I can't even begin to explain how much I love this place, and how much I appreciated Irene's hospitality.
I've lived all over the world and travelled through hundreds of communities, staying with families, friends, hotels, hostels and everything in between, and I have met all kinds of interesting and friendly people along the way. Some of the places and people will always have a special place in my heart. Irene's place has jumped straight to one of my favourite places in the world!!
The room:
It's really a large studio apartment, with its own entrance and front door, private bathroom and really brilliantly designed layout creating a kitchen/working space, living room and bedroom. The whole place is beautifully decorated with fresh clean colours, wooden floors, crisp fresh linen and beautiful lighting throughout. It feels like a boutique luxury hotel. It's spotlessly clean and has all the finishing touches - hotel toiletries, towels, tea and coffee facilities, breakfast cereal, fridge, magazines etc etc. Everything you could possibly need!
The room is huge and has plenty of space to work, relax etc - you could really stay there for a long time and never feel cramped. It's suitable for couples or a young family - I stayed alone so it was huge for me!
You can arrive at any time as there is a key safe with a code to let yourself in, and Irene will leave a lovely welcome note for when you arrive - so nice! I arrived very late at night and I was so happy to find the room all warm and cosy waiting for me :-) The whole place is also really quiet - it's in a residential area and is well insulated with double glazing windows, so it's like a quiet cosy retreat inside!
The location is also brilliant, as there is a bus stop just a few hundred metres away on the main road, which takes you into central Geneva really easily. There is also a cafe/restaurant very close by (I didn't go but it has good reviews) and a huge shopping mall a few minutes drive away or a short trip on the bus. Getting there from the airport is very simple, and finding the place is easy because Irene sends detailed and very clear helpful instructions with photos so you know you are at the right place!
The hosts:
I was unfortunately very busy at a conference so I didn't get to meet Irene and her family until my last night, but I'm already booked in to stay again so I hope to speak with them more next time. Irene is absolutely wonderful - she is so caring, friendly, welcoming and helpful. You can tell she's one of life's good people who always looks out for others and is so thoughtful. From the moment of booking until after I left, she kept in regular communication and answered any questions promptly and with detailed clear information. She has thought of everything, from maps and restaurant reviews to welcome notes and text messages, to make your stay a wonderful, easy and welcoming experience. Irene's husband is also lovely, and so helpful; they even lent me a woolly hat as it was freezing cold outside! On my last night I got back late from my conference and Irene and her husband helped me to sort out food - even driving me to the shopping mall nearby to get dinner!! They went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and I am so grateful to them both. I am really looking forward to coming back to Geneva to see them again and hopefully spend some more time chatting with them.
Overall, I cannot recommend this place enough. The location, room and amenities are fantastic but the hosts really make it the best place to stay in the city. This should really be the example for Air BnB that all other apartments should aspire towards!