Sorell Hotel Sonnental Dübendorf

The free breakfast was only semi-decent, and the cheaper price, free parking, coffee and tea all day, and small selection of free ice cream still didn't make up for the room. Ours was in the basement with no view, and it felt more like a prison or college dorm than a vacation stay. It was hot with no air conditioning, musty, and had nauseating cigarette smells from outside smokers and/or vehicle exhaust from the busy road. The old, plain 1980s Soviet apartment style didn't help. The location isn't great, and there aren't many good attractions nearby. Stay somewhere else!

The room was basic but fine, the restaurant was good, and the staff were very nice. It could have been a good hotel, but the lack of air conditioning ruined it completely. In hot summer weather it's impossible to sleep in the room. Maybe it'd be alright in colder weather, but avoid it in summer.

The breakfast was fantastic, with a wide range of continental staples from regional suppliers. There were gluten-free and lactose-free choices, and the team were happy to make fried eggs when asked. Free fruit and coffee in the lobby, Ricola and local chocolates on the pillow, and Rituals toiletries were generous extras. The bed was compact, but the mattress was very comfortable. Still, sleep was disappointing: the room got very stuffy at night with no aircon or ventilation, and opening the window brought street noise. It's a pragmatic stay at a reasonable price, though the features are aging, with holes in the bedding and no cooling. Despite the online photos, there's no working pool or spa. The wellness area has been turned into meeting rooms, and the pool has gone unmaintained for a long time. The receptionist said there are no plans to renovate it.

I had a night in an uncomfortable room and was really disappointed. The staff were helpful and responsive to my comments, though, and they fixed the issue the next day.