Description: Helmhaus Swiss Q Hotel is one of the hotels in Zurich offered by Expedia in their flight plus hotel deals, and this is how we discovered it. Whilst not the cheapest option, its central location meant we could save both time and money travelling to and from the city. What's more, breakfast is included in the price. I booked a single room for one night only. I cannot comment on how easy it is to book the hotel directly, as our reservations were made through Expedia.
The hotel reception has two armchairs and a coffee table with a bowl of sweets. The desk is manned twenty-four hours a day. I followed my son and his partner into the hotel, as they had been there for two nights and just needed to ask for their key. None of us speaks German, but almost everyone in Zurich speaks English. I greeted the receptionist, stating my name and the fact that I had a reservation for that evening. Her reply was that the hotel was fully booked. Somewhat taken aback, I repeated that I had a reservation. She asked for my name again and ascertained that I was correct. I then had to show my passport and complete a form with my address and signature. I was handed a traditional key for my room on the third floor. A lift is available, but I used the stairs the first time. They are carpeted in plain black, and there are tall vases and floral displays on the windowsills of each floor.
My first impression of my room was definitely a favourable one. There was just the right amount of space, even though the queen-sized bed would easily have been big enough for two. All the rooms at Helmhaus have dark wooden floors, but an extra bathmat is provided under the bedside drawer so that you can use it to put your feet on as you get out of bed. The walls were white with a woven texture, the wooden doors were painted white, and all bed linen was white. To break the monotony, the curtains and upholstery of the armchair and the seat of the upright chair were soft green. A Phillips flat screen television was positioned above the minibar in one corner. Satellite channels are listed in a brochure. The mini bar was well stocked with as well as a bar of Toblerone and a small packet of nuts. Helmhaus trusts its guests to tell them what they have consumed when checking out. On top of the mini bar was a tray with one small and one standard bottle of wine, two glasses and a small packet of breadsticks. Prices for the wine were indicated. I was rather dismayed at the lack of a kettle, but on studying the brochure, I found that a kettle and tea set would be brought up on request.
A tall standard lamp was the main source of lighting for the bedroom, and there were halogen spots on either side of the bed as well as in the ceiling of the entrance hall. A drawer beside the bed contained a sealed pair of white velour slippers. On top of the drawer was a telephone, a list of international dialling codes, a small notepad and a well-sharpened pencil. In one corner of the room was a small folding trestle for a suitcase. A small round coffee table was placed beside the armchair. The desk was actually an extension of the windowsill, but it would easily accommodate a laptop. A WLAN connection is provided. The window looks out onto a narrow road for pedestrians and bicycles; the tall building opposite consists of small shops and offices. In the window box was a row of four leafy plants, miniature versions of those standing outside the hotel. Decoration inside the room is provided by original contemporary drawings that are beautifully framed.
The wardrobe has half a dozen wooden hangers on a rail to the right and a set of shelves on the left. A safe is provided at the bottom of the wardrobe with instructions for its use. Between the wardrobe and the door to the room there were three double brass hooks for coats.
Opposite the wardrobe was a full length mirror next to the bathroom. The bathroom was completely tiled in grey except for a mirror that ran the length of the wall above the washbasin and toilet. The bath was a very good size, and there was a shower over it with of course a white shower curtain. Next to the bath a bath towel, hand towel, face cloth and bath mat, all white, were folded over a towel rail. A hair dryer was fixed to the wall and there was a portable shaving mirror. Shampoo was in a wall bracket above the bath, as was liquid soap beside the washbasin. Both were roughly half full. I had to use the tiny bar soap when having a bath as the liquid soap was out of reach. Hot water was plentiful; although I didn't use it, my son assured me that the shower was very good. On the shelf above the washbasin was a small box containing a tiny sewing kit, some emery boards, a shower cap and a pack of cotton buds and cotton pads. On the soap dish were two small bottles of body lotion. Other than part of the plug chain looking a little rusty and slight discolouration of a few areas of grouting, everything was spotless.
After I'd unpacked we went out for dinner and a stroll, returning to the hotel around 9pm. The same lady was at the reception desk, and she seemed to want to make up for the fact that she had earlier told me the hotel was fully booked. She offered me a welcome drink, so I asked if there was anything non-alcoholic. Opening the mini-bar behind her, she produced a bottle of rose syrup. I'm not usually one for syrupy drinks, but I thought I'd give it a go. It was surprisingly delicious. My son and his partner both asked for coffee which she soon made and handed to them on a tray.
The bed was certainly a comfortable one, with a firm mattress and soft square pillows, one of which was adequate for me. I never sleep well these days, and when I woke after a couple of hours I was surprised how quiet it was considering we were in the heart of a large city.
Breakfast is served in a room on the first floor, between 7am and 10am Mondays to Saturdays, and from 8am until 11am on Sundays. There is a wonderful buffet to which you may return as often as you like. We all had orange juice, but there was also pink grapefruit juice and precious stone water, something I'd never seen before and really should have enquired about. Three different types of cereals are offered, but we went for the fresh fruit salad and added yoghurt to it. A large bread basket is filled with croissants, sugar-topped buns and granary rolls. In addition there were two or three large loaves which had been sliced, a sliced panettone (definitely recommended), and some packets of crackers and French toast. You can then choose from a selection of cheeses, cold cuts, jams, honey, butter and Flora. We decided the home-made jam was the best to try. My son had also enthused over the honey, and when I tasted it I could see why. A young man whom we realised later was the manager asked if we would like tea or coffee. My son chose Darjeeling tea, which was served in a delightful little brown oriental pot. His partner and I prefered coffee, which is served on a small porcelain tray that has room for the jug of milk.
Next to the breakfast room is a small lounge area with comfortable chairs as well as a small table with upright chairs. Newspapers and brochures about the city are provided here.
Check-out is by 12 noon. City taxes are levied at 2.50 Swiss Francs (about £1.50) per person per day, and this was all we had still to pay. When we explained that we didn't have to be at the airport until 5.30pm, the receptionist told us that we could leave our luggage at the hotel and pick it up later, for which we were very grateful.
Current prices are given on the hotel's website in Swiss Francs. It obviously is not a cheap option, but considering location, the breakfast, the high standards of comfort and cleanliness, I feel it was well worth it. Helmhaus may not be a hotel for those who want a swimming pool, spa treatments or entertainment. If, however, you are looking for comfort in a quiet atmosphere and a central location, I would not hesitate to recommend it.
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