Geneva accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “The Peace Capital”.
Geneva known for: iconic fountain, iconic flower clock, chocolate, fondue, gardens, lakeside baths & parks, marinas, castles, medieval houses, museums, monuments, concert halls, music venues, watchmaking, Calvinism
Located in Switzerland’s remote west, Geneva borders France at 1,230 feet above sea level. The Peace Capital is surrounded by the Bernese Alps and the Jura Mountains. About 3 hours from the Swiss capital of Zurich, Geneva is characterized by 45-mile long, 8.7-mile wide, 1,020-foot deep Lake Geneva. Prior to the 16th century Lake Geneva was named Lac Léman (revived 18th century), which remains the lake’s official French name to this day. 60% of Lake Geneva belongs to Switzerland and 40% belongs to France.
Geneva main attractions: Jet d’Eau de Genève (iconic fountain), L’Horloge Fleurie (iconic outdoor flower clock), Bains des Pâquis (public lakeside bath houses / winter saunas), Broken Chair (tourist attraction – wooden chair sculpture), Cathédrale Saint-Pierre Genève (cathedral), Kiosque des Bastions (green space – restaurant, bar, giant chess boards, botanical garden, lounge chairs, playground), Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève (botanical garden), Parc La Grange (lakeside park – theater, summer concerts, rose garden, scenic views), Auberge de Savièse (Swiss restaurant), Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (natural history museum), Parc Mon Repos (lakeside park – walking / bike paths, playground, seasonal outdoor events), Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (museum), Reformation Wall (stone wall monument honoring Protectant Reformation and founders including John Calvin), Brasserie Lipp (French restaurant), Patek Philippe Museum (Patek Philippe / Swiss watchmaking museum), Café du Soleil (Swiss restaurant), Place du Bourg-de-Four (Geneva’s oldest square – high-end shops, cafes, fountains, patios), Bois de la Bâtie (nature park – zoo, local wildlife, playground, splash pad, sports fields), Victoria Hall (concert hall – built 1890s), Parc aux animaux du Bois-de-la-Bâtie (zoo), Restaurant Kung Fu (Chinese restaurant), Chat Noir Club (live music bar), PAV Bar (bar & grill), Église Russe (Russian Orthodox church), Audio Club (disco club), Tavel House (medieval house / local history museum), Trip Trap Secret Floor (escape room center)
Northeastward along Lake Geneva shoreline: Chillon Castle (lakeside castle – 4 great halls, underground vaults, exhibitions, events), The Olympic Museum (Olympic athlete / architect museum / athletics track), Palexpo (exhibition / trade center), Statue de Freddie Mercury (lakeside bronze Freddie Mercury statue), Casino Barrière Montreux (casino), Port de Thonon les Bains (marina), Esplanade de Montbenon (lakeview park – William Tell statue, small fountain), Source Cachat – Evian (tourist attraction / natural spring drinking water – bring an empty water bottle if you would like to try it), Golden Pass Railway (classic railway coach – upscale countryside travel experiences), Le Coucou Montreux (restaurant), Sauvabelin Tower (wooden tower – 302 spiral steps, viewing platform), Château de Nyon (12th-century fort / museum – armor exhibits, paintings, porcelain), The Eagles of Lake Geneva (zoo), Genève-Plage (lakeside park – large swimming pool, restaurant), Parc de Mon Repos (19th-century landscaped park – villa, seasonal café, indoor pool, playground), Port de Sciez (marina), Bioparc Genève (zoo), Koko Sushi (Japanese restaurant), Castle Voltaire, Hermitage Foundation (19th-century house / art museum – restaurant, gardens, temporary art exhibits), Boullard Musique SA (music / instrument store), Château de Prangins – Swiss National Museum (18th-century estate / Swiss history museum – kitchen garden, orchard, exhibits), Collection de l’Art Brut (avant-garde art museum), Bar Satellite (beer hall – board games, foosball, live music), Auberge de Luins (restaurant), Château de Rolle (castle), Lavaux Vinorama (vineyard), Tristan Carbonatto Chocolatier Sàrl (chocolate shop), Fly-Xperience (paragliding), Golfparc Signal de Bougy (golf course), Golf Club Domaine Impérial (golf club)
Geneva main airport: Genève Aéroport (aka Geneva Airport and Cointrin Airport)
Airport car rental agencies: Sixt
Rideshare service: Uber
Presently Geneva does not have a subway system. The “Léman Express II” is a proposed 13-mile underground light rail line (estimated 2045 opening).
