logo
A Tour of Luxury and Boutique Hotels in Zurich

A Tour of Luxury and Boutique Hotels in Zurich

Hindustan Times25-04-2025

While Switzerland beckons with its captivating scenery and rich cultural legacy, staying at the right accommodation will let you experience the real hospitality that Switzerland is known for. Whether you prefer the beautiful cityscape of Zurich or the serenity of the tranquil lakes with a view of the Alps, Switzerland has a diverse range of accommodation options to choose from.This guide explores two popular types of accommodation that Zurich offers visitors, i.e., opulent luxury hotels that promise indulgence and quaint boutique hotels that ooze character.
Here's a pick of some luxury hotels that each promise an unmatched stay.
The Dolder Grand, perched high above the city of Zurich, has 175 exquisite rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the city, Lake Zurich, and the Swiss Alps. With an impressive art collection and a 4,000-square-metre spa, the hotel blends luxury and fine art. It also hosts four restaurants, with one of them Michelin-starred.
Nestled on the Uetliberg plateau, Five Zurich offers breathtaking views, along with a rooftop terrace, a cosy lounge, and a lively nightclub. The hotel features elegantly designed suites adorned with unique artwork and seven exciting restaurants that serve a wide variety of global cuisine. It's the perfect spot for anyone looking to enjoy vibrant social scenes while also finding a place to unwind.
Situated along the picturesque lakeshore of Zurich, this stunning hotel recently designed by Philippe Starck comprises 40 tastefully designed rooms and suites that seamlessly merge classic elegance with modern artistry. The chic dining areas and bars are a perfect amalgamation of contemporary design and the allure of a century-old structure, all while showcasing the true essence of Swiss hospitality.
Situated in the heart of the city near the lake and Bahnhofstrasse, its signature features include spacious and elegantly designed interiors, Club Olympus Spa & Fitness for wellness and the in-house Parkhuus restaurant, renowned for Swiss gourmet cuisine made from local ingredients. Combining traditional Swiss service with a contemporary design, this hotel is perfect for travellers looking for a central location that offers both business and leisure conveniences.
In the heart of the charming Old Town of Zurich, right by the River Limmat, you'll find the Storchen Zürich, one of the city's oldest hotels, having an impressive 660-year history. With its stylish suites and delightful dining spots, including the Rôtisserie and Cigar Bar, it promises a luxurious experience like no other.
Located at Enge Quarter in Zurich, this hotel is steeped in history and heritage, having been built in 1895. Designed as a beautifully designed all-suite accommodation with 22 suites, they also have a charming library and a posh pub, perfect for spending a laid-back holiday.
Nestled in central Zurich's private park, the Baur au Lac's 150-year history is apparent in their hospitality and impeccable service. Enjoy panoramic views of the Alps, the park and Lake Zurich while working up a sweat at their modern fitness club. Savour Mediterranean cuisine and European classics at their in-house restaurants. Extra perks include limousine service and a round-the-clock concierge service.
Located within the ultra-exclusive Kreis 1 in Zurich, Le Bijou offers lavish, fully serviced private residences with fully equipped kitchens. Perfect for those wanting high levels of privacy and personalised services, it combines hotel-like amenities with the comfort of home, thanks to VIP access, bespoke iOS applications, and even a digital concierge.
Located in downtown Zurich on the banks of the River Limmat, this hotel features modern rooms and suites with a 24/7 concierge service. This hotel also has a world-class fitness centre and sauna for relaxed days, and the restaurant offers an expansive menu comprising Thai and modern Swiss cuisine.
This choice will suit both leisure seekers and business visitors alike, providing the ideal mix between contemporary luxury and convenience.
Unlike big hotel chains, Zurich's boutique hotels have unique and distinct features and are usually located in historic or uniquely designed buildings. Among the many in Zürich, here are some of the city's finest boutique hotels that offer cosy experiences, accentuated by personalised services.
Hotel Europe has a mix of contemporary and historic design, with 39 individually designed rooms and suites. The on-site restaurant, Max & Otto, is a favourite for dining and drinking. This hotel is a brilliant choice for couples or anyone seeking a romantic, culture-soaked stay near Bahnhofstrasse.
