Hotel X-tra

When planning this trip to Switzerland, I explained to my travel agent, Danielle, that I was looking for a good three-star hotel in the heart of Zurich. I needed one with my own bathroom and other amenities that I had become accustomed to at the Hotel Deutsches Theatre in Munich and the Hotel Cristoforo Columbo in Genoa.

Three-star hotels are about right for me. Four- and five-star hotels are for corporate CEOs on expense accounts and wealthy travelers who want to spend the family fortune before the kids can inherit it. One- and two-star hotels are bare-bones. No hostels for me. I require serenity and tranquility: in other words, a quiet spot when I need it.

Danielle came through for me, finding the Hotel X-tra in downtown Zurich. Close to the main train station and the exquisite shops in old town, Hotel X-tra was a clean and comfortable spot with a delightful staff who were always helpful and aimed to please.

Located in the lively and trendy Kreis 4 quarter, Hotel X-tra featured free Wi-Fi and a wholly adequate complimentary breakfast which, if you’re like me, you tend to stock up for the day. The guest rooms were well appointed and decorated, and very comfortable. The restaurant also offered seating on an outdoor terrace as well.

The hotel includes a club, described by one server as “the biggest and best in Zurich,” featuring the likes of Jack White of The White Stripes, Marina and The Diamonds from Wales and many more.

Hotel patrons are admitted free to club events to help mitigate the inconvenience of the late night noise. As luck would have it, our room was positioned furthest from the action, so any club cacophany was offset by turning on the room fan.

The Hotel X-tra was perfect for me. So here’s a tip of the “alpen hut” to the helpful, friendly and accommodating staff, including Frank, the manager, Nicki, Caroline, Isabella, Steven and the rest of the front desk staff –- as well as Faiz and Mike in the bar and Olga and Vladimir in the restaurant –- for a job well done.