HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL GENEVA (Geneva,
Switzerland)
By Gilles Malaisé Booking
in the Intercontinental Geneva, the first time visitor might believe
that he would find nothing but the modern version of a palace hotel,
alternating the globalized atmosphere and service of a top end chain
hotel. The location (remote from the other prestigious hotels, lining
up Quai du Mont Blanc), the setting in a quite austere 18 storey tower,
typical of the 1960's Modern Movement in architecture, make the
non-initiate -including many Genevan- still believe that the
Intercontinental is nothing but a good corporate hotel. This misleading
impression faded away just parking in front of the welcoming entrance,
with lots of greenery in the outside garden, the synchronized ballet of
the most efficient doormen in Geneva who took care of our luggage
within less than a minute, and the brilliant impression provided by the
cyclopean lobby. What in inviting hotel; what a landmark also!
The luxury hotel industry improves everyday: what was certainly a large, functional, austere and outdated 1960's property has been converted, after two years of work leaving no stone unturned and a pharaonic investment, into an atmospheric, warm and zen hotel. Though his collaboration with artists and companies such as Orgiazzi, Lee Jae Hyo, Alessandro Twombly, Amanda Weil, M. Troy and others, renown New York-based interiors specialist Tony Chi has provided the Intercontinental Geneva with an unparalleled touch. Palace hotels of the 21st Century are breaking the walls, pushing new concepts for a new generation of travellers: we could see here a fine sample of this stylish revolution.  Let's visit the hotel like a museum of fine, modern art. So Asian and so New Yorker, Tony Chi is a designer with a sense of cool, understated glamour and an entrepreneur with no fear of taking risks. Much inspired for creating restaurant and hotel interiors, he has designed for Alain Ducasse, Wolfgang Puck American Grille (Atlantic City), and the famous Blue Duck Tavern (Washington, DC); his masterworks remain Park Hyatt Shanghai, Mandarin Oriental in Taipei, and the Intercontinental Geneva, where he got free hands and a consequent budget to hire the best artists, use the most precious material and redefine his approach of the New World hospitality space which should elicit a positive response without necessarily making you aware of why. Paying much attention to detail, Chi orchestrates rich compositions of leather and lacquer, aqueous glass mosaics and textured wood veneer, prismatic mirror and supergraphic-laminated glass or metal: like the lifts control panels and magnificent 1000 m2 ballroom silver-panelled doors, designed by Boston artist Christian Heckscher, and realized by Christofle. Chi's signature are glass-encased wine chillers: he loves to work consciously on those items which are usually designating the restaurant entrance. At Woods, the Intercontinental Geneva fine table, the wine chiller has been wisely integrated in a decor reflecting the harmony of the natural element: wine is part of it, as a matter of fact.  Though the original 1960's lighting was very dated and completely gutted, the Italian glass of the existing chandeliers were saved to be reused in the new decorative lighting fixtures. The scale of these luminaires is very great to be able to create presents in the grand volumes of the new interior: participating to the grandeur and warmth of hospitality, which doesn't concentrate only within the «living areas», but goes up to the 334 guestrooms and suites. We stayed in the lap of luxury, and enjoyed our Executive Junior Suite 721 reflecting the atmosphere of a true 5 star hotel: up to Intercontinental standards. In many hotels, «Junior Suites» are nothing but larger, more comfy rooms. Which is always misleading. The Intercontinental Geneva actually provides a separate living, with a deep sofa, spacious working desk, complimentary Nespresso machine, complimentary Internet, LCD TV with a DVD player, and a capacious wardrobe. There is a second wardrobe: next to the bathroom, which we found very stylish, and reminiscent to a boutique hotel. Featuring toiletry by Korres: a Greek brand reputed for its gentle-cleansing collection with clean aroma and extracts known actively to sooth skin. With an extended panorama on Geneva, Leman Lake and the Alpine range as a backdrop -waking-up in the morning with a view on the Mont-Blanc is such a privilege!