ONE YEAR AFTER ITS $30 MILLION MAKEOVER, THE INTERCONTINENTAL GENEVA (www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/gvaha) has cemented its position as a gateway to the Swiss city's beauty and cosmopolitan sophistication. 
Overlooking Lake Leman and the Alps, the hotel has a stylish ambience accentuated by peaceful suburban surroundings, which include the International Red Cross Museum and Ariana Museum (Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass). It's only two miles from the city center and close to the international airport too, and it has attracted such celebrities as George Clooney and Sophia Loren.
The 18-story InterContinental Geneva has 327 rooms, of which 102 are suites with lake views. These suites are slated to be remodeled by renowned designer Tony Chi. 
The standard rooms are a common choice, and those on the 17th floor have great views of the lake, the United Nations and the diplomatic district. Deluxe rooms are identical to those in the standard category but have lake and Alps views. Families can opt for a Lake Geneva Suite of connecting rooms (40 percent of the hotel's guest rooms can be connecting). The stunning lake views are also found from any of the four Jacuzzi suites—which, in addition to a Jacuzzi in the bathroom, contain an elegant living room and separate bedroom. The two 3,600-square-foot Royal Grand Suites, featuring a living room, kitchen, and dining room, are usually reserved for heads of state. Since the suites are located on the top floor, they have commanding views of Lake Leman.
All rooms and suites can be booked via Martial Mazabraud, yield and revenue manager (011-41-22-919-3261). General Manager Michel Perret ([email protected]; 011-41-22-919-3224) is a good contact if you're booking VIP clients. For travel agents, the hotel discounts its best available daily rate by 25 percent.
Chief concierge François Gonzalez ([email protected]) is well-known for being able to respond to obscure requests and arranges special tours for hotel guests to explore the city. Resources
Headed by chef Didier Quesnel, the Woods restaurant boasts not only a charming outdoor patio, wood decor and a design concept accenting light and unconventional ways of displaying food on the shelves, but also tasty international and local dishes, such as sauté perch (caught in Lake Leman) and Roe deer.
New Clarins Spa
On the second floor of the hotel, the 2,370-square-foot Clarins Institute & Day Spa offers stunning views over Mont Blanc, with all areas opening out onto a terrace. It has five treatment rooms, and its services include body wraps, massages, balneotherapy, stone therapies, lymphatic drainage, eyelash/eyebrow dyeing and makeup master classes. Trained in Thailand and China, therapeutic masseur Antonio Monroy-Gijon gives amazing energy massages inspired by the Indian, Thai ayurvedic and Chinese traditions of Tuina massage. The spa is closed on Sundays. For reservations, call spa director Roxane Sansovini (011-41-22-740 4627). Hotel guests are free to use the saunas, lounges, heated outdoor pool in a garden setting and fully equipped and remodeled fitness center, open around the clock. Agent Advice