Widder Hotel

Switzerland
Europe

The Experience

Cobbled together from eight medieval townhouses dating back to 1066, the exterior of this hotel in the middle of Zurich belies the funky, modern interior that lies in wait. The light floods in from the atrium, and having been restored in the 1990s, there’s a bold mix of the very old and cutting-edge new. Wooden beams and stone walls blend in with steel fixtures and fittings, metal-suspended walkways and the ornately carved woodwork of Haus zum Pferch. At every turn, there’s a quirky but chic new touch, making the Widder a furniture and design lover's wonderland.

The Rooms

No two rooms are alike, so you could find yourself in a beautiful, classic room with a wooden four-poster, or a modern architect’s haven of metal, steel and rivets. (Request “contemporary” if you prefer designer chic.) But all are imbued with a strong sense of history and tales to tell, as the buildings are hundreds of years old. Still, there’s no shortage of modern comforts. Your Bang & Olufsen stereo will be playing soft jazz when you walk in, and the beds, with beautiful linen sheets, are among the most comfortable you’ll encounter. Even better, book the Penthouse Suite and you’ll get your own Smart car for running around town.

The Service

The staff are young, cool and, not surprisingly, all rather good-looking. They are part of the effect and yet are certainly not a case of style over substance, as they perform as only well-trained Swiss hotel staff can--with effortless efficiency.

The Highlights

Eat in the restaurant and visit the Wytresor wine cellar to choose your bottle, then grab a drink with the locals in the cozy Zur Schtund. But certainly don’t miss out on the Widder music bar, where jazz careers of the likes of Diana Krall were born. Install yourself on a plush red banquette or on a stool at the long, curved wooden bar, order a drink from the vast array displayed behind the overworked barmen and sit back and enjoy the music.

 

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