Still as part of my business trip to Geneva, I booked a room at the Hôtel de la Paix, and had an excellent stay.
Itinerary reminder :
Booking
I made the reservation a few days before my stay through the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts website, which offers specific advantages such as :
- A guaranteed upgrade
- Guaranteed late check-out
- 100 per day Food & Beverage credit
Etc, etc.
In fact, I chose this option because the price was lower than through any other booking channel.
My Bonvoy number was requested, and the reservation was automatically linked to my loyalty account.
Arrival
A few days before my arrival, I noticed on the Marriott Bonvoy app that I’d been upgraded to a Junior Suite with a “Best view” of the lake – perfect for me, who now prefers views to space.
I arrive by IC 1 train from Cointrin airport. Geneva airport and the TPG offer free transport from the airport via free ticket machines located in the baggage claim area. I take one, and head for the station on the left as I leave the customs area.
The next train is an IC to Zurich Hbf, which of course serves Geneva Cornavin, Geneva’s city center station.
In less than 10 minutes, I arrive at the main station and continue to the hotel on foot, which is only 5 minutes from the station.
The welcome is absolutely charming. When I arrive, the two receptionists are on the phone, but one of them finishes his conversation so he can take charge of me.
Check-in is done seated. A bottle of water and disinfectant wipes are brought to me while the formalities are carried out.
The benefits of my AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts rate are explained and confirmed, as are my Ambassador benefits (most of which are redundant, by the way).
I’m told I have an upgrade to “one of the most beautiful rooms”, but I already know it’s a Junior Suite with a lake view. Note the elegance of the phrase.
The receptionist offers to escort me to the suite, which I accept.
Room
My suite was located on the 4th floor of the property. For a Junior Suite, the latter is rather spacious and organized.
Once in the entrance hall, the (separate) toilet is on the right. The hand shower gives an idea of the clientele usually occupying the premises.
Still on the right, you’ll find the dressing room and the bathroom, which is quite spacious. A double basin allows two people to wash at the same time.
A bathtub and shower complete the equipment. There are no doors separating the entrance from the bathroom or the bathroom from the bedroom.
The bedroom is very spacious. A lounge area is available on the left, with a welcome note signed by the hotel manager, as well as a new-generation welcome service: disinfectant wipes 🙂
The bed is, of course, extremely comfortable. Strangely, there will be no turn down service during my (short) stay.
The desk faces the incredible view from this suite of the lake, its surroundings and Mont Blanc in the distance.
To finish, a video tour:
Hotel facilities
The hotel is small, with fewer than a hundred rooms, and is located in a historic building. So there’s no spa.
It also has a fitness room on the property’s 1st floor. The latter is very comprehensive, with several rooms featuring brand-new equipment and plenty of space for free weights.
I won’t be using it this time.
Food options
The hotel has two restaurants, one with an international flavour, the other with a Nordic focus.
I won’t be testing the first one (located right next to the lobby), and will only be using the second one for breakfast. I’ll also have a drink at the bar with a colleague
Bar
After dinner in an excellent Japanese restaurant, I decide to have a drink in the hotel bar to round off the evening (and use up my CHF 100.- credit).
But when we arrive at the hotel, I notice that the bar is not open on Monday evenings. I ask at reception, who nevertheless tell me that a waiter can serve us a drink.
We settle into the bar, which has a very special decor… You’ve got to love this blend of bling bling and jungle.
Service is a little slow, and we wait for long minutes before the menu is brought to us. The latter is quite extensive, but no fantastic cocktails. We choose a sake and an armagnac, which also take a long time to arrive. Some snacks will also be provided, but after the drinks. A little rambling.
Breakfast service
Breakfast is served from 7am to 10:30am in the Nordic restaurant.
When I arrive, the restaurant is almost empty, and a waiter seats me at one of the available tables.
There’s no buffet here, just à la carte ordering. I choose the full option with one of the dishes on order. I’d go for the Salmon Eggs Benedict, which turned out to be delicious. The service will be very attentive.
The other elements will also be of excellent quality.
Departure
I’ll be heading back to the airport in the late morning by Uber, as the train line is severely disrupted by a technical incident.
The invoice will be correct and sent by e-mail a few hours later.
Bottom line
An excellent stay. The service is absolutely perfect and the staff adorable. We’ll definitely return (if we can find a decent price).
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