Hotel Snapshot
All the things that make Switzerland so enchanting in winter—storybook landscapes, luxurious amenities, and rich culture—make it just as irresistible in summer.
Although the Swiss Alps often steal the spotlight, the country's cities are equally compelling. Widely recognized as one of the world's most livable cities, Zurich is remarkably clean and safe, culturally diverse, architecturally striking, and steeped in history.
Among the city's many standout hotels, Widder Hotel (a member of The Living Circle, a collection of high-end, sustainability-driven Swiss hotels and restaurants), stands out for its seamless blend of medieval heritage, contemporary design, and exceptional gastronomy.
Design & Character
Local architect Tilla Theus was tasked with reimagining and connecting nine medieval townhouses into a one-of-a-kind hotel, which opened in 1995. During the decade-long transformation, her team uncovered an ancient Roman stone wall and a fireplace nearly 2,000 years old. Theus preserved these remarkable finds alongside the buildings' original wood beams and terracotta floors, pairing them with iconic furnishings by Charles and Ray Eames, Eileen Gray, and Le Corbusier. Nowhere is this juxtaposition more evident than in the hotel's elevators. Constructed from sleek glass and chrome, they quietly glide guests between floors while offering views of the rugged stone wall.
The Rooms
Because Theus preserved the original layout of the nine buildings, each of Widder Hotel's 49 rooms and suites has a distinct configuration and character.
My Design Queen Superior room, for example, layered seemingly disparate elements that came together with ease: remnants of an ancient fresco, a stuccoed wall, parquet floors, a black Eames lounge chair, a robin's-egg blue tufted leather headboard, and a mirrored wall. The effect was equally cozy and retro-glamorous.
Meanwhile, the two-level Widder Design Suite evokes an '80s SoHo loft, balancing royal-blue industrial steel beams with quirky art, including Zurich artist Beat Zoderer's geometric orange-and-green mobile, which hangs high above the bed.
The Food & Drink
Since 2020, chef Stefan Heilemann has shaped Widder Hotel into one of Zurich's most celebrated culinary destinations. At the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Widder, Heilemann combines French technique with Asian influences in lunch and dinner tasting menus; signature bao buns are filled with tender duck and creamy Massaman curry. Breakfast for hotel guests is also served here, featuring a continental buffet alongside à la carte items made with eggs from the property’s Schlattgut farm.
For a more casual, meat-forward meal, Restaurant AuGust fits the bill, while Soï turns out Asian street food made with Swiss meat and produce. Widder Garden is a serene summertime oasis serving wine and light bites beneath a leafy canopy. A local institution, Widder Bar stocks more than 650 whiskies, attracting a lively mix of locals and hotel guests.
Amenities
Even the subterranean fitness center—often an afterthought in many hotels—reflects Widder Hotel's blend of historic character and contemporary design, preserving its original wood beams and terracotta flooring while incorporating Technogym cardio machines and free weights.
Guests also receive a City & Lake Resort Guest Card, which includes access to, and priority reservations at, the restaurants, bars, and amenities of The Living Circle's sister properties in Zurich: Storchen Zurich and Alex Lake Zurich.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Boasting a plum address in picturesque Old Town, just steps from Bahnhofstrasse—one of the world's most glamorous shopping boulevards—Widder Hotel is an ideal base for exploring Zurich. The city is exceptionally walkable, and many of its top sights and restaurants are within a comfortable stroll from the hotel.
Switzerland's largest art museum, Kunsthaus Zurich, houses an impressive collection spanning the Old Masters to modern icons, including the largest collection of Edvard Munch's works outside Norway. Also in Old Town, the Michelin-starred Neue Taverne might convert even the most devoted carnivore with inventive dishes such as its briny, buttery plant-based caviar and a deeply savory tempeh riff on Japanese tonkatsu. Do as the locals do in the summer and visit a badi, or open-air public bath. Reserved for women, the historic Frauenbad Stadthausquai is a sublime summer perch for sunbathing, sipping cocktails, and, of course, plunging into the pristine Limmat River.
Fast Facts
Location: In the heart of Zurich
Vibe: Quietly luxurious and brimming with history
Rating: Five-star
Room Count: 49
Pricing: From $800 per night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Discovering all the beautifully preserved historic details throughout
Dining: Restaurant Widder, Restaurant AuGust, and Soï
Nearby Attractions: Kunsthaus Zurich, Grossmünster & Fraumünster Churches, Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof, Lake Zurich
Airport: Zurich Airport
Zurich, Switzerland