Just 12 minutes outside Zürich, this historic property outside the town of Küsnacht offers stunning views of Lake Zürich, along with sculptures and private sunbathing lawns. This hotel makes for an ideal choice for guests seeking peace, art, and renewal, along with a wellness retreat to unwind after a day of exploration.
The Alma Hotel, in the Seefeld district of Zurich, is a fusion of conscious design, warmth, and elegance. Popular with female travellers, it has a ladies' wellness area devoted to only women and even features organic, regional breakfast options. For those seeking a contemporary escape that fosters social consciousness, this hotel provides the right setting.
Near Bahnhofstrasse, the hotel has a rich historic past and offers a snug refuge to anyone interested in the arts. A restaurant and bar on the property give travellers a taste of the region's diverse culture. Every room is designed as a playground for mixing modern designs, classics, antiques, and art. Art lovers and travellers seeking a unique stay in a luxurious, whimsical setting hail the Widder Hotel as their preferred choice.
On Zurich's famed Bahnhofstrasse, the Townhouse Boutique Hotel makes for a quaint getaway, as it combines English townhouse elegance and Swiss style, offering three large junior suites and 23 intimate rooms. Indulge in casual dining at the Palace Restaurant & Bar, then head out to explore the nearby Old Town and high-end shopping neighbourhoods – all right outside the hotel's door.
Centrally located near the main train station in Zurich, the Josef Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel with a cosy, welcoming environment, stylish interiors, and even an on-site coffee bar that livens up the social atmosphere. Perfect for both leisure and business visitors, it features well-designed rooms and a bright seminar room for meet-ups.
This small but cosy city hotel, located in the vibrant Niederdorf quarter just minutes from theBahnhofstrasse, is a great choice for both tourists and professionals. Guests enjoy quick access to Zurich's attractions, business district, and top universities. High-speed internet, a well-equipped room with essential amenities, and a sumptuous breakfast buffet ensure a comfortable stay.
Situated between Sihlcity and the Financial Quarter in the tranquil Enge area of Zurich, this establishment appeals to both business and leisure travellers alike. While businessmen may value the modern seminar rooms and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the hotel's proximity to Sihlcity, which offers shopping, dining, and entertainment choices, makes it a convenient stay even for those on a leisure trip. This property also features a lovely on-site restaurant and electric car charging stations.
Housed in the historic Hürlimann brewery, the B2 Hotel presents the unique opportunity for guests to stay in a building where beer was once made. The individually designed rooms and suites create an intriguing connection between urban design and Zurich's industrial past. Highlights of the experience include a mineral-rich thermal bath at the Hürlimannbad & Spa, a rooftop infinity pool with amazing views over Zurich and well-equipped conference rooms for holding meetings and get-togethers.
Sorell Hotel Rigiblick: Generous apartments with panoramic outlooks and a bistro that focuses on regional dishes, ideal for visitors looking for a more restful experience.Signau House & Garden: This peaceful retreat features individually decorated rooms and a quiet garden, perfect for relaxing.NI-MO: Located within the vibrant Seefeld Quarter near cultural landmarks like the Botanical Garden, NI-MO sets itself apart with its cosy wooden interiors and impeccable personalised services.
Your Ideal Swiss Travel Awaits
Deciding what kind of accommodation to book for your trip ultimately depends on personal preference. Luxury establishments like the Baur au Lac and the Dolder Grand promise an indulgent stay with exclusive services on call, while the intimate ambiance of boutique stays like Romantik Seehotel Sonne will leave you charmed with their distinct hospitality. Choose from a wide range of accommodation options in Zurich and prepare to immerse yourself in a city known for its historic charm, world-class shopping boulevards, a dynamic international arts scene, and picturesque scenery.
To explore more travel stories, tips, and guides, visit our microsite: https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/switzerland-tourism/
Note to the reader: This article has been produced on behalf of the brand by HT Brand Studio and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Crazy rich Indians: Luxury concierge firms are taking on several out-of-the-world requests from country's ultra-wealthy
Crazy rich Indians: Luxury concierge firms are taking on several out-of-the-world requests from country's ultra-wealthy

