"Built on the site of Roman and Celtic ruins, the unassuming 5-star Widder Hotel comprises nine medieval townhouses that were painstakingly renovated over a 10-year period by Swiss architect Tilla Theus. The results are jaw-dropping, from the unusual structures such as circular rooms and passages that refer architecturally to a Roman well uncovered during construction, to the mix of antiques and modern designer furnishings (Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright) in the rooms. Alongside the 35 standard rooms, 14 suites also mix the old with the new, featuring works of art by the likes of Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol, contemporary design classics by Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe, and original medieval frescoes, exposed-beam ceilings, and brick or stone walls. All rooms are equipped with a TV, Quadriga communication system, and two telephones. Widder Hotel also features three great restaurants, a bar with more than 1,000 spirits, and a cozy garden restaurant and lounge open in the warmer months."

"From the box-shaped, glass-fronted architecture to the high-ceilinged foyer, complete with a granite floor and immense, specially commissioned Sol Le Witt mural, the Park Hyatt Zürich aims to impress. The interior is classy and comfortable; the abundance of glass windows means oodles of light, and some 92 works of art strewn throughout the rooms and public areas provide a constant stream of eye candy. The 138 rooms are decorated in warm colors and equipped with tech-savvy amenities like state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen flat-screen televisions and DVD players. Some have excellent views of Zürich. Furnishingscome courtesy ofreputable Italian artisans, and the large, luxurious marble bathrooms have separate soaking tubs and rain showers, double sinks in the suites, and toiletries from Laura Tonatto. The larger, more sumptuous suites (executive, presidential) come with extras like separate dining rooms and freestanding tubs, while the hotel’s public areasinclude the swank Parkhuus restaurant and wine room, a distinguished lobby lounge and library, the chic Onyx Bar, and the Club Olympus Spa."

"This landmark hotel, built in the Swiss rustic style popular at the turn of the 19th century, has hosted Winston Churchill, Arturo Toscanini, Albert Einstein, the Shah of Iran, Henry Kissinger, and the Rolling Stones, among others. Situated high above Zurich , with a sweeping forest and a golf course for company, it offers breathtaking views of the city, the lake, and even—on clear days—the Alps. Renovated in 2008 by Lord Foster for a cool 385 million Swiss francs, it now features a bold, contemporary edifice that wraps around the turreted original, two entirely new wings (the Spa Wing and the Golf Wing), and a completely revamped interior. While the rooms in the Main Building (the historic structure) are appointed with traditional furniture and hand-painted wallpaper to give a regal, turn-of-the-century feel, the newer rooms are equipped with balconies and bathrooms of white marble or sand-colored Jura limestone. Imagined by London-based United Designers, they also come with flat-screen televisions with integrated Bang & Olufsen CD and DVD players. The four signature suites sprawl over hundreds of square meters andfeature steam showers, whirlpool baths, and even (in one case) a grand piano. The hotel also offers an expansive spa and wellness center."

"This esteemed, five-star hotel, set in its own park overlooking Lake Zurich and the Alps, has a remarkable history. Opened in 1844 by Johannes Baur, the property hosted the world premiere of Wagner’s Die Walküre (Wagner himself performed), and Alfred Nobel’s former secretary, Bertha von Suttner, came up with the ideafor the Nobel Peace Prize in one of the hotel’s salons. The 119 rooms are individually decorated with styles ranging from Art DecotoFrench Louis XVIand English regency, but all feature exclusive fabrics and furnishings from Europe,plus marble bathrooms with heated floors. The amenities are many, from valet parking and on-demand, chauffeured limousines to a round-the-clock concierge and even car-repair and flower-purchasing services. There are two renowned restaurants on-site, along with an inviting bar and an idyllic garden."

"The 25hours brand is known for its playful take on the hotel experience, and this Zurich establishment follows suit. With an interior concocted by local designer Alfredo Häberli, the space features the usual mix of colorful, offbeat furnishings, slick design, and casual friendliness, as well as the cute touch of Häberli’s personal city tips scrawled on various surfaces. The rooms and suites are separated into categories of silver, gold, and platinum to reflect the city’s banking-capital status. That’s as corporate as it gets, however, since the interiors are decidedly funky, with bold colors, quirky carpets and artwork, and angular work desks. The hotel also offers a restaurant, living room and business lounge (with iMac workstation and free Wi-Fi), plus an in-house kiosk that stocks everything from necessities (shampoo and toothpaste) to accessories (Freitag bags)."

"Located just behind the Zurich Opera House, and oozing a warm, friendly ambience, it has a modern, minimal interior with 20 guestrooms (including a junior suite) that are crisp and clean, with white walls and contemporary furnishings. All the rooms come with amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi access, plus a writing desk, safe, well-stocked minibar, and complimentary slippers and bathrobe."

"The original incarnation of the Atlantis by Giardino, which opened in 1970 at the foot of Zurich’s Üetliberg mountain, hosted everyone from Freddie Mercury to Muhammad Ali. The Giardino group has brought its glamorous past and superior location back to life, hiring South African–born Inge Moore to inject the property with playful, stylish, and referential new touches like the vault-style wall in the bar (a reference to Zurich’s banking heritage) and 1970s-style marble floor in the lobby. The rooms and suites are equally eye-catching, thanks to the lashings of luxurious woods and stone, custom-made fabrics from manufacturers like Pierre Frey and Molteni, and custom furnishings. All rooms come with king-size beds and conveniences like flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms get a tub and shower, and most of the rooms have not one balcony but two. An ultra-modern spa (with two pools), a large and peaceful garden, and a couple of excellent restaurants seal the deal."