Hotel d’Angleterre’s Presidential Suite
Photo Courtesy of The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd
For an international locale like Geneva, known for its upscale sensibility, it’s a small wonder this city has some of the largest hotel suites in Europe. In addition to a high level of concierge services and pampering, what many people look for in these first-class suites goes beyond luxury — it is privacy and discretion, something these places provide in excess.
Beau-Rivage, Geneva
The Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Beau-Rivage is home to the sought-after Sissi Suite. Named in honor of the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as “Sissi,” who stayed at the hotel the night before she was assassinated in Geneva in 1898, this suite elegantly pays tribute to local history.
Beau-Rivage, Geneva, Photo Courtesy of The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd
This Victorian unit has many of its original furnishings, including personal items from Sissi herself, making it one of the most historically significant suites in the city. It is nearly 1,000 square feet and dressed in red- and cream-colored fabrics reminiscent of imperial colors.
The suite includes a bathroom with a hammam shower and whirlpool tub, and a music and video library for your perusal. The private terrace offers stunning views of the harbor, and additional rooms can allow for an expanded floor plan. The suite was renovated in 2011 by Archduke Markus Habsburg-Lothringen, a direct descendant of Sissi.
Hotel President Wilson, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Located on Geneva’s tony Quai du Mont-Blanc, which fronts Lake Geneva and the French Alps, the Royal Penthouse Suite at this Four-Star beauty is an astounding 18,000 square feet. This suite, believed to be one of the largest in the world, covers the entire eighth floor of the hotel and features 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. Hermès bath products and Bang & Olufsen electronics are used throughout the suite.
You’ll also spot a 12-seat dining table, a small kitchen and private chef, an extended outdoor terrace with unparalleled views of Lake Geneva and a homey library. There’s even a panic room and bulletproof glass windows, which make it a top choice with politicos and pop stars alike.
The suite also comes with a personal assistant, a Steinway grand piano, a 1930s billiard table, an attached fitness room and direct private access to Spa La Mer on the first floor.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva
The Four-Star jewel’s Geneva Suite ranks as one of the largest suites in Europe. The 11,625 square feet of elegance takes up two floors, showcasing Brazilian wood furniture, hand-woven carpets, bulletproof windows and limited-edition Baccarat crystal. Its panoramic view from the eighth floor represents one of the highest vantage points above the city.
The lower level was built for socializing as it includes a large living room, a fireplace, an office, videoconferencing equipment, a private lounge and a bar. The floor also has a bedroom with its own bathroom.
Upstairs you’ll find two bedrooms with baths, a sprawling living room with a terrace, a sports room with a pool table, a hammam, a private lift with direct access to the parking lot and a fitness room. You also get a dedicated team consisting of a cook, servant, governess and security guard.
Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, Photo Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental, Geneva
The Oriental Suite has hosted many celebrities over the years, including Shakira and Sir Sean Connery. Covering 1,615 square feet on the top floor of the Four-Star hotel, the unit has a large living room, a dining room with a butler’s pantry, a bedroom with a walk-in closet, a spacious bathroom and its own spa facilities that feature stunning black-and-white marble, a private hamman and a massage room.
There’s also an extensive terrace running the length of the living room with panoramic vistas over the Rhône River, Salève Mountain and Old Town Geneva.
Ideal for entertaining guests, the suite comes with a fully equipped kitchen and a separate dining room that is able to comfortably seat 10 guests. Adjoining this area is a large, light-filled living room complete with an open fireplace.
Hotel d’Angleterre
The Presidential Suite located on the third floor at the boutique Four-Star Hotel d’Angleterre is arguably the most eclectic suite in Geneva. Built in 1872, the hotel retains the feel on an old-school private club, with its dark-walled hallways and quaint size of only 45 rooms.
The Presidential Suite’s dark-blue-and-white color palette complements the full Lake Geneva and Alps views. There is a private bar with complimentary whiskey, port and cognac, and a formal dining room for four. The bedroom is paired with two marble bathrooms with a rain shower and bathtub, and a private hammam.
To further prove it is fit to hold royalty, the 1,185-square-foot suite also has bulletproof glass 1.2 inches thick, and soundproofed walls and doors. Michael Jackson stayed in this suite several times and even wrote song lyrics, literally, on its wall. Additional notable guests include novelist Alistair MacLean, Céline Dion and designer Hubert de Givenchy.
