Hi,
My husband and I will be in Zurich for about 3-4 days in mid-March. We'd like a hotel that has a shower and toilet in the room but everything seems so expensive. Can anyone recommend anything that's less than $200? Even better would be less than $150. We're not adamant about staying within the city limits as long as we were fairly close to transportation into the central area. Thank you!

Try Minotel Coronado Hotel Zurich.
It was on a tram route, and I think it was within your budget, though we didn't cost it in US dollars.

Hotel Bristol, a 3-star friendly hotel 5 minutes (on foot) from the train station might work:

http://www.hotelbristol.ch/preise_e.html

double rooms in March are 150 to 190 CHF , so it depends what the dollar does between now and then.

Try hotel Astor Zurich (http://www.hotelastorzurich.ch/en/index.html), we have been there at least 4 time. This 3* place is clean, nice breakfast and meets all your conditions. Walking & Tram convenince to city center. Free Internet in the lobby...... never had any reason to complain, just go for hind room if tram noice is not tolerable.
Enjoy your trip.

Hotel Montana 3* right by the Main railway station (the national museum side). Usually around €150.

Bar Hotel Seehof, a small quite modernly stylish hotel in a charming location behind the opera, only steps from the Stadelhofen station and the lake:

http://www.seehof.ch/

Islands03 - My sister and I stayed at the Best Western Hotel Montana in Zurich. It's located very close to the train station. We both were pleased with our choice of hotel. The room has a shower and toilet. I did a search on kayak.com and it lists this one site (gtahotels.com) that has rooms for $142 a night. Since you said mid-March, I didn't know what days you'd be there, so I priced it from a Monday to a Thursday check out.

Hotels in Zurich are much cheaper on the weekend, when there is no business travel. Can you adjust your itinerary to be there, say, Friday through Monday?

I have not stayed here but I would:

http://www.st-josef.ch/hotel/e/hotel_e1.html

45 rooms have bathroom with shower and toilet and are equipped with safe, refrigerator, kettle, telephone and internet connection
Double room with shower/toilet = 190chf / $171US / 116€ / £83
Note: there are rooms 'not ensuite' so be sure you reserve the right type

About 500 meters' walk from the Bahnhof

Hi - I have stayed twice at the Hotel Arlette. The price a couple years ago was around $110. It is across the river from the train station, with an easy walk. I don't think they have a website but you can find contact info for them if you google the name.

Here's the name/address:

Arlette Am Hauptbahnhof Hotel
26 Stampfenbachstrasse

Hotel Alstadt
4 Kirchgasse
Tel: 41-44-250-5353
Fax: 41-44-250-5354
http://www.hotel-altstadt.ch/cms/index.html

This is right in the heart of the old town on a charming cobblestone street, steps from the river, very close to the Grossmunster church, and close to some good restaurants and shops. They have a sleek modern design for their lobby and bar.

We stayed there for a night in January '07, loved the hotel and location but they allow smoking in the hotel so everything smelled of it.

Are you against using Priceline? You can get a great deal in Zurich with them and in good locations, too.

I know it's a crapshoot but if budget is the biggest driver in this...

Hi, This summer I had a wonderful stay at the Hotel Zurichberg. It's up on a hill overlooking the lake and Zurich. It's in a beautiful park like setting.
Search around and you may find a fairly good rate. The tram is very close and I thought it was great! Beware, it is a little uphill walking back to the hotel. It took about 18 minutes on the tram to get to the main Bahnoff/train station area

Thanks so much everyone! This gives me a great place to start!

Hi I,

We will be staying at http://www.st-josef.ch/

About $175 ensuite dbl w/bkfst.

You can check them out at www.tripadvisor.com

I second the Hotel Arlette, stayed there in June. Basic but clean, lovely ladies on the front desk and oh so close to the main station. I booked it through the Zurich Tourism website.

Regarding Travelnut's post: My DH & I stayed at the Pension St. Josef in May 2005. Our room was not ensuite, but we were quite comfortable. I thought the bathroom was GREAT, even if we did have to share.

So I am sure the rooms that do come with a bathroom are quite nice. We found it to be very clean & comfortable. Breakfast was good and the coffee was strong (good coffee=good day!).

Another vote for St. Josef. Nice, very clean, friendly staff, and a really good breakfast.

The rooms without ensuite bath are nice also. There are two large bathrooms with great modern showers and so clean. I think there are only 4 rooms on the floor that share the bathrooms. I have stayed in those a couple of times with no problems and I never see anyone.

Well, now I wanna go!