The Hilton hotel near Zurich airport is a decent enough mid-range hotel which markets itself as being much more upmarket than it actually is. Consequently, the people who go there also think that they are a lot more upmarket than they really are. Just observations, made in the bar and lobby, as well as during breakfast time. In no way do I include my Vielfliegertreff (VFT) friends and colleagues in that commentary. We were only a handful who stayed in the Hilton after the fondue dinner and most of them have Diamond status, where I am content with my Gold status.


On the way to the Hilton hotel at Balsberg


View from my room at the Hilton Zurich Airport

This Gold status got me an upgrade to a deluxe room but I really couldn't work out the difference between that and a normal room. The room was on the same level as reception, way down past the conference rooms, which happens to be the 4th floor even though you walk into the hotel through the main entrance without climbing any steps. This is because the hotel is built onto the side of a hill. The room was very nice and it was, in a way, a shame that I didn't have enough time to stay longer in it. However, the way the bed was made up was quite uncomfortable and I had to try and remake it, not easy when it's late at night and you're somewhat drunk. Also, I was unable to open the window, so the room became quite stuffy and my mouth was dry during the night. There was the usual tea and coffee making equipment, a fridge, a safe, a decent desk and enough cupboard storage space (unlike in Holiday Inn Express). The bathroom was impeccably clean with no signs of major wear and tear and the amenities included Crabtree & Evelyn shower gel and shampoo. Such small bottles have become a rarity in hotel rooms these days.


The room was pleasant but somewhat airless


Decent bathroom, similar to Holiday Inn Express, with the usual Crabtree & Evelyn accessories


View of the room from the corner by the window

The booming lobby area did not invite lingering (maybe I'm sensitive but it seemed quite noisy to me) and the open-plan restaurant and bar area didn't inspire me much either. The drinks on offer at Hilton prices were not inspiring, although I did have a Staropram beer with the free drinks voucher offered to me as a Gold member. One of the VFT members offered me access to the elite lounge, which as a Diamond you can enter, but the offering was so poor I quickly left. There were just small cans of Coke, Diet Coke and Fanta, as well as small bottles of water, no alcohol on offer before 18h00. There was no food offering, just a mixture of nuts and pretzels. I'm sure glad I didn't waste my time and money going for Hilton Diamond status.
Just a quick word about breakfast, which I didn't take any pics of (probably because there were too many people milling around). The spread was quite generous, with lots of cold meats, cheeses and salmon, plus salad items. Lots of bread products were available, including croissants, and also breakfast cereals. There was a good selection of hot English breakfast items, although the baked beans looked like they'd seen better days, and omelettes were being cooked to order. I was able to make my usual cup of tea, happy to miss out on coffee because it's usually awful from these machines.


Bar and public area in the resonant lobby of the Hilton Zurich Airport


My Gold member free drink!