Zurich
Switzerland


The Experience

With its enviable location on the shores of Lake Zurich, this neo-Baroque hotel dates to the early 1900s and still has the scent of rich history about it. From the outside, it looks like an imposing Swiss grande dame, but don’t be fooled. The Eden has been managed by the same family since the 1960s, and with just 50 rooms, the ambience and experience are intimate and familiar. And the views are what staying in a Swiss hotel is all about.

The Rooms

Since the views are a major appeal of this hotel, be sure to reserve a room with a view over the lake and out to the distant Alps from a private balcony, with its distinctive blue-and-white-striped awning. Inside the rooms, you’ll find color schemes of soothing blue and yellow or ecru and soft lime green; furniture is classic but nothing special. Standard rooms are small and better suited for one person; upgrade to a Business Suite for that extra space (as well as Wi-Fi and even individual Nespresso coffee machines), whether you intend on using the desk, printer and fax or not.

The Service

You’ll find formal yet seamless Swiss service from the moment you arrive. Move through to the restaurant and the staff are dressed in chic black uniforms with jaunty baseball caps.

The Highlights

Sit down in the chandelier-filled restaurant with its heavy drapes; French chef Ludovic Pitrel serves dishes with a hint of North African flavor, like a sea perch with sherry vinegar sauce, sun-dried tomatoes and olives. The bar is equally formal, but with its marble pillars and floor-to-ceiling windows it’s the perfect place for a pick-me-up cocktail. Just 10 minutes’ stroll from downtown Zurich, you’re never far from the action, but if you want to get your exercise in the hotel, head to the rooftop gym, where the hotel’s personal trainer will put you through your paces as you contemplate the view of the lake and mountains beyond.

--Alistair Scott

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