Central Plaza Hotel

The Central Plaza Hotel dates to 1883, when its guests arrived by horse-drawn carriage instead of by the trams that glide through the intersection right outside. Its prime location -- amid the theater, entertainment, and business districts -- draws travelers from across the spectrum, with more than half visiting the city on business. Two entrances on opposite ends of the building lead to a modern lobby, with a towering water wall feature that rises to the mezzanine level, and a lounge with zebra-print furnishings off to one side. An open staircase winds up to the mezzanine and down to the cellar restaurant, where candelabras, vaulted ceilings, and coat-of-arms tapestries create a medieval setting. While it's not the chicest property to be found in Zurich, the style is pleasant enough to make this a reliable home base for those who will spend most of their days out exploring or attending to business.

The hotel sits between Zurich's picturesque Old Town (Altstadt) and the main rail station, right across from the Limmat River and the Bahnhofbrucke Bridge. The surrounding area is full of quaint historic buildings and cobblestone streets, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The famous Bahnhofstrasse -- one of the world's most expensive and exclusive shopping streets -- is a 10-minute walk away. The city's main train station -- Hauptbahnhof -- is right across the river, about a four-minute walk away. From here, travelers can get to Zurich Airport in 12 minutes. Otherwise, the airport is about a 15-minute drive, depending on traffic.

The Central Plaza Hotel's 101 rooms and suites are simple and modern, but be aware -- especially if visiting in the summer -- that only first-floor rooms have air-conditioning. The others rely on an air-circulation system that might not cut it on hot days. Standard Rooms, with queen, king, or two double beds have attractive natural-wood headboards, but they can be small. Sitting areas, with round, wood tables paired with vintage black leather chairs, are compact, and the wall art looks a bit dated. Superior Doubles are larger, and most have river views, while Suites have separate living rooms with leather couches. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, safes, and minibars. Bathrooms, with off-white tiles and wood floors, have either shower/tub combos or large walk-in showers. Smoking is allowed in some rooms, which won't please all guests, and it's worth noting that some rooms do pick up street and restaurant noise.

There aren't too many features here, though few guests spend their days whiling away the time inside the hotel. As such, most features are geared toward keeping everyone happy in the morning and evening hours. The hotel's main attraction is King’s Cave Grill Restaurant and Bar, which occupies a subterranean lair with vaulted ceilings and a convincing wall-to-wall medieval decor, complete with a wine cellar, fireplace, and copious wall tapestries. Its menu is heavy on grilled meats and seafood served with vintage wines. There's also a cafe and cocktail bar with a piano, which has an international menu that ranges from local cuisine to Thai curries (the same menu is available on the seasonal outdoor terrace). A small fitness center has a few cardio and weight machines, including an elliptical, though a full workout may be tough to complete with what's on hand. For business travelers, there are three meeting rooms (the largest can fit 50 people) and a 24-hour business corner with a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.