Switzerland: Nest, a collection of 16 individually designed serviced apartments in Geneva, has been rebranded as The Hamlet.
The Hamlet is a restored, 18th-century townhouse in Geneva’s Old Town. Its apartments are available to rent for anything from one night to a year.
Ranging in size from 40 square metre studios to 130 square metre two-bedroom units, each has been individually designed, featuring oak parquet floors, large bay windows and elegant cornicing. In 2017 the property won a Serviced Apartment Award for Best Architecture/External Design.
Kitchens are full-sized and fully equipped; bedrooms all feature king-size beds with luxury bamboo mattresses and a pillow menu. Bathrooms all have walk-in showers, Vola taps and a selection of Aesop bathroom products. All furniture has been individually chosen in partnership with the in-house design team at Vitra, including Jean Prouvé work spaces, Charles and Ray Eames dining areas, and Jasper Morrison coffee tables.
A collection of communal spaces and retail sites on the ground and first floors of the townhouse include the Square, “a relaxed hangout space where you can set up shop with your laptop for the day or grab a quick croissant on your way to work”; the Library, the Epicerie, “run as a simple honesty bar, sells delicious local products to tuck into either on your way out or to cook back in your apartments”; and the Gallery, “a deliberately versatile space where you can join yoga, Pilates and weekly meditation sessions, or drop by one the events and workshops run by local and international speakers”.
On the ground floor, the newly opened Vitra boutique features pieces from designers including Jean Prouvé, Isamu Noguchi, and Charles & Ray Eames.
“We always talk about this brand as our first baby”, said husband-and-wife co-founders Tara and Christoph Wondraczek. “When we first started this business ten years ago, it was just a single apartment start-up. Today, we’re proud to have a collection of homes and spaces that allow for individualised experiences and genuine connections, in a down-to-earth and accessible way.”
This vision has been complemented by Tara’s mother, Lynne Hacking, an internationally acclaimed artist. She has been the creative force behind many of the spaces in the property. Tara’s father, entrepreneur Michael Hacking, had the original vision to renovate the property, which has been in the family for more than 30 years.
