The ibis Geneve Centre Gare stands at 10 Rue Voltaire, in the Saint-Gervais area just across the river from the old town and a short walk from Cornavin station, and it is one of the more affordable ways to stay in the centre of a famously expensive city. It is a three-star hotel with 64 rooms, all air conditioned, with free Wi-Fi. Downstairs there is a bar, a snack bar, a library, a coworking space and bike rental, and the 24-hour front desk can help with tours and tickets and keep your luggage. A buffet breakfast is available for a fee that is much lower than at the grander hotels. Cafes and bakeries are two to five minutes away on foot. The Lyon tram stop is four minutes away, the station six, and the Rue du Rhône about nine, so the main sights and the lake are all within reach.
Location and getting around
Saint-Gervais is a lively, slightly bohemian district of small restaurants, galleries and bars, and the hotel puts you in the middle of it. The Mont Blanc Bridge is about twelve minutes away, the Patek Philippe Watch Museum about fourteen, and Saint-Pierre Cathedral and the Flower Clock around fifteen. Cornavin station is six minutes away, so trains to the airport, Lausanne and the mountains are easy. The airport is around twenty-two minutes by car. Parking is not described, so ask the hotel when you book if you are driving.
Rooms and facilities
Rooms are compact and practical, built for a few nights of sightseeing. Rollaway beds and cribs are not available, so check the room layout for families. Pets are accepted for a nightly fee and service animals are exempt. Early check-in and late check-out are possible for a fee, subject to availability, and a photo ID and a card or cash deposit may be required at check-in.
Smoking is not allowed. City tax is collected per person per night at the hotel, and it is worth asking about quiet rooms away from the street if you are a light sleeper.
Who it suits
Budget-minded couples, solo travellers, rail-pass holders and visitors who plan to spend their days out and want a clean, central bed and good transport. It lacks a spa, a restaurant and lake views, which is the trade for the lower rate, and Geneva’s hotels are among the most expensive in Europe, so the saving is real. Compare dates, since rates rise sharply during conferences and trade fairs, and look at the cancellation terms on your rate before you book.
Why stay here
- ✓64 air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Bar and snack bar
- ✓Library and coworking space
- ✓Bike rental
- ✓Luggage storage
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Tour and ticket desk
Good questions
How far is ibis Geneve Centre Gare from the station?+
Cornavin station is about six minutes on foot, and the Lyon tram stop is four minutes away.
Is breakfast included?+
A buffet breakfast is available for a fee that is modest for Geneva, so check what your rate includes when you book.
Is there parking?+
Parking is not described, so ask the hotel when you book, as parking in central Geneva is limited.
