Best hotels in Zurich, Switzerland's largest city

"If understated design, art and lake views are high on your must-have list, the best hotels in Zürich are exemplary. The Swiss city is a more subtle choice than, say, Paris or Rome, and its hotel scene is naturally more compact. How could it be otherwise? The old yet glamorous city - Switzerland's largest - is home to less than half a million people,"

"and while it doesn't attract the same crowds as other European grand dames, it is always ready to welcome discerning travellers with excellent taste and a penchant for hospitality that only the Swiss can deliver. It's a wonderfully walkable city too, making the hotel choice even more important. To truly embrace Zürich's charms - gorgeous waterfront location, historic Old Town, upscale shopping, and artsy enclaves - you'll want a convenient, comfortable, and chic place to rest your feet and soak up the rich atmosphere."

"Spend your days wandering the cobblestoned lanes of the Altstadt, gallery-hopping in Zürich-West, or sipping a crisp glass of white wine by the lake before retreating to one of its exceptional hotels. In a city that moves at a thoughtful pace, where you can't help but notice the craftsmanship in everything from a sandwich on homemade bread from Buchmann Beck Rennweg, to a golden hour cocktail on Savoy Terrasse at Mandarin Oriental."

Zürich combines understated design, art and lake views with a compact, refined hotel scene tailored to discerning travellers. The city's old yet glamorous character and modest population create a quieter alternative to larger European capitals. Walkable streets connect the Altstadt, waterfront and artsy districts, making hotel location crucial for exploring galleries, upscale shopping and lakeside leisure. Guests can enjoy local craftsmanship in food and drink, from artisan bakeries to golden-hour cocktails on hotel terraces. Notable properties range from the art-decked grandeur of The Dolder Grand to Philippe Starck's reimagined Eden au Lac, offering chic, comfortable bases for immersion in Zürich's atmosphere.

Read at CN Traveller