier proposition, but not impossible. Head away from the lake and there are interesting finds in the Quartier des Bains and Plainpalais, whose numerous bars and restaurants make for a great place to base yourself in. Even Pâquis, whose historically insalubrious reputation can be a pleasing antidote to the city’s refined side, has a growing number of mid-range design-led hotels. Wherever you stay, Geneva’s manageable size and well-integrated public transport system mean you’re never far away from where you want to go.