Zum Storchen - Zurich, Switzerland 

We stayed one night at the Zum Storchen. We had a double room right on the river. There was not a balcony but the french doors open and there is an iron railing that makes it balcony-like. The view of the river and skyline was incredible. We were a bit disappointed in our room for the amount we paid. The room was pretty nice but the bathroom was the smallest and plainest of the five hotels we stayed at on our trip. There wasn't even a regular door on the bathroom, but a narrow pocket door that slid shut. There was only one sink and an old fashioned tub/shower combo. We were surprised to find this in such an upscale hotel. The staff was very nice and we enjoyed the breakfast on the terrace overlooking the river. The location made it easy to come and go but I think the main selling point is being on the water. If you can't get a water view, its a pretty ordinary hotel.

hotel zum storchen, right on limmat river, close to lake Zurich, right in old town, perfect location for new years eve – walk along river and there are live bands, lots of vendors selling among other foods amazing sausage/roll and glugwein (hot wine which is amazing – seemed to be a swiss/swedish celebratory drink) – if you get a room facing lake, can see fireworks, or go up to roof of hotel to see fireworks nearby is teuscher homemade chocolate store, zeugenhauskeller restaurant (paprika sausage amazing), sprungli café breakfast at hotel is included and has breads, cold cuts, salmon, and the best birchenmuesli (I had that first at sprungli café on bahnhofstrasse and loved it) staff at hotel calls you by name, knows which room you are in, do their best to get you reservations for dinner at nearby restaurants rooms are large by European standards, elegantly decorated with laura ashley bedspreads/curtains, beds have remote that lets them recline/move upward just a note – almost everything is closed on new year’s day so enjoy the hotel breakfast, not easy to find food after that chestnut vendor nearby – roasted chestnuts are amazing