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This article is part of a guide to Zürich from FT Globetrotter
Rising magnificently from the Limmat river, the five-star Storchen hotel has occupied arguably the best spot in the city since 1357. Next to Weinplatz and across the river from Grossmünster church, this splendid medieval building, spruce in a pink that is more flamingo than stork, had a multi-million-pound refurb between 2017 and 2021 and is now owned by Swiss hotel group The Living Circle.
Over the centuries it has welcomed some illustrious guests including Richard Wagner and Swiss writer Gottfried Keller. No one is quite sure where the hotel garnered its charismatic name, although most probably it became known for being a spot where storks once nested. It became an inn shortly after the city’s first bridge was built, right next to the hotel, over one of the Limmat’s narrowest spots.
Perfectly placed for a stroll around the boutiques of the old town (I defy you not to buy a classic Mondaine Swiss Railway clock) and the major sites — including the Fraumünster church with its Chagall windows, the Opera House and Tonhalle concert hall — the hotel is also close to some of the city’s Badis, or bathing platforms, for a cool-down after all that culture. If you want a change of scene, the hotel boat, moored just outside, can whizz you down the river and across the lake to the group’s other waterside hotel, the Alex — a great spot for a sunny weekend brunch.
Rooms
The hotel’s interior is bright and modern — yet rooms are snug of size, with pale-wood walls, snazzy carpets and teal and mauve accents. Despite being so central and overlooking Weinplatz, our waterside room was totally silent at night. In the morning, we opened the windows and stood with a coffee in hand, soaking up the sounds of early-morning river activity before heading for breakfast.
Restaurant and bars
In terms of eating and drinking, this hotel has it all. At ground level and just hovering above the water, is Barchetta, a walk-in bar that is perfect for a business coffee or a post-work drink.
Upstairs, La Rôtisserie terrace is, to my mind, the most romantic dining spot in the city. We ate as the moon shone on the Limmat and a couple of female rowers glided to and fro. With the sound of the bells from the nearby Grossmünster, we did for a second imagine we were in Venice — until the No 4 tram scuttled past on the other side of the river. The restaurant has a Michelin star, and the cuisine under Stefan Jäckel is bold and bright, French-leaning with Asian twists. Highlights were a wonderful deconstructed bouillabaisse with cockles, scallops, red mullet, sea bass and lobster, accompanied by a big jug of fishy broth to pour over, and a whopping Atlantic sole with white asparagus.
At almost all times during our stay, there was a steady queue of punters outside the hotel, waiting to take the lift up to The Nest, a cosy Instagrammable rooftop bar open to the public between April and October (only when the weather is good), attracting a dressy crowd for its colourful cocktails.
Spa and gym
The hotel also has a small spa and gym for those who still feel the need to workout, even after a day on foot exploring the city.
At a glance:
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Good for: Riverside chic, and a feeling of being in the centre of it all
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Not so good for: Shy wallets. Like all five-star Swiss hotels, this is on the hefty side price-wise
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FYI: Boat trips down the lake on the hotel boat are free if you have a reservation at one of the restaurants
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Rooms: 57 rooms, seven suites
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Rates: Double, from SFr530 ($600/£476)
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Website; Directions
Rebecca Rose was a guest of The Living Circle
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