Romantik Hotel Europe

Located on a busy Zurich street corner, Romantik Hotel Europe occupies a wing of a large six-story building with a classical facade built in 1900. True to its name, the hotel has a romantic, Old World atmosphere. The small reception area is decorated in an elegant Empire-style with striped wallpaper, gilded sconces on the walls, and a crystal chandelier. A seating area, made up of a distressed leather sofa and armchairs, is squeezed into the small space, making it feel somewhat cramped. The same style pervades the hallways, which are lined with blue carpets, blue-and-white striped wallpaper, antique-style furniture, and oil paintings on the walls. The hotel draws several business travelers, many of whom are repeat visitors. The hotel is also on the tour group circuit, and is especially popular with organized tours for older travelers.

Located in Zurich's Seefeld district, Romantik Hotel Europe is  a three-minute walk to Lake Zurich and its scenic lakeside promenade. The Opera House is located in the same neighborhood, and attractions like the Art Museum, Fraumunster Church (famous for its stained-glass windows by artist Marc Chagall) and Grossmunster Church are within walking distance. The area also has good transportation links: It's a four-minute walk to the hotel to Stadelhofen train station, with direct connections to Zurich's main train station. 

• Two-minute walk to Opera House
• Three-minute walk to Lake Zurich and the Lake Promenade
• Four-minute walk to Stadelhofen train station
• Nine-minute walk to Burkliplatz, the departure point for boat excursions 
• 10-minute walk to Grossmunster Church
• 11-minute walk to the Art Museum (Kunsthaus)
• 12-minute walk to Fraumunster Church and its Chagall windows
• Six-minute walk to Zurich main train station 
• Nine minutes to Bahnhofstrasse Shopping Street by public transportation
• 10-minute drive to Sonnenberg convention center
• 12 minutes to the Old Town by public transportation
• 26-minute drive to Zurich Airport

Romantik Hotel Europe's 39 rooms are decorated in a charming, romantic style, each featuring a different color palette. The ornate wallpaper and richly patterned curtains with floral motifs may not appeal to all tastes, but elements of the decor are perfectly color coordinated in tones of blue and green, or red and white. The antique-style furniture, chandeliers, and oil paintings add to the romantic ambience. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, trouser presses, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi. Electric kettles are available on request. Bathrooms are on the small side, but they feature rainfall showerheads and pedestal sinks. 

Ceilings are high in all guest rooms, but many are small, especially the Single Rooms, which measure 129 square feet; their bathrooms tend to be cramped. The largest room is the Suite Europe, measuring 398 square feet -- it has a balcony with a partial view of Lake Zurich, two bathrooms, and space for four guests, making it a good choice for families. Some rooms have small balconies facing the street or inner courtyard. But courtyard-facing rooms can get outside noise in the early morning during garbage collection.

As a small hotel, Romantik Hotel Europe doesn't pack the features of a larger chain property. A continental-style breakfast is served each morning, and it's free for guests who book their rooms directly through the hotel. Eggs and other hot dishes are included on request. Restaurant Quaglinos, the hotel's on-site fine dining restaurant, offers a menu of French cuisine, and has an extensive wine list. The restaurant is open throughout the day, providing 24-hour room service. During the summer months, diners can sit on the sidewalk patio. The whiskey bar has an impressive selection of 320 different types of whiskey, and with the many sofas, armchairs, and low-hanging lamps, has a cozy ambience. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.