Nearby France ski resorts: Grand Massif Domaines Skiables, Massif de Balme, Espace Nordique des Confins, Station de Samoëns – Domaine du Grand Massif, Station de Manigod, Les Carroz, Flaine 1600 2500, Domaine de Ski de Fond de Beauregard
Mont Blanc (56 miles from Geneva – Alps highest mountain at 15,766 feet): Mont-Blanc Natural Resort (ski resort)
Mont Blanc accommodations: Heliopic Hotel & Spa, Plan B Hotel, Auberge Du Bois Prin, RockyPop Chamonix – Les Houches, Chalet Hotel Les Campanules, Big Sky Hotel
Near Mont Blanc – Chamonix (charming resort commune): MBC Chamonix Microbrewery, Albert 1er Restaurant (fine dining restaurant), La Maison Carrier (French restaurant), Bizes (barbecue restaurant), Atmosphère (restaurant), MUMMA (restaurant), La Fine Bouche (restaurant), Jeanie Chamonix (restaurant), JOIA by Pizzeria Des Moulins (pizza restaurant), Burger ”Poco Loco” (hamburger restaurant), Cool Cats (hot dog restaurant, Munchie (Asian fusion restaurant), Yak (Japanese restaurant), ARCUS Coffee (brunch restaurant), INTERSPORT – Chamonix Centre – Michel Croz (ski rental service)
Additional Mont Blanc-area ski resorts:: Domaine du Tou, La Flégère
Geneva top events: Geneva International Film Festival, Paléo Festival de Nyon, Montreux Jazz Festival, Caribana Festival, Vernier sur Rock, Swiss National Day, Bol D’or Mirabaund, Geneva Motor Show
More fun things: Swiss Travel Pass, Lake Cruise, Chamonix & Mont Blanc Glass-Roof Bus Tour, Annecy “Venice of the Alps” Tour, Old Town Chocolate Tour
Geneva professional football club: Servette FC (Stade de Genève – south side)
Geneva currency: Swiss Franc
Legal drinking ages: 16 years old for beer & wine, 18 years old for liquor
When traveling to Geneva there are some things to keep in mind. French is Geneva’s official language. English is spoken in tourist areas, though learning at least some French and even Italian is helpful. Outlet adapters are good to pack, as Geneva electrical outlets require special plug types (Types C and J). Although Geneva is home to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), Switzerland is not part of the European Union (EU). Switzerland does participate in the Schengen Agreement (abolishes internal border checks, allows police to cross borders in pursuit). The Schengen Agreement as applied to Switzerland stipulates that short stays may not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period. Driving between Geneva / Switzerland and France generally is seamless. Geneva accommodations are some of Central Europe’s best. Before we get to Geneva accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
The Gallic Allobrogian people first fortified the border town of Geneva to fend off the neighboring Celtic Helvetians. In 121 BC, however, the town fell to the Roman Republic. Julius Caesar once referred to the town as Genava, possibly in reference to the Celtic word genawa- / genu- (“mouth” / estuary), while referencing the Italian port city of Genoa (Genova). Under the Late Roman Empire, Geneva became Christian and acquired its first bishop circa the 5th century. The Diocese of Geneva, a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction / diocese, merged with the Diocese of Chambéry around this time. In the century prior, the town had been connected to the Bishopric of Vienne. Medival Geneva was known as pagus major Genevensis or Comitatus Genevensis (Middle Latin language) and later the Genevois province of Savoy. During the Middle Ages, the County of Geneva was ruled by a Holy Roman Empire “count”. In the late-14th century, however, the town was granted self-governance by way of a charter, albeit at the hands of the House of Savoy, a royal, Franco-Italian house. The 15th-century’s, newly formed Grand Council of Geneva instituted a “oligarchic republican” government. The Protestation Reformation reached the city early in the following century. Savoy rule was overthrown and Geneva allied itself with the Swiss Confederacy, or the Old Swiss Confederacy, a loose confederation of independent states. French theologian and pastor John Calvin, who inspired Calvinism, became the city’s spiritual leader in 1541. Calvin’s Geneva is sometimes referred to as “Protestant Rome”. After Calvin, Catholic France moved in by the 18th century. The Swiss banking system is rooted in the Great Council of Geneva, which outlawed the disclosure of information concerning the European upper class circa 1713. Due to the French crown’s persecution of his controversial writings, François-Marie Arouet, also known as Voltaire, sought refuge in Geneva, where he resided at Les Délices between March 1755 and late-1760. Catholic France’s presence was at odds with the Geneva townspeople. A conflict between upper-middle class merchant burghers and lower-middle class “natives”, who were principally watchmakers, was the Geneva Revolution of 1782. Having been excluded from voting or serving in office, natives, along with immigrant “habitants”, broke into the municipal armory and armed themselves on February 5, 1781. To assuage the impending rebellion, the Genevan Small Council voted to grant voting rights to 100 “natives” and 20 “habitants”, which was reneged over a year later by the Genevan Small Council, naturally sparking further revolutionary insinuations. Ultimately, with support from the Kingdom of France, the city-state of Bern and the Kingdom of Sardinia, the burghers exiled 21 prominent revolutionaries, who were followed-out by around 500 other natives / habitants, first to the Swiss town of Neuchâtel, where they were again exiled, and then to Waterford, Ireland. Shortly after the 1782 revolution, Geneva was annexed in 1798. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, France lost Geneva, which joined the Swiss Confederation on May 19, 1815. Separation of church and state commenced in 1907, and from there Geneva began to flourish.
