travelatte

Hi,
I am trying to book the tail end of our trip and am having trouble finding a quad with a/c. Will it be necessary? We have experienced so many "hot spells" on our previous trips to Europe that we like to have a/c. We have never visited Zurich so any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Travelatte

altamiro

>am having trouble finding a quad with a/c. Will it be necessary?

Most Swiss live without one.
Make sure you get a room with windows opening into a courtyard, not into the street, and above sreet level. Then just open them if it's hot

logos999

YOU will need it, but since it's not available you can't go to Zürich. Sorry, but you have to choose another place for your holiday . Better be safe than sorry! Zurich is overrated anyway

travelatte

Thanks,
logo LOL. We are flying in and out of Zurich (because of a great deal)and will only be spending 2 nights before we head for home. We have any early flight back to the states and was hoping to have a cool 2 nights before leaving.
Travelatte

Cicerone

My crystal ball does not work for predicting weather (just marriages), so I can’t tell you weather you will need air conditioning for your nights in June. I used to live in Zurich and for two of the Junes I was there you would not have needed it, and for the other two Junes I would have paid the Devil to have had it in my flat. It really will be a matter of luck. Historically, weather in June in most of Europe is cool, but you know from your own experience that some recent summers in Europe have been quite hot. Take a look at weatherbase.com for historical temps. You can survive without air conditioning, however so I would not worry overly about it. Street noise is really only a problem in the old town on weekend nights and the eve of public holidays for the most part, the Swiss are quite circumspect in their summer “madness” I found, and I used to live pretty much smack in the middle of the old town.

What hotels have you been looking at? Do you have a budget? Quads will be hard to find as large hotel rooms are just hard to find in Zurich, so you may be looking at 3 stars, which generally are not going to be air conditioned. Top floor rooms in many Swiss hotels will be attic rooms and will have dormer windows and will be hotter.

travelatte

We have booked the Marriot for a 1 bedroom suite. I still may cancel if I can find a better deal/hotel. What do you think of the Mariott? I know it won't be charming, but it will have ac and it is the end of our trip.

Travelatte

Cicerone

The Marriott actually is a good choice, it has a very good location close to the main train station and along the river. Zurich kids swim in that part of the river and jump off the nearby bridge, so your kids may be tempted as well..it appears to be safe (river is very clean, there are public swimming areas further down). It is not in the old town, but not too far from the start of the Neiderdorf portion of the old town, and the excellent Landmuseum is near by as well if you get a rainy day. If you want air conditioning (and an indoor pool) it really is not a bad choice at all. Try to get a room on a high floor in the main building and you will get a nice Alp view on a clear day.

While you can walk to the train station in about 5 minutes, the hotel participates in the airport shuttle bus service as well if you want to use that (good if you have lots of luggage).

travelatte

Cicerone,
Thanks so much. I am feeling better about the Marriot now. It sounds like it will work out fine.
Thanks again,
Travelatte

travelatte

Cicerone,
What do you think of the Novotel in the city center? Is that in a good location?

Travelatte

Budman

We just got back from Europe and spent our last night in Zurich at the Marriott. It's a wonderful hotel, and got it on priceline for $80. Around $92 after taxes & fees. It was a steal. Large room, comfortable bed, and as you walk into the room, 1/2 bath on the left (toilet/wash sink), and refrig/mini-bar and bath/sink on the right. It was very nice.

PalenQ

avg hi 73 F avg low 54 F - earlier in month less, later more - anyway won't usually suffer too much it seems.

Budman

It was in the mid-80's a week or so ago.

travelatte

Budman,
Do you know if I can priceline for a quad?

Travelatte

Budman

I would think you could bid for two rooms and then ask the hotel to give you double adjoining. I'm sure they have those in Europe like the States. Priceline will only guarantee a bed for 2 people per room.

Now if you happen to get the Intercontinenntal, which we did 2 years ago, it's a very short tram ride, I believe #3, to and from the center of town. Buy a day pass and ride all over the city.

Cicerone

Travalette, there isn’t a Novotel in the “city centre”. There are two in town, one by the airport and one in “Zurich West” which is NOT the city centre or the old town and is nowhere near either. It’s in an old industrial aera that is being redevloped as a trendy restaurant/shopping art gallery area. While it has some intereting restaurants and some art galleries, I am not sure it is what a first-time vistior to Zurich is wanting or expecting, i.e. no cobbelstone streets and side walk cafes and ancient churches or buildings, etc. I don’t think I would recco it, and would of course not recco that airport one either. Are you referring to the Sofitel on Stampfenbachstrasse? That is also an accor hotel and would be a fine choice, it is not in the old town, but quite close and it is very walkable to the main train station.

travelatte

We booked the Marriott. We leave tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help!
Travelatte