Originally opened in 1972 as the Nova Park Hotel, the Crowne Plaza Zurich Hotel occupies an imposing piece of modernist architecture with a concrete and glass facade. Despite some contemporary renovations and attention to maintenance, the interior decor feels dated in places, although the overall ambience is businesslike. It's the biggest hotel in Zurich, with 365 rooms spread over its five floors as well as extensive conferencing facilities and artwork by renowned Swiss artists Hans Falk and Emilio Stanzani. Part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, the Crowne Plaza attracts a large number of business travelers along with sports and music fans in town for soccer games and concerts at the nearby Letzigrund Stadium.

The hotel overlooks a busy main road in west Zurich's District 9. The surroundings are largely residential, with a few shops and restaurants within walking distance. Zurich’s city center and the Old Town are a 15-minute tram ride away (the tram stop is a five-minute walk). Letzigrund Stadium, a popular sports and music venue, is just a block away while the Friedhof Sihlfeld -- a pretty cemetery and Zurich's largest park -- takes less than 10 minutes to reach on foot. The Zurich Hardbrucke train station is less than a 20-minute walk away from the hotel and connects to Zurich Airport in just eight minutes. 

The hotel's 365 rooms feature sleek and modern decor with minimalist contemporary furnishings and neutral tones: espresso-color bedspreads, blonde-wood writing desks, and rice-paper floor lamps. In-room amenities include minibars, kettles, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and pay-per-view movies. While free Wi-Fi is available in rooms, it can be slow. Faster Wi-Fi costs extra, but upgrades are free to IHG Rewards members, and it's free to join the loyalty club. All rooms have useful international plug sockets and aromatherapy kits designed to aid sleep. Large windows provide plenty of light and overlook the garden or the road -- while all of the rooms are well-soundproofed, those on the garden side are naturally quieter. Beige-tiled bathrooms are plain and a little cramped, with shower/tub combos and a small amount of counter space.

An extensive buffet breakfast is served in the hotel's LetziLeu restaurant, though it's not included in most room rates and is expensive. German and Swiss food are served in the beer garden/restaurant over the summer months, while the lobby bar and the more formal Relais des Arts restaurant are open throughout the year. Reopened in 2013, the Holmes Place Health Club has a swimming pool, a whirlpool hot tub, and fitness room as well as a range of massage and beauty treatments. The hotel also has 550 parking spaces in a private parking garage, but the daily parking fee is high.