Home to over 200,000 “Genevans”, Geneva is Switzerland’s second-most populous city behind Zurich. Geneva is the Republic and Canton of Geneva’s capital. Although Geneva’s municipal area spans a mere 6 square miles, the city’s ranked as the world’s forth-most expensive city for expatriate employees. Historically, the Swiss banking system has been renowned for its levels of low risk and high privacy. Geneva has a number of tall buildings, though the city is not known for its skyscrapers. At 300 feet, Pictet Tower is the tallest building currently. Geneva’s main Christmas market is Noël au Quai. Defined by a temperate climate, The Peace Capital experiences warm summers and cool winters. Average summer high temperatures average around 80 °F, while winters stay around 40 °F. Light frosts are common during winter nights. Snowfall is typically minimal within the city, though the distant, snow-capped mountains make for dramatic scenery. Additional points of interest are Institute et Musée Voltaire, Grand Théâtre de Genève, University of Geneva and Collège Calvin (Geneva’s oldest public secondary school – founded 1559 by John Calvin). Local foods include longeole (traditional pork sausage with cumin), malakoff (fried cheese ball), bircher muesli (breakfast cereal made with cream and lemon juice), rösti (potato fritter), fondue and chocolate. Popular drinks are white wine, craft beer, coffee and hot chocolate. Switzerland’s national drink is Rivella (soft drink since 1952 produced from milk whey). With some background information on the area, we’re ready for Geneva accommodations that are sure to inspire.
Hotel Les Armures
Rue Puits-St-Pierre
Patek Philippe Museum
Hotel amenities: fine cuisine, lavish furnishings, charming rooms, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, marble bathrooms, thick bathrobes
Nearby restaurants: Restaurant Les Armures (Swiss restaurant), La Cittadella (Italian restaurant), La Favola (Italian restaurant), Antiquaires (Swiss restaurant)
Nearby museums: Tavel House (local history museum), Archaeological Site of St. Pierre Cathedral (archaeological museum), International Museum of the Reformation (Protestant museum), L’ancien arsenal (museum)
Nearby misc.: St Pierre Cathedral, Au Petit Comestible (Italian grocery store), Coiffeur de la Cité (hairdresser), Closet Genève (clothing store), Società Dante Alighieri (organization), passage de Monetier (historical landmark)
Within feet:
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- Patek Philippe Museum
- St. Pierre Cathedral
- Geneva Town Hall
- Victoria Hall
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Within 5.3 miles:
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- European Council for Nuclear Research
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Within 10.8 miles:
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- Domaine de Divonne Casino
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Hotel Les Armures is miles from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $860
Hotel d’Angleterre
Quai du Mont Blanc 17
Bains des Paquis
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, panoramic lake / mountain views, elegant furnishings, soundproof windows, interconnecting rooms, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, luxurious bathrooms, bathrobes, slippers, welcome drinks, fresh fruits, homemade chocolates, 24-hour room service, twice daily maid service
Nearby restaurants: Chat-Botté (European restaurant) Le Grill(restaurant)
Nearby misc.: Spa Valmont (spa), Théâtre du Léman (performing arts theater), Bronzette (beach pavilion), Monument à l’impératrice Sissi (historical landmark), Rotonde du Mont-Blanc (historical landmark)
Within feet:
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- Bains des Paquis
- Lake Geneva
- Victoria Hall
- Palazzo
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Within 5 miles:
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- CERN
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Within 9.9 miles:
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- The Hamlet of Santa Claus
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Hotel d’Angleterre is 2.5 miles from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Bellevue suite): $1,696
Cost per person (six people): $282
Hotel d’Allèves
Rue du Cendrier 16
Flower Clock
Hotel amenities: air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-bars, safes, hairdryers
Nearby restaurants / bars: Qibi Bergues (takeout restaurant), Mama Corleone (pizza restaurant), Zhong Tong (Chinese restaurant), VOODOO (cocktail bar)
Nearby misc.: David Bourdenet – Boulangerie et Pâtisserie (bakery), La Boutique du Goût (tea store), Salon de coiffure Le Barbier (hair salon), Masculin Center Genève (beauty salon), InstitutWarmi (beauty salon), Boutique Jessica B. (haute couture fashion house), Photo Pour Tous (photographer)
Within feet:
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- Flower Clock
- Shopping Area Geneve
- Patek Philippe Museum
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Within 4.4 miles:
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- Annemasse Train Station
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Within 10.4 miles:
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- Domaine de Divonne Casino
