13 Best Hotels in Geneva, Switzerland

This small hotel has sleek interiors with both Asian and European design elements. The contemporary taste, and mix of art and design objects in guest and public rooms alike, is exquisite here. With its library-like business corner, good bar, and restaurant overlooking a lovely small court where bamboo riffles in the breeze against a water wall, this hotel features plenty of cozy corners in which to unwind.

Unpretentious service, lavish decor, luxurious details, and a first-rate location gives this palace an inner glow. Classic guest rooms are done in soothing palettes of blues and Louis-Philippe opulence, but more contemporary rooms on the spa floor are dressed in muted browns and feature posh bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and a shower with a built-in hammam. Throughout, the elegant grandeur meshes seamlessly with perfect service and modern comforts. Not to mention that the views—including of the Jet d'Eau—from this swooningly impressive, yet so personal, hotel are superb. There's also a two-story spa with an indoor pool, fitness center, and rooftop restaurant.

This grande dame along Geneva's waterfront seamlessly blends an elegant belle époque vibe with contemporary luxuries like TVs hidden in mirrors and personal hammams. The history-rich landmark offers sweeping views of Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc, and the Jet d’Eau. There's an elegant bar along with Le Chat Botté, a Michelin-starred French restaurant. Savoring a meal on its awning-shaded balcony with cascades of flowers in planters continues to be a Best of Geneva experience.

Impeccable taste, total discretion, and a passion for detail mark this stylish boutique hotel, where thematic decorations stretch from African to baroque. Desks are equipped with office supplies, breakfast can be tailored to your needs, and room service includes afternoon tea. Guest rooms are individually decorated; one may be dressed in rich greens with faux-fur throws, and another might be done in rich browns to give off a more masculine vibe. The Leopard Room bar has a working fireplace, live music several nights a week, and an adjacent smoking room with a wide selection of cigars. Windows, the quayside winter-garden restaurant, serves creative French cuisine with a front-row view of the Jet d'Eau and Mont Blanc.

The leafy outdoor terrace, soft yellow facade, and peach-paneled lobby impose civility on this modest hotel's central but chaotic location on a busy street opposite the Gare Cornavin. Guest rooms have marbled tile bathrooms, sleek wood furniture, double-glazed windows, and restful rose, green, and raspberry color schemes. The multilingual, uniformed staff is on duty round the clock. La Véranda, the restaurant where breakfast is served, also offers reasonably priced lunches and dinners, including the ubiquitous plat du jour from a modest 15 SF.

Original 17th-century stonework, colorful frescoes, painted beams, and tapestries adorn the lobby and some rooms in this low-key luxury hotel near the cathedral; others have clean modern lines and restful deep-brown accents. Cobblestone views and surprising amounts of natural light add a peaceful atmosphere. Look for glowing glass-and-tile baths and flat-screen TVs throughout; two very quiet rooms open onto a tiny inner courtyard. The hotel's restaurant is one of the city's most popular venues for Swiss specialties (raclette, fondue, etc.)—even (as a discreet plaque by the door announces) Bill Clinton, when U.S. president, came here to sample them.

Massive scrubbed-stone arches, swirled wrought-iron sconces, lush carpeting, and the immediate proximity of high-voltage Rue du Rhône shopping give this 1854 Left Bank palace an air of urban gentility and center-city bustle. Inside, the lakeside rooms nod to the Swiss surroundings with brightly colored wallpaper inspired by the mountain flowers, bath products made from local herbs, and stunning lake views. Technology is integrated seamlessly with a television hidden in a room-high mirror, a central control panel for all electronics, and a personal hammam in many of the bathrooms.

It has a no-thrills modern exterior, but one step inside and you'll be seduced by wafting scents from perfumed candles and the high-glitter-cum-slice-of-nature lobby and public salons. Swarovski crystals pressed into marble flooring, onyx, cut glass, platinum mosaics, and gold leaf are all mixed in with artist Jae-Ho Lee's nature statements. The striking results—stay here only if you like minimalism done with a sumptuous baroque touch—suggest the water and mountains of which the hotel has fabulous views. Top Lebanese eating at Arabesque, contemporary French cuisine at Bayview, and sophisticated lounging at Glow add to the appeal. There's also a spa and outdoor pool with restaurant (dig the sexy night-lighting). []

This cheerful chain hotel is extremely convenient if you're arriving late or departing early: breakfast starts as early as 4 am, the reception desk is staffed around the clock, and the train station is a 10-minute walk away. Smooth wood and apricot accents add warmth to green pinstripes in the bright well-appointed guest rooms, and the bathrooms get high marks for plentiful hot water.

Elegant interiors, attentive service, and fabulous Rhône views add to the appeal of this Asian-influenced hotel. Inside there's a feng shui-ed feel and an alluring mix of art deco–inspired and contemporary furnishings. Smiling staffers wearing elegant uniforms, lush floral displays, and a deliciously perfumed lobby greet you when you walk in. Insiders' tip: book your room online for complimentary Wi-Fi.

Directly on Lake Geneva, the historic hotel blends modern design and luxury with 19th-century Italianate framework. Guests are greeted in a stunning, multistory atrium with black-and-white marble floors, Italian-style balustrades, and an impressive crystal chandelier. Rooms with large windows that offer sweeping views of the Jet d'Eau, Mont Blanc, and the Old Town are decorated in muted grays and creams. Two excellent restaurants, including the Nordic-inspired Fiskebar, and a petite Philippe Pascoët chocolate shop round out the luxe experience.

This pretty art nouveau–style hotel blends its 19th-century originality with a contemporary edge. An airy, glass-topped atrium joins the original hotel with a neighboring building in an enlargement that adds 19 rooms, including two apartment-style suites with a private patio. With a sidewalk terrace, bar, library, and small gym with a hammam, this tasteful and friendly hotel has a homey atmosphere and state-of-the-art advantages.