JN

Oops--I meant we chose the LATTER--to stay in only two areas. Duh.

mari5

I believe you said you wanted to spend the last day in Zurich. It IS an interesting city,on the lake, lovely buildings, and a long Major shopping street which is spectacular. (very crowded on Sat.it seemed). but FUN.
Some people would say to stay downtown the last night (and though we haven't stayed there, the Bristol Hotel has good reviews.) It's only a l0 or l5 min. train ride to the airport....but one has to get to the train station first. (or Taxi)
Another alternative is to settle into an airport hotel , shuttle to airport , and take the short train ride into center of Zurich....walk around and then back out to your hotel to "repack" and get organized!
IF you are there on a weekend there are VERY GOOD rates at lovely, very comfortable airport hotels...such as HIlton(good buffet breakfast). These have a 5 minute free shuttle ride to the terminal, where you would want to arrive by 8:30 or so.
OUr plane left much earlier than 10:45, so perhaps you would want to stay downtown, OR even out in another city as others suggested.
BUT you wanted to see Zurich on the last day, didn't you?

francefling

We stayed at the Hotel Adler and it was wonderful, located in the old section of town 5 minute walk from the train station. Very european with an amazing breakfast (included with the room) and the restaurant specializes in fondue! Ummy! There is another restaurant called th "Blind Cow" where the owner and staff are blind and you eat in the dark. The kids would probably love it, hard to get reservations but worth the effort. Have a wonderful time!

jane00

You guys have been a lifesaver, really! I am getting my hotels together which will ultimately decide on the number of days we stay in each location, but I think we will choose the Berner Oberland area just because of the true Swiss experience it will provide.
I personally would love the warmer temperature and Italian flair of Locarno area, but we've done Italy and will DEFINITELY go back many times, so may as well get the mountains in now.
Thanks for all the hotel recommendations, I am checking on availability today and the Blind Cow restaurant sounds so interesting!
I think this has been so difficult because it is hard for me to NOT think about how close I'll be to Greece and Italy, (my personal favorites), but I really think I'll be totally in awe of what Switzerland has to offer. Thanks again! Jane

chocolatislife

Wow, it sounds like you are going to have a fun trip with all these suggestions! I also went to Lucerne with Contiki Holidays over the summer and it was my favorite town out of my whole trip (and we went to 6 countries)! It is so homey, clean, and beautiful! You definitely should go to Lucerne if possible. If you'd like to read about my time in Lucerne, check out my blog at kellycontiki.blogspot.com
Happy travels!

ErikJW

Jane00,
I've read your posts. At appears we are pretty much on the same travel agenda (spring break, same arrival and departure times from Zurich).
Question to you and to the forum:
Zurich Airport hotels - what comes well recomended?

enzian

ERikJW----you don't need an "airport" hotel in Zürich, because the downtown is only 15 minutes from the airport by train, and the train stops right inside the air terminal. So just pick a place downtown, a short walking distance from the main Zürich train station for simplicity, and you're fine.

You can search here for "Zurich hotels" and find many suggestions.

Tertitt69

If a recommendation for a hotel near the Zurich airport is still wanted, I would definitely suggest the Mövenpick Zurich Airport Hotel. It's a stone's throw away from the airport and is a very pleasant experience. Spacious rooms and beds, welcome drink, two restaurants, and a fabulous breakfast buffet with over 80 items to choose from make for a great stay. I am in the process of writing up some travel pages where my Switzerland 2006 trip will be added, however, I have several more to cover before I get that far.

As for the Berner Oberland, I stayed in Grindelwald, and a quick comparison between the places when I was there would say this was a great choice. It is in a large, open, airy and green part of the alps, and you even have a view to the Eiger and several excursion possibilities right at your doorstep.

jane00

Ok, I'm booked! Thanks so much to everyone for your ideas and suggestions. I only wish I had a few more days....

Here is the itinerary so far:

Fly into Zurich and take train to Grindelwald. Reservations at the Hotel Gletschergarten for 2 nights.

Leave for Lucerne staying at the Des Alpes hotel for 3 nights. Day trip to Bern and other destination to be decided.

Take train to Zurich for last day and night, staying at the Hotel Adler .

I feel like this will give us a start in Switzerland and I can concentrate on the Geneva lake area and Locarno next time.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

Jane

enzian

Sounds great. You are a most efficient travel planner!

JN

Enjoy your trip. It sounds like fun.