The Woodward, Geneva, a discreet all-suite lakefront hotel in a classical building
Darius Sanai checks in at The Woodward, Geneva, where luxury meets discreet elegance
The wow factor
The Woodward is situated in a lakefront building facing the Alps, like a few other luxury Geneva hotels, but there the similarity ends. You enter via a discreet door and are shown up in a lift to a mezzanine floor, where the receptionist sits behind a small table. It is all marble, light furnishings, art and views, like arriving at a beautiful home.
Follow LUX on Instagram: luxthemagazine
People-watching
It was as if we were at a friend’s cosmopolitan party, with expensive-looking international couples on the mezzanine floor, but the main feeling was of space and privacy.
The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Atelier Robuchon
Show me to my room
The Woodward is an all-suite hotel and ours, one of 26, was like a private apartment. The design is by Pierre-Yves Rochon, a king of contemporary hotel and residence design. Furnishings are light, off-white and taupe; coffee-table books are artfully chosen; art is thoughtfully hung.
Read more: Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo, Review
Come dine with me (and other things)
At street level, the L’Atelier Robuchon is all dark lacquer and red leather. We sat at long bar, where we saw the chefs at work and our cocktails being mixed. The atmosphere was buzzing; a contrast to the tranquillity of the hotel above. The food was superb in the Atelier group’s weekend-gourmet style: line-caught turbot fillet poached with verbena, sea lettuce, cockles and clams had a fresh umami taste; farro wheat with mushrooms, black garlic, trompette consommé and Barolo vinegar was an all-time, all-star vegan dish. Then, a sliding door, and you disappear into your apartment and that view.
Find out more: oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-woodward
This article first appeared in the Autumn/Winter 2023/24 issue of LUX
