Schuetzengasse 7, Zurich, Switzerland | (888) 710-7049
Enviable location near Bahnhofstrasse shopping and dining
Stylish rooms with iPod docks, tablets, and Molton Brown bath products
Hip cafe serving Mediterranean cuisine
Lounge has an honor bar and espresso machine
Small outdoor terrace
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some rooms are tiny and bathrooms are cramped
No mini-fridges or coffeemakers; most rooms lack air-conditioning
Noise from nearby bars can be an issue
The Townhouse Boutique Hotel is a stylish three-and-a-half-pearl property in the heart of Zurich, around the corner from high-end shopping along the Bahnhofstrasse. Despite its chic decor, it's a modest hotel with just a small, but hip cafe, and a lounge with an honor bar. Touches like designer wallpaper and elegant hardwood furniture up the charm factor, and while some of the 25 rooms are tiny, they all have flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and tablets. High-end Molton Brown toiletries are a nice perk, too. Two of its main competitors are the Hotel St. Gotthard right down the street, and the Central Plaza Hotel across the river -- both are more upscale and have higher rates, though travelers can find rooms with frequent rate drops.
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Scene
Chic, casual boutique hotel with English decor and plenty of charm
Styled after an old English townhouse with a contemporary twist, this hotel is in the middle of Zurich's most posh shopping area. As such, it's a great spot for both leisure and business travelers. Guests tend to be the latter during the week, with tourists filling the hotel up over weekends. Past its restaurant's sidewalk tables, a glass door opens into a small foyer granting entry to the restaurant, and stairs or elevator up to the fifth floor lobby. Once there, a green felt-topped reception desk sits in a lounge filled with vintage-looking wallpaper, books, and big leather chairs amid stately animal figurines and oil paintings. The abundance of colors and rich fabrics give everything a lovely polish and refined look, and extras like a classically-decked out lounge make the hotel a quaint place to relax with a drink or coffee whenever guests have some down time. While the reception area and cafe were hopping during our visit, the rest of the hotel was calm.
Location
In Old Town, around the corner from Bahnhofstrasse
The hotel is located on a quiet street in the middle of a pedestrian-friendly block in Zurich's picturesque Old Town (Altstadt). The surrounding area is full of quaint historic buildings and cobblestone streets, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance. The famous Bahnhofstrasse -- one of the world's most expensive and exclusive shopping streets -- is right around the corner. The city's main Hauptbahnhof train station is a three-minute walk to the north, with the River Limmat about the same distance two blocks away to the east. Expect about a 15-minute drive, or 15-minute train ride to Zurich Airport.
Rooms
Stylish rooms -- some of which are small -- with iPod docks and tablets
The hotel's 25 rooms mix classic wood furnishings with vintage-style Designers Guild wallpaper, and an overall English townhouse theme. Small statues of hunting dogs, illustrations of fox hunting, and framed paintings of the English countryside are prominent. Most of the rooms have small balconies with either street or courtyard views, though there have been complaints about noise from nearby bars. Small Rooms live up to their names -- they have 15-square-meter floor plans (161 square feet), with just enough space for queen beds and desks with chairs whose upholstery match the ornate wallpaper. Upgraded rooms are larger and have sitting areas with vintage leather chairs, while suites add dining tables and living rooms with sofa beds. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, along with flat-screen TVs, Samsung tablets, and iPod docks. Mini-fridges and coffeemakers are absent, except for one suite that has a small kitchen. Most rooms also lack air-conditioning. The plain tiled bathrooms have premium Molton Brown toiletries, and tiny walk-in showers.
Features
Mediterranean cafe, lounge and terrace with an honesty bar
As a tiny boutique hotel in the center of Zurich's Old Town, features are predictably limited here. Restaurant & Bar Palette occupies the ground floor, with a hip dining room that has a chic little bar. It serves a broadly Mediterranean cuisine, and has additional seating on the streetside patio. Breakfast is a la carte (not included), with lunches and dinners served in more of a hybrid small-plate, buffet style. There's also a gorgeous fifth-floor lounge with an honor bar and self-serve espresso machine serving free coffee and tea all day. Books, newspapers and games like chess are on hand, and there's a small adjacent outdoor terrace. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
