Switzerland is one powerful place. While Zurich is arguably where the money of the world is kept, Geneva is where the peace of the world is kept. As the European headquarters of the United Nations, Geneva is home to 175 representations along with 250 international non-governmental organizations, the host city of more than 173,000 diplomats, delegates, and world thinkers every year. That’s nearly more people than the city of Geneva counts as residents.
Like the billionaires who needs to visit their “serious” money in Zurich with a stay at the Baur Au Lac, an international diplomat needs to conduct peace keeping with a stay somewhere in Geneva. I’m pretty convinced the choice stay is at the Beau-Rivage, the stately hotel in Geneva opened since 1865, just a few decades after actual steamboats came to Switzerland. The Beau-Rivage, like a good diplomatic ally, has stood the test of time, enduring a shutdown during WWII, the installation of electricity, and the signing of Czechoslovakia’s independence in 1918 in its very walls. Still, it takes its steeped history in beautiful stride and continues to enchant guests with plenty of delights, new and old.
The Beau-Rivage is a 15 or so minute drive from Geneva’s airport on surface streets the whole way. Within five minutes of the drive, Lake Geneva, “Switzerland’s Riviera,” comes into glorious view. I already could sense why Geneva is the place for peace; it’s simply serene. A few minutes later and nearly to the Beau-Rivage, I caught the mid-morning show of the Jet D’Eau, Geneva’s elegant stream fountain that reaches up to 140 meters, one of the tallest in the world. As it so happens, the fountain sits at the doorstep of the Beau Rivage, framing the hotel with sweeping Lake Geneva views and snow capped mountains.
The Beau-Rivage doesn’t have a massive footprint nor huge sweeping doors that lead to a corridor the size of a whole city block. One takes a few steps up stairs to enter the hotel from the sidewalk of the street, and I almost thought my driver missed the drop off point. Much like the Swiss, it’s discreet and doesn’t need a grand entrance make an impression. The magic of the Beau-Rivage is its subtleties.
Some of these subtleties evolve to fit the needs of its international repertoire of guests, such as the 2017 renovation of 17 new rooms and suites on the top floors of the property. The juggernaut French interior design team, Pieere-Yves Rochon, was tapped to complete the ambitious renovation which included roof window systems allowing sky views from bed sheets. My suite, the “Elizabeth Taylor” lake view penthouse so named after the scarlet who stayed at the property, was dreamy in its light blues and dramatic red flourishes found in the velvets, tassels, and drapes throughout the space. I did love the morning light basking down from the window above my bed, too. It added such an elegant light to the suite which is rare to find in any property several stories tall.
Other subtleties of the Beau-Rivage are in the simple moments and gestures. It’s the roaring fireplace in the bar’s seating area with a pot of tea while looking out at the Jet D’Eau and the light rain. It’s the basket of joy every morning, the pastries made by Pastry Chef, Kevin Ollivier. It’s the chef’s table in the hotel’s Michelin star Le Chat-Botte restaurant that puts one right in the kitchen. It’s the concierges who I tasked with finding some Swiss chocolate at the last minute because I forgot a gift, and he said, “Already in your suite upstairs, Miss.”
The Beau-Rivage is emblematic of the peace in Geneva, a place where any international diplomat can unwind and appreciate the subtleties of change and care.