A family weekend in Geneva: our stay at Nonanteneuf Genève Étang / Airport aparthotel

The Étang neighbourhood in Châtelaine is one of Geneva's newer districts — modern, designed around soft mobility, with recent buildings and green spaces. Not the historic centre, true, but ten minutes by tram from the Jet d'Eau. And crucially, just minutes from the airport, which made arrival with bags and children considerably easier. We wanted an apartment, not a hotel room. Two children means staggered schedules, meals at unpredictable hours, and luggage that resembles a house move. Nonanteneuf Étang's two-bedroom apartment — up to six people, with a fully equipped kitchen and separate living room — let us function like at home, but in Geneva.

The property has 96 units, and we had a two-bedroom apartment: a queen bed in the main room, twin beds in the second, and a sofa bed in the living area. Plenty of space for everyone to sleep comfortably. One detail that matters enormously when travelling with a baby: Nonanteneuf Étang hires out cots. We didn't have to bring our own or hope the hotel might have one spare. We requested it at booking, and it was there when we arrived. The kitchen is fully equipped — hob, oven, fridge, crockery. On the first evening we made pasta. The next morning, scrambled eggs. Nothing heroic, but exactly what you need after a day of sightseeing with tired children. Check-in is contactless — an access code is available via the app on arrival day from 4pm. No queue at reception, no waiting around. For parents juggling children and suitcases, that's a genuine relief. The shared laundry room is available as an extra — handy for longer stays so you don't come home with a bag of dirty clothes. For stays of a week or more, weekly cleaning is included.

It's a benefit we hadn't fully appreciated before arriving: all Nonanteneuf Étang residents receive the Geneva Transport Card, giving free access to Geneva's public transport network for the entire duration of their stay. In practice, that means from the tram stop just a few steps from the building, you can reach the city centre, the lakefront and museums without worrying about tickets or parking. For a family, that's significant — both financially and logistically.

Geneva with children is richer than most people realise. Here's what we did over three days. Day 1: the Jet d'Eau and the lakefront. We took the tram from Étang, walked along the rade, had an ice cream facing the lake. The children were delighted by the swans and seagulls. The Jardin anglais, a stroll up to the old town — an easy, unhurried day, made possible by knowing we were going back to an apartment, not a single room. Day 2: the Natural History Museum. Free entry, vast collections, life-size dinosaurs — one of the best family museums in Europe, and completely underrated. We spent the morning there. In the afternoon, the Parc des Bastions and its giant chess set. Day 3: CERN. The guided visit is free with booking, and the Globe of Science and Innovation has exhibitions accessible from age 7. My eldest still talks about it.

Geneva with children is richer than most people realise. Here's what we did over three days. Day 1: the Jet d'Eau and the lakefront. We took the tram from Étang, walked along the rade, had an ice cream facing the lake. The children were delighted by the swans and seagulls. The Jardin anglais, a stroll up to the old town — an easy, unhurried day, made possible by knowing we were going back to an apartment, not a single room. Day 2: the Natural History Museum. Free entry, vast collections, life-size dinosaurs — one of the best family museums in Europe, and completely underrated. We spent the morning there. In the afternoon, the Parc des Bastions and its giant chess set. Day 3: CERN. The guided visit is free with booking, and the Globe of Science and Innovation has exhibitions accessible from age 7. My eldest still talks about it. We'd do it all again — with one adjustment: plan for at least four days. Geneva rewards patience, and with children, you don't rush. You stroll, you stop, you change plans when someone is tired. The apartment makes that possible: no obligation to go out for meals, no pressure on schedules. What we particularly appreciated: breakfast delivered to the door, available as an add-on. We ordered it two out of three mornings — coffee, pastries, yoghurts — and it's exactly the kind of comfort we wouldn't have had in a standard Airbnb apartment. What we'd have done differently: consult Nonanteneuf's online guide in more detail before arriving. We discovered it mid-stay — it lists the neighbourhood's best spots, along with a few perks at local restaurants and useful tips.

Planning a family stay in Geneva? Check our availability or write to us to find the right setup for you.