9 Best Hotels in Kreis 1, Zürich

Richard Wagner premiered the first act of his Die Walküre here, accompanied on the piano by his father-in-law, Franz Liszt. Kings and queens, empresses and dukes took turns visiting (and let's not forget Arthur Rubinstein, Marc Chagall, Henry Moore, and Plácido Domingo), making this hotel a truly upper-crust establishment from the time it opened its doors in 1844. This is still one highbrow patrician—it even goes so far as to turn its broad back to the commercial center; its front rooms overlook the lake, the canal, and the manicured lawns of its own private park. Upstairs, the rooms are individually decorated in a mix of styles that range from art deco to English Regency to contemporary. Meals are served in the glassed-in pavilion along the canal.

Zürich's most captivating hotel was created when nine adjacent medieval houses were gutted and combined—now steel fuses with ancient stone and timeworn wood. Behind every door is a fascinating mix of old and new: a guest room could mix restored 17th-century frescoes and stone floors with a leather bedspread and halogen bell-jar lights. Set in the heart of Zürich's historic quarter, many of the houses look out into a communal courtyard, and others flaunt views of the Rennweg or the Augustinerkirche. The library with Eames chairs is a lovely touch, and gallery-worthy pieces by artists such as Andy Warhol hangs throughout. 

Located in the heart of the cobblestone streets of Old Town, this boutique hotel smartly blends its 15th-century history with modern minimalism. The rooms vary in size and are individually decorated, but all are done in a pared-down style with lots of white linen and pale wood. Bathrooms are sleek with rain showers and loaded with products by the Swiss natural brand Soeder. Downstairs is IGNIV restaurant.

The wide-open spaces of Zürich’s first American-style luxury hotel play out elegantly a few blocks from both the lake and city center. Buttercream neutrals are accented in black marble, rich maple, and lots of gleaming glass, as well as a 90-strong chunk of the Hyatt art collection. Glimpse up at Sol le Witt’s rainbow-colored mural in the lobby, painted to the same surface area as a standard Park Hyatt double, to see why rooms feel so spacious. All room categories are comfortable, featuring parquet floors with soft carpets, Italian-made beige furnishings with earthy green accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows with fresh-air panels onto a surprising amount of greenery. Bathrooms are so huge and luxurious—with deep baths, rain showers, and Le Labo toiletries—you'll want to take one home with you. . . . Actually, you might not want to go home at all. The restaurant is excellent; the lobby lounge with its low-slung sofas and all-day menu hums with comings-and-goings (and serves a mouthwatering afternoon tea of handmade pastries); and the bar, where businesspeople collect for after-work drinks, is styled in rare pale onyx and does its own gin.  

The central location of this airy 660-year-old structure—tucked between the Fraumünster and Kirche St. Peter on the gull-studded bank of the Limmat River—is stunning. Rebuilt in 1939 and renovated in 2016, the modern hotel is impeccable and intimately scaled. It has warmly appointed rooms, some with French windows that open over the water, and plenty of marble offset by a mauve and soft gray palette. Deluxe corner rooms, with views toward both river and lake, are worth fighting for, as are seats at the terrace café, where dessert is the panoramic vista of the Altstadt. It feels slightly Venetian to arrive by 15-minute boat ride from the main station to the hotel's pier. 

Dutch chain citizenM, known for budget prices and artsy, designer spaces, opened this 160-room hotel complete with a lively bar, bakery, and canteen in 2019 in a 1950s building. There are several SocietyM meeting rooms and a lofty reception area. Rooms come in just one category; they are compact with large, fluffy beds and big windows with blackout blinds.

Smack in the middle of Niederdorf, this is a smart, state-of-the-art hotel where, from the gleaming lobby to the sleek, modular rooms, the ash-and-granite decor makes the most of tight spaces. There are nice touches, too: all rooms have AC, which is unusual for the city, and hand-painted murals of local landmarks remind you that you're in Zürich. The restaurant off the lobby, Swiss Chuchi, is known locally as a great year-round place for fondue.

Part of the Autograph Collection, this intimate hotel in the business district, a few minutes from Paradeplatz and a block from the Tonhalle, melds its 1930s heritage with contemporary design. Rooms are handsome in deep gray and beige, accented by dark oak, buttery leather, and modern art. For something extra special, book a rooftop suite with private views over the surrounding district and lake. The restaurant is Mediterranean-influenced, serving seafood, meat, and vegetables in dishes such as venison ravioli with morel sauce or fried sea bass with blood-orange risotto.

This relaxed, contemporary hotel in the charming Altstadt is draped with living plants, neon art installations, wicker chairs, and hanging lanterns. The 46 rooms come in 11 varieties, including doubles, singles, and suites with kitchenettes, kid’s rooms, and terraces.