You know it’s a cosmopolitan financial capital, in a scenic, lakeside spot, close to the alps. And you probably also think it’s expensive and efficient. You’ve probably also heard it regularly living awards for being one of the most liveable cities on the planet, and it’s one of the wealthiest. But Zürich is also fast becoming a hip destination, and if you’re not sure how that all fits together, then you need to have a look at our recommendations for the best places to stay in Zürich and get-a-visiting.

We know that Zürich’s restaurant culture is well established, but that doesn’t mean it’s staid or always pricey, and with Zürich’s large, vibrant ex-pat and student population, it’s constantly evolving and expanding with new influences. The same can be said for Zürich’s art scene, which encompasses the best of the old masters, current masters and much choice when it comes to masters of the future. And the hotel scene is no different, with plenty of choice when it comes to grande dames and luxurious lake-view hotels, but also bijou B&Bs and fabulous contemporary conversions over-running the old industrial quarter.

There’s no bad time for Zürich either, in the summer there’s the lake, and in the winter this is the gateway to the alps. And with German, French and English all used on the street, and a clean, reliable and easy to use public transport system Zürich is a really, really easy city to love.

Where to Stay — Which Neighbourhood?

• As with many great European cities, Zürich’s centre is one of the oldest and most historic parts of town, usually called the Old Town or Altstadt. The Old Town grew up a long time before people expected to own their own car, so its cosy and compact and some of the roads are cobbled and pedestrianised. Overlooked by the towering 'pepper pot' towers of the cathedral, this charming district is a realm of coffeehouses and chocolate shops. The benefit of staying in this part of Zürich is that you’re within a charming stroll of many of the city’s sightseeing highlights, and a slew of wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants, and you’re close to the lake.
• The other central part of town is District 1, which is on the west bank of the Limmet River. across from the Old Town, and another excellent choice if you want to be within walking distance of the majority of places you’d like to visit, which again, includes some excellent local restaurants. If you’re visiting Zürich for the first time, District 1 and the Old Town are where you’ll find the majority of the statues, monuments and fountains, the city’s largest churches, the Museum Strauhof and the toy museum, the botanical gardens, and a collection of boutique and galleries.
• There’s really no need to stay within walking distance of everything, though, Zürich has a really reliable public transport system made up of buses, trams, trains and boats. And if you like the idea of doing some of your travel by boat then District 2 might be a good choice for you. It's located south of District 1, along the west shore of the lake, in the opposite direction from the city. Leafy and spread out, our Gurus recommend District 2 as one of the best places to stay in Zürich for families and visitors wanting to stay somewhere peaceful or outdoors-y. It’s where you’ll find the new botanical gardens, the FIFA World Football Museum, the Museum Reitberg, and a hip eating and shopping precinct. District 2 is also where you’ll find Zürich’s only sandy beach!
• On the opposite shore of the lake to District 2 is District 8, which has lovely lake views and an excellent selection when it comes to hotels with larger rooms or apartments, great if you’re staying in Zürich for more than a few days. It’s well connected to the centre of town, and it’s got a greener, more spacious feel. It’s also got its own selection of museums and art museums, and a good choice of restaurants.
• Zürich’s old Industriequartier, or industrial Quarter, is now a hip part of town also called Züri-West, full of old warehouses and cool factories gentrified and converted into chic accommodation complete with the hip cafes and design boutiques to match. And it has some great restaurants. This is a great choice for arty visitors, or anyone planning to enjoy a bit of nightlife, or if you fancy seeing how the locals live.
• Between Züri-West and District 1 is District 4, which is another good choice for nightlife, and if you’re trying to have an experience that’s more like that of residents. Especially residents who like to dance all night.

Don't forget that this city is a busy year round destination with both business and leisure travellers. So if you want to be sure of a room in one of the best places to stay in Zurich, do your homework and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Zürich

For a room with a view

• The Dolder Grand is a fantastical turreted building on a hill overlooking Zürich, Lake Zürich and the Alps, so this is one of the best places to stay in Zürich if you want to admire the beauty of this city and its surrounds. The best of the 173 rooms and suites have the most spectacular views, but even the least spectacular views are spectacular. You can also enjoy the views from the restaurant, which has two Michelin stars, and the vast, fabulous spa.

For a city break

• Central, but historic, the Marktgasse Hotel occupies a wonderful Grade I listed building in the cobbled heart of town, converted into a 39 room boutique hotel. There are still hints at original charm, like uneven floors and un-uniform ceiling heights, tiled frescoes, column and tiled stoves, but the decor is new, in a chic and pared back style. The hotel also has a cosy library stocked with board games as well as books, a fitness centre and an excellent restaurant and hip bar.
• The Hotel Europe is a romantically traditional hotel set in a wing of the Grand Utocastle, a 19th century Neo-Baroque building close to the lake and the Old Town. Beautiful on the outside and inside, this hotel has just eight charming rooms, all individually decorated with antiques and artworks. Super central, small and memorable. And it has great family facilities too.
• If you’re looking for a big contemporary, fun hotel with colourful design the 25 Hours Langstrasse Hotel is a great choice, with 170 rooms and suites in a big black box of a hotel. There are vintage toys at reception, pinball machines in the lounge, and a glass-walled sauna on the top floor with views over the nearby railway tracks. Rooms are big and bold with wood and polished concrete floors, big New York photographs as wall-art, and neon-coloured rails with funky toys and newspapers. The bar and restaurant offer a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fusion cuisine.
• Small, simple and central, the Hotel Ni-Mo is a ten room B&B, surrounded by excellent restaurants and bars, and located really close to the tram station. Simple and comfortable, the rooms are all different sizes, and some have their own balcony. There’s a breakfast room where they do a great buffet with an impressive range of Swiss cheese.

