I got to the train station in Geneva late Saturday afternoon, without a reservation or any idea what was available. The tourist office was closed. Fortunately, the kiosk of hotels with a phone was working, and I called one that appeared to be walking distance from the station.
The room was fine, the rate was fair. The neighborhood was only a little seedy and an easy walk to the lake and the old town. Considering the foolishness of this whole day, I did fine for lodgings.