Schifflaende 30, Zurich, Switzerland | (618) 248-8274
Family-run
boutique hotel with 14th-century heritage
Old Town setting
overlooking River Limmat and near Bahnhofstrasse
Sleek, contemporary rooms with polished oak floors and minibars
Loaner iPads available through front desk
Generous
breakfast included in room rate
Free and fast Wi-Fi
throughout
No on-site restaurant, bar, or room service
No fitness center
Small lobby and limited public
areas
Oak floors can be noisy
The Hotel Helmhaus is
a upper-middle-range, family-run boutique hotel set on a cobbled square
overlooking the River Limmat in Zurich's Old Town. While the guesthouse has its
roots in the 14th century, the 24 guest rooms are particularly sleek and contemporary, with polished oak floors, minibars, and satellite TV. On-site amenities are limited, though an
extensive breakfast is served free of charge. However, rates are pretty high overall, especially considering the lack of a full restaurant or fitness facilities. A less expensive choice would be the Hotel Continental Zurich - MGallery Collection, though the property is not as sleek.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Friendly, family-run boutique hotel with 14th-century roots
Though you
wouldn't guess it from the Helmhaus's relatively plain, white-washed facade, the property dates back to the 14th century. In fact, it qualifies as one of Zurich’s oldest guesthouses, with records going as far back
as 1356. The hotel was bought in 1970 by the Weibel and Mengis families and
renamed after the nearby Helmhaus Art Museum. It continues to be family owned
and run to this day, which gives it a particularly
friendly and familiar vibe. The reception area, however, is small, and there's very little in the way of public spaces besides a tiny
lounge attached to the hotel's breakfast room. A small elevator services
the property's five floors.
Location
On a pleasant cobbled square overlooking Lake Zurich in the Old Town
The hotel is
located in Zurich's Old Town, just off a pleasant cobbled square that overlooks River
Limmat. Lake Zurich, with its pleasant quayside promenade, is around five minutes away on foot while the famous Bahnhofstrasse -- one of the world's most expensive
and exclusive shopping streets -- takes around the same amount of time to reach. The Stadelhofen railway station is an eight-minute walk away and connects to Zurich Airport in under 10
minutes -- alternatively it takes about the same time by cab (without traffic).
Rooms
Sleek, contemporary rooms with wooden floors, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi
The hotel has
just 24 rooms, all of which are sleek, clean, and modern with polished oak
flooring and chic contemporary furnishings. Rooms are air-conditioned and well
soundproofed, and all have well-stocked minibars and
flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms are sleek and modern, with
wall-mounted hairdryers and decent toiletries. Most have walk-in showers and
a few come with shower/tub combos. While some of the rooms have partial lake views, many just face neighboring buildings. The Design Rooms on the 5th
floor are more swanky than units on lower floors, though sloping ceilings might be an issues for taller
guests. Slippers are also provided and guests are encouraged to use them as wooden floors
can result in some unwanted creaking noise. Wi-Fi is free in rooms, and throughout the hotel, and connections are fast.
Features
Limited amenities including a generous free breakfast
As the Helmhaus is a small
boutique hotel, there's not a great deal in the way of on-site facilities. The free daily breakfast,
however, is generous, and comes with a wide range of options, from homemade muesli and
fresh fruit salads, to cooked-to-order eggs and even noodles. Early-bird
continental breakfasts are also available. Reception offers iPads out to loan and can help organize
tours, excursions, and restaurant bookings.
