Baur au Lac

One of Zurich’s fanciest city hotels, the Baur au Lac enjoys a surprisingly leafy and tranquil location bordering landscaped gardens not far from the lake and the city centre. Dating from 1844, this may be a traditional place at heart but it’s far from stuffy. Of the two restaurants, the Michelin-starred Pavillon restaurant is the more conventional, serving up fresh takes on classic European dishes in a conservatory-style building with a lovely outdoor terrace. Or head to the funkier Rive Gauche, whose Mediterranean menu and classy cocktails draw punters from beyond the hotel. You can work off your night-time excesses with a session in the rooftop gym overlooking the lake.