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Hotel California Zurich Exterior photoHotel California Zurich Interior photoHotel California Zurich Nearby photo

Hotel California, Zurich

•
8.0|Great
Check rooms and rates
From$151 /nightOnly on Our Website-10%
Check-in
11Nov
Check-out
12Nov
Guests
2 Guests
Key details

About the Hotel

Schifflaende 18, Zurich, 8001
-
Close to the historic Old Town
Great
8.0
8.0
/10
4.3
3.9
/5

Hotel California - A 3-star hotel in Zurich's historic Old Town with American dining and lake proximity

Located in Zurich's Niederdorf district, Hotel California offers 19 rooms, including six family rooms accommodating up to four people. Each room features free WiFi, a minibar, a safe, and a private bathroom with a bathtub. The hotel's on-site restaurant, Papa Joe's, serves American dishes such as burgers, ribs, and fajitas, with drinks available on the ground-floor terrace. Situated 200 meters from Grossmünster and 0.3 km from Lake Zurich, guests can easily access public transport at Helmhaus tram station or explore nearby attractions like Fraumünster Church and Kunsthaus Zurich. The reception provides tourist brochures and assistance with luggage storage, cab bookings, and tram tickets.

Pros

Central location within walking distance of Lake Zurich, museums, and major landmarks.

Family-friendly accommodations with spacious rooms for up to four guests.

On-site American restaurant with a Caribbean cocktail bar for dining and evening entertainment.

Free WiFi and practical amenities, including minibars and safes in all rooms.

Cons

No on-site spa or fitness facilities.

Additional charges for late-night door unlock services (CHF 150).

Select your room type

Hotel California offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Superior Double or Twin Room
2 persons
165 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Bathtub
Heating
Comfort Quadruple Room
2 persons
240 sq. feet
1 King-size bed and 1 Sofa bed
Bathtub
Heating

Room Rates & Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Facilities

Hotel California offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Facilities: Very good
7.9/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Safe deposit box
  • Limited time reception
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • Concierge desk
  • No pets allowed
  • Security
  • Luggage storage
  • Lift
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access

Sports & Fitness

  • Hiking
  • Cycling

Guest Parking

  • No parking available.

Services

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Cots
  • Children's buffet

Room features

  • Heating
  • Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV

Room decor

  • Parquet floor
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Hotel California Location

Schifflaende 18, Zurich, 8001
Nearby
Church
Grossmunster
900 ft
Utoquai
Lake Zurich
1400 ft
Museum
Museum of Art
1700 ft
Church
Fraumunster Church
1300 ft
Square
Buerkliplatz
1900 ft
Church
St. Peter Church
1800 ft
Opera House
Zuerich Opera House
1800 ft
Museum
Helmhaus
700 ft
Munsterbrucke
Monument to Hans Waldmann
800 ft
Square
Sechselautenplatz
1900 ft
Restaurants
Sternen Grill
700 ft
Theaterstrasse 22 Bellevue
Vorderer Sternen
800 ft
Theaterstrasse 22 Bellevue
Joe & The Juice
300 ft
Schifflaende 26 Hechtplatz
Belcafe Pizza & Bar
700 ft
Bellevueplatz Tramhaltestelle
Sterne Foifi
800 ft
Theaterstrasse 22
ViCAFE Munsterhof
1100 ft
Muensterhof 20 Zunfthaus zur Meisen
Thai Bamboo
1100 ft
Schoffelgasse 3
Cabaret Voltaire
1400 ft
Spiegelgasse 1
Tasty
1600 ft
Poststrasse 12
Metzgerei Z'graggen
1700 ft
Stuessihofstatt 10
Explore Zurich
Explore Zurich's Vibrant Surroundings
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
Grossmunster
Grossmunster
4 minutes walking
Iconic Romanesque church known for its twin towers and stained glass windows. It's a significant historical landmark.
Fraumunster Church
Fraumunster Church
5 minutes walking
Famous for its stunning Chagall stained glass windows, this church showcases Zurich's artistic heritage and history.
Swiss National Museum
Swiss National Museum
17 minutes walking
Cultural institution offers insights into Swiss history through engaging exhibits and a beautiful castle-like architecture.
Urania Observatory
Urania Observatory
11 minutes walking
Public observatory with a telescope, offers celestial views and educational shows, perfect for telescope enthusiasts.
Lake Zurich Activities
5 minutes walking
Enjoy swimming, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing by Lake Zurich, with scenic views and fresh air to unwind.
Urania Observatory Visits
11 minutes walking
Engage with the mysteries of the cosmos through thrilling telescope observatory sessions and informative shows.
Old Botanical Garden
10 minutes walking
Serene escape filled with diverse flora and tranquil walking paths, ideal for relaxation or a peaceful family outing.
Sternen Grill
Sternen Grill
3 minutes walking
Casual dining known for its delicious sausages and homemade Swiss specialties. Perfect for quick meals.
Vorderer Sternen
Vorderer Sternen
3 minutes walking
Traditional Swiss café known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious fondue. Reservations recommended for peak times.
Belcafe Pizza & Bar
Belcafe Pizza & Bar
3 minutes walking
Italian eatery offering a wide range of pizzas and comfort food, with a casual vibe perfect for family meals.
Zurich Opera House
20 minutes walking
Iconic venue featuring world-class opera and ballet performances, providing a cultural highlight in the city.
Aussersihl's Bars and Clubs
15 minutes walking
Vibrant nightlife area offering a mix of bars and clubs catering to all tastes, making for memorable evenings out.
Kunsthaus Zurich
16 minutes walking
Art museum housing a rich collection of Swiss art and contemporary pieces. Family-friendly with educational programs.
Getting around
  • City Centre
    Zurich 6 min  ·  1700 ft
  • Airports
    Kloten (ZRH) 19 min  ·  7.7 mi
    St. Gallen-Altenrhein (ACH) 160 min  ·  66.2 mi
  • Train
    Zürich Stadelhofen 5 min  ·  1400 ft
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-22:00
Check-out
from 07:00-11:00
Guest Parking
No parking available.
Internet
High-speed internet access is available in public areas for free.
Breakfast
You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs CHF 25.0 per person.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Languages
English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Hungarian, Polish, Croatian, Slovenian, Ukrainian
Number of rooms:
19

