A fifth-floor room overlooking the Limmat river, croissants at breakfast and a rooftop perch called The Nest — the Storchen Zürich is one of those hotels people book as much for the address as for the rooms. A recent review from World of Wanderlust, the writer's second stay at the property, offers a good look at what you actually get.
The Storchen sits right on the water in central Zürich, close to Lake Zürich, and it's long been one of the city's most recognisable hotels for exactly that reason. A recent renovation has refreshed the property, which now counts as one of the finest five-star stays in town. In summer the city comes into its own, and the hotel leans in with its seasonal rooftop, open to guests in the warmer months. In winter it swaps the rooftop for hot chocolates on the waterfront, outdoor heaters and a cosy, home-from-home feel.
The rooms themselves are compact. The reviewer's fifth-floor room — the highest guest floor in the hotel — had a queen bed, ensuite bathroom, a small wardrobe and a desk, but it wasn't exactly spacious. The trade-off is the window: river-facing rooms here come with striking sunrises and a soft evening glow before sunset. If you book, the advice is simple — request a river-facing room and, where possible, a higher floor.
Beyond the views, the hotel has a couple of unusual cards to play. It houses the only cigar lounge in Zürich, open every evening to guests and visitors from around the world. There's also a small fitness centre on the fifth floor with weights, a treadmill, a couple of bikes and other machines, plus trainers available for private one-to-one sessions if you want a proper workout rather than a quick treadmill run.
Breakfast gets a strong endorsement. Served in the dining room each morning, it combines an à la carte menu of cooked dishes with a buffet spread of yogurts, mueslis, cold meats, hard-boiled eggs and, of course, croissants — a solid start before a day of walking the old town and lakeshore.
Who's this for? Travellers who want a five-star base in the very centre of Zürich and care more about location and views than enormous rooms. The Storchen works for a summer city break with rooftop evenings, or a winter trip when the city feels especially cosy. Practical tip from the review: booking directly with the hotel tends to get the best rates, and it's worth being explicit about the river-facing request at the time of booking rather than at check-in.
Zürich itself rewards a few days — the lake, the old town's steep lanes, and easy train connections to the rest of Switzerland make the Storchen a sensible anchor for a longer trip too.
Review and stay details via World of Wanderlust.