Top 5 Hotels in Zurich

Parkland Perfection - Hotel Baur au Lac

This historic hotel, hosting guests from the aristocracy to the modern rich and famous, remains a bastion to style, opulence and service. Today's business traveller is well catered for with both small and large meeting rooms and conference facilities available. Daily fresh flowers, fruit and free Wifi are standard features in every room, many with views over Lake Zurich and the Alps. Standing in its private parkland it is just minutes walk from the financial district and Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's celebrated shopping high street.

Rooms from 347 Euros (£305 GBP)

Hotel Baur au Lac, Talstrasse 1, 8001 Zurich.
Tel: +41 44 220 5020
www.bauraulac.ch

Boutique Bolt-hole - Greulich

Tucked away in the cool and quiet Aussersihl area (a 15 minute walk to the city centre), this intimate and minimalist design hotel with just 18 rooms all facing into a central courtyard planted with birch trees is the perfect alternative location for meetings up to 30. Friendly staff serve Catalan dishes steeped in the tradition of the restaurant name of Slow Food. Although there is a business centre, this is not a venue for the gadget hungry traveller, the televisions are a tad archaic and there is no free WiFi.

Rooms from 171 Euros (£151 GBP)

Greulich, Herman Greulish-Strasse 56, 8004 Zurich
Tel: +41 43 243 4243
www.greulich.ch

River Frontage - Hotel Central Plaza

Overlooking the charming Limmat River, this hotel really is in the heart of Zurich's business and entertainment areas. The impressive period facade houses 105 air-conditioned and sound-proofed rooms against the noise of the intersection. There is an excellent piano bar (a favourite meeting spot for spies in the Cold War) and King's Cave restaurant. In summer, Neptune's Terrace Garden and the Sidewalk cafe are appealing choices. Work off your culinary excesses in the modern fitness centre or enjoy a walk along the river.

Rooms from 170 Euros (£150 GBP)

The Central Plaza Hotel, Central 1, 8001 Zurich
Tel: +41 44 256 5656
www.central.ch

Four-Star Efficiency - Swissotel, Zurich Oerlikon

Situated close to the business center, between the airport and the city, the elegant, comfortable interiors and smiling staff welcome you to this understated, but lavish hotel. State-of-the-art conference and events rooms for up to 1000 make this an attractive all in-house venue with in-house Starbucks and Patisserie for pre-meeting grab-and-go breakfasts. Post meeting, unwind in the bar or go for a swim in the complimentary spa and fitness center.

Rooms from 160 Euros (£141 GBP)

Swissotel, Schulstrasse 44, 8050 Zurich
Tel: +41 44 317 3111
www.swissotel.com

A Flying Visit - The Radisson Blu Hotel

From arrivals to check in at reception in around 20 minutes? You can be in and out, meeting over and deal signed, and still not have left the airport grounds. Zurich's Radisson Blu futuristic showpiece is the sixteen metre high wine tower in the atrium, complete with ‘Wine Angels' who glide up and down using computer-controlled winches and performing acrobatics whilst retrieving your choice of wine. Although this is a definite crowd-puller, Radisson have also focused on business and conference facilities, boasting a 2,400 metre event area housing 23 meeting rooms as well as a conference centre on the seventh floor with runway views. Rooms are comfortable with generously sized beds and free internet access.

Rooms from 155 Euros (£136 GBP)

Radisson Blu, Zurich Airport, Kloten
Tel: +41 44 800 4040
www.radissonblu.com

Zurich's Top 10 Restaurants

Kronenhalle

Swiss Smart $$

Despite it's humble origins (it was formerly a beer hall) this local institution is where prominent Zurchers come for a view - not just of other important patrons, but of original Impressionist paintings. Works by none other than Picasso, Miro and Chagall may well distract you from the accomplished Swiss cooking.

Kronenhalle, Raemistrasse 4, 8001 Zurich
Tel: +41 44 262 9900
www.kronenhalle.com

Blaue Ente

International Smart $$

Blaue Ente (The Blue Duck) is one of Zurich's best restaurants, located in a converted mill on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich. It attracts a cosmopolitan crowd to it's ever-changing seasonal menu. Try it's signature dish of roast duck breast with caramelized chicory and fried polenta.

