Kameha Grand Zurich, Autograph Collection

The main problem for us was housekeeping. There’s a switch beside the door’s light switches that’s very easy to press by accident, and it turns on the “Do Not Disturb” signal. Our room wasn’t cleaned because of it. I spoke to two people, one at the front desk and one from housekeeping, and both said I must have pressed it by mistake and that this happens all the time. If they know it happens so often, it’s frustrating that they haven’t fixed such an obvious design flaw. The towels were damp, the trash hadn’t been picked up, and the bed was left undone. They apologized but didn’t offer a proper solution, leaving me to deal with it. It felt like I was being penalized for a mistake they admit happens regularly. The hotel itself is fine and close to tram lines, so getting downtown is easy enough. Still, I don’t think it’s a good base for visitors. It takes around 30 to 45 minutes to get almost anywhere, and at night there are very limited food options nearby and nothing to do. I won’t stay in this area or hotel again, and for a Zurich vacation I don’t think it’s worth it. I realized as soon as I walked in that this was a Philippe Starck-designed hotel. I’m a simple person who likes minimalism and practical design, and this felt too over the top and postmodern. The room was fine, but many choices seemed to prioritize visual impact over comfort, which clearly wasn’t the priority.

We came to Zürich for a couple of nights between stops on a family trip around Europe, and Kameha Grand Zürich made a comfortable base. Even after arriving on an early flight, we were greeted warmly by Ella at reception, and check-in was handled quickly. The staff were helpful in person and quick to respond to emails. Breakfast had plenty of fresh choices, including eggs cooked to order. Our room was a good size, and despite the nearby airport and tram tracks, the area was quiet enough for two very restful nights. Getting into the city was straightforward: the tram stop was about a five-minute walk away, followed by a roughly 30-minute ride. We enjoyed the Christmas Markets and festive atmosphere, and appreciated the hotel staff’s suggestions for good food.

The design by Marcel Wanders gives the hotel a distinctive feel, and the themed junior suites are part of that appeal. Rooms are comfortable, the spa is excellent, and the service is attentive. The food and drinks are good quality, and the amenities are clean and modern. It sits a little outside the city center, but being near the airport and having good transport connections are real pluses.

I had to cancel a planned stay because of a family emergency. Repeated calls to the hotel went unanswered, though I eventually managed to cancel online before the deadline. Even so, they charged my card and incorrectly recorded it as a hotel stay, then sent me a guest survey. I tried calling again without getting an answer, so Marriott customer service directed me to the front desk and rooms division manager, Iyad Alzoubi. He declined to help and never answered my emails. The general manager, Benedikt Theisen, also did not acknowledge or reply to them. I’d be cautious about booking here if an emergency might require the hotel to be considerate.