Birthday weekend in Geneva with Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Geneva is the center of diplomacy, so hospitality is a given. And although the most populous city of the French-speaking part of Switzerland is one of the most expensive cities in the world, it is a worthy stop for all types of travelers. Here’s how I spent three days in Geneva with friends at the hands of the attentive staff at the Ritz-Carlton.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix is a real jewel set between the shores of Lake Geneva and the iconic Mont-Blanc, a few steps from the old center of the city. During its 150-year history, which spans three centuries, it has always been considered a place to be for international jet setters. Its rooms have hosted legendary personalities such as Giuseppe Garibaldi and Victor Hugo, whose portraits are reproduced today on the tapestries suspended in the majestic entrance hall.

The classic interiors, inspired by the Italian palazzo, has recently been enriched with sophisticated touches of contemporary design. The restyling focused in particular on the 74 rooms, the most exclusive of which is the Grace Kelly presidential suite, named after one of the hotel's most esteemed guests who stayed here in the late 1960s. The 105-square-meter suite exudes elegance, featuring: a master bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchenette, two bathrooms, and dining room.

Fred by Fiskebar is where you want to go for a night out of drinking and catching up. This is the city’s most famous bar, and it’s easy to see why — the signature cocktails tell a story, a narrative well represented in the Scandi decor.

After an evening at the bar, we dined at Fiskebar itself. The highlight? Wine and Nordic flavours. Swiss wine is better than ever — so much that few bottles ever leave the country, so we trusted the server to put together a Swiss wine and Nordic dishes exhibition. The Chef surprises with every dish, the culinary trompe-l'oeil, the improbable mixes and the combination of textures that are surprising in their originality and their taste.