The Hostelz.com Review
HI - Zürich Hostel is an excellent hostel with top-of-the-line services, but it is extremely institutional. If you stay here then you have everything you need, but you also feel just like a number.
The Location
The hostel is quite a far way out of town -- about a ten-minute tram ride -- so do not stay here if you're planning on walking into town. However, we bought a three-day transportation pass that covers every mode of transport offered in Zurich for seventy-two hours -- tram, bus, boat, cable car (we're not joking!), and others. We would definitely recommend that. There is a cafe and a couple grocery stores on the same street, so you won't starve while you're there.
Rooms and Bathrooms
This hostel is huge -- four floors of rooms. You never have to wait for bathrooms and showers, as there are eight of each per floor. Breakfast is included with your stay and is amazing! You do have to wake up early though, as it ends at 9 a.m.
Common Spaces
Internet is available, but be prepared to shell out the big bucks -- ridiculous, but that's the price of most things in Switzerland. There is a very large dining room, a lounge with a TV, and a sitting area in the reception with chairs, couches, and books.
Summary
This is a social hostel, but not really a party hostel as Zurich isn't party city. If you want a place to stay with all the comforts of a hotel and you don't mind paying a high price for the privilege, then you'll love this place!
The Location
The hostel is quite a far way out of town -- about a ten-minute tram ride -- so do not stay here if you're planning on walking into town. However, we bought a three-day transportation pass that covers every mode of transport offered in Zurich for seventy-two hours -- tram, bus, boat, cable car (we're not joking!), and others. We would definitely recommend that. There is a cafe and a couple grocery stores on the same street, so you won't starve while you're there.
Rooms and Bathrooms
This hostel is huge -- four floors of rooms. You never have to wait for bathrooms and showers, as there are eight of each per floor. Breakfast is included with your stay and is amazing! You do have to wake up early though, as it ends at 9 a.m.
Common Spaces
Internet is available, but be prepared to shell out the big bucks -- ridiculous, but that's the price of most things in Switzerland. There is a very large dining room, a lounge with a TV, and a sitting area in the reception with chairs, couches, and books.
Summary
This is a social hostel, but not really a party hostel as Zurich isn't party city. If you want a place to stay with all the comforts of a hotel and you don't mind paying a high price for the privilege, then you'll love this place!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2010
Their Description
HI - Zürich Hostel Details
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HI - Zürich Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Large IH hostels are big busisness ventures and feel like it. I stayed at this one for two nights to get the feel of zurich, which i must warn is about three times north american pricing. its a standard international hosteling hostel, not much fun but clean, efficient, and in a reasonable location. Directions -- Exit station on right hand side when leaving from a platform. cross road and head towards mcdonalds. the street before (with a tram line) is the number 7. buy a ticket. those undercover ticket guys are everywhere! take tram about fifteen minutes until it turns hard right then left. exit and go up the hill in the direction of the rear of the tram stop. about a five-minute walk. it's a purple building with a flag, kinda hard to miss if you're going the right direction from the tram. — TJC , Canada (2008-07-29) quiet location but it is very convenient to get around thanks to the extensive tram network. i recommend taking the s-bahn as it is a much easier walk than climbing the steep slope from the train station. the rooms are tight but the beds are firm and the sheets smell nice. i particularly liked their quilted blankets! i've travelled around asia and north america, and i must say this is the most luxurious hostel in which i've ever lived. — jing (2006-08-14) Awesome place great food and super beer. — Martin (2006-05-05) It's a good hostel, the transportation is nearby and the best thing about the hostel is its culture. I say everyone should try at least once to see the atmosphere here. — Jeetu India (2006-04-05) This hostel has everything you could want and was one of my top three. After reading some of the other comments I was a little surprised that people had found the staff unfriendly — to me they were extremely polite and helpful. Breakfast is great, the bedrooms are comfortable and, like other people noted, the place is immaculate. One thing though — don't do your laundry there, it takes hours! — Paula (2005-07-15) Overpriced, but immaculate! Great breakfast, too. — Anonymous (2005-03-23) It was clean and there was a good breakfast (included). It wasn't too hard to find, although it was a little bit far from downtown and the train station. The atmosphere wasn't as warm as some places, but if you are looking for a safe and clean hostel for a decent price in Switzerland, this is a pretty safe bet. — J and A (2004-09-25) This place is impossible to find. If you are using the map from the HI book, throw it away. Get a taxi. It took me 3 hours of walking to find it and from the comments of the people I had to ask for directions, I wasn't the first traveler to get lost by a long shot. The place is very clean, but not especially friendly. — Anna (2004-04-01) The staff is fantastic, they will help you with everything you can imagine. The restroom facilities are a bit primitive but it only adds to the genuine "hostel" feeling. A bit expensive (as everything else in Switzerland). — JC (2004-03-10) Best Hostel of our trip hands down. Great Staff and a location that was easy to get to. — B (2004-02-17)