Hotel Tiffany

The Tiffany is the kind of hotel that makes Geneva feel personal. It occupies a restored late-19th-century building on the Rue de l’Arquebuse, a calm street in the city’s artistic quarter, between the Plainpalais plain and the boulevards around the Grand Théâtre, and the Belle Époque style of the house has been carried through to the smallest details, from stained glass and wrought iron to the Art Nouveau curves of the furniture and lighting, with a contemporary lightness that keeps it from feeling like a museum. With 65 rooms and suites, it is large enough to have proper facilities and small enough to stay intimate. Rooms are elegant and comfortable, decorated in warm, soft colours, with air conditioning and good bathrooms, and the suites are popular with couples. The hotel has its own restaurant and bar, which are pleasant for a quiet dinner or a drink after the theatre, and a small wellness area for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. The location is a quiet strength: you are a short walk from the Old Town, the Parc des Bastions and the lake, but away from the bustle of the station district, and the neighbourhood’s galleries, antique shops and cafés are worth exploring.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at Rue de l’Arquebuse 20, in the Plainpalais district on the left bank, a short walk from the Grand Théâtre, the Parc des Bastions and the foot of the Old Town. The lake is about ten minutes on foot. Cornavin station is about 1.5 kilometres away by taxi or by trams 14 or 15, and the airport is around 7.5 kilometres. Your free Geneva Transport Card covers the trams.

Rooms: rooms are individually decorated in Belle Époque style, with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The suites have more space and character, and rooms on the quiet street side are calm at night.

Who it suits: couples looking for a romantic base, culture lovers going to the Grand Théâtre or the museums, and travellers who prefer a smaller, characterful hotel to a big chain.

Good to know: parking is available, which is handy if you plan day trips to Annecy or the Riviera by car, but ask about the fee. Breakfast may not be included in every rate, so compare carefully. The neighbourhood has a famous flea market on the Plainpalais plain on certain days.