Helmhaus Swiss Quality Hotel - Zurich, Switzerland 

Good experience
Posted: Thu, Apr 03 2008
Spent one Sunday night at the Helmhaus and found it quiet, clean and small (both hotel and room). Receptionists were very helpful. Served good continental breakfast. Very close to the lake and easy to get to from the airport by train to Stadelhofen station. Trains go direct every half hour at 02/32 minutes and cost CHF6. Situated right next to Grosse Munster and close to lot's of good restaurants. I ate a great Italian meal at La Cantina which is in the main street behind the Grosse Munster. Would stay there again. Booked through Opodo and got great deal on hotel with flight from London.

Absolutely wonderful
Posted: Sun, Dec 02 2007
Stayed at Helmhaus for five nights in October. A 10 minute walk along the Limmat River would take you to Hauptbahnhof (the main railway station)). A few more minutes and you'll be at the Sihlquai terminal; this is where the excursions depart. Splendid views from the bridges that run across the Limmat River. Very close to Lake Zurich as well. There is a tram stop less than 100 metres from the hotel and if you wanted to catch a train to the airport, you can get a ticket for 6 francs. It was a wee bit noisy on the 2nd floor when the windows were left open. I didn't mind as I preferred to have the air conditioning on most of the time and the windows closed. Perfect base to explore Zurich and its surroundings. There is wireless internet access in all rooms plus a PC at reception that is available at no extra cost to all guests. Breakfast was quite sumptuous too. Please note that the Swiss power sockets are different from the rest of Europe. The receptionist was able to assist with a suitable adapter.

Ideal Location
Posted: Tue, Nov 27 2007
Stayed at the Helmhaus with my wife for a 3 night stay in Zurich (Mon - Wed.) Staff extremely helpful and very quick with a welcome drink. Rooms good size, very clean and tidy. We got a First Floor room and had no issue with street noise. Buffet breakfast pleasant and adequate with a reasonable choice available. Absolutely marvellous location for the bars and restaurants of Zurich's Old Town.

What's with all the 5 star reviews?!?!
Posted: Sun, Nov 25 2007
Okay I'm not saying this is a bad hotel but I don't understand how anyone can judge this 5 stars in your reviews because it is no where near. Firstly, I know its a European style hotel and not some American resort style hotel chain but when I entered this place I felt like i was entering a backpackers! Very cramped reception area. The staff were actually really good and helpful but don't expect them to be in uniforms or look like professionals (not that thats a bad thing, it was definately more relaxed backpacker style). Free welcome drink was very disapointing.... strawberry wine bought from the local Coop in a TINY little cherry glass (thats it!). A cramped little elevator, max 3 people (good luck if you have lots of luggage). Rooms were TINY. Ours was a standard double room. The double bed is actually two singles with a small gap in the middle with two separtate duvets for each person (not good when your'e on your honeymoon!). The double bed was also pushed against the wall so I had to disturb my wife when I got up in the middle of the night. The floor boards were slopping too which made things interesting. If you dont' manage to bump your head in the room then you should win a prize! Bathrooms were a bit better sized but basic, shower was nice n strong. Aircon in the room was a bonus. Noise was still a problem in the mornings in the halls and the rooms above. Also got a bit of street noise at 3am when the nightclubs finished on the weekend. Breakfast choice was was quite limited but tasty enough (nice coffee). Okay so to wrap up... this place has some good points. Friendly helpful staff, clean hotel, very good location to all local sites, right next to tram station. But on the other side, we stayed at this place and also the Art Deco Montana in Lucerne on our trip. Both are officially rated 4 star by the Swiss but if anyone has been to both you will see the massive gap in quality and you will laugh at the how on Earth the Helmhaus got its high rating.