Hotel Kipling – Manotel Geneva

The Hotel Kipling, a Manotel property, is stylishly decorated in Southeast Asian and English colonial designs inspired by the English novelist Rudyard Kipling, who was born in Bombay and penned “The Jungle Book.” The hotel’s competitive prices, upscale atmosphere, and location that’s a few blocks from Geneva’s main train station attract mostly couples and travelers in town on business. Kipling was an avid traveler and the hotel’s interiors are designed with his adventurous spirit in mind, featuring souvenirs from across the world, colorful fabrics, carved wooden details, and a front desk made from an old-fashioned luggage trunk. Hallways are simple and elegant, with red accent walls and black-and-white photos that continue into the stairwell. Charming framed botanical flower prints adorn the wooden interiors of the elevator. The lovely breakfast room maintains the lobby’s elegant air, with wooden floors, rattan chairs, and colorful booth seating, as well as a small terrace.

Set in the Rue des Paquis area, the hotel is within walking distance of the Geneva Cornavin main train station as well as the lake, where the Jet d’Eau is visible. Cafes, restaurants, and shops surround the hotel, which is, however, also near what’s known as Geneva’s red light district. The hotel provides guests with a free transportation card usable on Geneva’s trams, buses, trains, and ferries. The United Nations headquarters is 15 minutes by bus or tram. The Old Town, with over 45 museums and sights, such as the Maison Tavel, St. Pierre Cathedral and the Grand Theater, is also 15 minutes away by tram. The Geneva International Airport -- adjacent to Palexpo, the Geneva Arena, and the World Trade Center -- is 15 minutes by car.

Continuing the English colonial theme from public spaces, guest rooms display an understated elegance, mixing classic decor, red-striped textiles, tropical wall hangings, and rattan furniture. All are outfitted with writing desks, flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Executive Rooms add sitting areas with sofa beds, Nespresso machines, and kitchenettes with microwaves, counters, and mini-fridges, plus some have terraces. Kitchenettes are also available for an added fee in some of the Standard Rooms. Stylish bathrooms -- decorated in gold, red, black, and white -- offer hairdryers, scales, and shower/tub combos. Room service and cribs are available. And Swiss chocolates placed on beds are a sweet perk. 

Close attention has been paid to the Kipling's decor, and there's a uniformly stylish atmosphere throughout the hotel. The charming lobby bar serves coffee and cocktails in a stylish setting, and breakfast is available (though pricey) in a delightful breakfast room with a buffet area and patio seating on a small terrace. There is no full restaurant, but guests are invited to visit the nearby sister property, the Royal Hotel, which is two blocks away and has a French brasserie, a fine-dining restaurant, and a cozy bar with a fireplace.

The hotel's fitness center is well equipped with modern machines, free weights, a flat-screen TV, and bottled water as well as a Volvic water cooler. The meeting room has a conference table for up to eight people, a flat-screen TV, flip chart, and an espresso machine. There's also a 24-hour business center equipped with two PC computers and printers.