Seehotel Sonne
 

I had thought that we would stay at the Radisson Blu at Zurich airport, until I saw the price. Really don't want to spend that much on an Airport Hotel.

Was thinking of Seehotel Sonne in Kusnacht. Our flight is at 11:55AM.

Any thoughts, alternatives?

Hi wrenwood,

Yes, I've stayed there two times and adore it. It has a garden bar/restaurant right on the lake that's great for a last night in the country. The staff is young and very nice.

The hotel sits just across the street from the train station; in fact, as you exit the tunnel you use to cross the busy street, you emerge at the entrance to the hotel. There are a few direct (no changes) train to the airport every hour.

Küsnacht is a great town; a friend of mine used to live nearby. It has a park at the lake and two big grocery stores for the last-minute chocolate to bring back.

Have fun!

s

Thanks swandav! I think it was because of one of your posts that I bookmarked it as a place to stay sometime.

Any idea how long it might take to drive to the Airport if we still have a car?

YES! Last minute chocolate! We never bring enough home!

Very nice hotel with pleasant rooms that have wooden floors. The restaurant is far above average, their terrace overlooking the lake and shaded by some shrubs is great.
Home-made jams for breakfast.
Great location lakeside and just across the street from the station.
It takes about 15 min. into the city centre (Zurich) by train and about 25 min. to the airport without changes. Driving to the airport would also take about 30 min. if traffic is clear.

Sorry, no idea. I wouldn't dream of driving -- yukyuk!

s

Wanted to stop by for a coffee last week. All parking spaces were taken - many by luxury cars. There's a ferry station right in front of the hotel.

Have sent an email but haven't heard back from them yet.

Any other places in that area or close to the airport?

Almost a week since I sent my 2 original emails to [email protected] ~ and 2 days since I sent another via the website.

this is not looking good..................

Any other places in that area or close to the airport?

wrenwood -

Regarding the Radisson Blu - they have really good weekend rates...don't suppose you're there during the weekend?

no, we will be flying back on a Thursday.

They quoted advance/non refundable @ chf296 and AAA @ chf355 ~ excluding breakfast (and I forgot to ask about parking fees should we still have our car)

Bummer. I feel your pain.

Their weekend rate was the only reason we were able to stay there before our return flight - 195 CHF.

I checked the Marriott Courtyard between Zurich and the airport and rates are only a bit less than the Radisson Blu, at 274-304 chf, but breakfast is included. You could try pulling up a map of the area near the Zurich airport on one of the hotel booking sites to search for hotels in the area and check prices. I am blown away by the cost of hotels in Switzerland.

If you want reliable quality, the Four Points Sheraton Sihl City offers normally decent rates and some freshly decorated rooms. The downside is that it's in a shopping mall with some sterile surroundings. But the city centre is close and easily reachable by tram or train (stop and station opposite the hotel). Ask them for a room at the end away from the bar area, though. I prefer it over the above mentioned Courtyard, where the surroundings do even less for me.

However, why don't you simply book through the Sonne's website without exchanging e-mails? Might be an option, although I agree that they should reply to e-mails. A bit surprising as the Sonne's service is normally very personable.

I sent one more email to them. I really don't understand. I got the automated reply that they had received my emails, both previously and this morning. I did have some questions that I didn't see answered on the website. I always like to book via email rather than an online booking. I think the way a business responds to your emails says a lot about the service you will receive when you are there. That's what worries me about Sonne. Maybe they are having problems of some type.

I don't mind paying a price to stay somewhere that's wonderful, and I love staying at a place that says "Switzerland" our last night before we leave. I just don't want to spend a lot to stay in an Airport Hotel.

I understand and agree in principle.
My last stay the the Sonne dates back about a year. I found it quite good then.
Unfortunately in my epxerience the (not too hefty) price bracket and its location make the Sonne relatively unique. Maybe others can offer more help.

Anyone want to send them an email and see if you get a reply?

Maybe call them?

I'm in the US, and I'm not going to spend the money for an international call to a business who hasn't bothered to email me (can you tell I'm getting a little frustrated and annoyed?)

I'm sorry you are having trouble with the Hotel Sonne, as it is probably my favorite memory of Zurich.

We were in Zurich just a few weeks ago, but stayed with friends on the other side of the lake.

I stayed at the Sonne for two weeks, while I attended the Summer Institute at the Jung Institute right there in Kusnacht, and loved every minute even though it was beastly hot even for mid-summer. But it was many years ago.

