Address: 8 Rue Pellegrino Rossi, Geneva 1201, Switzerland
Website: http://www.hoteladmiral.ch/
I stayed at this Hotel on either side of a trip to Rome (a total of four nights).
It is located very close to the railway station and, as the website says, just a few minutes from Lac Leman (Lac de Geneve, or Lake Geneva)
The rooms aren't huge but absolutely perfect for one (not too bad for two) and the decor is modern and tasteful. The beds are comfortable and have quality bedding. There are in-rooom facilities provided for making tea and coffee and the TV service offers a range of channels with French, Italian and English programs.
The bathroom is spacious and modern with a hairdryer and a range of toiletries.
The wireless internet is free and worked perfectly during my stay and there are also computer facilities downstairs for those without their own PC.
Other facilities include a safe, an overhead fan and noise-reducing glazing. An iron and ironing-board are available to borrow.
A major highlight was the superb breakfast (included in the tariff) - a full buffet in the broadest sense of the word - and absolutely delicious!
The staff at reception are very helpful and pleasant. I was unfortunate enough to need emergency dental care, and even though the young woman at reception wasn't able to suggest a contact, she was happy to phone the office after I had located a dentist.
When you stay in hotels in Geneva, you are given a complimentary public transport pass for the length of your stay. This is a very convenient and welcome bonus. The transport network is efficient and relatively easy to understand.
The street is in a 'red-light' area, but quite honestly, you would not notice the fact in the daytime and at night the business goes on quietly and unobtrusively and does not involve the hotel in any way.
I will definitely return to the Admiral Hotel when I next visit Geneva.
Address: Viale Rosselli 22, 22100 Como, Italy
Website: http://www.hotelengadina.com/en
This is a very pleasant place to stay. I have been there twice and each time the staff have been helpful, friendly and most willing to make guests feel welcome.
I could communicate reasonably well in Italian and they appreciated it. When I had difficulties with an airline reservation and felt less confident on the phone, one of the staff on the desk was more than happy to make the call for me. If you can't speak the language well, they will be more than happy to attempt English. This same friendly politeness was also obvious in the room cleaning staff.
The accommodation is absolutely fine. Even though I was travelling alone I had a large double room which was spotless, new and well serviced, with a full sized bathroom (shower, bath, basin, toilet and bidet) The bath was very welcome after spending days out on the lakes or up in the surrounding towns.
Breakfast in the hotel is plentiful, although a little bland - but the breakfast room is spacious, cheerful and comfortable and the service is excellent.
There is a small bar and lounge area if you decide to stay in.
It is a short and very easy walk to reach the town centre, Lake Como and both railway stations (even with luggage) There is also a supermarket very close by.
I can thoroughly recommend mid June or early October as perfect times to visit.
You can expect a very enjoyable stay!
Address: Rue des Croisades 6-10 | Sint-Joost-ten-Node, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Brussels 1210, Belgium
Website: http://www.hotel-des-colonies.com/
This is a beautiful hotel in the old style. The Art Nouveau decor is especially attractive - especially in the public areas, where there are sofas, water features and attractive plants.
I had a spacious, clean and very quiet room, which was a pleasure to stay in. I believe the rooms vary in quality and size but mine was was ideal, with a separate bathroom.
The buffet breakfast was in an absolutely elegant room and was outstanding.
There were only two slight drawbacks. There were no facilities for making coffee or tea in the room and none was available in the lobby. The only possibility was the bar, which wasn't always open.
The free access to wireless internet was only in the lobby and not available in the rooms.
The hotel is in a very convenient location - only 50 metres from the Underground station (Rodier). It is a very easy walk into the centre of town.
If you like a place filled with nostalgia, this is a good choice when in Brussels.
Arriving in Paris is always a thrilling experience. My first extended visit, after a long absence, was in September - in what seemed to be a never-ending summer.
Since then, it has always been in Spring - the perfect time to see Paris. From April to the end of June there are masses of things to do and see and long, long days to do them ...