Close to Lake Zürich

• The Hotel Seehof is right by the lake, just five minutes walk from the Old Town, but just far enough away from the hustle and bustle to feel un-touristy. The decor has a white and blue nautical feel, bright, breezy and minimalist. There are just 20 rooms and suites, not large, but well designed, and there’s a Japanese restaurant.
• The Storchen isn’t on the lake, but it’s right on the river, in the centre of the old Town, a perfect spot for visitors, who have been coming to this hotel for the past 650 years. There are 67 rooms and suites, and a wonderful outdoor terrace onto which the bar, and one of the three restaurants spills out. Expect excellent service and food, plenty of history, and decor with a slightly 80s feel, as that’s when it was last overhauled.
• The Alden Luxury Suite Hotel is a collection of just 22 five star rooms and suites in a beautiful building close to the lake and the Old Town. Elegant and grand on the outside, the interior is all spacious, contemporary luxury. There’s a sunny terrace, a library, an excellent bar and an elegant restaurant which has 13 Gault & Millau points, making it one of the best in Zürich.

For romance

• The B2 Boutique Hotel and Spa is a landmark brewery building turned 52 room boutique hotel. Zürich has plenty of top notch places to stay, but not many of them can come close to the charm and heritage of the B2 Boutique Hotel, with its rooftop pool offering incredible views over the lake, its excellent spa and wellness centre with the same views, and its vast library cum bar. The decor is modern minimalism at its most comfortable.
• A converted merchant's townhouse, the Florhof Hotel is in a quiet corner of the Old Town, close to a number of excellent museums and galleries. It has just 35 pretty, cosy rooms and suites, arranged around a sunny courtyard. The Swiss restaurant is recommended by Gault & Millau.

Zürich’s Best Luxury Hotels

• The Baur au Lac is one of Europe’s great grande dame hotels, founded in 1844, when it was converted from a 10th century palace in an enviable lakeside position, surrounded by gardens. Still family owned today, this is a special place to stay. The 102 rooms and suites are elegant not gaudy, with the occasional flash of boldness in a vintage black-and-white photograph. And there’s a superb rooftop spa and three restaurants, one of them a summer terrace affair, and one with a Michelin star.
• Eight medieval townhouses in a wonderful Old Town location on the banks of the Limmat, have been joined together to create the cutting edge designed Widder Hotel. Here you’ll find five stars worth of ultra modern cool, arranged into 49 individually designed and decorated rooms and suites, and a world-class jazz-fuelled bar. Expect excellent service and food, for this hotel politely yells comfort and style.

For families

• Vibrant and funky, the 25 Hours Hotel is a great choice if you’re looking for great value and fun, contemporary interiors that are bound to please your kids, whatever age they are: think rugs in bright colours with geometric shapes, neon art and cool lighting. The 126 rooms come in a wide variety of sizes ranging from bunks to suites. The 25 Hours Hotel isn’t in the centre to town, that’s the main downside, it’s in the financial district, but they do have a fleet of bikes for guests to use gratis. It also has a fleet of Minis.

For great value

• In a funky neighbourhood, the Greulich Hotel was built in the 70s as a commercial building, but it’s now been converted into a cool, minimalist boutique hotel with 28 rooms and suites. Monochrome and stripped down, with minimalist decor and an acclaimed ‘slow food’ restaurant, this hotel is cool all over.
• If you’re looking for great value in a central Zürich location the Hotel Helvetia is a good one to check out. It’s a collection of 14 contemporary styled rooms and apartments in a beautiful Art Nouveau building. There’s a bar with charm in spades, which is popular with locals too, and a restaurant specialising in Swiss cuisine.

Prefer an apartment?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Zürich?

• Zürich Airport is just 10 kms north of the city, and there’s plenty of choice when it comes from getting into town from there. But Zürich is also well connected by rail. And road too.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• In winter Zürich is the gateway to the alps, and in summer it hosts a Summer Parade, a huge number of arts festivals and all sorts of water-y pursuits on the glimmering lake. The rest of the year it’s a fantastic place for a city break. Summer is the most popular time to visit, but it’s also the rainiest. The last months of spring and the first months of autumn are drier, but still have plenty of sunshine hours if that’s important to you.

Still not sure?

• You could expand your search to include all our recommendations for the best places to stay in Geneva, the best places to stay in Basel or the best places to stay in Lucerne.
• Or you could contact, one of our friendly gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

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