Priceline Hotel: 4* Geneva Crowne Plaza Airport

[LoneStar]

I need to spend a couple nights in Geneva (I know, there are better places to go in Switzerland and I intend to make it to some of them, but I have a business/logistical need to spend a little time in Geneva).

Published hotel prices, in general, border on the obscene in Geneva (hardly surprising, as Switzerland is one of the world's most expensive countries). Medicore to poor 3-stars seem to start at $125. Four star properties are significantly higher.

Priceline has only 1 Geneva zone which includes the airport. My guess is that most successful bids will be for airport properties (which wouldn't be terrible for me, although I'd prefer the city center). The problem is there doesn't seem to be much priceline history for this town. I didn't see any Geneva bids on this board. Anyone have any suggestions?

I started my 4-star bidding (unsuccessfully) at $70 and just plan to work my way up over time. At $100, I'll try to come up with "plan B" (at that price, choosing my own hotel becomes more viable). I've already contacted a couple of Entertainment Card hotels to see what their prices would be (waiting to hear).

Also, if anyone knows how to rent an affordable automatic car in Geneva for a couple days, I'm all ears. Rates seem to start at around $85/day, and that's a GOOD deal!

[thereuare]

Let us know the dates as well as if/when you fail up to $100 and we'll try to start looking for other options.

That does sound high for a car rental, i would try EasyJet just from the standpoint that i know they are value oriented in Europe. I'm sure others will have better suggestions.

[VelmoTraveller]

For plan 'C' you could stay in Ferney-Voltaire instead, just across the border in France. F-V has a lot of moderate hotels from the French chains and prices are reasonable compared to Geneva. The bus you take from F-V to get into Geneva goes by the airport, so in effect the difference between staying in Ferney-Voltaire and the Geneva airport area is about 10 minutes. Plus, if you need to drive, parking will be free in F-V and it will be much easier to drive around than traffic-choked bicycle-friendly constant-construction Geneva.

On the other hand, there is nothing to do in Ferney-Voltaire at night (or during the day, for that matter). It's just a place to sleep.

$85 for a single day automatic transmission car sounds about right, but I would only do it if you really *have* to drive.

[LoneStar]

Thanks, Velmo. Coincidentally, I thought of the same "French option" myself, and I think I will likely do that. Prices are definitely cheaper over the border. Is my recollection correct that there are absolutely no border formalities these days, so that sleeping in France would not delay me in any manner?

BTW, the Swiss Manotel chain honors the Entertainment Card and that may be a better option than Priceline for Geneva. For a triple, their Edelweiss hotel (which looks stylishly 4 stars to me) quoted me 175 Swiss francs w/breakfast, and I suspect a double would be another 25 francs less. If the exchange rate weren't so bad, that would be a very good deal. And booking direct with Manotel, no risk of winding up at an airport hotel if you want to be in town, or vice versa.

http://www.manotel.com/edelweiss/

Of course, still a lot more expensive than sleeping in France, if all you're looking for is a place to crash.

BTW, since I want to spend a day exploring some Swiss mountain villages, I think I will rent a car for a day in one of the towns along Lake Geneva and then return it at the Geneva airport the next day. Avis is about US$ 70 for an automatic with one of those flyertalk discount codes. It will save me time and train fares, which also seem expensive in Switzerland. :)

[Chris26WI]

There are still customs checkpoints between France and Geneva, but they usually just let you pass by, so it's not a big story ... won't usually cost you a lot of time to pass the border.

[LoneStar]

There are still customs checkpoints between France and Geneva, but they usually just let you pass by, so it's not a big story ... won't usually cost you a lot of time to pass the border.

Thanks. Any problem crossing the border from France during rush hour? I think my flight leaves at 10am, so I guess I'll be on the road around 8.

[seaile]

Stayed at the Novotel central april 28 to may 1, 2005. paid $135 at their site. Great hotel about three blocks from train station and three blocks from lake. Gave up on priceline at $ 147. Priceline had this hotel as four star. If you get priceline hotel probably at airport. I would recomend this hotel. We used priceline for Zurich and Paris hotels on this vacation.

[TBQ]

seaile - great to hear your report of your great deal - Novotel hotels offer excellent value in many cities, and they offer some incredible prepaid (nonrefundable/non-changeable) deals in selected locations through their website.

For anyone wanting to reserve direct, be sure to use the BetterBidding link to Novotel, which is found on the BetterBidding Support Page (Click HERE)

[LoneStar]

Stayed at the Novotel central april 28 to may 1, 2005. paid $135 at their site.

At $135, I think I'd pick one of the stylish Manotel hotels.

[LoneStar]

At the last minute earlier this month, I bid $70 and -- to my surprise -- got the Airport Crowne Plaza. This was a very nice airport property, within walking distance of the airport (although they operate a great and convenient shuttle, so I doubt you'll walk), with an indoor pool and spa (part of the spa is currently closed for rennovations, but the pool is open). They offer rooms with 2 twin beds (something of a rarity in Europe), so you could get 4 people into one of their rooms.

FWIW, I bid $65 for another night and was rejected.

[thereuare]

What date was this for and what is the star rating of the Crowne Plaza?

Thanks.

[LoneStar]

Four stars. I think it was 8/3.