My first pit stop was at the global city of Geneva. I was booked at a hotel supposedly near the Airport (hence out of the city), and very nearly matching my paltry budget. The hotel in question is Hotel Formula one, or as it is known in back packer’s circle as the F1.

I was not expecting a Ritz for 30 Euros any ways, but when I reached the hotel I saw new heights in super budget hospitality, that is, if the term still hold good for these earthly abodes. For starters I was carrying heavy luggage and had been towing it for a few good kilometers across the Swiss-French border, when I finally saw it. A plain white five storied, match box structure with a colossal neon signage facing the highway – “29 EUROS”. I knew I was home.

As I walked into the small reception, I could not find a single soul, staff, guest or God. The desk had a small check-in kiosk, more like an ATM machine, a phone, a push bell and a sheet of information. I tried each one in vain, but could not check myself in. Desperate I tried the push bell. A disturbed looking young man walked in a few agonizing minutes later. I showed my reservation printout, without looking at me he asked for my passport and 30 Euro advance in one swift move. While handing over my room information printout, he casually mentioned that the room has no attached bath or toilet. Well, he should also have mentioned that my room is on 2rd floor and the hotel has no lift.

The printout was also my room key as it had my six digit room code to enter my closet like room. The room was tiny or to be fair a great interior design masterpiece in space management. The room was planned for holding three humans, with or without their will. It had a fair sized bed with a kid’s cot right over your head. The opposite wall, two feet away had a small TV perched on the wall that shows exactly three channels in French. In case an inmate wants more, he pays for it. Right next to the bed was a small wooden partition across which was a wash basin with two plastic glasses, neatly wrapped in plastic. The room had a heater but no air-conditioning. And I had no idea that Europe could be so hot, reminded me of Delhi in peak summer. The room also had a small window hidden behind a venetian blind. As I desperately approached to unlatch the window, my eyes caught the big bold sticker put on it – “In case this window is opened, the hotel would no longer be responsible for your belongings” written in four different languages. I took my chances.

Once my room was explored I ventured out in search for my other basic needs, toilet, shower and food, in any order I could find them. The shower rooms and toilets were at the end of the corridor. The doors had signage indicating the same. Each door had an indicating light right on top, either green or red, more like an operation theater than a community hamam. The shower had hot and cold water, a soap dispenser, drier and a mirror but no towels, all fitted with sensors for saving the planet and in turn saving some Euros for the thrifty.

The hotel had no restaurants or bar. The lobby stroke lounge had exactly two tables with four chairs, one microwave and an old American style, snack vending machine. The machine works on exact change, which in this case could be Francs or Euros depending on which side of the border the machine is placed. The hotel can provide a light breakfast (read coffee and croissant) for 7 Euros if anyone cares for some breakfast. Also not to forget the fact that the hotel is situated at the middle of nowhere, so eating out gets ruled out anyways.

Now to keep things in prospective, the idea of super low budget hotels is a unique concept. Being an hotelier and a traveler I had to admire the marketing and operational genius of the project.

This hotel was really hard to find. Upon arrival, I witnessed a lady falling to the floor after her chair broke in the lobby/eating area. The receptionist looked on without caring and continued booking my room. When I got to my room, I noticed the lack of soap, and the presence of tiny towels. The showers were absolutely disgusting - blocked drain, yellow stains, hair all over... hairdryer that blew more dust than air! The carpet in my room was wet when I arrived (maybe from washing it earlier?). It smelled of mold and humidity. The bed cover was ripped. Found two spiders in the room. Had to wait a good 10 minutes for a receptionist to show up when I had a question (they wouldn't answer the "in case of absence" phone). The only good thing about this hotel is the Internet access and the price (but I would be willing to pay double not to stay there again). I've stayed in much cleaner youth hostels.

This hotel was impossible to get to from the Geneva airport at 7:00pm on a Monday! Without a car, the buses are infrequent and cabs (couldn’t find a single one) cost more than the room. The cab calling service didn't pick up, nor did the hotel desk. It claims to be 2.4 km from the airport, but it's over 5 km and in the middle of nowhere. We slept in the airport. Will NEVER stay in an F1 hotel again! Past stays in other cities have been disgustingly dirty.

Since staying in the hotels of Geneva is very expensive, choose a hotel near F1 with Geneva, walking 15 minutes across the border from France, Switzerland, the last tram in Geneva on 14 and number 16 or bus 57 from Geneva airport (a very beautiful field with cows and landscapes around ). Accommodation per day 36 euros per room for two people. Good clean rooms with satellite TV, shower and toilet in the corridor. Breakfast is better not to take a small selection.