The Zurich hotels are numerous, and they range from some of the best upscale hotels in Europe to hostels that offer very low rates. Securing a Zurich accommodation that can be found on the city's left bank is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy the convenience of being near the train station and major banks, while the right bank features the Old Town district and offers more in the way of atmosphere. As is true in all of the major Swiss cities, Zurich sees more than its fair share of business travelers. When fairs and conventions are going on, the hotels in Zurich can fill up fast, in which case booking in advance is recommended.

When it comes to the five-star experience, visitors to Zurich will have a number of good hotels to choose from. One of the best is the Alden Hotel Splugenschloss (pictured), which is just a short walk from the city's top shopping avenue. In addition to being close to the Bahnhofstrasse, this gem of a boutique hotel is also within easy reach of the Enge train depot. The beautiful building that houses the Alden Hotel Splugenschloss dates back to 1895, and it was fully renovated in 2004. Like many of the top hotels in Switzerland, the Alden blends Old World elegance with modern comforts. The 22 rooms and suites are all tastefully decorated, and many feature antique pieces. All have immaculate bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs, and other standard amenities include air conditioning, mini bars, high-speed internet access, flat-screen televisions, and video on demand. As for the facilities at the Alden Hotel Splugenschloss, they include a pair of restaurants and a bar.

Some of the best upscale Zurich hotels can be found on the left bank, and they include the Alden Hotel Splugenschloss. One of the other great luxury hotels on this side of the river is the Baur au Lac. This dynamic city hotel is situated along a canal at the end of the Bahnhofstrasse. Surrounding it is a lovely park that helps to make for a most inviting setting. Within steps is Lake Zurich, and the Paradeplatz financial district is also easy to reach. Business travelers and leisure travelers alike should find favor with the location, not to mention the rooms and suites, which are among the best in town. Antiques accentuate the luxurious decors in the guest units, of which there are 125. While all of the sumptuous rooms and suites here have flat-screen televisions, air conditioning, mini bars, coffee makers, Wi-Fi, and hair dryers, only some offer lake views, and they are the most desirable. A range of services are available to guests at this exclusive Zurich accommodation, and they include around-the-clock room service, limousine service, and concierge service. Other things that make the Baur au Lac so enticing are the choice dining facilities and the stylish salons. The salons can be used for business meetings, lavish balls, weddings, or other events.

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Many visitors to Switzerland fly into the Zurich Airport. Zurich airport lodging is thus popular, and there are some good airport hotels to choose from. The Radisson Blu Zurich Airport is arguably the best of the airport hotels in Zurich. It's also one of the city's best mid-priced lodging establishments. This modern hotel boasts a convenient location near the arrival area, and the train ride into the city only takes about ten minutes. After a long flight, guests at the Radisson Blu can relax in their comfortable rooms or visit the state-of-the-art fitness club. The fitness club features a sauna, a pool and shower zone, and a steam bath. As for the guest units, they are attractive as well. The sleek, modern decors come from the mind of the renowned Italian designer, Matteo Thun, who has succeeded in creating a very inviting setting. There are four guest unit categories, and they include the standard rooms, the business class rooms, the one-bedroom suites, and the Presidential Suite. Soundproof windows and signature bath products figure among the complete amenities, as do high-speed internet access, flat-screen televisions, laptop-size safes, mini bars, cozy bathrobes, slippers, and coffee makers. Both coffee and tea products are supplied. Guests at the Radisson Blu Zurich Airport can visit the onsite bar or the hotel's airport lounge. This excellent mid-range Zurich accommodation is also home to two quality restaurants that offer reasonable rates.

Many hotels in Zurich offer tantalizing rooms and an array of amenities, and as such, they tend to be relatively expensive on the whole. Not all of the Zurich hotels are of the upscale or mid-range variety, however, and travelers who prefer saving on rates will have options. The hostels, or pensions as they are also known, are the most affordable Zurich accommodation options. These kinds of budget hotels are very low on frills. For travelers who are hoping to enjoy a little more in the way of comfort and amenities, hotels like the Hotel St. Josef can be a good fit. This hotel can be found in the heart of town, which is part of the allure. All of the 45 guest units at the Hotel St. Josef are spacious, clean, and relatively keen on amenities. A private bathroom with a shower figures among the standard amenities, and some units also have kitchenettes. Other standard amenities that guests can expect to enjoy include safes, mini refrigerators, internet access, a kettle for heating water, and a telephone. A satisfying breakfast is included in the rates, and the hotel features a good restaurant with an inviting summer terrace. There are other cheap Zurich hotels that offer lower rates, though few can match the Hotel St. Josef in terms of overall value.