Hotels in Zurich: four luxury accommodations you can afford

For me, the Zürichberg is the most beautiful place in a city. I look deep down into the valley, over Lake Zurich and have the feeling of being in the country. I am only ten minutes away from downtown Zurich by train. Whoever gets on the tram drives down the mountain and feels transported back to the 19th century. A visit to the beautiful Swiss metropolis is worthwhile for this trip alone.

The best hotel in Switzerland has been the 5-star luxury hotel The Dolder Grand in Zurich for years. Of course, you can reside in the Dolder, like the gentlemen of FIFA or crowned heads. For me it is one of the best city hotels in Europe. But in this part of my column, I am summarizing four hidden champions and an extraordinary excursion for you – excellence can also be affordable in Switzerland.

Ameron Zurich Bellerive au Lac: First class location on Lake Zurich (rooms from 180)

If you want to experience the morning fog over Lake Zurich up close, then I recommend the Ameron Zurich Bellerive au Lac. The historic building has been a listed building since 1990 and is a real eye-catcher in itself, right on the lake. The interior surprises with a clearly modern style – my room looks very fresh and almost a little Mediterranean with its blue color accents. The facade of the house and the Art Deco inside look like a homage to the city and get in the right mood for a tour of the old town.

The Ameron Hotels belonging to Althoff are a very good choice if you are looking for excellent service and excellent facilities in the best locations. Ask about a tariff with the Zürich Card – this is twice as easy on your holiday budget if, for example, trips by bus, train and cable car are included. You can get a room here from 180 euros, which is a sensation in Zurich.

Alternative: The 5-star hotel La Reserve Eden au Lac Zurich is located right next to the Ameron Zurich Bellerive au Lac. You can book overnight stays from 520 euros, including royal heads as neighbors at the table.

Citizen M Zurich: Design palace with self-service (room around 250 euros)

“Luxury for less” – The Citizen M advertises very aggressively with the motto “more for less”. Such marketing slogans tend to put me off, but I like to be convinced otherwise. And indeed – the first impression is very positive. The hotel chain from the Netherlands keeps its word, at least in its branch in Zurich. Everywhere I am beaming memos with cheeky slogans from the walls. A trademark of Citizen M Hotels.

As a guest, I am charmingly advised to simply do certain things myself. Check in yourself, for example. Bring the dishes back to the canteen yourself. What I critically question in other hotels doesn’t bother me in the Citizen M. It fits into the casual design concept.

The charm of the house and the prime city location smoothly iron out the lack of service in some places. Maybe it’s the guests too – young hipsters, smart business travelers, artists and I sit together in the lobby and eat like in a living room community. Perfect for a city trip. Only the rooms are very small. Anyone who expects more space or is planning a long shopping spree could run out of space.

Alternative: If you want a little more of everything, then I recommend the 5-star Hotel Baur au Lac in the immediate vicinity of Bahnhofsstraße. The prices start from 570 euros per night. Here you will often meet Günter Netzer and the ladies and gentlemen of FIFA.

Hotel Rex: Uniflair and shopping (room around 150 euros)

Feeling like a student again who is curiously discovering the world and standing in the middle of (city) events – I get this feeling at the Hotel Rex. Located directly in the university district, the hotel offers the quickest route to the world-famous shopping mile, Bahnhofsstraße. Zurich’s banking district is also just a few minutes’ walk away.

The price-performance ratio for the location in the middle of the city is unbeatable. The rooms are cozy, the company values ​​”Quality, Coziness, Happiness” are truly summed up here perfectly.

If you are looking for works of art in Zurich, you might find your new picture right in the hotel: the renowned Winterthur travel photographer Myriam Brunner exhibits her works in large format. Whatever you like can be bought directly. The room prices are around 150 euros.

Alternative: The 5-star alternative is just a few minutes’ walk from the Zurich Marriott Hotel right on the river. Rooms from 270 euros. However, the hotel is really not beautiful.

Original hotel: Maiensässhotel Guarda del Val (room around 285 euros)

After a long stay in the city, I definitely recommend a detour into nature, to Lenzerheide in Graubünden, about 1.5 hours by car from Zurich. Here you can discover Switzerland in its most original form and spend the night in the beautiful Maiensäss Hotel Guarda Val.

Slowing down is the order of the day when you enter the 300-year-old building. The rooms exude an original charm, the floorboards creak when you walk over them, everything is made of wood, smells of forest. In a really pleasant sense. Here in the middle of the mountains, hotel manager Phillipp invites you to live in the moment and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind you.

Have you ever explored moss with a magnifying glass? I am sure that you will love this welcome gift as much as I do. When exploring the Maiensäss Hotel Guarda Val, you should definitely try two things: a grilled marshmallow by the campfire on the hotel’s terrace and the world’s best Swiss cheese fondue. It tastes good in summer too, I’ve tested it myself.

My extra tip: Sorell Hotel Zürichberg: perfect price-performance ratio in nature (room with lake view from 320 euros)

The seminar & design hotel of the same name, Sorell Hotel Zürichberg, is located above the roofs of Zurich, directly on the Zürichberg. If you are lucky enough to experience a seminar in this environment, it will surely lead you to creative heights. In any case, I am equally enthusiastic about the view and the furnishings.

My room is a good size with its 35 square meters. A great parquet floor and beautiful wooden furniture invite you to linger, should it rain during your stay in the city. Only the bed linen I would prefer from the quality leader Mühldorfer. The coffee maker and coffee are included for room guests, the minibar prices are very reasonable. A water waits for me in bed free of charge.

In 1900 the four-star hotel was opened as a non-alcoholic people’s and health resort. As a guest, you have been experiencing three epochs in culinary and architectural terms since 2019. The red brick facade reminds of the wonderful past. While the circular wooden pavilion stands for future paths.

The menu is divided into the categories “legendary”, “contemporary” and “visionary”. My clear favorites are dishes from the last selection. Thomas Kleber has been COO of Sorell Hotels since 2017 and is actually a grand hotelier. He worked at the Brenners Park Hotel & Spa and spent over 30 years in well-known national and international hotels. As a Swiss citizen by choice, he has been bringing elegance and class to Sorell Hotels since 2017 and implementing his company’s visions in the hotels. In the meantime, they have become an integral and affordable part of the business hotel industry and are also firmly on the travel agenda of city travelers like me.