|
 TM
An Oasis in Zürich: The Romantik Hotel Florhof
By Joel Chusid
 As one who travels a lot, I am hard to impress, but the
Romantik Hotel Florhof managed to do it. In fact, it is hard to believe there is
such a charming oasis in the heart of bustling Zürich. In Switzerland where
promptness is an obsession, one can generally be at this delightful hotel by
tram in only five minutes from the front door of the main train station, which
itself is only 15 minutes from Zürich’s international airport by train.
Literally surrounded by cultural institutions such as the art museum, music
school, and small theatres, the location is ideal. But the real secret about the
Romantik Hotel Florhof is its home style comfort, accommodating staff, and
delightful cuisine.
 The building itself is historic, being over 500 years old;
no one knows how old it really is except that it appeared on maps of the city as
early as 1576 when the hillside was covered with vineyards. The charming,
narrow, and cobbled streets of old Zürich are just outside your window. As Beat
Schiesser, the manager, explained to me, the building was one of the first built
immediately outside the original city walls as the medieval city of Zürich
expanded.
A private home for centuries, it was occupied by patrician
families, and at one point one of them was involved in silk manufacturing, as
the name “Flor” is related to that. In 1907, the building became a boarding
house, and housed refugees during the Second World War. By 1972 the structure
was almost entirely refurbished and modernized, but some of the original
elements, in some rooms the elaborate ceilings for example, were left intact
when possible. In 1973 a restaurant opened, but it wasn’t until 1994 when the
Florhof became a Romantik Hotel that it suddenly was linked to an international
hospitality network. Still, the real secrets of the Romantik Hotel Florhof are
not well known, even to locals, although they generally are familiar with the
name.
A true gem of a hotel, it features 35 beautifully decorated
rooms, including two junior suites with either city or garden view, one even
with a Jacuzzi. Every room has comfortable beds with duvets and delicate linens.
You receive your own direct dial telephone number upon checking in, along with a
glass of champagne. A bowl of fruit and chocolate, Swiss naturally, greets you
in your room. The bathroom has all the modern amenities, including a fluffy
white robe. There’s cable TV, if you’re so inclined, and for business travelers,
a comfortable desk and complimentary high speed internet. The free internet is a
treat, since it’s not that common to find it in European hotels.
The grounds feature a diminutive garden, with a famous fig
tree and even a palm tree that is hardy enough to last year round. The Neptune
Fountain, constructed in 1770, is a centerpiece. The main floor features a cozy
sitting room, where complimentary tea and cookies are served every day from 3:00
pm to 5:30 pm. It’s the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing or
business meetings.
Breakfast is a treat in the intimate restaurant. Delicious
breads, cereals, the famed birchermuesli, yogurt, fruit, cheese, smoked salmon,
and eggs are featured. In the evening this room serves outstanding dinners,
although it was closed (Sundays and Mondays) the day I was there. For special
parties, there is a wonderful wine cellar, and a dining room just outside that
can seat up to twenty for meals or wine tasting.
Rates are surprisingly moderate for a city like Zürich
where Swiss francs can easily be spent like water. Switzerland does have a
reputation for being expensive, but it’s significantly more reasonable than
London, for example, where a day transit pass is $24; in Zürich it’s only $10.
Subject to currency fluctuations, the hotel charges from about $200 per room per
night for a single, up to about $400 - $500 for each of the two suites. Dogs are
welcome for a small charge.
The hotel has both smoking and no smoking rooms, but you’d
never know it. They completely air out any room in where someone has smoked, and
I had no idea until I was in a smoking room until I noticed the ashtray in my
room. Except for the front staircase, the hotel is quite acceptable for the
physically challenged, and does have an elevator. Tip: book direct with the
hotel or through Romantik. They offer lower rates that can be 5-10% below the
published rates if done that way, but otherwise discounts are rare.
This is a real find. I’d characterize the Romantik Hotel
Florhof as having the best elements of an upscale bed and breakfast and a
boutique hotel, in an especially great location.
The Facts
Romantik Hotel Florhof
Florhofgasse 4
CH-8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Telephone: +41-44-250-2626; fax +41-44-250-2627
Email:
info@florhof.ch
Website:
www.florhof.ch;
www.romantikhotels.com
Romantik Hotels & Restaurants were founded in Germany in
1972, since then the group has grown to 194 small hotels and country inns in 12
European countries. Romantik is committed to offering travelers outstanding
quality, tradition and luxury by adhering to stringent admission requirements
for new members. Every Romantik Hotel is in a historic building, personally
operated by the owner, offers outstanding cuisine, and consistently meets the
highest standards of service. After going through a thorough selection process,
the successful hotel is awarded the title "Romantik Hotel & Restaurant."
Photos by author
Back to TravelLady Magazine |
|
