BTilke

Missypie, Zurich was listed as 9th most expensive, but it was also listed as the very best city for overall quality of life (in contrast, London was listed as the 5th most expensive [and most expensive in Europe] and 39th for quality of life). I posted the top 10s in each category and the link to the full lists on a separate thread.

missypie

I noted that because the OP had asked about the "bargain but nice hotels", so it seemed as if price might be an issue.

luvtotravel

In Luzern I recommend Hotel des Alpes. I was there last month. Good location--we had a room overlooking the lake and the Chapel Bridge. Not cheap, though, but a good value. I less expensive option (without th lake view) is www.jailhotel.com.

Luzern has many restaurant options and lots of shopping. We were there over the weekend. On Saturday there were stalls everywhere and the city was high energy. On Sunday, everything was closed and the city was almost empty.

traveller1959

"One side of me wants to relax and look at the mountains and the other wants to eat, shop and walk the streets...."

Zürich is far away from the mountains. If you want mountains and shopping and good food, what about Geneve? Or Salzburg? Or Berchtesgaden?