Here is my review of Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel, affiliated with the Marriott Bonvoy program, where my wife and I stayed from October 14 to 15, 2024 (1 night) during a 15-hour layover in Switzerland’s largest city. We were on a return trip to Montreal following a short trip to Mykonos, Greece, where we celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary.
As the cost in Marriott Bonvoy points for a night at the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel was close to 45,000 points, I preferred to pay in cash using a gift card purchased from Delta Hotels by Marriott Montreal. In doing so, I was able to benefit from an Amex Offer on my American Express Cobalt® Card (spend $250 and get a $60 credit).
Once the reservation was made, I applied one of my five Nightly Upgrade Awards, obtained as a gift upon renewing my Platinum status with the chain, to get an upgrade to an executive suite. Three days before our arrival, I received confirmation that my upgrade request had been accepted!
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The Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel is located in Zurich’s fifth district, in a former industrial area that is now undergoing gentrification. Its main attraction is its proximity to the train station Hardbrücke on the S16 line, which is a few minutes’ walk away. From this station, it is possible to travel to Zurich Airport in less than fifteen minutes for 7 CHF per direction. It is also possible to take a taxi from the airport for a little over thirty Swiss francs.
Besides the hotel’s restaurant and lounge (if you have access), the dining options around the hotel are practically non-existent, so it might be worth making a detour to the Migros grocery store located at the airport before heading to the hotel. It is open every day from 6:15 AM to 11 PM.
From afar, the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel appears as a rather unremarkable brutalist architecture building. Just before entering the hotel through its revolving door, we were greeted by a colourful statue of a French bulldog sporting the brand’s iconic ‘R’. Once inside, on the right is the check-in counter, which is rather unremarkable, while on the left is the hotel’s bar, full of colour with its arches formed by books. A short corridor leading to the elevator vestibule features television screens broadcasting various sports shows.
Check-in goes rather smoothly. We present our passports to the check-in counter staff, who thanks me for my loyalty to the hotel chain and offers the usual welcome gifts. He informs me that the gym and the hotel’s lounge are closed, but the latter is scheduled to reopen the next morning. He invites me to go to the hotel bar to enjoy the lounge privileges while waiting for its reopening.
In conclusion, I ask him if I can settle the bill using a gift card, considering that using such a card is always complicated outside of North America. He suggests that I address the question to his colleagues who will be on duty the next morning as the hotel managers will be present to assist them if needed.
Room 1201, which was assigned to us, is a corner executive suite with large windows on two sides. Each window is equipped with exterior shutters that can be closed using two switches, one for the living room and the other for the bedroom. The room offers an unobstructed panoramic view towards the Northwest of Zurich. Its size is quite impressive, especially since the furniture is rather compact. It is nevertheless equipped with a good-sized desk that will surely be appreciated by business travellers.
In terms of decoration, apart from two burgundy armchairs, everything is rather beige. The headboard and the coffee corner echo the industrial past of the neighbourhood where the hotel is located. The large king-size bed is very comfortable. The bathroom has both a walk-in shower and a bathtub with a shower and two sinks, which allowed us to do our morning routine simultaneously and have more time to enjoy the hotel’s lounge!
Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel has a bar and a restaurant. Lucid Bar & Lounge, the hotel’s bar, had some life to it on the evening of our arrival. There was some confusion among the bar staff regarding the lounge privileges considering its scheduled reopening the next morning and our late arrival at the hotel. Nevertheless, we were offered drinks and snacks.
The hotel’s restaurant serves American-style burgers, the classic steak and fries as well as Gschnätzlets, a Zurich-style sliced veal; a local specialty. We did not have the opportunity to try this restaurant during our short stay.
The bar and restaurant’s opening hours vary, so it is best to visit the hotel’s website for accurate information.
In the summer season, the hotel features a lovely terrace, which was closed at the time of our visit in mid-October.
Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel has a fitness room on the 15th floor, but it was closed for renovation during our stay.
The greatest strength of the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel is undoubtedly its lounge. We had the privilege of being among the first (perhaps even the first) to benefit from it upon its reopening following significant renovations. This lounge is accessible with Platinum status or higher with the hotel chain or by booking a room at a rate that offers access.
Located on the fifteenth and top floor of the hotel building, it boasts abundant windows and panoramic views over the north of Zurich, with the snow-capped Alps in the distance. Its walls are brightly colored, and it’s richly decorated with carefully chosen furniture and other objects. At the time of our visit, both the breakfast buffet and the refrigerators were well stocked (including a good selection of alcoholic beverages).
Upon leaving, I went to the check-in counter and ask if I could pay the bill with a gift card. The employee at the counter hesitates, then leaves for a few moments to speak to his superior. Upon his return, he hands me the gift card, confirms that he has made a copy of it, which he gave to his superior, who will proceed with the transaction. He adds that I will receive a confirmation by email once the transaction is completed. I received this confirmation by email just a few minutes after we left the hotel.
It was difficult for us to fully appreciate the hotel’s location considering that we only stayed there for one night during a layover, which did not allow us to visit the attractions of the city of Zurich. However, the abundant public transportation around the hotel allows you to reach the historic city centre in less than fifteen minutes. The 2.5-kilometre journey can also be done on foot in about thirty minutes.
Several museums are within walking distance, including the Zurich Design Museum and the Swiss Finance Museum, as well as some art galleries and other cultural venues. There are also a few restaurants, mostly open during the day.
The Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel is certainly comfortable for a long stopover, and we’re sure it’s equally comfortable for a longer stay. We would consider staying here again on a future trip or another stopover in Zurich, if only to take full advantage of its magnificent lounge.
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