Swissôtel Zürich

The Swissôtel Zürich, formerly known as the Hotel International Zürich, was a luxury hotel in the Swiss city of Zürich. The hotel was located in the Oerlikon quarter of the city, directly opposite Zürich Oerlikon railway station, and roughly halfway between the city centre and Zurich Airport.[1]

Swissôtel Zürich
Swissôtel Zürich
Location within Switzerland
General information
LocationSchulstrasse 44,
8050 Zurich,
Switzerland
Opening1972
ManagementSwissôtel Hotels & Resorts
Height85 metres (279 ft)
Other information
Number of rooms350
Number of restaurants1
Website
www.swissotel.com

The hotel was part of the chain managed by Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, which is based in Zürich and is part of the FRHI Hotels & Resorts group. It had 350 guest rooms and a height of 85 metres (279 ft), making it the tallest hotel in Zürich.[2][3][4]

As well as hotel and conference facilities, the hotel contained a bar and restaurant (Le Muh), a branch of the Starbucks coffee chain, a hairdresser and a confectionery shop.[1][5][6]

History

The hotel was designed by Fred A. Widmer and built by Karl Steiner AG. It opened in 1972, as the Hotel International Zürich. In 1980 a management contract with Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, founded by Swissair and Nestlé, was signed. Since then, the hotel has officially been called the Swissôtel Zürich.[2][7]

On St Valentine's Day (February 14) of 1988, there was a major fire in the hotel, which resulted in the deaths of four guests and two members of staff. The fire originated in the Panorama Grill on the 31st floor of the hotel, and was caused by self-ignition while refilling an alcohol-fuelled food heater. The consequences of the fire were made worse because the fire disabled the fire lift, forcing the fire brigade to hand carry all their equipment up to the seat of the fire. After the fire, the restaurant was replaced with meeting and event rooms.[8][9]

In 2011, the restaurants Szenario und Dialog and the Edison Bar closed down after more than 20 years of operation. After a three-month renovation period, the new Le Muh restaurant opened. In November 2014, the hotel's main lobby was renovated with a new modern-inspired design [4]

On August 26, 2013, the building was put on the inventory list of Zürich's city council for historic preservation.[2][10]

In November 2020 the hotel closed down permanently.

References
  1. "Swissôtel Zürich – Overview". FRHI. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  2. "Bauten, Gärten und Anlagen, Inventarergänzung 1960-1980" [Buildings, gardens and equipment 1960-1980] (PDF; 9MB) (in German). Hochbaudepartement Stadt Zürich. August 2013. p. 72. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  3. "Swissôtel Zürich (Zürich, 1972)". Structurae. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  4. "Swissôtel unveils sleek new lobby in Zurich". incentivetravel.co.uk. Incentive Travel & Corporate Meetings. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  5. "Swissôtel Zürich - Dining Overview". FRHI. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  6. "Swissotel Oerlikon". Starbucks. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  7. "Emotionsgeladenes Klima um die Swissôtel" [Emotive climate around the Swissôtel]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). 14 April 2001. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  8. "Fire Damages Swiss Luxury Hotel; 6 Die". Los Angeles Times. 15 February 1988. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  9. "Bemerkenswerte Einsätze des Pikett Glattal" [Notable calls in the Glattal] (PDF) (in German). Stadt Zürich. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  10. "Bauten aus der nahen Vergangenheit erhalten eine Zukunft" [Buildings of the recent past will receive a Future] (in German). Hochbaudepartement Stadt Zürich. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.


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