- our bedroom was one of the most charming and comfortable ever experienced in Switzerland. Tony Chi's inspiration was to create a private urban residence, from which to enjoy and luxuriate in the many amenities all 102 suites uniquely feature. The Panoramic Suites and the four Presidential Suites are among the most luxurious in Geneva. They have hosted the biggest names in the film industry, arts and music, sports and, which would certainly deserve a mention in The Guiness Book of Records, more than 400 kings, queens and heads of state (including four presidents of the United States) and 4000 ministers!  The Intercontinental Geneva has played its part in History. Many international events took place in its premises: including the OPEP conferences, the 1985 Reagan-Gorbatchev Summit, and the conference between Tarek Azziz and James Baker before the first Gulf War in 1991. Even famous revolutionaries liked being pampered in this Eden of luxury: Fidel Castro came in 1998, requesting the suite Che Guevara had occupied in 1964!  One of the very few hotels in Geneva with a large outdoor swimming pool, providing a green oasis to those lucky enough to stay between May and September, the Intercontinental comes with a new 220m2 Clarins Institute & Day Spa. A large offer of treatments is proposed, including body wrap and scrub, balneo-therapy, stone therapy and an extended choice of massages. Next door, open to all hotel guests, the fitness centre is most pleasant: it features a sauna, a steambath, a relaxation room, and a work-out room.  Situated halfway between the centre of the city and Cointrin International Airport (public bus 5 deserves both destinations in 10 minutes), the Intercontinental Geneva stands in a green area dedicated to diplomacy: close to the European Headquarter of the United Nations. There is no place like a fine restaurant to sit and discuss peace over the planet. The contemporary Woods restaurant welcomes patrons from around the world (diplomats, jet setters and members of the Genevan society), communicating in the warm, classy atmosphere of what became one of our favorite restaurants in town. We experienced it for breakfast (wonderful buffet... including a fine selection of Asian meals: we recommend the Dim Sum), and dinner. Those lucky enough to come on a Friday evening will take part of the Seafood Night. We have been amazed by the maritime buffet extravaganza. Not for a frugal gourmet, this is a mouth watering display of Canadian lobsters, oysters from Brittany, gambas from Spain, freshly cooked Mediterranean sea-bass, and Atlantic scallops. It comes so successful that advance booking is suggested (just like for the Sunday Brunch, attracting all Geneva). Price during our visit was CHF 95, excluding beverage. The good value for money «Daily menu» (CHF 44 – 59) is well worth the try. We would recommend the refreshing Lobster Carpaccio with Ginger Vinaigrette, crunchy Fennel and Mesclun Salad, or the remarkable Sautéed Red Mullet Fillets, Traditional Green Cabbage with glazed Olives and Tomatoes. A «rôtisseur», he cooks the Racan Pigeon with Truffle Sauce with maestria: served with sautéed ceps, glazed «bouchon» potatoes, this is one of his signature dishes. Our dessert, Chocolate Sensation on a «palette», came like a happy end. The selection of Swiss wine allowed us to experience the bio «Chardonnay Le capitaine Vaud, Reynald Parmelin, 2010» and so-barrique «Gamarêve, Domaine des Bossons, 2009». Regional wines are offered at a fair price, indeed. We dreamed we could smoke a heavy Havana cigar, sitting in the ritzy bar, close to the grand fireplace; it is no-smoking (though there is a nice summer garden, where smoking is allowed if weather allows) . This was our unique frustration in a restaurant distinguishing itself in the not-so-gourmet Geneva. Needless to say that the level of service provided by the Intercontinental Geneva is Swiss labelled: which means perfect! INTERCONTINENTAL GENEVA: 7-9 Chemin du Petit-Saconnex, Geneva 1211, Switzerland PHONE: +41-22-9193939 FACSIMILE: +41-22-9193838 TOLL FREE USA: +1 888 424 6835 E-MAIL HOTEL: inter-geneva@intercontinental-geneva.ch E-MAIL RESTAURANT: food-&-beverage@intercontinental-geneva.ch |
