Hotel Tor

Housed inside an unassuming stone-and-steel building between the railway station and the lake, the 22-room Hotel Tor is a budget-conscious design hotel that offers a range of “easy,” “compact” and “standard” rooms—and rates to match. Luxurious it isn’t, but this three-star establishment may be the best bang for your buck in expensive Geneva.

Green, orange or red accents brighten the otherwise simple white rooms, all furnished with chocolate-colored beds. Rooms feature solid parquet flooring and are minimally appointed with a writing desk and dresser. The rooms range from “Easy” models, which share bathrooms and may not have windows, to spacious “Standards” that offer views over the surrounding business district. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning (uncommon in Geneva), cable television and a sink.

Private bathrooms, while miniscule, faithfully uphold the hotel’s design motif, with bright orange or green cups and shower curtains accentuating the white tiles. Even the mounted soap dispensers look like dainty bottles that happen to reside on the wall (as opposed to the usual square pumps you’d see in a gym). Only the “budget” rooms share toilets and showers, which are similar to the ones installed inside pricier rooms.

The hotel occupies three floors of a larger building, and its tiny entry is located next to a hole-in-the-wall eatery that serves cheap pizza. Due to a lack of space, the less-than-impressive included breakfast (toast and juice) is delivered straight to guestrooms. There is, however, a small nook in the lobby where guests can plunk down on a red sofa and watch TV with a dozen other travelers.

Since the Tor offers a range of rooms and rate categories, it makes a good option for those traveling with a range of budgets. Hint: If you want to stay in the same hotel as your older cousin or “trustafarian” buddy without breaking your bank, this is the place for you. Plus, it’s convenient (if uninspired) location in the business section makes the hotel a great gateway base.