Zürich - where to (and not to) stay

By Mark Sukhija

Zurich , being a large financial centre, has several hotels but not always the cheapest. As a current resident of Zurich , I haven't used many hotels but I've commented on those I've some experience of before moving here full-time. Rapperswil or Winterthur, well connected to Zurich generally offer better value than Zurich itself.

Recommended

  • Dolder Waldhaus (Kurhausstrasse 20, 8032 Zurich) - The Dolder Waldhaus is the little brother of The Dolder Grand one stop further up on the Dolder Bahn furnicular. Perched on the Zuriberg hillside, many rooms boast views over Zurich city and Lake Zürich itself. While the breakfast spread isn't as broad as at the Hotel Continental it is decent. Rooms are comfortable, bathrooms good, views excellent, service faultless. Novel access through a dedicated furnicular railway.

  • Hotel Schweizerhof (Bahnhofplatz 7, 8021 Zurich) - The Hotel Schweizerhof is at the opposite end of the price-scale from Zic Zac Rock Hotel (see below), but well worth the extra money. Location wise, the Hotel Schweizerhof is perfect. It's directly opposite the Main Train Station and on Bahnhofstrasse which is fantastic if your into shopping. St Peters Church , Fraumunster and Grossmunster are all within walking distance. Bathrooms excellent. Service superb.

  • Hotel Limmathof (Limmatquai 142, CH-8001 Zurich) - Rooms good size and clean. Very close to the restaurants and nightlife of the Niederdorf. Under five minutes walk from the Main Train Station Also a lot cheaper than the Hotel Central directly opposite. Basically very good value. Basically, Hotel Limmathof is very good value.

  • Hotel Continental (Stampfenbachstrasse 60, 8006 Zurich) - Excellently located Zurich hotel. Minutes walk or tram ride from Zurich main train station. Excellent breakfast spread and very hospitable, welcoming staff. Rooms are comfortable and bathrooms a good size. Nothing to fault really.

Caveat Emptor

  • Hotel Senator (Heinrichstrasse 254/256, 8005 Zurich) - Although very well connected to Zurich with several tram, pubs, bars and restaurants nearbyby - I really can't bring myself to recommend the Hotel Senator The problem is that the air conditioning amounts to one of those boxes which throws air around the room in the noisiest possible way ensuring that the air is stagnant and you can't sleep. Staff are fine and service is ok - but very ok.

  • Zic Zac Rock Hotel (Marktgasse 17, CH-8001 Zurich) - On the one occassion, I stayed in the Zic Zac Rock Hotel in the Niederdorf area of Zurich it was purely fur reasons of budget. Frankly, I should have spent the extra money. The bed broke when I sat on it. (I'm not that heavy!) And the room stank of cigarette smoke (and I'm a smoker!) Thankfully, it wasn't cold outside so the windows were instantly opened. Grossmunster is just down the road and St Peters Church and Fraumunster are close by. "Reception" was ok. Breakfast non-existant. "Rock" branding stops at the door.