B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa Review
Welcome to Zürich’s designated literary hotel, the B2 Boutique. This is somewhere that’s been on my literary travel bucket list for a very long time, and visiting was an absolute dream come true. I’m excited to show you around!
Upon entering the hotel lobby you’ll snatch your first glance of the B2 Boutique’s coveted library. The lobby area has lots of comfy seating options and doubles up as a large coworking space, making it a great place to grab an armchair and a coffee and get some work done, or just relax with a book.
Keep on walking and you’ll enter the library, which holds 33,000 books in floor to ceiling bookshelves that enclose the space. It’s nothing short of enchanting, and plenty of tables fill the interior where you can order a drink or a bite to eat. In the mornings, this is where the hotel guests enjoy a continental breakfast, but you don’t have to be a resident to enjoy this space.
The hotel itself fills the space of a former brewery, which accounts for its high ceilings and industrial feel. The chandeliers made from beer bottles give a quirky nod to the building’s previous life, and the tall windows let in plenty of light. I spent a memorable evening here reading in the library with a glass of red wine and a box of Lindt Lindor chocolates that I purchased from the Lindt museum earlier on in the day. It’s worth noting that this library seems to be more decorative and atmospheric than functional, and while you can reach the books on the lower shelves, climbing the sliding ladders is discouraged, and many of the books are shelved higher than the tops of the ladders anyway! Having said that, it’s a stunning space that totally lived up to my expectations, and makes a wonderful place to relax. Just make sure that you bring plenty of your own reading material.
When you’re ready to get some rest, head upstairs to one of the hotel’s 60 rooms and suites. The rooms have warm lighting, large soft beds, and feel spacious yet cosy at the same time. All of the rooms have a designated workspace should you need it, and modern en-suite bathrooms as standard. A small pile of books behind the headboard of each bed gives a nod to the literary theme of the hotel, without making it feel cluttered.
To stay at the B2 Boutique, prices start at 360 CHF for a Boutique Double room, ranging upwards to 520 CHF for the Duplex Suite. It’s not a cheap place to stay, but the quality of the rooms and amenities, as well as the brilliant service from the Guest Ambassadors, makes it well worth the price. Other amenities to your disposal include the gym, which you’ll find downstairs and comes equipped with a variety of strength and cardio equipment. You can even have some of it brought up to you room, and you’ll find it ready and waiting for you if you place a request before your arrival.
A stay at the B2 Boutique Hotel isn’t complete without a trip to the spa which is just next door. If you’re a hotel guest, head down to the reception desk to purchase a wristband, and then head up to the spa using the hotel’s private entrance. We grabbed our robes and slippers that were provided in the hotel room, and found our way up to the spa which is accessible via the elevator. Although the spa is also open to the general public is all felt very exclusive and exciting to have our own secret entrance.
The spa itself is absolutely stunning and feels very high end. Highlights include the rooftop pool, which is open throughout the year and provides panoramic views across Zürich. Mercifully the pool is heated, which makes it comfortable in cold temperatures - we were even out there in the snow! Elsewhere in the spa you’ll find a large thermal bath, and a cafe that serves a variety of drinks and snacks. It’s worth paying a little bit extra to experience the Roman-Irish Spa Ritual, which is unique to Switzerland and provides a highly relaxing experience. There are 10 stations within the stone ceilings, aiming to raise and lower your body temperature in turn. The ritual takes around two hours to complete and was definitely a highlight of my visit - just make sure you remember to grab your robe and slippers from your room, as they do cost an additional fee to hire once you’re in the spa.
You can book online and read more about the Hürlimannbad & Spa, including all of the stages to the Roman-Irish Spa Ritual, on their website here. Although I wasn’t able to take in a camera during my visit, there are plenty of photos on their website that give an accurate reflection of what it’s like inside.
This hotel was easily everything that I hoped for and more. It makes a perfect base base for exploring the city, which is just a short walk away.
What else is there to do in Zurich?
There’s plenty of things to do in this vibrant city, and we had a wonderful time exploring. Make sure you set aside some time to try the local food, particularly the rosti (fried potatoes and onion, absolutely delicious) and the cheese fondue, of which there’s no shortage of. I’d also recommend Haus Hiltl which is recognised at the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant in the Guinness World Book of Records.
Make sure you don’t miss out on another Swiss delicacy - the chocolate. Take a bus to the Lindt Home of Chocolate, Switzerland’s largest chocolate museum, where you can learn all about the chocolate making process and try a lot of samples. I’m talking as many spoonfuls as you want from the warm chocolate fountains, and a whole rainbow of Lindor chocolates. If that’s not enough, there’s also a cafe where you can sample more Lindt goodness for an additional fee. The whole thing was fantastic and only costs 10 CHF per person, just make sure to purchase tickets in advance.
Have a wonderful time in Zurich, and book a stay for yourself at the B2 Boutique website here.
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