I spent a few glorious, glamorous days in Zurich, Switzerland this past winter. A special place I’ve been wanting to visit for some time. Prior to this trip I had flown in and out of the Zurich airport many times, and buzzed by the city on Swiss trains. I had never settled into the vibe of this city filled with history and charm. Zurich is interesting on so many levels. There is eye candy everywhere. Great food, people, sites, architecture and of course shopping!

The Swiss do things right on so many levels. I love their pristine hospitality and attention to all the finest details. Up until this trip I had spent time in the alpine regions: Zermatt, Klosters/Davos, St. Moritz and the Engadin valley. I love to ski & summer in these absolutely gorgeous mountains. Zurich is a spot you should spend at least a few days in if you are traveling around the country.

Where to Stay: Park Hyatt

This contemporary 5 star hotel is everything a glamour girl could wish for. I was greeted with a selection of Swiss chocolates and sweets in the most adorable Chanel presentation. The staff was lovely and very knowledgable about the area. The hotel’s location is right near everything, museums, boutiques, Lake Zurich and great restaurants. As soon as you walk into the hotel you are welcomed to sit, relax, sip a cappuccino or cocktails and unwind in the spacious lounge.

My suite was very well appointed, super quiet and spacious. A great place to unwind after 3 weeks of skiing through Switzerland and Austria. I loved my room so much that I spent most of Sunday relaxing, working and catching up on Netflix. It made sense to do this as most of the city is closed on Sundays.

The Suite bathroom was huge, with a large soaking tub and separate shower, there was a separate vanity area located just outside for makeup. I took full advantage of the tub for long bubble bath soaks. A well needed treat after days on tour.

The food at the Parkhuus restaurant located in the hotel was wonderful as well. I enjoyed breakfast daily and a dinner. The breakfast buffet was enormous, exceptionally well laid out, beautiful and suitable for any diet and taste preference. From pastries to eggs, muesli, cheeses and meats, the offerings were aplenty. In the evenings cozy up at the elegant bar which features a two-story wine library.

A few other 5 star luxury hotels to check out:

• Atlantis by Giardino 
• Baur Au Lac
• The Dolder Grand
• Widder Hotel

Where to Shop: 

The boutiques in Zurich are phenomenal! I learned about so many new labels while there, some of my favorites being Blue Lemon intimates/lounge wear also Tara Jarmon from Paris. Van Laack had beautiful tailored shirts with memorable prints. En Soie is fun for trendy, unforgettable pieces as is Fidelio Kleider. Check out LOOQ for  chic and urban styles. I loved Kowä for it’s playful, trendy collection. Traditional luxury boutiques are a plenty as well. Just hunt & you will find seriously fun fashions!

There are quite a few streets that have many boutiques, though I recommend “getting lost” and legging your way around all sorts of nooks and crannies. I loved Old Town, which is both beautiful and quirky.  A few popular shopping areas that I enjoyed are along Bahnhofstrasse, Rennweg, Lindenhof, The “Dörfli” area which is comprised of the Niederdorf and Oberdorf areas that extends as far as Bellevue. This is also a popular area for bars, restaurants and nightlife. So many boutiques are hidden in alleyways so be sure to keep your eyes wide open for them at all times. Two other exciting areas to check out are:  Viadukt and Europaallee

Where to Spa:

I was introduced to the Osswald Facial Spa by a friend who also shared a phenomenal line of all natural, organic, luxury skin care products called JK7. This spa is interesting in that you can choose a specialty facial using a singular brand, such as JK7 or have them customize and experience for you with varied brands. The JK7 brand has become a favorite of mine, it smells so beautiful and my skin loves it. I can’t get enough of their facial mist and serums.

Where to Eat:

The dining in Zurich is exceptional and the cuisines vary, as this is a major international city. For sweets I recommend you hit up Sprungli with a few locations, the largest showroom located on Bahnhofstrasse St. There are charming cafes everywhere & I guarantee you will run into many of them as you wander. I met up with a friend near my hotel at Le Raymond Bar. A cute spot with coffee, desserts and a full bar.

For true elegance and a highly memorable dining experience (for a date or business) I recommend the restaurant Gustav. As you can see from the photos the food is beautifully presented and the flavors pure. Chef Antonio Colaianni’s style is Mediterranean with sturdy reinterpretations of Italian classics. 

My first night in Zurich I had a giant sushi craving that was met with a delicious plate of raw fish from Sala of Tokyo. This place has been serving up authentic Japanese plates for over 30 years. The ambiance was casual & the dining room quite small. Would be smart to call ahead should you decide to visit there. Another Japanese restaurant that came highly recommended to me by the locals is Barfüesser. 

I also had an Italian food craving which was eagerly met on a Sunday when virtually nothing else was open. I had a simple lunch of Caprese with homemade mozzarella at Santa Lucia. This is located just off the main drag of Bahnhofstrasse which is very convenient if you are shopping. There are also many places to get traditional Swiss fondue should you fancy that. I already had my fill in the Alps, always a favorite treat.

How to Get Around:

Getting around Zurich is simple. I traveled by foot, but the public transpiration is run in pure Swiss style. On time, clean and reliable. Get your hands on a ZürichCARD as soon as you can at the airport or train station.

A few other things to know before you go:

• Unlike cities in the USA, many European towns shut their doors on Sundays. This is both lovely (as it forces you to slow down) and it can be a hinderance if you are only visiting for one day.
• Take your time to wander by foot in historic cities like this. The things you will see you will remember for a lifetime.
• The Swiss Rail system is based on perfection. If you are traveling around the country you can rely on the trains to get you where you need to go. I have taken it everywhere throughout the years. I also recommend you purchase a first class Swiss Travel Pass. This way you will have a reserved seat and a more comfortable journey.

A few more clicks to inspire….

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