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Review: The Unbookish B2 Boutique Hotel, Zurich

This Zurich hotel blends modern, unique design with its heritage as a former brewery to create a smooth result with great taste (and a few added extras). By Nikki Wallman

As far as first impressions go, this is a high-stakes situation.

Flinging myself through the revolving doors of Zurich’s B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa after a sleepless long-haul flight, I realise with a dull thud of dread that I’ve forgotten to request an early check-in. It’s 9am.

Holy mother of jetlag, have mercy.

My dehydrated eyes drink in the surroundings of this former brewery as I shuffle hopefully towards reception. Soothing tones of deep brown, grey and cream swathe the large lobby, populated by plush chairs, ‘tables’ made of stacked books, and softly glowing lamps.

The open-plan space leads to a showstopping library/dining room at the rear, where over 33,000 books line the soaring walls and huge, rather beautiful ‘chandeliers’ made of twinkling glass bottles encapsulate the ‘classic with a modern twist’ vibe.

Spying a small wine bar, I suppress a squeak of desire (I’m on Australian time, ok?). It all looks so supremely welcoming, yet I have a sinking feeling I’m about to be politely (and rightfully) asked to return in six wretched hours for 3pm check-in.

Five minutes later I’m in my room, thanks to the wonderful, genuinely warm young receptionist who miraculously conjured it up after some hushed to-and-fro with housekeeping. First impression: excellent.

Opened in March 2012, the B2 is part of ‘Hotels with a Bookmark’, a group of boutique hotels which, according to its website: “like a good book… leave a lasting impression".

Perched atop a hill just outside the city centre, the 60-room abode occupies part of the sprawling, cobblestoned former site of Hurlimann’s Brewery (once Switzerland’s largest), along with Google’s European engineering HQ, other offices and shops.

The hotel is also home to the Thermalbad & Spa Zurich, which operates independently but grants hotel guests reduced admission (around $30 for entry to the spectacular rooftop pool, accessed via the top floor of the hotel; plus the huge vaulted underground thermal baths and Roman spa area underneath). I mentally schedule a sumptuous soak as soon as I’ve unpacked.

My light and airy Hurlimann Executive Room is a decent size by European standards (and Zurich room prices).

Hints of history (an artsy photograph of the old brewery above the bed; Hurlimann’s beer in the – free! – minibar) have been thoughtfully retained in a décor I’d call ‘modern cosiness’.

Dark pendant lamps drop from the ceiling above the white, pillowy bed; a stack of books above the bedhead continues the library theme; and the mobile workstation located at bed-height proves invaluable as I rise from a deep, silent sleep (thankyou, double windows and automated blinds) to meet a Sydney deadline over a Nespresso from my in-room machine the next morning.

The ‘open’ bathroom (toilet excepted) is treated as part of the overall room, rather than a separate entity.

It’s a lovely space, suggestive of a sleek Swiss sauna: warm blonde wood; tiny, dark mosaic tiles; botanical vanity products… and a liberal approach to nudity, with a glass shower looking directly onto the bedroom area (there’s a curtain for prudish types).

A few small gripes: there’s nowhere convenient to place shower amenities, no shower cap, and the conditioner will not budge from its bottle.

Another minor glitch occurs when I try ordering room service, as instructed, via the TV one night. It doesn’t work. I call reception and a hard-copy menu arrives within minutes. While mildly annoying, none of these things are deal-breakers.

Nor is the glacial service I encounter on Sunday evening when I settle into the library/dining area for a late supper.

My plate of regional cheeses and cured meats is sublime, with a truffle-stuffed brie and salty slivers of dried ham hitting that ‘long day, late night’ craving like a sophisticated, deconstructed cheeseburger. But the lone waitress seems inexplicably overwhelmed by just four or five tables, steadfastly dodging my pleading gaze for what seems like an eternity before finally delivering the goods.

It’s the only blip on the service radar, which is otherwise relaxed yet efficient. Breakfast is also top-notch and focuses on local produce, with regional cheeses, cured meats and pickled herring; sinfully good quince and black cherry jams; dense breads; hazelnut yoghurt and fresh fruit.

For a perfect post-breakfast paddle, head straight up to the amazing rooftop pool (it’s quietest at 9am, just as it opens).

I quickly decide it’s one of my top five ‘most blissful hotel moments ever’ as I hang my robe at the top of the stairs and submerge myself silently into the warm water of the very cool timber-lined pool tunnel, which leads outside into the Swiss sunshine.

My jetlag ebbs away as I lazily gaze out over the gently bubbling horizon at the stunning panorama of church spires, flower-studded trees and snow-dusted mountains.

Now that’s a lasting impression.

 

The Details

B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa Brandschenkestrasse 152, CH-8002 Zurich, Switzerland; +41 445 676 767 – b2boutiquehotels.com

The IT Verdict

Nikki Wallman, who visited anonymously and paid her own way, says: “It’s the added extras that really make the B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa so special – a winning combination of Swiss spa style, beautiful local produce and modern comforts. If you’re searching for that ‘little bit more’, you’ll enjoy this cool hotel with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and added perks."

NB: Bias-free: All IT reviews are conducted anonymously, and our writers pay their own way – so we experience exactly what you would

Notes

Nikki paid about $350 for a Hurlimann Executive Room, including breakfast. The hotel also offers smaller Boutique Rooms, a Junior Suite and several larger Hurlimann Suites.

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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.