The finest Mont Blanc view: the best tips for a city trip to Geneva

My hotel, The Woodward, is the new Geneva hotel of the Oetker Collection, the first and so far the only one in Switzerland. The Woodward – originally built in 1901 – only reopened last September. The extraordinary interior of the world-famous architect Pierre-Yves Rochon causes a stir. The first all-suite hotel in the heart of Geneva is perfectly located right on the shore of Lake Geneva.

Opulent and cosy: suite hotel with only 26 rooms

I feel like I’m in a private mansion and, like I’ve rarely experienced in a hotel, the atmosphere of real homely luxury.

Every suite in the house is different. Mine has shades of beige and blue that create a harmonious whole. The brightness and depth of the colors change – depending on the reflection of the sunlight on Lake Geneva.

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  Price info:
  A night in the Woodward including breakfast in a suite costs from 1400 euros.
  

Boutique hotel Tiffany in the heart of the bohemian district

The next morning I walk around Lake Geneva and feel like I’m on the Côte d’Azur. The best restaurants and grand hotels also have history and class here and are lined up on the lake shore like a string of pearls. Of course, Geneva also has impressive shopping streets: the big brand stores are all here.

I stroll through the city and visit one of the most beautiful art museums in Europe, the Mamco, and look into one of the recommended boutique hotels: the Tiffany. It is located on a quiet street in the heart of Geneva’s bohemian quarter. Housed in a late 19th-century house with many original Art Nouveau decor, the 65-room Tiffany is a reasonably priced mid-range hotel by Geneva standards.

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  Price info:
  

  A night in a double room with breakfast costs from 300 euros per person.

Hotel Eden: Affordable hotel in the center of Geneva

Another hotel I recommend is the Hôtel Eden, an affordable mid-range hotel in the city center, opposite the European headquarters of the United Nations – given the traditionally very high Geneva overnight rates. A lot of things are going right at the Eden, the hotel is well maintained and cared for. Again and again carefully renovated. The rooms are bright and comfortably furnished at a high 3-star level. My price hotel tip for Geneva.

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  Price info:
  A night in a double room with breakfast costs from 200 euros per person.
  

The Woodward: Two worlds of restaurant and design

Back at the Woodward I check the culinary side of my hotel: There are two gastro worlds:

The L’Atelier Robuchon impresses with its subdued light and a warm color palette that feels very soothing to me. Guests can dine in 36 seats around the chef’s counter.

in the

Le Jardinier (the gardener) is the place to sit on the magnificent lakeside terrace in summer. The interior of the restaurant is very harmoniously decorated in mint green tones. Even the vases and flowers on the tables match the color perfectly. I like the summer colors and the atmosphere like in a garden.

The next morning I wake up in a good mood and have a great desire to experience Lake Geneva sparkling in the morning sun under my suite windows.

Of the

Crescent-shaped lake, over 70 kilometers long, is the largest, deepest and bluest of all Swiss lakes. On the lake shore, I am impressed by Geneva’s landmark: the Jet d’Eau, the 140 meter high fountain that shoots 7 tons of water with 1400 hp and 200 kilometers per hour into the sky at all times.

I go on board the “La Suisse” – the venerable ship – completely and lovingly renovated in 2009 – is considered the most beautiful steamboat in the world.

It is only from the lake that I really notice the picturesque surroundings of Geneva. Steep vineyards on which the Swiss Sauvignon Blanc matures, historic buildings, magnificent villas and in the distance the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, among which Mont Blanc stands out.

Feel good in style: the Guerlain Spa in the Woodward

In the afternoon I’m back in my hotel and explore the spa world.

The only Guerlain spa in Switzerland is located here. I really like the decoration here: colorful, with a lot of power, not shy and super-elegant. The Woodward Spa here is already regarded as the best wellness address in Geneva.

I’m in a meditative mood and immediately banish the burgeoning thought of my exorbitant Geneva travel budget.

One sentence comes to mind: If you want to transfer money to Switzerland, you don’t need a numbered account. You can also just spend it here.

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