The Glockenhof sits on the Sihlstrasse in the middle of the city, in a spot that makes sense of Zurich's geography: the Bahnhofstrasse is a short walk away, and both the main station and the lake are about seven minutes on foot. It is a four-star superior hotel with around ninety rooms, and its trump card is the courtyard garden, a leafy terrace restaurant that the hotel describes as one of the loveliest in Zurich in summer. In a city where most hotel dining is indoors and expensive, a shaded garden in the middle of the centre is a real asset, and it is popular with locals as well as guests. The hotel has two restaurants, Restaurant Conrad, which serves classic Swiss dishes, and the Glogge-Egge, a bar and restaurant with a more casual character, and the rooms have been renovated and have air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi, private car parking and an electric car charging station are available, pets are welcome, and there is wheelchair access and a creche for families. The setting between the shopping street and the Sihl river puts you close to the Fraumuenster, the Paradeplatz and the Old Town, without the premium of the lanes themselves. The Glockenhof suits couples, business travellers and families who value a central address, a garden and a classic hotel standard at a mid-to-upper price.
What the rooms are like
The rooms have been renovated and are air-conditioned, with a comfortable, traditional look. Sizes vary, so check the room category and bed type when you book, and ask for a room facing the courtyard if you want quiet, since the street side can be busy.
The hotel's size makes it more personal than a business chain, and the staff can help with restaurant bookings and tickets. If you are travelling with children, ask about family rooms and the creche, and if you need accessibility, confirm the room type when you book.
Eating and drinking
The garden is the highlight in warm months, with a menu that mixes Swiss classics and lighter dishes, and a terrace that is shaded and quiet. Restaurant Conrad focuses on classic Swiss cooking, and the Glogge-Egge bar and restaurant offers a more informal setting for a drink or a quick meal.
Breakfast arrangements depend on your rate. In colder months, the indoor rooms are warm and welcoming, and the hotel is a short walk from Christmas market stalls in late November and December. Check opening times for your dates when you plan a meal.
Location and who it suits
The hotel is on the Sihlstrasse, a short walk from the Bahnhofstrasse, about seven minutes on foot from the main station and from the lake. This puts the Old Town, the shopping streets and the Fraumuenster within easy reach, and the trams and trains nearby for the rest of the region. It suits couples, families and business guests.
A car is unnecessary, but there is private parking and an e-charging station for those who arrive by car. If you want an Old Town setting, look at the Widder or the Alexander, and if you prefer a quiet lakeside district, the Seefeld is a short tram ride away. Book early for summer weekends, when the garden is at its best.
Why stay here
- ✓Four-star superior
- ✓Courtyard garden restaurant
- ✓Restaurant Conrad with Swiss classics
- ✓Glogge-Egge bar and restaurant
- ✓Renovated air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Private parking and e-charging station
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Pets welcome
Good questions
Where is the Glockenhof?+
On the Sihlstrasse in the city centre, a short walk from the Bahnhofstrasse and about seven minutes on foot from both the main station and the lake.
Does the hotel have a garden?+
Yes. A courtyard garden restaurant, described by the hotel as one of the loveliest in Zurich in summer.
Is it suitable for families?+
Yes. The hotel has a creche, wheelchair access and pets are welcome. Ask about family rooms when you book.
