A Masterpiece of a Hotel in Zürich: The Romantik Hotel Sonne
By Joel Chusid
 Following a whirlwind travel week, I was lucky enough to
discover a gem of a hotel in Zürich’s Romantik Hotel Sonne.
 Dating back to 1641,
the hotel is not only historic but luxurious and in a spectacular lakeside
location minutes from bustling central Zürich. The real surprise is that it also
features original masterpiece art by Swiss and internationally known artists. A
family owned mansion for 500 years with one of the first restaurants operated in
the country, high tech design and modern amenities make this a perfect base for
both a Swiss holiday and business trip. Swiss hotel hospitality is
world-renowned, and managers Catherine and Rene Gruter make it their goal for
guests to feel at home.
Only 40 rooms are spread between two adjacent buildings,
the “tower” and the “sea house,” and offer accommodations that incorporate
original floors, walls, and ceilings into a fresh, open design. Some of the
tower rooms are the result of dividing a large ballroom into two parts
horizontally, a process originally done in 1954, creating interesting walls and
bi-level floors, although they have been updated more recently. Original ceiling
artwork has been saved and restored, unusual for a guest room. Architectural
contrasts such as a clear glass elevator and winding wooden staircase complement
each other. Rooms contain amenities such as heated towel racks, large bathtubs,
a special Swiss soap made only for the hotel, wireless internet (for a fee),
minibars, and original artwork. The sixteen rooms in the 200-year old “newer”
seaside building, which will soon house a small workout area and spa, were
opened in 2000.
Two restaurants delight the senses, and lakeside outdoor
dining dominates in the warmer seasons. During winter, special themes often
enhance the menu in the Sonne Gallery restaurant, which serves three meals a
day, including the sumptuous breakfast that is included in the room rate. In the
three rooms of the Gastube, the oldest room in the hotel, Swiss specialties are
offered, as well as the famed Flemish tart, an Alsatian-style pizza.
Upon entering the front door, which was the family bakery
hundreds of years ago, the large Andy Warhol on the lobby wall is the first
introduction to the hotel’s dozens of original museum-quality paintings.
Additionally works by Abraham Brueghel, Roy Lichtenstein, Saul Steinberg, Julian
Schnabel and notable Swiss artists can be seen throughout the hotel. The hotel
even publishes an art guide to the works.
 The hotel has four meeting rooms, all differently designed
but with modern media amenities, and a spectacular ballroom, built in 1815,
booked almost every week for weddings and special events. The ceiling is
dramatic, and the original floors and even the balcony remain, the latter where
the poor used to “attend” gala events in days gone by, peering down at the rich
on the ground floor.
 The location on the shore of Lake Zürich provides
spectacular views not only of the lake, but of the Alps on clear days. Regular
boats from the Limmatquai at the end of the famed and automobile-free
Bahnhofstrasse, Zürich’s “Fifth Avenue,” call at the dock steps from the hotel.
Küsnacht itself is an elegant suburban town with a slower pace, yet it is a mere
12 minutes from central Zürich, with the train station literally steps from the
door of the Romantik Hotel Sonne. Not only do the trains go to the Hauptbahnhof,
Zürich’s transportation hub, but twice an hour they serve the international
airport without a train change, and more often with an easy connection.
For such luxury in a city with the most millionaires per
capita of any in the world, prices are surprisingly reasonable. Using current
exchange rates, rooms begin at about $180 per night double, $155 single year
round. Lake view rooms are a step up, from about $240 and $230 off season,
slightly higher May-October. A small city tax is additional.
The Romantik Hotel Sonne begs to be discovered by
Americans. A historically famous hotel in Switzerland, half the guests tend to
be Swiss and about a third German. The remaining guests come from other
countries, and only a few from North America. Perfect for families, couples,
singles, business people, and anyone touring the area, the hotel can also handle
physically challenged guests if arranged in advance. Art lovers will especially
feel at home.
The facts
Romantik Hotel Sonne
Seestrasse 120
CH-8700 Küsnacht/Zürich, Switzerland
Telephone +49-44-914-1818; fax +49-44-914-1800
E-mail:
seehotel-sonne@romantikhotels.com
Website:
www.sonne.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."
|
