Hotel les Armures, Geneva, Switzerland

The sense of history at boutique hotel Les Armures is unmistakeable. It is tucked away in an old town alley in the shadow of the Calvanist cathedral. The buildings date from the seventeenth century, on thirteenth century foundations, and the cellars were once used to store the Bishop of Geneva's wines. After its conversion into a hotel in the 1970s, many origin details were preserved, including decorative ceilings, plasterwork and chimney places. Medieval tapestries hang in the lobby. All of these qualities make this boutique hotel very different from the grand nineteenth-century lakefront hotels that usually cater to five-star visitors.

Right in the heart of the old town, Les Armures is near many of Geneva's museums and just a brief walk down to the commercial centre and lakefront. This boutique hotel has an eccentric charm with wooden beams and old building quirks.

The facilities

Swiss specialties and traditional dishes as well as fine French cuisine are served in a friendly fine dining atmosphere at the in-house restaurant of this boutique hotel. A Swiss wine list and gourmet local produce are also available. A special a la carte menu is on hand for guests who wish lighter dishes.

The rooms
There are no generalities when it comes to this boutique hotel’s thirty-two rooms: some have vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, others brick walls, and some are tucked into the loft. The furnishings come in a range of styles from heavy antiques to surprisingly modern, which adds a certain haphazard charm. The atmosphere of internationalism is sprinkled in the details of each decently-sized room at this boutique hotel. In some rooms the collection clashes: blue bed-heads, orange cushions and modern furniture sit with exposed walls, and red silk additions add an oriental air—quirks and cultural infusions aside the quality of the furnishings and the comfort of the rooms remain high.

In fact, the odd combination of old and new gives Les Armures a definite character that is sadly lacking in many of today's hotels. If you want real quiet, ask for the two rooms that overlook a tiny inner courtyard.