At the far western corner of Switzerland, where the Rhône flows out of Lake Geneva (called Lac Leman here) and into France, the French-speaking city of Geneva seems more international than Swiss. And no wonder.

Central to its economy, along with watchmaking and precision instruments, are the headquarters of about 200 international organizations, both governmental and humanitarian. The United Nations Office houses 150 diplomatic missions, and Geneva is home to the International Red Cross, World Health Organization, International Labor Organization and World Trade Organization, among others. These international organizations employ more than 22,000 people here.

Switzerland’s second-largest city is also one of Europe’s oldest banking centers and home to the international or European headquarters of a number of multinational companies, including DuPont, INVISTA, Caterpillar, Procter & Gamble and Cargill. Its importance as a university center adds to its international character.

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, nor does it use the euro; the currency is the Swiss franc, which is usually about equal to the U.S. dollar in value. Most airport services will accept euros and dollars, returning the change in Swiss francs, and taxis accept major credit cards.

On arrival at Geneva Cointrin Airport, before leaving the Customs Hall get a free card for train transport into town. Train is the fastest way to the center; the station is inside the terminal. Every train departing the airport stops at Geneva’s main station, a six-minute ride. Taxis (about $32–38) take 15–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Public transport is efficient and free to anyone staying in a Geneva hotel (fortunate, as ticket machines are not very user-friendly). Transit cards valid through check-out day are issued at registration and include the mouette (“gull”) boat service, a good way to travel from one side of the lakefront to the other. Hail taxis on the street or at any of the 60-plus ranks.

Leaders Limousines Geneva provides chauffeur-driven Mercedes S350L limos in Geneva and to ski areas as far as Zermatt and Courchevel. Jet Set Services also offers professional luxury limo service.

Geneva landscape © Chert61 | Dreamstime.com

Geneva’s lakeside location makes it easy to navigate, as the lake is always a reference point. Most major hotels are along the shore to the right as one faces the lake, while the Old Town with the commercial and business districts is to the left. The choice of location for the large and luxury hotels is an obvious one: This shore has sweeping views of the French Alps, which the hotels make the most of with restaurants featuring solid walls of glass.

In fact, the 5-star Hotel d’Angleterre names its premier dining spot Windows Restaurant, and tables look out at Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau — Geneva’s iconic 400-foot-high water plume. Dishes such as lake char scented with vanilla and chorizo, accompanied by saffron gnocchi, grilled artichokes and carrot-basil sauce highlight a varied menu for business lunches.

If a mid-afternoon meeting fits the schedule better, Hotel d’Angleterre is known for beautifully served high tea: finger sandwiches, scones with cream, fruit tartlets, stuffed crêpes, macaroons and cream puffs, with or without a glass of Champagne. The hotel’s service, Old World charm, lavish silk-and-velvet guestrooms and recent complete renovation make it a favorite for high-taste travelers.

Also fresh from renovation, which added an ultra-luxury Mandarin Floor, the Mandarin Oriental overlooks the Rhône, more convenient to the Old Town’s business offices. Michelin-starred chef Paul Bocuse’s first restaurant outside France, Le Sud, offers updated French classics with an international flair that suits the city. Entertain clients with wines selected from the impressive cellar of 1,500 bottles to accompany perch from the lake or grilled lamb chops with thyme. Both Le Sud and Windows are excellent choices for power breakfasts.

For a business lunch setting that’s a break from the busy city vibe, choose the 18th-century elegance and lakeside park setting of Restaurant Hotel du Parc des Eaux-Vives, ordering dishes such as grilled duck foie gras with Sichuan pepper mango confit, and seared sea scallops with leeks and caviar. A water taxi will bring your guests from the city center March through October.

Quick business lunches are a specialty of Le Loti, in La Réserve Genève. The daily “fast and delicious” menu guarantees three courses served promptly to get everyone back to the afternoon’s program on time. A typical menu: porcini mushroom ravioli followed by roasted monkfish with chorizo rösti (traditional Swiss potato cakes), and mango clafouti.

Although these upscale hotels are popular settings for Geneva business leaders to meet, several independent restaurants also merit attention for meeting clients and socializing. Über-chic and trendy Brasserie des Halles de l’Île in the center of Geneva takes seriously using the best local ingredients and lists their origins on the menu. Entrées such as trout filet in basil juice and carrot mousseline mix with traditional Swiss dishes such as raclette made with AOC-designated cheese from nearby Valais.

If clients are from out of town, they might appreciate a lunch of traditional Swiss favorites in the chalet setting of centrally located Hôtel Edelweiss. Both raclette, with its traditional accompaniments, and cheese fondue (made with AOC Vacherin) are convivial “ice-breakers” that encourage conversation. Cap off the meal with brandied cherries with double cream from Gruyère.

When the occasion calls for just drinks, join the sophisticated clientele at the curving bar for handcrafted cocktails at FloorTwo Bar at the Grand Hotel Kempinski. The exotic atmosphere of the popular Leopard Room Bar at the Hotel d’Angleterre is good for late-afternoon or early-evening aperitifs, before the live contemporary music begins. Impress local colleagues and clients with familiarity of a few local wines: Look for those of the neighboring Lavaux along the north shore of the lake, especially the steely whites from the prevalent Chasselas grape.

Read more about Geneva’s scenic lake tours.