History Repeats Itself

Nine medieval houses are cleverly connected to create one unique hotel experience in Zurich. Widder Hotel harbors 700 years of history among each of its meticulously restored residences, and while the cultural heritage is priceless, a curated modernist design adds another dimension to the stay experience.

Demolition was out of the question when the ambitious project of accommodating an ultra-modern hotel in the framework of 11th to 15th century Swiss national landmarks was underway. Originally owned by the Guild of Butchers, where gentry, merchants, artisans plied their trades in the Middle Ages, it took a decade, and nearly 1,000 professionals-from archaeologists to architects-to bring the Widder Hotel to life in 1995.

Given this historic depth, Swiss architect Tilla Theus took measures to preserve the individuality of the houses, creating passageways that connect one building to the next. It's a clever way to maintain the integrity of each structure, yet allows for a continuous flow. There's no denying the heritage in the individually appointed rooms. Stone walls and exposed wooden beams recall the past, while chrome steel, and glass plant guests firmly in the present.

Guest rooms welcome modern vintage in their interior design with lounge chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the 1950s, and sofas from Le Corbusier, circa 1928. Some of the highlights that perfect the profile of Widder Hotel include original grisaille paintings on the walls of the first guild house that have been saved and can be admired in room 308, while distinctive contemporary art hangs in the Tatzfuss house: Flamingo Gander a tryptic by Robert Rauschenberg in the Penthouse Suite.

There's beauty, too, outside of the suite, where the rooftop terrace affords superb views over Old Town, Lake Zurich, and the mountains.

To learn more about Widder Hotel, or its historic origins, please contact the concierge upon making a reservation.