Boutique Hotel Wellenberg

The buffet was standard, though it wasn't set up for celiacs or other food intolerances. We couldn't find lactose-free products, and the gluten-free bread we had to order wasn't very tasty. Prepared dishes are also available, and the pancakes are well worth trying. The hotel has a pleasant lobby and a family room with a TV and game console, though streaming channels aren't accessible unless you log in. The decor throughout was nice. We spent a weekend visiting the Christmas markets and chose the hotel for its position in the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town), near the train station. It turned out that everything in Zurich is close by, including several Christmas markets. Reception staff were fantastic, friendly, and willing to answer our questions and requests. The rooms were a mixed bag. We had two on the third floor, and one seemed to be in the newer part, with modern decor and underfloor heating, though its doors needed updating. The other felt older, with a functional but dated bathroom, doors that needed updating, and heating that was only adequate.

The Old Town location was excellent for exploring the city, but the stay didn't live up to expectations. We paid around CAD $500 for one night expecting a high-end experience, yet it felt like a three-star property at best. The reception area was tiny, the rooms were cramped, and the bathrooms were very small. There weren't facilities that felt like a four-star standard. The staff weren't very helpful. We told them in advance that it was our anniversary, but they didn't try to help with even a small request, such as arranging a cake or simple room decoration. With other options around $300 a night, this didn't feel worth the price. I know Switzerland is expensive, but for $500 a night the experience should have been much better.

The location was a real highlight: our hotel looked onto a lively square with cafés, restaurants, and a small grocery shop, and the river and busy streets were close by. We had a lovely family stay in summer 2017, and the breakfast buffet was decent for a reasonable price. It was quite warm, and our room had no air conditioning, but management brought us a cooling device that worked reasonably well.

Dennis and Ruben at the front desk made a big difference for us. Whenever we were unsure where to go in the city, they were friendly, helpful, and gave us useful recommendations. Their guidance made the trip easier and more fun, and they clearly cared about guests enjoying themselves. We’ll definitely return. Thanks, guys.