CURRENT POPULATION: 185,700
% POP GROWTH: 1.22 %
CITY AREA: 282 KM2

CITY DENSITY: 1,596 INH/KM2
GDP PER CAPITA: €32,200
DIALLING CODE: +41

WITH FRIENDS
NO COMMENT
RUE BOURGOGNE 21 / RUE DE LYON 110
TEL. 022 345 21 21
A hip converted warehouse, No Comment doubles up as a cool restaurant and lounge bar. Deep red leather seating clashes with the huge white walls hung with paintings and photography from local artists. At weekends DJs play in the tiny upstairs bar.

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT
CAFE DES BAINS
RUE DES BAINS 26
TEL. 022 321 57 98
Set in the heart of the fashionable Plainpalais district ,this restaurant captures the area’s stylish spirit. Previously an old bistro that has been given a contemporary design edge, it now serves up an innovative restaurant menu focusing on an Asian-Mediterranean food.

CLOSING THE DEAL
LE CHAT-BOTTE
QUAI DU MONT-BLANC 13
TEL. 022 716 66 66
Part of the luxurious hotel Beau Rivage, Le Chat-Botté is suitably sophisticated and one of the best gourmet restaurants in town. The wine cellars are one of the best in Switzerland and diners can enjoy the skills of chef Dominique Gauthier, who has been awarded three toques in the Gault Millau guide.

STYLE
LE LOLA
RUE DE RICHEMONT 7
TEL. 022 731 32 37
Set in the lively Paquis area, this is one of the hottest night spots in the city. Its minimalist Asian interior is inspired by sister restaurant Le Comptoir. The minimal theme is also found in the electro house music spun by Swiss DJs.

RELAX
LE SENSO
RUE DU RHONE 56BIS
TEL. 022 310 39 90
This 18th-century courtyard is now a spacious city centre lounge bar. Abundant comfy sofas and chairs plus shady olive trees make it a perennial favourite with a chatty after work crowd, who usually pile into the next door modern Italian restaurant for a bite to eat and to continue the evening’s festivities.

MUSIC
CHAT NOIR
RUE VAUTIER 13 , CAROUGE
TEL. 022 343 49 98
Carouge is a little borough that’s home to some of Geneva’s more bohemian nightlife. The intimate Le Chat is famous throughout Switzerland, though, for showcasing the best up-and-coming Swiss and international bands, including Brazilian artists.

VALUE
AUBERGE COMMUNALE DE CAROUGE
RUE ANCIENNE 39, CAROUGE
TEL. 022 342 22 88
This converted old house is now offering cheap but charming accommodation in Carouge, an area that was once ruled by the King of Sardinia and still retains an Italian character. It’s easy to stay local, too, as the neighbouring streets are filled with an eclectic mix of boutiques, artist workshops and trendy cafés.

BUSINESS
CROWNE PLAZA
ROUTE FRANÇOIS-PEYROT 34
TEL. 022 747 02 02
Its location near the airport and the huge Palexpo exhibition and conference centre make it ideal for those seeking style and convenience. Although it houses numerous bars and restaurants, it’s still only a 10-minute bus or taxi trip from the city centre too.

BESPOKE
LA COUR DES AUGUSTINS
RUE JEAN-VIOLETTE 15
TEL. 022 322 21 00
Set in the heart of the lively Latin Quarter, this is probably Geneva’s most quirky hotel. It’s home to an art gallery and hip interior design boutique and the hotel’s interior is decorated by artworks created by Swiss artist Stephane Ducret. From the single room (with double bed) to the executive suite, a clean, sharp, bright, minimalist décor pervades, giving a feeling of understated luxury.

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, MAMCO, (www.mamco.ch) is housed in the boho Plainpalais district and was formerly a 1950s factory, which is now inspired by the spirit of French Dadaist artist Marcel Duchamp. The local art scene is vibrant too, including innovative galleries such as Analix Forever, Charlotte Moser and Arquebuse.

Geneva has its own famous chocolate making dynasty. Auer (www.chocolat-auer.ch) has been making chocolate since 1820, and is famous for its delicious almond slabs and handmade fresh truffles.

The Jardin Botanique (www.prospecierara. ch) is a great place to escape for a springtime stroll or a light lunch in its terrace café, which is always popular with the local UN workers.

The Palais des Nations became the European Office of the United Nations (www.unog.ch) in 1946 and is the second most important centre of the United Nations after New York. Its surface size is similar to the Palais de Versailles and its Assembly Room, seating 2,000, is as large as the Paris Opera House. More than 25,000 delegates meet here every year and there are over 8,000 meetings.