Here is my stay report at the Hotel President Wilson.

I stayed in this hotel many times this year, probably five or six times, with a total of about 35 nights. This is my favourite hotel in Geneva and being part of Starwood is one main element behind that.

I checked in for my 16-day stay at this hotel on December 15. I booked a Taste of Luxury rate plan at a rate of CHF 400 a night (for basic room w/city view) including breakfast and all taxes. The rate plan also offered a free night for every three paid nights. Having stayed for 16 days, I paid only for 12, which brings the daily rate significantly lower to CHF 300 a night. A good bargain indeed for one of Geneva’s best hotels.

Upon Check in, I was meet with disappointment as I was not upgraded to a junior suite. Few hours before check in, SPG website showed at least three junior suites available for the whole duration of my stay. However, I was upgraded to an executive room (one level up) with a lake view room (considered as another level of upgrade); so I was double upgraded. This would have been satisfactory if I’m a gold. I demanded to see the frontdesk manager who after the usual “we are fully booked” talk, gave me the bottom line: this is as best I can offer you. Almost an hour latter, I was writing my remarks on FlyerTalk on this thread expressing my deep disappointment which I believe has been brought to the attention of SPG customer services instantly! On the following morning, I was greeted by the same frontdesk manager who told me that SPG has been in contact with him and he can offer me a junior suite starting my third night. That was good news to me and a assertion that SPG is still in control.

Just one last note on the upgrade issue. The hotel seemed really dead during the second half of December, occupancy was below 25% and defiantly no more than half of the 16 junior suites were occupied at any given night!! I’m certain that it was my ridiculously low room rate that put off the frontdesk to upgrade me. But that’s what the hotel agreed to offer by joining this promotion.

Amenity was rather basic. It consisted of nicely arranged flowers, a box of chocolate, a fruit platter and a welcome card (generic) by hotel manager. The bathroom amenity (Bulgari), which I really like, is similar to what is provided in basic rooms but it comes in bigger plastic bottles. In addition, a nice bottle Bulgari cologne au thé vert was included and for sure this one is intended for guests to take along
Having stayed at the hotel though Christmas, I though that I will be getting some sort of card/gift for the occasion but nothing was given. A greeting card would have been considered as a nice touch.

Recent changes/improvement:
Since my previous stay about nine months ago, the hotel has undergone and completed renovation work. A new interactive TV/Internet system was introduced which is a positive enhancement though TV screens aren’t really something to brag about. A bigger screen or a fancy flat screen could have added a touch to a junior suite. Apart from that, the renovation seemed like a major maintenance work covering mainly bathrooms.
The business centre has been nicely redecorated and updated with better equipments. It looks that this renovation covered the very critical items only. Some noticeable worn out and stained furniture and carpet (in some rooms and corridors) were not included in the work scope.
A new introduction to the hotel is Spice Shop, the hotel’s exquisite and exclusive shop that combines fine gourmet items, artistic collector items and home accessories from all around the world. It’s rather a small shop but it’s worth visiting. Some items are reasonably priced and go well as decent presents.

The hotel advertise spa facilities but actually the spa is only open for people seeking spa treatments. The pool, on the other hand, is open for all guests during April-October.

Hotel staff at all levels continues to impress me with their positive attitude and cheerfulness. Having stayed at and dined in several hotels around Geneva, I would rate the staff at Hotel President Wilson as the best and most friendly. Allen, the concierge, is very professional and friendly ([email protected]) as well as his colleagues in the front office.

Newspapers and English magazines used to be available in the past but it seems that hotel management had to cut expenses. The option for the daily newspapers lies between the Swiss-based Le Temps and the English-language Herald Tribune. The hotel used to provide more selection of newspapers and magazines. Other newspapers are available for a charge or can be picked at the breakfast lounge if you are an early riser (not many issues and usually disappear rather fast)!

If the hotel is reading this, I have only one suggestion: have someone with a fine eye for detail to check every room after the daily clean up service. This would ensure that rooms’ cleanliness and tidiness are kept to highest standards. This follow up on maid service would be also a sort of training and most maids would by time develop the sense and capacity to take care of the fine detail that makes a hotel a distinguished one. I haven’t noticed any serious fallback on cleanliness but I felt that there is a potential for more attention to detail.