Campanile Geneve - Aéroport/Palexpo

We were left shaken by what happened at Campanile Hotel near Geneva Airport on the French side. On September 5th 2025, my colleague and I were paying guests and had been working in the empty lobby and restaurant area from around 3 PM. We sat at the only table with a power outlet while waiting for dinner service. We had asked about dinner and were told the menu wasn’t ready yet. Around 6 PM, two employees told us to leave the table because it was “their place to eat.” I pointed out politely that the restaurant was empty and that we were in the middle of an important work meeting. The employees then insulted us verbally in French, apparently assuming we wouldn’t understand. When I asked why paying guests were being treated so disrespectfully, a third male staff member came over and began yelling and verbally abusing us. I started recording for my own safety. He physically attacked me, tried to take my phone, and attempted to delete the video. My colleague was in shock, but I held on to the phone and called the police. Staff then ordered the doors locked, stopping us from leaving. Afraid for our safety, we found an open door and ran to our car, but staff followed us, tried to block the way, and physically prevented us from getting into the vehicle. I told them on the phone with police not to touch us. I had to go back to my room to get my luggage, and was warned that “two men had been sent to attack me.” I locked myself in the room until it seemed safe to get out. When we tried to drive away, the hotel’s front gate was locked, trapping us inside against our will. We only managed to leave after calling the police several times. We were traumatized and felt unsafe. We had to pay for another hotel at the last minute so we could continue our business work and have somewhere safe to sleep. This was physical assault, verbal abuse, unlawful detention, and a serious violation of guests’ rights, not just bad service. In our view, the conduct violates French Consumer Protection Law (Code de la Consommation), French Penal Code articles on assault, threats, and unlawful detention, and international standards for hospitality and tourist protection under the UNWTO framework. We want the incident investigated immediately, the staff held accountable, and appropriate legal action taken. No traveler should have to go through this.

Both rooms I tried had body hair in the bed, even after I changed rooms twice. I’ve attached a picture. It looked like the sheets hadn’t been changed after the previous guest left. It’s an extremely dirty motel, so stay away. In winter it was freezing inside, and there wasn’t even a heater.

The breakfast buffet was delicious, and the hotel worked well for a short overnight stay before flying from Geneva airport.

Close to the airport, with clean rooms, comfortable beds, and friendly staff. A great hostel.