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Another nerve centre for upmarket hotels in Geneva is Eaux-Vives, a leafy and largely residential district behind the Jardin Anglais. Residences here tend to have a boutique vibe, although big-hitters such as the Metropole are also present.

More affordable options exist near Plainpalais and Carouge, south of the Old Town, or sporadically in the extremely central Hollande neighbourhood beside the Rhône River.

Inside the city limits, Geneva’s cheapest hotels are invariably located around Gare Cornavin off Rue de Lausanne or inside the marginally scruffier Paquis quarter – a former red-light district gone (mostly) legit. An electronic board inside the train station shows nearby vacancies.

Further out, hotels close to the airport are typically cheaper than their central equivalents. These are actually a great bet: free, efficient transport puts guests close to the action, and there is plenty of space and tranquillity.

The cheapest Geneva accommodation prices, however, aren’t found in Geneva at all. The outlying French towns of Annemasse and Gaillard can be easily accessed by tram from Gare Cornavin, and places such as Hôtel Porte de Genève offer rates in the £50-per-night region.

There’s no one time of the year when Geneva is cheap to visit, but there are peak times: namely Christmas and New Year, so look outside of these peak times for the best hotel deals.

Geneva’s large international conferences, trade shows such as the Salon d'Auto in March, and summer festivals see room rates – especially on the luxurious Right Bank – increase greatly, and rooms can be hard to come by. Check ahead as to whether your dates clash with any of these (and book as far in advance as possible if they do!).