I would simply call them on the phone. Do you have one of those numbers that make for cheap overseas calls? It would be worth while, though it is a popular place I am certain. Its location alone, near train, and right at a boat stop, would make it very popular, and that garden terrace was so special. Good luck!!

no email response this morning...............

sent another email this afternoon via Karen Brown's website

I am really at a loss as to why they are not answering. I don't think I'm being obnoxious, I asked two main questions which I couldn't find on the website ~ if they have air conditioning or fans if it is hot, and how long would it take to drive to Zurich Airport if we have a car. On the website they say "the direct link to Zurich Airport takes about 30 minutes" which to me sounds like the train, not if you have a car?

They can't be having computer problems as I have received two automated responses from them that they received my emails.

Their last review on Trip Advisor was about a year ago, 3 out of 5, reviewed by someone who had 20 reviews, many 4's and 5's. Maybe Seehotel Sonne has undergone a change in ownership or management?

Very strange. Have you checked your SPAM folder to see if their responses have gone there?

Yes, I have a MAC, and it is extremely accurate on spam vs non spam.

I too think it is strange, I have never had this happen with a hotel/B&B of top quality such as Seehotel Sonne. I'm really at at loss to figure this out. I would love to stay there, but I'm not sure at this point what they could say that would make me feel comfortable with staying with them.

Maybe tomorrow morning.........?

Right now I'm looking at some places I found on some old Fodors threads when I did a search for Rote Rose in Regensburg. I had it bookmarked Rote Rose from a few years ago, but am not sure I want to stay there, can't find any current reviews/comments on it. Anyway, when I did a search on Fodors another thread came up where Hotel-Restaurant Uto Kulm and Hotel Alexander in Thalwil were recommended.

nothing this morning

I'm not sure what Seehotel Sonne could say now that would make me want to stay there. :(

So any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We will have a car, so would prefer to stay a little distance out of the city itself.

Help!

We stayed once in the Ermitage which is also on the lake and also in Kusnacht. One other time they made a mistake (at the Ermitage) in our reservation, so they put us up in a MUCH more expensive hotel in Zurich, but on the same side of town.
That was a long time ago, and I think they have gotten pretty expensive now, but you might look at that. It is very close to the Sonne, and there is a footpath all along the lake there.

I also thought the Ehrlibacher Hotel looked pretty good when I was there years ago, but I never actually stayed there. It might be worth looking at these two on the web.

I love that part of the lake, and I'm sorry you had no luck with the Hotel Sonne.

hi wrenwood -

perhaps they have some IT problem. have you thought of FAX?

Taconic, thanks so much! I will check them out. I don't mind paying somewhat expensive as long as it's a lovely place.

Ann, I have thought of that ~ But I sent emails from my own server, through their website, and through Karen Brown ~ starting 11 days ago.

Send them an email and see if they answer?

Ann ~ sending them a Fax would still be an international call charge, not willing to do that. Schuler was there in early July, so I assume they are still there and didn't burn down or something awful.

Sorry, the Ermitage has closed. It has been sold, and it is no longer a hotel. I also used to stay there.

s

I guess that's why I couldn't find it!

Ok, I rarely help folks who drive in Switzerland, but I'll offer these two places. I don't know if you'll be interested in them, as they aren't upscale --

Landhotel Alpenblick in the town of Uetikon am See. A very sweet little hotel settled in the countryside above Lake Zurich -- peaceful and quiet and green. Terrific restaurant. It's a little hard to find. There *is* a bus stop about two blocks from it . .

http://www.landhotelalpenblick.com/Hauptseite.html

Hirschen am See, a nice little inn right on the lake in the town of Obermeilen. It's also close to a bus stop or about 20 minutes from the Meilen train station.

http://www.hirschen-meilen.ch/sites/index.php?id_b=21

s

Swandav, I think both your suggestions look charming. I have bookmarked them, maybe for another time. Thank you!

Since our trip is in August, I'm really looking for a place with air-conditioning. I'm fine with opening windows at Waldhaus, Soglio and Tarasp where it's quiet, but I have a lot of trouble sleeping with noise from streets in towns and cities, so opening windows at night isn't always an option for me.

The choice at this point is Hotel Lowen in Zug. Looks like a nice last night, they serve breakfast beginning at 6:30, so we should have enough time to get to the airport since our flight isn't until 11:55

Zug looks like a nice place, any comments or other ideas?

By the way, I still have never heard anything from Sonne, even after sending one from Karen Brown's website.