I have a choice of hotels in Geneva and would like some advice as to which has the best location. My husband and I will be staying there 3 nights in August and have never been there before. The 3 choices are: Hotel Tiffany, Rue des Marbriers; Hotel Hermitage, Rue de la Maitresse; and the Ambassador, 21 quai des Bergues. If anyone has an opinion, I'd love to hear it!

Lynn,

All 3 hotels are well located, with the Tiffany in a slightly scruffier neighbourhood but still totally safe and extremely central.

The Tiffany will most probably have the nicest rooms as it's a pretty new hotel, while at the Ambassador you could have a nice water view (but room decor could be older).

The Hermitage must be quite new (haven't noticed it yet when I've been walking through that neighbourhood, will check it out next time I'm in town). It's 3 star (other are 4*), looks a lot less luxurious and since there's no a/c I wouldn't recommend it in August! OTOH it should be much cheaper.

Here are their web sites in case you hadn't seen them already:

http://www.hotel-tiffany.ch
www.hotel-ambassador.ch/
http://www.hotelhermitage.ch

Hope this helps,
Andre

Thanks for your reply. As far as the areas around the Ambassador and Tiffany go, which would be better for walking around and availability of restaurants, etc.? I don't care as much about the rooms as it seems both will be fine.

Lynn,

Both hotels are within walking distance of lots of restaurants. The Tiffany might have a slight edge, as its location in a slightly more offbeat neighbourhood gives you more moderately priced choices, although the immediate surroundings are definitely less scenic. There's a very good vietnamese restaurant nearby on the rue des Rois(can't remember the name right now), as well as a very reasonable french place called l'Esquisse (haven't eaten there yet, but gets good reviews). Brasserie l'International is also quite nice. Finally, Remor on the place du Cirque has great home-made ice cream. I seem to recall being told that the restaurant at the Tiffany hotel itself isn't bad at all either.

Places I can recommend near the Ambassador are an italian/ticinese place called Locanda (haven't eaten there in years though), a spanish place called El Faro (amazing fish in salt crust - expensive though) and a small sushi bar called Uchino. The latter two are a 15-20 min walk. My mom also recommends the thai place at the Beau Rivage Hotel (Pattara?) as well as the lebanese restaurant at the Richemond hotel. Across the river, there's also the Brasserie Lipp, which has a broad menu selection and a very nice terrace (specify that you want to sit there when reserving).

Post again if you need more info.
Andre

Thanks again, sounds like the Tiffany to me! One more question, we would like to go by train to Florence. Is it ok to wait to get tickets there or should I book them before I go? How many trains a day would there be?

Lynn,

Glad to have helped - do post a report when you get back!

You can see the train schedules on:
www.rail.ch

No problem buying the tickets once you arrive in Geneva, just get them a few days ahead (do reserve seats) either at the train station or at the CFF office on place Longemalle in the shopping area. It's about a 7 hour trip if I recall correctly (some very nice scenery along the way), with a change in Milan. You want to travel on the Cisalpino (CIS) trains from Geneva to Milano and the Eurostar (ES) on the Milano-Florence portion.

I'll post the name of the vietnamese place as well as hopefully a few more suggestions once I've spoken to my mom, who lives in Geneva.

Andre

OK, the vietnamese place is called Bat Dat. My mom is actually going to a new dim sum place right around the corner from there tonight - I will keep you posted.

Andre

Oh yes! the french place is called L'Echalotte, NOT l'Esquisse - sorry! Another french place which gets good press is: La Truffe Noire.

Andre

Thanks again.