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Hotel d’Allèves is 2.4 miles from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $358
Adina Apartment Hotel
Route de Meyrin 125
Geneva International Airport
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, continental breakfast, city views, sauna, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, kitchens, electric tea pots, safety deposit boxes, hairdryers, 24-hour front desk, concierge service
Also in the area: Geneva Marriott Hotel
Within feet:
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- Geneva International Airport
- Parc de l’Etang
- Zône nature du Marais
- Parc de Poussy
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Within 1.1 miles:
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- Parc Soubeyran
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Within 1.6 miles:
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- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
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Within 3.8 miles:
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- Villa Diodati
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Adina Apartment Hotel is within feet from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Two-Bedroom Apartment): $504
Cost per person (five people): $100
Swiss Luxury Apartments
Rue Philippe – Plantamour 6 – 8, Paquis
Jardin des Alpes
Apartment amenities: free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, Bose headphones / speakers, wireless chargers, PS4 game consoles, dedicated cell phones with free roaming, fully-equipped kitchenettes, Nespresso machines, wine fridges, full body treatments & private coaching for a surcharge, 24-hour room service, daily maid service, unlimited free on-site laundry service, concierge services, private parking
Also in the area: Hotel Beau Rivage Geneva
Within feet:
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- Jardin des Alpes
- Square du Mont-Blanc
- Parc Jardin Anglais
- Promenade des Lavandières
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Within 1.2 miles:
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- Parc Bertrand
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Within 1.3 miles:
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- Geneve-Plage
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Within 7 miles:
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- Monts Jura
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Swiss Luxury Apartments is 2.4 miles from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Two-Bedroom Apartment): $1,279
Cost per person (six people): $213
Floatinn Boat-BnB
Port des Eaux-Vives, Eaux-Vives
Lake Geneva
B&B amenities: restaurant services upon prior request, bar, lounge, lake views, sun terrace, outdoor seating area, portholes facing the lake, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, fishing, snorkeling
Nearby restaurants / bars / pubs: Chez Marino (Italian restaurant), Tosca (Italian restaurant), Boulevard 22 (French restaurant), Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (French restaurant), Safe Meat (steakhouse), The Green Van Company (hamburger restaurant), Inglewood Eaux-Vives (hamburger restaurant), Black Tap (restaurant), Da Paolo (pizza restaurant), Pizzeria Dagli Amici (pizza restaurant), Restaurant Chez Fouad (restaurant), Le Gobelet d’Argent (restaurant), The Phénix (restaurant), Gives A Fork – MQ (restaurant), Eat Me Restaurant Geneva, Au Coin du Bar (restaurant), Attar Restaurant (restaurant), Taqueria Los Cuñados (Mexican restaurant), Kakinuma (Japanese restaurant), Ukiyo Restaurant (Japanese restaurant), HONKAKU Restaurant Japonais (traditional restaurant), Fusion Uramaki Store (sushi takeaway), Tibet Café (restaurant), Baba Tandoori (modern Indian restaurant), Restaurant Pasargades (Persian restaurant), ChefMezze (Lebanese restaurant), Fayrouz Garden (Lebanese Restaurant), Chez Sami Snack (Lebanese Restaurant), Hunch – all day brunch (brunch restaurant), Sauvage bar, Le C (bar), Soleil Rouge (bar), Les Frangins Eaux-Vives (bar), Bottle Brothers (cocktail bar), Chez Bacchus – Bar à vins (wine bar), Crossroads Pub (pub), Pub L’Arbalète (pub)
Nearby misc.: L’Escale (live music bar), Bluff (pool hall), Lapaire (café), Chou (coffee shop), Utopia coffee (coffee shop), LAZY CAT (espresso bar), Aux Merveilleux de Fred (pastry shop), La Bonbonnière Chocolaterie (chocolate artisan), Tom Beers (beer store), Manu Gelato Eaux-Vives (ice cream shop), PEARL – Eaux-Vives (bubble tea store), L’Arcade (organic shop), The 23rd Place – Concept Store (hair salon), Eleven Laser (beauty salon), OleNAILS (nail salon), MGirod Bikinis (swimwear store), La Canopée (gym), The 23rd Place – Concept Store (gym), YES Bootcamp (fitness center), Let’s Go Fitness (fitness center), Quiz Room Genève (recreation center), Isail Geneva Sailing Lessons Sailing School (boat club), Baby-Plage (beach), Genève (ferry terminal)
Within feet:
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- Lake Geneva
- Jet d’Eau
- Parc La Grange
- Square du Mont-Blanc
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Within 1 mile:
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- Bertrand
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Within 1.2 miles:
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- Patek Philippe Museum
