Hotels

Langstrasse is the city’s second address for the German hotel group 25hours (Zürich-West in Kreis 5 was the first). Built in 2017, it’s part of the SBB network’s commitment to regenerating old railway yards into lively spaces. 

The hotel’s neighbours range from passing trains (thankfully windows are thickly glazed) to a cohort of new residents, including mainland Europe’s largest Google office. Each of the 170 rooms is kitted out with a Swiss-made Freitag bag, a UE Boom portable speaker and the signature 25hours design touches, here playfully themed around Langstrasse’s red-light district.

The property housing the newly renovated La Réserve Eden au Lac Zürich was built in 1909. The building has long been a grand hotel though it wasn’t always among the very best in town. After numerous refits and updates, the latest brief was to make the property stand out in a city that’s replete with five-star stays. Michel Reybier, owner of the La Réserve hotel group, tapped designer Philippe Starck for the makeover. From the exposed brick walls to the muted colour of the rugs, every detail of the refit was selected – and many elements custom-made – by Starck and his team.

Nestled in the heart of Zürich’s Altstadt, the 39-room Marktgasse Hotel opened in 2015 following an extensive restoration led by architect Karsten Schmidt. Modern furniture was employed to balance the historic canvas of the hardwood (and sometimes slightly sloping) floors, original pillars and varying room shapes and sizes. 

The building dates back to 1425 and has a longstanding tradition as a guesthouse. Today the original stables house Restaurant IGNIV by starred Swiss chef Andreas Caminada, which serves contemporary gourmet cuisine. If you’re in town to work, the reception provides a cosy corner or two and the well-stocked art library and adjoining salon double as meeting rooms.