Hotel Wellenberg, Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, is one of the most important financial centers in the world, but it is much more than just that. It has a unique mix of well-preserved Old Town and hectic modern life. Located in the heart of Switzerland, it is also a gateway to explore other areas of this majestic country. Prior to this visit, I didn't know much about the city, but I quickly fell in love with its exemplary architecture, laid-back cafés, picturesque River Limmat, and renowned museums.

Hotel Wellenberg, a four-star family-owned boutique hotel, is located in the Old Town of Zurich. I thought this hotel was the best choice in the city (in the mid-price range) since it recently underwent refurbishment and is situated just a few minutes' stroll from the river. There are many beautiful cafés and restaurants close by, as well as several sights and museums within easy walking distance. Given our brief stay, the hotel's location was one of our primary criteria on this trip.

Hotel Wellenberg

I was immediately pleased with the hotel's reception area. It perfectly combined historical elements, such as the windows, with modern finishes. This interesting fusion is in line with the ambiance and Swiss elegance of the city. The receptionists were very welcoming and attentive, readily offering their help with anything that clients needed. Additionally, I appreciated the homely common lounge area with complimentary coffee and tea, as well as the library with hundreds of books for clients to read.

My Superior Room

The hotel has 44 soundproofed rooms and suites. We chose the Superior Room because it provided much more square footage (28 m²) than the Standard Double, had a king-size bed, and harmonious color palette. We thought it was adequate for our three-night stay, even though the room was lacking in certain aspects. On a positive note, the tap water in Switzerland is drinkable, and all the rooms are equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities.

Now, onto the minor drawbacks. Firstly, the room was not absolutely clean: there were stains on the chairs and some black spots on the wall of the shower, but luckily, the bed was spotless. Also, I wished they would have provided more than one pillow option for guests and adjustable air conditioning for comfort. As it was not available, we managed to cool the room by opening the window, but then the sounds of the city were more audible in the room. In addition, I had trouble understanding how to adjust the lighting in the room. Nevertheless, I felt these were only minor issues, and other aspects of the hotel compensated for these flaws.

The Historic Restaurant and Bar

The Hotel Wellenberg features an art deco restaurant called Brasserie Louis providing classic French cuisine with European and Mediterranean influences. We enjoyed one lunch there and thought that the food was simple but tasty, and the portion sizes were large. I really liked the historical atmosphere of the place and the politeness of the service.

The breakfast was served on the second floor of the hotel in a beautifully decorated space. It included a great variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, cold cuts, cheese, bread, yogurt, granola, and cereal. Additionally, there was a selection of warm dishes available, and a menu offered if you wanted to order special omelets or pancakes. We thought this was a great way to start the day!

One time, we had to pre-order breakfast because our excursion started early. We thought it was going to arrive in our room, but it was at the reception instead. This was not communicated clearly to us, and several things were missing from our order. Nevertheless, I was grateful that they provided this opportunity for us to have breakfast earlier than seven o'clock.

The hotel is located in the hub of Zurich's nightlife. There is an abundance of bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. Guests who want to experience the pulse of Zurich's Old Town up close can enjoy cocktails or cigars in the hotel's Tina Bar, one of the oldest bars in Zurich. Personally, I am not accustomed to people smoking inside bars anymore, so I didn't feel like staying long. However, in the summertime, guests can also enjoy their drinks on the garden terrace, which is a beautiful hidden courtyard surrounded by picturesque houses.

In Conclusion

Zurich is a beautiful city that sits on a lake and is surrounded by mountains. While I may not necessarily recommend Hotel Wellenberg for a staycation, in my opinion, it serves as an ideal accommodation for sightseeing, shopping, and walking in Zurich, as well as exploring other regions in Switzerland. Its unbeatable location in the city center, just a ten-minute walk from the central railway station, makes it convenient for travelers. The welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff make it a highly recommended base for anyone visiting this vibrant city.