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Crazy rich Indians: Luxury concierge firms are taking on several out-of-the-world requests from country's ultra-wealthy

As India's ultra-rich multiply, so do their demands — often extravagant, sometimes eccentric, almost always urgent. Enter luxury concierge firms: Discrete operators who turn outlandish requests into seamless reality. From last-minute seats at Wimbledon to a seven-temple darshan spanning multiple states in a single day, these lifestyle fixers specialise in the improbable. Armed with global networks and a don't-ask-how attitude, they cater to a clientele that values access over price, privacy over publicity. For them, no request is too bizarre, no deadline too tight. Discreet, well-connected and almost impossibly efficient, they can pull strings few even knew existed. Here's a glimpse into this rarefied world where the extraordinary is simply standard service. THOSE WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN Live Events VIJAYA EASTWOOD 'Luxury today isn't just about having more — it's about choosing better,' says Vijaya Eastwood, CEO of CribLife, a homegrown concierge and private family office firm that works with over 15,000 ultra-high-net-worth families — both directly and through white-labelled partnerships with India's most prestigious private wealth banks and curated, invite-only credit card platforms. Their Rs 12-lakh-plus annual memberships offer global lifestyle navigation across deeply personal and highstakes moments: From IVF journeys in London, to celebrity and world leader– led dinners, international relocations, cross-border business liaisoning and education pathways. 'What truly matters is the kind of outcome that stays with you — whether it's emotional, personal or professional. Experiences that shift something in your world. That's the real value,' she adds. MISHTI BOSE An emotional edge is at the heart of Quintessentially India, a new-age travel concierge. According to CEO Mishti Bose, 2025 will see a spike in private villa takeovers, wellness-led escapes, and sports-driven itineraries. 'There's a clear shift towards intentional, immersive and ultrapersonalised experiences,' she notes. Whether it's a private island for a 50th birthday or a bespoke Wimbledon experience with VIP access, Indian UHNIs are no longer just visiting places — they are curating experiences. MANOJ ADLAKHA Wellness, in particular, is emerging as the new indulgence. Manoj Adlakha, founder and CEO of RedBeryl, calls it 'the ultimate aspiration'. His 700-member strong firm operates across 85 Indian cities and 25 international hubs, offering access to over 3,300 private clubs, 1,800 Michelin-starred restaurants and 15,000 luxury hotels. 'When you have already acquired the best, what you seek is clarity, longevity and balance,' he says. Think forest immersion retreats in Kyoto, cellular regeneration in Swiss clinics, or closer home, naturopathy, yoga and healing therapies in Visakhapatnam or slow travel through Kerala's backwaters. NITIN MOHAN SRIVASTAVA Luxury is also turning inwards. Pinch, a concierge platform focused on home, wellness, and daily living, sees luxury in subtler forms. 'Luxury means different things to different people,' says Nitin Mohan Srivastava, founder and CEO, Pinch. 'The modern customer is craving slowness, not speed; connection, not consumption.' Pinch has arranged everything from flamencoseason tables at Corral de la Morería to a glamping trip to reconnect a busy mother with her son. 'True luxury is the absence of microstress… when life flows without friction, when you can be present without planning — that's what people remember,' he adds. KARAN BHANGAY Adding to this evolving ecosystem is Indulge Global, which curates hyperpersonalised experiences across categories. 'Beyond the traditional markers of opulence, today's Indian UHNWIs and HNWIs are looking for deeper meaning, absolute discretion and highly personalised engagement,' says co-founder Karan Bhangay. 'Privacy and exclusivity are now baseline expectations — whether it's a secluded island retreat, a private preview of a collectible, or a bespoke culinary experience at home.' Bhangay notes that purpose-driven luxury is rising. 'Clients want their experiences to reflect their personal values — be it sustainability, wellness, heritage or social impact. They are seeking more than status — they want meaningful, memorable experiences tailored to their individuality and conscience.' FOLLOW THE MONEY The concierge economy is following the money. That means the hunger for curated experiences is no longer limited to Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru. Both CribLife and RedBeryl report a sharp uptick in demand from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where families are equally global in mindset and aspiration. 'Many are buying second or third homes, not as rentals, but to create intentional roots,' says Eastwood. Adlakha points to the numbers: India's tier-2 and tier-3 markets hold $26.4 trillion in household income.'

India rising, and how!
India rising, and how!

India Today

time6 hours ago

  • India Today

India rising, and how!

Thef Himanshu Saini never played it safe, and in hindsight, we're all luckier for it. Saini's journey reads like the kind of plot that makes biopics irresistible. If anyone needed proof that cumin, cardamom, and creativity could build an empire, Trsind Studio is your answer. With three Michelin stars under his belt at just 38, Chef Himanshu has done what only a select few chefs in the world can boast of. Legendary Chef Joan Roca dubs him 'a chef with artistic flair at its finest.' One of India's top chefs, Manish Mehrotra, lauds him for 'eloquently reshaping Indian cuisine on the global gastronomic stage.' And the most visionary Michelin star chef in Dubai, Vladimir Mukhin of Krasota, calls him 'a bold visionary, redefining flavours and presentation with a progressive edge.'

Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Why Bangkok is the world's food capital
Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Why Bangkok is the world's food capital

Hindustan Times

time2 days ago

  • Hindustan Times

Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Why Bangkok is the world's food capital