Blaue Ente, Seefeldstrasse 223, 8008 Zurich
Tel: +41 44 388 6851
www.blaue-ente.ch

El Parador

Spanish Smart/Casual $$

Serving probably the best Spanish and Portuguese cuisine in the city, the comfortable atmosphere and warm welcome add up to a winning combination.
Their specialities include garlic soup or salt cod with white beans and their Paella and chicken with garlic and onions are sublime. They are closed Saturday lunch and Sunday.

El Parador, Luisenstrasse 43, 8005 Zurich
Tel: +41 43 366 8885
www.elparador.ch

Sonnenberg

Swiss Smart $$

The views over Lake Zurich and the city are not to be missed. Known as the FIFA restaurant by the locals (due to its proximity to the FIFA building), it has great Swiss food and the service is flawless. A comprehensive wine list completes the picture if you can drag your eyes away from the views. A great venue to sign that deal.

Sonnenberg, Hitzweg 15, Zurich
Tel: +41 44 266 9797
www.convention-zh.ch

Haus zum Ruden

German/Austrian/Swiss Smart $$

Once belonging to the Constaffel Society, the noblemen and knights who elected the mayor in the Middle Ages, this building has three dining rooms each have their own distinct charm and are suitable for events for 10-150 people. The Gothic room in this historic 13th century guild house is home to one of the best restaurants in the city. Spacious yet intimate this dining room has a hardwood ceiling and stone walls decorated with medieval halberds and stag horns. Specialising in market fresh cuisine, the Foie gras sauteed with a salad is a delicious starter perhaps followed by roasted sea bass on glazed sugar peas with chervil sauce. Reservations essential.

Haus zum Ruden, Limmatquai 42, 8001 Zurich
Tel: +41 44 261 9566
www.hauszumruden.ch

Cafe Ferlin

Italian Trendy $$

A popular restaurant that is both charming and relaxed. Friendly staff serve delicious salads and hearty meat pastas. Their ravioli is definitely worth the calories. Very reasonable for lunch.

Stampfenbachstrasse 38, 8006 Zurich
Tel: +41 44 1362 3509
www.casaferlin.ch

Brasserie Lipp

French Casual $

An authentic recreation of Paris's most famous Art Nouveau brasserie this restaurant, 110 years later, still carries out its tradition of serving fresh draught beer with the French food. Dine outside in summer or stay in the warm interiors - all huge mirrors. The venue is loud and fast paced, especially at the noon rush, with waiters bearing trays of choucroute (sauerkraut), platters of fresh fish and seafood, daily specials and salads around this Parisian-style restaurant.

Brasserie Lipp, Uraniastrasse 9, 8001 Zurich
Tel: +41 43 888 6666
www.brasserie-lipp.ch

Adler's Swiss Chuchi

Swiss Casual $

Authentically decorated in Swiss-chalet style, the restaurant is located in the Adler Hotel directly on Hirschenplatz, the Niederdorf's main square, with al fresco dining and people watching in summer. A place to go to sample traditional Swiss fare of cheese fondue and crispy rosti, a Swiss potato speciality.

Hotel Adler, Rosengasse 10, 8001 Zurich
Tel: +41 44 266 9666
www.hotel-alder.ch

Veltliner Keller

Swiss and Italian Smart $$

Established in 1325 as a wine cellar and a restaurant in 1551, Veltliner Keller was originally used to store Italian-Swiss wines that were carried over the Alps to Zurich. This delightful, wood-panelled restaurant offers wholesome, seasonal Swiss and Italian classics as well as the celebrated Zurich dish, kalbsgeschnetzeltes (sliced veal and mushrooms in a white wine sauce).

Veltliner Keller, Schlusselgasse 8, Kreis 1, Zurich
Tel: +41 44 225 4040
www.veltlinerkeller.ch

Restaurant Hiltl

Vegetarian Casual $

A mecca for vegetarians with the city's largest salad buffet (to eat in or take away) and its Indian and Thai buffet of around 30 different dishes in the evening, all priced by weight. Reservations a must at this hugely popular restaurant.

Restaurant Hiltl, Sihlstrasse 28, 8001 Zurich
Tel: +41 44 227 7000
www.hiltl.ch