Zurich is one of the world’s greatest cities if you’re looking for that right blend of culture, recreation, and history. If you’re planning to visit anytime soon, then you’ll naturally have to book your accommodation beforehand. Talking about accommodation options, there are plenty of them in the city, ranging from top hotels in Zurich to luxury villas, and even apartments. More specifically, there’s a long-running debate on choosing between serviced apartments and hotels. Which one should you choose? Let’s do a deep dive below.
Best Neighbourhoods for Different Travellers
Before getting into the hotel vs. serviced apartment debate, it’s important to check out some of the best areas to stay in Zurich first.
1. Old Town- Culture Combined Beautifully with History
The Old Town or Alstadt as it is also known is an excellent place if you love history. Staying in this charming and medieval area will be a magical experience as you wander through the cobblestone alleys and explore landmarks like the Grossmunster, Kunsthaus Zurich, and Swiss National Museum in the vicinity. There are several cosy cafes and bars along with traditional Swiss restaurants and famous churches like the Fraumunster with its Giacometti and Chagall stained-glass windows. Bahnhofstrasse is the high street here with its jewellery and chocolate stores along with plush boutiques.
Venture further to Lindenhof Hill and take in the stunning views over the Limmat River and wander through the promenade here. Don’t miss the Peterskirche, which has Europe’s biggest clock face and also the Rathausbrücke or Munsterbrücke for photographs. You’ll enjoy viewing the Renaissance-era buildings complete with the lovely mountain backdrop and also the nightlife hotspots here. Of course, a stop at the Lindt & Sprungli Chocolate Factory is a must, along with the Tonhalle concert hall that was inaugurated by Johannes Brahms back in 1895. You can even take a beautiful river cruise from Burkliterrasse or taste the clear water from the water fountains dotting the area.
2. Zurich West Trendy & Contemporary Side of the City
If Old Town was all about a window into the rich history and culture of Zurich, then Zurich West is all about embracing a trendier and more contemporary side to the city. It was once an industrial zone that is now home to several office spaces, apartments, and even arts and culture venues. You’ll find several galleries, studios, and performance spaces here along with hip bars, restaurants and stores that attract majorly younger crowds.
The new Prime Tower is the highlight of the area, the second-tallest building in the country, and of course, the lovely Frau Gerolds Garten with its own bar and restaurant. The new University of the Arts is another defining landmark here along with the massive Josefwiese meadow and outdoor café and the classic Gipfeli or Zurich breakfast that you get almost everywhere here. Don’t miss the Migros Museum and the Gegenwartskunst along The Maag Hall near Gerolds Garden. You can also check out the nearby Freitag Tower to find iconic Swiss bags that are globally renowned. Take a walk along the Limmat River for some blissful tranquillity as well.
3. Enge- Lakeside Living Combined with Business
Enge has become one of the biggest business hubs in Zurich, home to numerous businesses and other commercial establishments. You will love staying in this leafy and green zone nestled along Lake Zurich. Lakeside living will be a pleasant experience, with the wonderful botanical garden and Arboretum here along with the Seebad Enge with its waterfront bar and tempting sauna. There’s also the landscaped Belvoirpark and Rieterpark which offers ample space and greenery.
Staying near 1,600+ companies and entities gives you easy access to your place of business and plenty of scope to network and build connections. Even FIFA has set up a football museum and its offices here, while there are several stunning lakeside villas with historical associations and classic architecture to explore as well. In fact, you can also visit the Rietberg Museum or Villa Schonberg if you love European art. For shopping, head to the Migros-Markt and check out the diverse shops here.
Hotels vs. Serviced Apartments in Zurich- Which One to Choose
Let’s look at the pros and cons of hotels and serviced apartments in Zurich for a better idea.
Hotels
Pros:
- Good for shorter stays with plush rooms
- Full-service offerings and top-notch amenities
- Accessible food and beverage facilities along with personalised assistance
Cons:
- Lack of space, especially for extended stays
- Costly on the pocket, particularly for longer durations
- Limited privacy and flexibility
- Somewhat isolated from the local community
Serviced Apartments
Pros:
- More space and the comfort of living in your own home
- Separate living, dining, and sleeping areas with plush furnishings
- Full privacy and flexibility in lease terms
- More cost-effective for extended stays
- Hotel-like service and amenities along with self-catering facilities
- Situated in prime locations near business and recreational hubs
Cons:
- Amenities may sometimes be limited in some buildings
So, which option should you choose? If you’re on a short trip and don’t want to cook yourself, you can get yourself a hotel in Zurich. However, if you’re looking to stay for the mid or long-term and want a pocket-friendly, home-like, spacious, and well-equipped accommodation option, serviced apartments are the best answer. In fact, many people choose them for shorter stays too, due to the sheer privacy, flexible leases, and reasonable rates on offer. Many of these apartments also come with great amenities and prime locations, so you can choose as per your preferences.
Concluding Notes
As you can see, apartments in Zurich are the best option for the right blend of comfort, convenience, great amenities, reasonable prices, and higher space and privacy. You will find several apartments all across Zurich at reputable online booking platforms like TheSqua.re. They are available in varied configurations for you to choose from. Here’s to enjoying Zurich in style with the best accommodation for your trip.
Tags: travelzurich