Le Richemond Geneve

The seven-story Le Richemond has a simple, beige facade with wrought-iron balconies and red accents. Originally opened in 1875 as a small, family-owned property, the hotel has been host to famous guests like Charlie Chaplin, Louis Armstrong, and artist Marc Chagall. The hotel underwent an extensive renovation and expansion in 2007. Reception decor is simple but elegant, with glistening floors, column accents, marble tables, and an elegant stairway with wrought-iron railings. A lounge features velvety slipper chairs, chandeliers, and a black baby grand piano. The hotel is impeccably clean, and staff is reportedly accommodating and speedy (a prince supposedly once ordered every item on the room service menu, and they were all delivered within 30 minutes). The hotel offers several luxurious suites and a host of lake-facing rooms with balconies and views of the Jet d’Eau. Close to major attractions, the hotel draws tourists, including couples and families traveling with children. 

Le Richemond sits on a pleasant street in the heart of the city, right across from a small park and a block (a one-minute walk) to the banks of Lake Geneva. The hotel offers views of the lake and of the famous Jet d' Eau. The property is within walking distance of several shops, restaurants, and popular attractions -- the heart of Old Town is about a 15-minute walk away, and the city's main train station is also an easy walk away. The hotel can arrange for airport transfers, and valet parking is available for an extra fee.

• One-minute walk to Lake Geneva
• Five-minute walk to Bains des Paquis Beach
• Eight-minute walk to Geneve-Cornavin railway station (main train station)
• 10-minute walk to Rue du Rhône shopping area
• 11-minute walk to Anglais Garden
• 14-minute walk to St. Pierre Cathedral
• 10-minute drive to Geneva International Airport (without traffic)
• 13 minutes to Paquis-Nations via public transport
• 14 minutes to Patek Philippe Museum via public transport

Le Richemond has 109 rooms in 11 different categories, from the smallest Superior Rooms (320 square feet) to the largest Royal Armleder Suite (1,615 square feet). While decor is not as elegant as  in the common areas, rooms are tasteful with clean, contemporary style and Art Deco elements. Neutral tones are accented by little pops of color. Superior Rooms feature gray wall-to-wall carpeting, matching bedding and drapes, and white walls with brown accents. Blue, red, and parquet wood accents offer a little extra style. Luxurious bathrooms feature marble floors and marble counter tops, heated towel racks, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and individual toiletries by L’Occitane en Provence. They have rainfall showerheads, most have bidets, and some have separate bathtubs. 

All rooms are air-conditioned with individual climate control, and feature turn-down service. Rooms have fully stocked minibars with free bottled water. Not all rooms hold coffee- and tea-making facilities, but some have Nespresso coffeemakers. Rooms include satellite LCD TVs with pay-per-view movies and free basic Wi-Fi, though guests complain that the signal can be slow.

Some rooms have views of the lake and Jet d’Eau, and all lake-facing rooms have balconies. Suites are spacious, with separate dining and living areas and multiple bedrooms. They may include extras like a free bottle of Champagne or flat-screen TVs in the bathrooms. The seventh floor Royal Armleder Suite is truly spectacular, with a wraparound terrace, a fireplace, and handcrafted, gold decor elements. 

This family-friendly hotel has a plethora of high-end features aimed at relaxation and convenience. A stylish spa offers a relaxation room, five treatment rooms, and gender-separated sauna and steam rooms. The roomy fitness center has wood floors, a mirrored wall, modern cardio machines, free weights, exercise balls, a punching bag, and other equipment. Private and small group fitness sessions are available for an extra fee. 

Le Jardin -- which overlooks the hotel's garden and has alfresco dining in warmer months -- is a classy restaurant that serves Mediterranean-style meals for lunch and dinner, while Le Bar serves cocktails and wine. The restaurant and bar feature jazz nights and special holiday menus. A breakfast buffet with additional cooked-to-order items is available, but it's not included in the room rate, and guests complain that it can be pricey. Room service is available 24 hours.

The hotel has five meeting rooms, and a large ballroom for both corporate events and weddings. A lobby lounge features a baby grand piano. For families with kids, the hotel offers children's books and DVDs, cribs, and socket protection covers. Childcare can be arranged for an extra fee.

For guests in most suites, the hotel provides free public transportation tickets for local bikes, boats, buses, and trams. A 24-hour concierge can organize trips, transport, tickets, and restaurant reservations. Currency exchange, chauffeur and butler service, and laundry/dry cleaning are available. The hotel will even unpack and pack guests' bags. Valet parking is offered, not a small thing in the heart of the city, but it comes with an extra fee. Basic Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but guests complain that it's slow.