Many airport hotels are less than memorable. If you’re lucky enough to be flying out of Zurich International Airport, the Radisson Blu hotel offers an enjoyable and convenient way to end a vacation in Switzerland.
Accommodations
Radisson Blu Hotel is the only hotel with direct access to the terminal at Zurich Airport. It features 330 rooms and suites. I stayed in a Standard Room on the first floor. The space has a contemporary vibe thanks to a combination of modern art and low lighting. In addition to a king bed dressed European-style (with no top sheet), there was a comfy chair and a desk ideal for pre-flight gadget charging or working on the go.
The bathroom was compact but functional. The single-sink vanity offered just enough room for two people. The walk-in shower featured a wall-sized image of the twin towers of Grossmünster church, arguably one of Zurich’s most recognizable landmarks. The water was hot and pressure fantastic, but the fixed, glass door running approximately half the length of the shower wasn’t large enough to contain a notable amount of spray.
Other room amenities included instant coffee, a small refrigerator, an iron, and an ironing board. But perhaps, most importantly, the room was quiet. No airport noise whatsoever.
Dining Options
Breakfast is served buffet style in Filini Restaurant, steps from the front desk. Along with cooked-to-order eggs, expect an assortment of hot and cold items, including local meats and cheeses, fruit, yogurt, and assorted pastries.
Two upscale coffee machines crank out varied coffee drinks. Tea enthusiasts will appreciate the impressive selection of loose-leaf tea options. Depending on your booking, breakfast may or may not be included.
I only dined at the restaurant for breakfast, but lunch and dinner are also served. Expect an Italian-inspired menu including pasta, risotto, and Neapolitan-style pizzas.
There are a number of restaurants located pre-security at the airport. If you’re in the mood for a drink or snack but aren’t in the mood to wander from your room, Jeeves, the hotel’s robot, delivers drinks and snacks 24/7.
If you have the energy to wander, you can be in several Zurich neighborhoods in as little as 15-ish minutes, thanks to frequent train connections.
Good to Know
Reaching the hotel is easy. Exit the train at the Zurich Airport station (Zurich Flughafen). If you purchased a Swiss Travel Pass, your journey to the property/airport is included.
- Get a universal plug adapter
- Get a Car Rental
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
Hop on the escalator that’s steps from the front desk and in a matter of minutes—it truthfully just depends on how fast you walk—you can be dropping your bags at the ticket counter or be in line to clear airport security. This easy access also makes it oh so easy to pick up Swiss chocolate from the assortment of grocery stores, including Coop and Migros, in the airport shopping center.
My stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport, cost $295. Wi-Fi and breakfast were included in the rate.
Early check-in, when available, comes with a hefty $94 fee. The hotel will, however, hold bags for guests who arrive early, free of charge.
Check rates for Radisson Blu Zurich Airport online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
Be sure to check out some of our other favorite airport hotels. You can learn about bees at Hilton London Heathrow Airport, recover from jet lag in a striking spa at Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, or sleep soundly at Hilton Munich Airport.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Tourism Switzerland, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
This certainly sounds better than sleeping at the Zurich Airport on a restaurant bench only to be woken up at 4 am by pulsating techno-pop. An experience I would like to avoid again. The Radisson Blu tend to be one of my favourite properties.