Located in the heart of Geneva, Hotel Rotary of the MGallery collection is just a short distance from the best shopping streets, quality restaurants and world-renowned chocolatiers. As soon as you walk through the door you get a sense of quality and attention to detail. From the art on the walls to the furniture in the reception area, it’s clear that this is a luxury boutique hotel. My wife and I stayed here during our honeymoon adventure which began in Geneva and ended in Rome.
We were pleased to discover we didn’t have to blow our budget to stay there; weekend rates are half of those advertised during the week. Also, read up on the Geneva Transport Card. It gives you free public transport for the duration of your stay and will be waiting for you at the hotel.
I think Hotel Rotary is perfect for couples who enjoy a hotel beaming with personality. From the antique-meets-modern decor to the friendly staff, there is something different about it; something you don’t get in your typical cookie-cutter four and five-star hotels.
As you pass the smart-looking reception area towards the restaurant, a small library area catches your eye. Situated to the left of the main entrance the reading area is beautifully laid out with comfortable seating. The walls are lined with interesting looking books – the perfect place to relax after a long day enjoying everything Geneva has to offer.
Restaurant
Walk past the reading area and you are greeted by L’Artisan, a stylish restaurant serving French cuisine Monday to Friday 12:00 to 14:30 and 19:00 to 22:00. The menu offers a range of creative dishes with an excellent selection of wine. Living up to its name, there is a focus on well-prepared local ingredients. Sébastien Schwebel, the Head Chef, definitely has an artistic flair which can be seen in both the presentation and flavour combinations of his dishes. The tomato-based dessert is a must-try, as is the salmon and guacamole main.
Bar
Just beyond the restaurant is a contemporary bar stocked with quality wines, beers and spirits. My wife and I noticed a cosy corner glowing gently with candlelight and decided to order some red wine and small whiskey. The atmosphere was relaxed and after about 30 minutes a member of staff lit the fire. It was late October when we visited Geneva so it was a chilly evening outside. Ending a long day of sightseeing with a glass of red wine and a cosy fire was just perfect. And to top it all off every room in the hotel is fitted with a bath…
Staff and Attention to Detail
It’s also worth mentioning the staff, despite being rushed off their feet during the breakfast service… Oh hang on, I never mentioned the breakfast. It is amazing and a kind of all-you-can-eat affair. Hot food is served by a member of staff and meats, cheese and fruits bowls are on display waiting for you to help yourself. We had omelettes made to order and were told we could order as many as we liked. However, after trying the cold meats, cheese and fruit bowl, one omelette was plenty.
Back to the fantastic staff, they really do go above and beyond. And not in that starchy, saccharine way. They try to get to know you on a personal level and my wife and I found them to be excellent. I spoke to one of the managers about something I had read in a review of the hotel – something about guests being surprised with complimentary treats while staying at sister hotels. I discovered that the hotel will take note of little details about their guests such as interests, anniversaries and so on and then surprise their guests with petals on their bed or a newly released autobiography from a popular golf pro. I think this is pretty cool having worked in a hotel many years ago.
It turns out Hotel Rotary is part of the MGallery collection of hotels. MGallery is a collection of boutique hotels with each offering something unique. The staff make an effort to get to know you and if you become a regular guest in any of the MGallery hotels they will take any opportunity to provide an extra special service. I jokingly asked about GDPR and was assured that all data is well within the GDPR boundaries.
The Facilities
The Rotary Hotel has successfully stepped beyond a typical 4-star. Every opportunity is taken to delight guests with a mix of luxury and personalised service – more on this later. All rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with minibars and LED TVs with English speaking channels. Guests can avail of complimentary WIFI, a writing desk and a safe. There is also a fitness centre which opens very early in the morning for those who want to kick-start their day.
Conclusion
For us, the litmus test for any hotel is one simple question and it’s something we ask ourselves after every place we visit, “would we stay there again?” The answer is, yes we would. Not only that but I will actively search out MGallery Hotels when visiting major cities in the future. The Rotary Hotel is four-star worthy of a 5-star review.