Hotel de France

Hotel de France
This hotel is a little eclectic, would be a good word. The historic significance is that it was the residence of Voltaire's secretary.  It is a three story edifice that resembles a cross between Ron Weasleys and Doctor Suess homes, it is not quite altogether. If you enter with your head a little kinked it almost looks okay.

The entrance is a very nice salon which leads into a beautiful full length mahogany finished bar with a huge mirror behind it. This also doubles as the reception desk.  I guess the idea is you take a shot, then sign in and everything looks a little more right.

The staircase is unique in itself, not quit circular and not quite square, the walls are of corrugated texture painted sunflower yellow with dark lime green trim.  The floors are a little uneven but that just ads your state of mind as you venture up the stairs.   When you reach the third floor you are a little more prepared for the room you are about to enter if you can make the key work, a little trouble with that but then you enter this room that seems bigger than your typical European room.   I think this is because it has a couple of mirrors. There is a nice sitting area with fireplace, double bed off to the side, desk and closet at other end. The best part was the full bath,  Two windows with shutters, not sure how they keep warm in the winter, but they create a nice cross breeze. Weather has been rather hot and there is no A/C in Europe.

There is an interesting round mirror that reflects the entire room and other mirrors, which gives you the infinity look, not sure if anyone is looking back but you are looking back at yourself, very strange.

View from the windows covers the beautiful village of Ferney Voltaire, lots of flower boxes of geraniums, cobble stones, and cafes abound. Hard to tell if you are on a street or side walk until a car races down it and you figure that this is a street better stay to the side. Lots of boutiques that I will explore next week.   

Sunset was pink and violet softening the rain showers as the night closed in.  Time to hit the best pizza in geneve area and it is right down out street. After our 56 euro lunch we decided to look for a cheaper alternative, pizza sounded good.

A short walk down the street and we found the pizzaiera  Azzura on the second floor. Very crowded, good sign.  Getting a table was a different problem, trying to figure out if we needed to get on a list, just take a table, or wait was questionable.  We finally got seated Kirk got his beer. Now let's try and not look so American okay eat with your left hand and always have your knife in your right,  Well like Gus discovered half your food ends up on your lap especially when it is salad. And eat pizza with utensils, you've got to be kidding.  We had a great salad and pizza for less that 26 euros, we were estatic and very American.  

By now we were both very tired so we headed back to the hotel and made  it up to the third floor and fell into bed.


Gale