At a Glance
An elegant boutique property right in the historic center
Indagare Loves
- How the property fuses old and new, mixing elements like 17th-century frescoes with halogen belljar lights
- The garden paradise that is the restaurant Al Fresco, the hotel’s summer lounge
- Widder Bar’s Library of Spirits, which offers guests over 1,000 of the finest spirits
Review
Indicative of Zurich as a whole, the Widder marries contemporary and medieval architecture through thoughtful design. The 17-suite and 32-room hotel occupies a collection of nine historic townhouses along the famed Bahnofstrasse, located in the heart of the historical center. Each room has been individually appointed and decorated with respect to its historical framework—frescoes, beamed ceilings, antique tiled stoves and piled stone walls—while embracing sleek, modern design elements and cutting-edge technology.
Guests will enjoy Eames and Mies van der Rohe furnishings, terraces with garden views and displays of artworks by Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg. An additional plus: Zurich’s best shopping and dining is only steps from the lobby.
Though the Widder is a boutique property, it offers five of the best dining experiences in the city, including AuGust, a rustic butchery for the adventurous carnivore. Here, Chef Daniel Käser presents approachable classics as well as more adventurous items like boiled beef and tripe salads. Gourmands adore the Widder restaurant, which is lead by Chef Tino Staub, who is best known for his use of high-quality regional produce and mastery of French and Far East flavors. The menu changes daily based on what is available locally. Turmstübliis one of the few fumoirs left in the smoke-free city. The Wirtschaft Zur Schtund, which is most popular among locals, specializes in traditional Swiss dishes such as fondue, raclette and rösti in a cozy farmhouse atmosphere.
The legendary Widder Bar, handsomely outfitted with red leather booths and 13th-century wooden beams offer guests over 1,000 bottles of liquor. Live jazz attracts a lively, diverse crowd most nights.
Who Should Stay
Art and style lovers, businessmen and people who prefer sophisticated elegance to formality love the Widder. The Baur au Lac is a better choice for those who want a grand, palatial hotel.
Written by Elise Bronzo