Widder Hotel

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. 

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.

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. 

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.