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Hotel California from previous guests about their experience.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
Hotel California is frequently praised for its convenient location, just steps from attractions like Opera Zurich and within walking distance of the city center, making it easy to explore. Many guests find the rooms spacious and clean, with some offering amenities like a kettle, mini fridge, and comfortable beds; however, a few guests have mentioned that some rooms can feel small. The hotel also offers the convenience of luggage storage before check-in and after check-out, and some guests enjoyed the on-site restaurant with its great food.
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Review score
Based on 5 verified reviews
7.3 /10
Very good
100%
Recommend
Location
9.3/10
Staff
8.8/10
Value for money
7.8/10
Facilities
7.9/10
Pros
Downtown location
Modern design
Breakfast staff
Great location
Clean place
Cons
Noisy bar
Incorrect address
No air conditioning
Guest reviews
based on 5 reviews
7.3/10
based on 1239 reviews
8.0/10
Geoffrey from United Kingdom
Single
Superior Double or Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 02, 2026
6/10

Acceptable Stay with Some Issues

The location proved convenient, as it was near transportation.
The room lacked effective air conditioning. It became uncomfortably hot. The receptionist acknowledged the problem, but the room remained stuffy. I found it hard to relax.
0 Helpful
Alex from United Kingdom
Family with children
Superior Double or Twin Room
4 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed: November 17, 2025
6/10
street noise inadequate air conditioning
the room lacked air conditioning and i found it quite hot. even with the window open the noise from the street made it difficult to sleep. the fan provided did little to alleviate the heat it was uncomfortable at times.
0 Helpful
Stewart from United Kingdom
Family with children
Superior Double or Twin Room
3 nights in August 2026
|
Reviewed: October 22, 2025
9.5/10

clean rooms near MANY attractions

perfect location friendly staff clean room
The location was perfect for exploring. it was near many main attractions. The staff were friendly and stored my luggage after checkout. The room was clean and spacious enough for my short stay.
The elevator had a slight unpleasant smell on occasion.
Service
10/10
Staff were friendly. They allowed early check-in after my long trip. I appreciated that the staff helped with storing luggage.
Rooms
9/10
The room was very clean. It had nice and clean bed sheets. The bathroom was also amazing. The room size was adequate, and I found the bed comfortable.
0 Helpful
|
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Mia from Germany
Family with children
Superior Double or Twin Room
4 nights in August 2026
|
Reviewed: October 11, 2025
6/10
poor air conditioning limited breakfast
The room i stayed in lacked proper air conditioning, quite stuffy. i found it hard to rest comfortably as a result. also, the breakfast selection seemed limited. I was hoping for more variety, especially fresh vegetables or fruits. it felt quite basic and didnt quite meet my expectations, unfortunately.
0 Helpful
Steven from United Kingdom
Single
superior double or twin room
3 nights in August 2026
|
Reviewed: October 02, 2025
9/10

Excellent City Center Stay

perfect location useful fridge amazing bathroom
the location is perfect for exploring the city by foot. the room included a fridge, very useful. i found the bathroom amazing and the room was very clean.
0 Helpful

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