Sorell Boutique-Hotel Zürichberg

The restaurant staff were kind, despite what looked like a staffing shortage. Two people serving a nearly full breakfast room seemed like a lot to ask of them. At the front desk, though, service wasn't very friendly. For 370 CHF for one night in a SUPERIOR room, I expected better. The bathroom felt outdated, the furniture was scattered around, and the couch and bathroom door had stains that looked like cum stains. It was dusty and not very clean overall. The dog's thin, tiny blanket was dirty, and the dog's bowl HADN'T BEEN CLEANED!!!! That's disgusting and could be dangerous, since dog bowls can grow bacteria and fungi and need daily cleaning, especially after another dog has used one. You don't know whether that dog was sick or how long the bowl had gone unwashed. Absolute NO GO.

The breakfast was good, the place was clean, and the room looked out onto greenery. But I was disappointed by the air conditioning claim: there was only a floor fan. Without screens on the windows, we couldn't leave them open, and being beside the forest meant plenty of insects, especially mosquitoes and moths, came into the room. I don't understand why “air conditioning” is still listed among the features. It doesn't feel honest with customers.

Breakfast came with our rate. The buffet was good, especially the Birchermuesli, and we enjoyed choosing eggs à la carte. Waiting was dull, though, with only one coffee machine for tea or espresso. The waiters were nice but could have been more welcoming and smiley. Front desk staff were helpful and pleasant. Our third-floor room had a superb lake view through two large windows, though no balcony. It was spacious and bright, with a King bed, minibar, and sofa, but the sofa wasn't very clean. The TV could have been bigger for the room category, and the bathroom seemed small for such a large room. An upgrade there would be nice. A/C and free bottled water were provided. The hotel is in a quiet area at the edge of Zurich City, near the Zoo and forest. It's accessible by car, with private parking at CHF 10.-/night, or by tram 6, and there's also a bus stop nearby. We paid about CHF 300.-/night for two adults, including parking and breakfast. City taxes were extra at checkout. A good experience, and I may return if the price is right.

This is a lovely old Swiss hotel outside the town center, near the famous zoo. Service and rooms are excellent, and the view takes in the whole city. The hotel's mascot is a wooden hall with traditional Swiss dishes.