Langstrasse / Europaallee

25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse

★★★★★

The 25hours Hotel Langstrasse sits on a corner that sums up modern Zurich: on one side the glass offices and shops of the Europaallee, the new district built behind the main station, and on the other the Langstrasse, the city's most colourful street, with its bars, clubs, ethnic restaurants and, historically, its red-light scene. The hotel's design plays with that contrast, mixing the sober and the provocative with wit, and it is one of the most fun places to stay in the city. There are 170 rooms in several sizes, from compact queen and twin rooms to extra-large rooms and suites with names such as the Plaza Suite and the Trainspotting Suite, and some rooms overlook the railway tracks leading into the main station, an unusual view that rail fans love. Interiors are bold, with patterns, colours and quirky details inspired by the neighbourhood, but comfortable, with good beds and practical bathrooms. On the ground floor, NENI Zurich, part of the Vienna-born restaurant family, serves Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes designed for sharing, from hummus and grilled meats to salads and breads, and it is also where breakfast is served. The Cinchona Bar works as a cafe, a workspace and an aperitif spot through the day and evening. On the seventh floor, a small spa has a sauna with views over the main station, fitness equipment, a quiet zone and an outdoor deck with sun loungers. Guests can borrow bikes and, for longer trips, use an electric car from the hotel's mobility offer. Meeting rooms and event spaces attract a creative crowd. The location could hardly be more practical: Zurich main station is a few minutes' walk away, with trains to the airport and to Lucerne, and the Old Town is a short walk beyond. Rates are mid-range by Zurich standards, which still means more than in most European cities.

What to expect: the 25hours style is informal and sociable, with friendly staff, a lively lobby and a mix of business travellers, couples and groups of friends. Rooms are well soundproofed, but the Langstrasse side can be busy at weekends, so ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper. The track-view rooms are fascinating for anyone who likes trains, and children tend to love them. Breakfast at NENI is generous and varied.

The neighbourhood: the Langstrasse is the heart of Zurich's nightlife, with an extraordinary range of bars, small clubs and restaurants from every corner of the world, much cheaper than in the Old Town. It is lively and diverse and generally safe, though rough at the edges late at night. The Europaallee, on the other side, offers shops, cafes and restaurants, and Zurich West, the former industrial quarter with the Viadukt arches, the Freitag tower and the Im Viadukt market hall, is a short tram ride or a walk away.

Who it suits: travellers arriving or leaving by train, those on a mid-range budget who still want style, nightlife lovers and families who want a fun base near the station. It is less suited to travellers seeking a quiet, traditional hotel or a lake view. For a first trip to Zurich with day trips to Lucerne and the mountains, the proximity to the main station is a real advantage.