Jiva Hill Resort

We say Geneva for clarity’s sake, but it’s worth knowing that the Jiva Hill Resort is technically in France — it’s in the greater Geneva area, in the town of Crozet, just across the border, which looks out over the valley towards Lake Geneva. You’ll find it matters little, until you settle your bill in euros rather than Swiss francs.

What does matter is the atmosphere of the place. Downtown Geneva is nice, but the foothills of the Jura mountains are nicer, and the Jiva Hill is a favorite for business travelers who can afford to be a few miles outside of town. Of course leisure travelers don’t mind being so near the mountains either, especially during ski season.

The lines are clean and modern but the Jiva Hill isn’t minimal — the colors are rich, as are the materials, and the place just radiates comfort. The 28 deluxe rooms are deluxe indeed, with high-tech electronics and sleek modern bathrooms, and the six junior suites are only more so, with the addition of private terraces, gardens and Jacuzzis. The spa is surprisingly extensive, given the hotel’s small size, and the restaurant serves a mix of rustic and avant-garde French cuisine — with a view, weather permitting, from the terrace.