Rennweg 7, Zurich, Switzerland | (618) 248-8274
Prime location in swanky central district
Historic property dating back to the 12th century
Superb blend of
period and modern features in rooms and common areas
Uniquely designed
rooms with high-end TVs and stereos
Marble bathrooms
with robes and slippers
Bright breakfast
room with opening roof
Impressive bar
with extensive whiskey selection
Pleasant terrace
for al fresco eating and drinking
Fine-dining
restaurant and smoking room
Free high-speed
Wi-Fi throughout
No spa or
fitness facilities
Breakfast is
overpriced
Some rooms are only accessible via stairs
The Widder Hotel
is a superbly renovated luxury property with medieval heritage
located right in the center of Zurich. Chic rooms feature a mix of historic decor features and contemporary touches, and all have high-end stereos and TVs. There's also an excellent on-site restaurant with a huge selection of single malt whiskies. While rates are high even for a Zurich luxury hotel, especially given the lack of spa or
fitness facilities (consider the similarly priced Park Hyatt Zurich for these), the Widder is among the most unusual and special hotels you'll find in Zurich,
if not in all of Switzerland.
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
Luxury hotel blending outstanding medieval heritage with contemporary design
The Widder Hotel is certainly among the most impressive historic hotels Zurich, if not all of Switzerland. The property comprises nine protected
buildings that date as far back as the 12th century. It
took over four years of careful building work and restoration to merge the
separate houses while retaining as much as possible of the original period detail
and character, including medieval wooden beams and even murals from the
Middle Ages. Interior design and furnishings, however, draw heavily on
20th-century modern design influences; there are furniture pieces here from the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright and
Le Corbusier, while the property's art collection includes works by Rauschenberg and Warhol. The immaculately finished lounges, hallways, and stairwells are spread across 11 floors and there are nine glass
elevators that connect the various levels and structures. Still, some rooms are only accessible by stairs.
Location
In central Zurich's the picturesque, upscale Augustiner district
The hotel is located
in the prestigious and picturesque Augustiner neighborhood in the center of Zurich.
The famous Bahnhofstrasse -- one of the world's most expensive and exclusive
shopping streets -- is just around the corner, while the charming Old Town
(Altstadt) riverfront is a few blocks away. Local trams connect to the
main train station -- Hauptbahnhof -- in a few minutes from where travelers can reach Zurich Airport in about 10 minutes.
Rooms
High-design rooms with original period features
The hotel has 49
rooms in all (including 15 suites), each of which is a uniquely designed mixture
of fresh contemporary decor, mid-century modern furnishings, and original period
features -- some rooms even feature original murals and thick, gorgeous wood beams. In-room amenities are suitably
swanky, and include free high-speed Wi-Fi, high-end stereo systems, and Bang &
Olufsen TVs, while free mineral water and fresh fruit are replaced daily. Spacious
bathrooms are finished in marble and come with robes and slippers; entry-level categories have shower/tub combos (partial glass partitions mean bathroom floors can get wet) and some suites have walk-in showers and standalone soaking tubs. Although the hotel offers a range of room types, the Duplex Suites
are particularly impressive and are decorated with either cozy old-style interiors
or bright, super-modern styling. Some rooms are only accessible via short
staircases -- making them a poor choice for guests with limited mobility, while others have less-than-impressive views of a neighboring
building.
Features
Bar with dizzying whisky selection and live jazz plus smoking room with cigar menu
The hotel's
bright and (sometimes) sunny breakfast room has a glass roof that can be opened in
the summer. There's an excellent and extensive morning buffet, though it's not included in room rates and is quite expensive. The Widder's small, traditionally styled
restaurant offers fine dining for lunch and dinner, while an attractive bar features
a selection of over 250 single malt whiskies and hosts regular live jazz performances.
There is also an elegant smoking room that offers a choice of cigars, as well
as a snug library room and a pleasant outdoor terrace for al fresco eating and
drinking. Note that there's no gym or spa on-site.