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Floatinn is 2.9 miles from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $329
The Hamlet
12-14 Rue Etienne Dumont
Geneva Town Hall
Hotel amenities: free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, kitchens, hairdryers, car / bicycle rental service, business center
Nearby restaurants: Le 33 Restaurant Chinois, Bacco (tapas restaurant), Mango Deck (health food restaurant)
Nearby misc.: Hautlé (bakery), Mulette Coiffure (hair salon), Nehr Casa Nueva (tobacco shop), Young Collectors by Phoenix Ancient Art (art gallery), Patrick Gutknecht Gallery (art gallery), Bijouterie Grégoire (jeweler), Geneva Street Food Festival, Secret Chamber Escape Game (escape room center)
Within feet:
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- Geneva Town Hall
- St. Pierre Cathedral
- Parc Bertrand
- Jet d’Eau
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Within 4.2 miles:
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- Annemasse Train Station
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Within 5 miles:
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- Swiss Alps Hiking Area
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Within 9.2 miles:
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- The Hamlet of Santa Claus
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The Hamlet is 3 miles from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $441
Le Jour et la Nuit
Avenue du Mervelet 8
International Red Cross Red Crescent Museum
Hotel amenities: city views, terraces, garden with a terrace & barbecue facilities, separate living areas, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, grocery delivery upon request, shuttle service upon request
Nearby: Colladon Parc (restaurant), Shibata (Japanese restaurant), Atelier Scandalo Coiffure (hair salon), Balexert (shopping mall), Trembley Park
Within feet:
Within 1 mile:
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- United Nations Geneva1
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Within 1.6 miles:
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- Leman Theatre
- Victoria Hall
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Within 3.4 miles:
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- CERN
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Le Jour et la Nuit is 1 mile from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $314
Chézery-Forens Apartment
Rte de Noirecombe, Chézery-Forens, France
National Nature Reserve of High Jura Mountain
Apartment amenities: garden, free Wi-Fi, kitchen, washer, dryer, parking
Nearby: Restaurant le commerce (restaurant), Jardins sacrés (brunch restaurant), Soc Cooperative From Cheese (cheese shop), Boulangerie Mermillon (bakery)
Within feet:
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- National Nature Reserve of High Jura Mountain (hiking, snowshoeing)
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Within 1 mile:
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- Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park
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Within 8.4 miles:
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- Monts Jura
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Chézery-Forens Apartment is 72 minutes from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $118
Cost per person (four people): $29
The Woodward
37 Quai Wilson, Paquis
Parc privé du Château-Banquet
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, American breakfast, lake views, terrace, balconies, indoor pool, sauna, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, mini-bars, safety deposit boxes, desks, German, English, French and Italian-speaking staff, bike rental service, free private parking
Nearby restaurants / bars / pubs: MOZZA & CO – Mozzarella Bar (Italian restaurant), L’Atelier Robuchon (French restaurant), Le palmarin (restaurant), Mikado Sushi (sushi restaurant), KO-AH Bar & Lounge (Thai restaurant), Gelateria Fiordilatte (sundae restaurant), La Terrasse (bar), La Pépite (cocktail bar), Corner Pub (pub)
Nearby misc.: Sketchiz Karaoke & Games (karaoke bar), GoGo Drink’s (liquor store), Marti Marine (boat rental service), Port Wilson (marina), Statue de Jean Marteau (memorial park)
Within feet:
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- Parc privé du Château-Banquet
- Square du Mont-Blanc
- Flower Clock
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Within 1.2 miles:
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- Patek Philippe Museum
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Within 1.6 miles:
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- Villa Diodati
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Within 9 miles:
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- Fierney Ski Lift
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The Woodward, Auberge Collection is 2.4 miles from Geneva International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Suite Mont-Blanc): $5,980
Cost per person (three people): $1,993
So there they are, Geneva accommodations that will help make for an outstanding experience. We hope you have found this information valuable and most of all, that you enjoy your time in Switzerland!
