Where To Stay In Zurich: Our Favourite Hotels In Zurich Old Town

Wondering where to stay in Zurich? These are our favourite hotels in Zurich Old Town and there's something for everyone.

My trip to Zurich was part of a hosted media visit. All research, writing, and opinions are my own.
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Lounging around in bed when you could be out exploring Zurich's streets and lane ways? Say it ain't so! Never fear - I walked A LOT while I was in Zurich. This restful moment was just a brief interlude of downtime. I just couldn't resist trying out my super cozy bed for just a few moments! And I was so lucky that I was staying in the heart of the old town so I could easily pop back home for a rest. As a sleep enthusiast, I know that there are a lot of options on where to stay in Zurich and for my money, the best choice is one of the hotels in Zurich Old Town. Here are my favourite places to stay, some great alternative options with different styles and price points, and a few things that I love about Zurich's old town.

Where is Zurich's Old Town?

On maps, you'll probably see Zurich's old town written as "Altstadt". It's shaped a little bit like a wonky star and its boundaries are roughly the Swiss National Museum (Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum/Landesmuseum) to the north, Zurich University (Universitat Zurich) to the east, Lake Zurich to the south, and the Schanzengraben moat and promenade to the west. The Limmat River runs right down the middle and, according to locals, each side has distinct personality.

From what I was told, locals always think the side they live in has the best sense of humor and the other side isn't as congenial! I've also been told that the east side looks and feels very "old world" according to tourists, while the west side is a bit more modern and contemporary. As I stayed on the east side, I have to stay my loyalties are there. Sorry, west side!

Our FAVOURITE of all the hotels in Zurich Old Town: Hotel Adler 

If you want my opinion on where to to stay in Zurich, the Adler Hotel gets my resounding vote. The property is old - really old. It was first recorded in historic documents in 1357, and in 1455 it was first mentioned as a public house, making it the oldest in Zurich. And it's not just its age which makes it remarkable. The famous Swiss artist Rudolf Koller lived here in the 1800s and his artistic legacy remains strong throughout the hotel to this day. 

Every room of the hotel has a gorgeous mural in it. Artist Heinz Blum created them, inspired by the property's history and artistic connections. Each mural represents a famous alleyway, monument or building in Zurich and each hotel room has a map indicating their real-life locations if you're inclined for a scavenger hunt.

The artwork is just one thing which gives every room personality. We loved the views of the old town from the small window in our room. It looked over the cutest courtyard and, the day we departed, we caught a glimpse of people setting up a few stands. Was it for a craft fair, a children's program, or a community centre activity, I'm not sure. But just a glimpse made me love Zurich even more. There is SO much happening here, and the city provides the perfect beautiful backdrop. 

On the practical side, I loved that the spacious room gave us a large area to spread out in and that our bathroom contained an actual bath - two rarities for a historic building in Europe. The room came with a well stocked coffee station and complimentary soft drinks in the mini-fridge. The TV swiveled so we could watch it from the bed or the lounge (yep, perfect for when you're feeling lazy!) and the Wi-Fi was top notch. 

But the best, most practical thing of all was it's fantastic location. Hotel Adler is just steps from the river, making it the where you can easily catch a tram and be at the Zurich train station in just two stops. Or, you can follow in our footsteps and walk in about 10 minutes or so. The hotel is surrounded by some of the most gorgeous buildings in Zurich's old town and it's on site restaurant, Swiss Chuchi, is pretty charming itself. While we didn't get to try it ourselves, it's famous for serving up fondue. ​

Hotel Adler checked my most important travel box of all. It's affordable. Single rooms start at 130 Francs and double rooms start at 170 Francs. All rates include a generous breakfast spread. These are downright amazing prices for an expensive city like Zurich and a better deal than you'd find in most Western European  cities. (I'm not the only one who thinks so - you can read more reviews here.)

Most importantly of all - Hotel Adler is dog friendly! There aren't many dog friendly hotels in Zurich. Not only can pets stay with you for an extra 15 Franc surcharge, they can also enjoy Zurich's only "stand up bar" for dogs (a fountain with fresh running water). And when you head to Swiss Chuchi, one of the few dog friendly restaurants in Zurich, your pup will be given a bowl of water to enjoy.  I SO wish our own dog, Oliver, had been with us to enjoy it.

For its perfect mix of charm, personality, pragmatism, location, amenities, and value, Hotel Adler is our undisputed favourite choice for where to stay in Zurich. (And you can book with our special discount link here if you're ready to travel!) However, there are a lot of other great hotels in Zurich old town. Here are some others to consider. 

Hotel Marta

Photo credit: Trip Advisor

Hotel Marta's minimalist, mid-century modern rooms are bright and airy. Breakfast is included in the affordable prices and the hotel is conveniently close to the train station. The family friendly set up allows for cots and portable beds being added to rooms to accommodate kids at a low rate. There are even allergy-friendly rooms available - a great feature for asthmatic prone guests. Note that there's no air conditioning. 

See more reviews here!

Best Western Plus Hotel Zürcherhof 

Photo credit: Trip Advisor

The Best Western Plus Hotel Zürcherhof is just across the river from the train station in a beautiful spot. Prices are reasonable and include breakfast and free mini-bar drinks. Not many hotels in Zurich old town have vegan breakfast options but they do. However, the single rooms are tiny! They remind me of an upscale student dorm - which is fantastic for frugal travelers but a bit of a surprise if you're expecting standard hotel room dimensions. 
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Read more reviews here!

Marktgasse Hotel

Photo credit: Trip Advisor

If you want to know where to stay in Zurich that's hip, modern, and stylish, ​Marktgasse Hotel is the perfect spot. This boutique property just a short walk away from Town Hall. It gets high praise and great reviews for its funky common spaces (including a library!) and for little touches like stocking the rooms with Aesop toiletries. 

Read more reviews here!

Widder Hotel

Photo credit: Trip Advisor

SO. MUCH. LUXURY! The combination of a spectacular historic property with a few unexpected splashes of modernity makes for an ultra plush hotel escape that makes it the best of all hotels in Zurich old town's west side. Families will especially love that theWidder Hotel is close to the Zurich Toy Museum and that the larger hotel rooms have lots of space to move around. Its sumptuous breakfast get rave reviews. And really - just how gorgeous does this room look? Go ahead - treat yourself!

Read more reviews here! 

Yes, Zurich has great value

Is Zurich expensive? Yes. Even the most imaginative budget traveller will find that Zurich, and indeed all Swiss cities, are expensive travel destinations. But I found incredible value in Zurich, walking along the gorgeous city streets, indulging in little treats like gourmet chocolate, discovering the old town, and tracking down hotels that delivered great bang for my buck. I can't recommend this city enough. It's a phenomenal travel destination and if you're worried about where to stay in Zurich, rest assured that there are value focused choices to help stretch your money. 

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