JoeTro

I have comparable rates for a stay in late April in Zurich - 82 CHF for a single at ETAP West or 85 for a stay at Hotel Sternen Oerliko.

I'm wondering if anyone has stayed at ETAPs - specifically this one, but others as well as I understand it is a chain. How clean are they generally, and what about size of room and restrooms. I believe it is one star.

I think the Sternen is 2 star, but I believe that is in a suburb. I am wondering if anyone has stayed at this hotel, or at any hotel in Oerlikon and could speak to transportation between here and central Zurich.

Also, what is West Zurich like - how is it safety wise?

Finally, is Sternen near Winterthur?

Thanks.

JoeTro

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Cicerone

Oerlikon is on the train line from the airport to Zurich (about 6 minutes by train) and there are like a dozen trains an hour going into Zurich. It is a nice suburb, but more high rise buildings than charming village. A lot of companies (ABB, etc) have headquarters or main offices there. I would not call Oerlikon closer to Winterthur than Zurich, but is only about 20 minutes and there are some direct trains (i.e. no change required). I don’t know the hotel at all, but from the map it looks close to the station which is a plus.

I know ETAP 85 West from the outside and its looks nice. It is an Accor hotel, which is a good sign and is new, maybe a year or two, so that’s another good sign. It is in an industrial area of Zurich that is being revitalized; there are some good restaurants and bars in the area. Some if the western parts of Zurich are not great neighborhoods, but generally the area around the hotel is OK and is fairly lively at night. The area looks a bit more run down than Oerlikon, neither have any real Swiss charm. It is a longish tram ride into the center of town, might get old if you are there for more than a day or two. It might also be a bit of a pain to get to with luggage if you are on the tram. Bring a good street map as I think the hotel is hard to locate as it is located at the back of a commercial building center.

If you want to spend time in Winterthur, then the Sternen would make more sense as it is so near the train and is on the Winterthur side of Zurich.

JoeTro

Thanks very much. Any idea what the cost was round-trip from Oerlikon to Zurich?

Cicerone

I am guessing at about CHF9 round-trip without any half fare or other disount card. You may be able to get the price from the rail.ch website.

JoeTro

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about Novotel Zurich City-West. It is in the Technopark and I think it might be very close to the ETAP I had mentioned. I might try Priceline and could end up with this hotel, which looks like a good option, but is more than I might want to pay booking outright.

Thanks.