Which city do you think has the largest number of the world's best restaurants? If you answered London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong or New York, you would be completely wrong. Gaggan Anand's eponymous restaurant came in sixth on the World's 50 Best list of restaurants. The correct answer is Bangkok, which has six of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World according to the organisation that makes these lists every year. The same organisation does a list of the 50 Best Restaurants in Asia, and there too, the number one restaurant was in Bangkok: Our very own Gaggan Anand. Michelin has not been very far behind. Bangkok now has the world's first Thai restaurant with three Michelin stars and a clutch of two-star restaurants, including the excellent Côte by Mauro Colagreco. Michelin has yet to come to India, but the 50 Best Restaurants in the World list does claim to cover India. And last week, when they announced the list, it was a little odd to find that not one restaurant in all of India made it to the list. So Bangkok: 6 vs India: 0. Not fair, is it? Chef Ton runs Nusara and Le Du in Bangkok. Both made it to The World's 50 Best Restaurants list. But that's not the only distinction Bangkok has won in the last few months. The World's 50 Best, the organisation that rates restaurants, also rates the best hotels. And on the current list, the number one, and therefore the best hotel in the world, is the Capella on the Chao Phraya River, another triumph for Bangkok. So, has Bangkok, which most of us know well and regard a reasonably priced holiday destination that is not too far away, suddenly become much more: The food and hospitality capital of the world? It sure as hell looks like it. Let's start with the World's 50 Best Restaurants, because that announcement was the most recent. Though Gaggan Anand has the reigning number one restaurant in Asia, I wondered how he would fare on the more significant international list. The announcement ceremony was in Torino, and just before he left for Italy, Gaggan came over to the brand new Aman where I was staying (I will do a separate piece on how the Aman group created niche super-luxury hospitality later). We spent three hours chatting and I was surprised by his quiet confidence. He knew he would be in the Top Ten, but what intrigued me was how confident he was about Bangkok's prospects. Capella, along the Chao Phraya River, topped the global hotel list. At first, I was a little disbelieving, because all the restaurants he was sure would make it were owned by his friends: Chef Ton who runs Nusara and Le Du, Chef Pam of Potong, and the Suhring twins who shine at their eponymous restaurant where Gaggan is a partner. As Sorn is the only Thai restaurant with three Michelin stars, Gaggan was sure it would also be high up on the list. (He was sort of right: Sorn came in at 17, but was way behind Gaggan and behind Pam's Potong as well.) Six restaurants? I told Gaggan he was nuts until I woke up two days later and saw the list. Gaggan had been absolutely right. Ton got both his restaurants on the list, and 50 Best rated Nusara higher than Le Du. That's the opposite of how Michelin sees it, but I think 50 Best got it right. The 50 Best Restaurants list can be controversial because it can be gamed by restaurants willing to spend money on agents and agencies that handle the so-called influencers who constitute many of the 1,100 voters who are the electorate for the list. As the New York Times noted sneeringly: 'Unlike lists that are reported by publications including The New York Times and Le Monde, or inspected anonymously by an independent entity like the Michelin Guide, the World's 50 Best list allows its 1,100 voters to accept free meals and other perks. The voters are supposed to remain anonymous, but many of the 'gastronomic experts' are chefs, food writers and public-relations professionals who are well known in the food world.' Côte, located at the Capella hotel, has two Michelin stars, and is gunning for a third. Yet, what nobody can deny is that the list makes a huge difference to the commercial performance of restaurants abroad, which is why so many of the world's top chefs attend the ceremony and long to get on to the list. As for manipulation, it's not always as easy as is often suggested. I know Indian restaurants that have spent lakhs trying to get on with no success; they have to be content with the lesser Asia list. On the other hand, while a place on the list can improve profitability abroad (in Bangkok, for instance) it makes no commercial difference to restaurants in India and remains a photo-op and ego trip for our restaurateurs. Not all great Bangkok restaurants made it to the list. I had dinner at Côte, the restaurant run by Davide Garavaglia for his boss, Mauro Colagreco. Mauro is one of the world's greatest chefs and it is to his credit that he has given Davide a free hand. For instance, Mauro's signature pigeon dish is suitably tweaked, and Davide creates big flavours while preserving the delicate nature of each dish. There is no printed menu. Davide customises the meal for each guest depending on their preferences and what ingredients are available that day. Côte has two Michelin stars, and now that Michelin has done its duty and given three stars to a Thai restaurant, Côte is finally in the running for a third star (with Suhring as the other European contender.) Côte missed out on 50 Best, but the hotel it is located in, Capella, topped the global hotel list. Forget about the enormity of the global achievement, but just in Bangkok terms, this is a huge coup. When the hotel opened, it was seen as the little brother to its neighbour the new Four Seasons, and further down, along the river, was the legendary The Oriental. It has now swept past them, surprising everyone in Bangkok. Chef Pam's Potong ranked 13th on the World's 50 Best list. I spent three days there and could see why it was voted the world's best hotel. It's not huge (around 100 rooms) so service is warm, efficient and personalised. The food is very good (compared to both the Oriental and the Four Seasons, certainly) and includes the Côte experience as well as a casual Thai restaurant that does non-five-star-hotel food. The rooms are huge and elegant and every one of them has a view of the river. It more than deserves its success. As I guess does Bangkok. And here's the irony. Because Chinese tourists have stopped coming, Bangkok's hospitality scene has suffered. You can get amazing deals at hotels, restaurants are never full and even as it gets so much global acclaim, Bangkok has never been better value for luxury. From HT Brunch, June 28, 2025 Follow us on

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store