Sorell Hotel Seefeld

Sorell Hotel Seefeld is located in an Art Deco building on the corner of a busy main thoroughfare in Zurich’s trendy Seefeld district. Adjacent to the hotel lobby is a bar popular with media and design professionals, and an art gallery that showcases works by local artists. The color scheme of pale and bold contrasting tones was created by artist Garda Alexander, while architect Christian Fierz came up with the lighting. The reception area is sleek, modern, and uncluttered, dominated by a long, black counter, which contrasts with the white-tile floor. The hallways are lined with deep red carpets, and the walls are painted in bright-pink, navy-blue, or dark-green shades. Fans of all things stylish and modern will likely love these idiosyncratic touches, but some may be put off by the brash colors and austere interiors of the guest rooms. Not far from Zurich's financial district, Sorell Hotel Seefeld is popular with -- and geared toward -- business travelers.

Sorell Hotel Seefeld is located just south of Zurich's city center in a gentrified neighborhood called Seefeld, within a five-minute walk of Zurich Lake. The financial district of Paradeplatz is a 20-minute walk from here. There are many restaurants, cafes, and bars in the immediate vicinity, and Zurich Opera House is an eight-minute walk from the hotel. The city center, shopping area, and tourist sights are easily reached via the city’s extensive tram network. There’s a direct tram to the main train station, a trip that takes 12 minutes, while Zurich’s luxury shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse, is 11 minutes away by tram. There’s also a direct tram that stops outside the hotel to Zurich Airport, a 27-minute ride -- it takes about the same amount of time to drive.

The guest rooms at Sorell Hotel Seefeld are understated in a minimalist way, which borders on austere. In all the rooms, walls are painted white and pale-gray, floors are parquet, and furniture is stark black. White blinds cover the windows from floor-to-ceiling, and walls are bare except for one framed piece of Rothko-like art. Bathrooms are compact and sparkling white, almost clinical-looking, but the souvenir rubber ducks add a light-hearted touch. Single Rooms are tiny, while the Grandlit Rooms are slightly bigger and have bigger beds, which almost qualify as doubles. The Deluxe and Superior Double Rooms are larger and include sitting areas, balconies, Nespresso machines, and whirlpool tubs in the bathrooms. Rooms facing the street can be noisy because of passing trams -- light sleepers should request rooms at the back of the hotel. And those visiting during the summertime should ask for one of the few air-conditioned rooms -- Zurich can get hot. All rooms come with minibars and free Wi-Fi.

Breakfast, served each morning in the restaurant's breakfast room just off the lobby, is included in the room rate. The restaurant serves light lunch fare and in the evening becomes a trendy bar popular with locals. The fitness center is squeezed into an attic room and is quite small, with only a handful of basic machines and free weights, and an attached shower room. A computer is available in the lobby area for guests’ use, and a small meeting room accommodates up to 10 people. On-site parking is available for a fee in the underground garage or in the hotel courtyard. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.