So here you are in Geneva. The Jade made me feel like I was in Asia instead of Europe. Talk about absolute bare minimums, no frills- this was it Moreover, upon check out, the maid, who had pulled our key turning off our air conditioning and electricity (so we could charge our camera, et al) EVERY time we left, had also made notes of 3 minibar charges we hadn’t taken.

Manotel Edelweiss had bumped us from their hotel to another, the (vomit) Jade, which was a nightmare. The explanation was that someone had decided to stay an extra night. Although my partner is a travel agent, and wanted to promote this hotel, they were not very accommodating, as if there was something to hide. While they comp’d our dinner and taxi to the sister hotel, that hotel was a failure. Do not stay at Manotels if you are American as you will be sorely disappointed with their air conditioning, bed quality (thin), and room quality.

The ONLY redeeming quality fo the Jade was the front desk staff, who were helpful, understanding, and accomodating.

Our room never cooled off and we were miserable, couldn’t sleep. Despite contacting the manager, we were told this was just the way it worked. I was very happy to leave this place, but it was a rather sad ending to what had been a wonderful 3 week adventure in Europe. In general, Switzerland is just DOUBLE anything you would pay in the US for everything. We took pictures of machines that charges 3.5 Swiss Francs for Cokes (currently about $2.80). We had a glorious ride to Geneve from Milan, met wonderful people, and a glorious day trip to Interlaken via Bern, but again, ridiculously expensive for our American exchange rate. The only redeeming quality was the Edelweiss Restaurant that does a whole Swiss yodel, instruments – seemingly very Suiss (told later by locals, just a show). The fondue was awesome, and we loved the fact that people brought their dogs. However, I believe Americans should boycott this chain of hotels until they acknowledge that air conditioning in 80 Farenheit, 30 C, is crucial. Although this may sound like a spoiled American perspective, air conditioning is a physical reality for those of us who don’t live in New England, and even then, I believe New Englanders would have been uncomfortable. There are just too many other places of higher quality at the same price.