Z

ürich, like many a European cultural hub, is investing heavily in large-scale urban developments, mixed-use spaces with a futurist’s eye for design and an artist’s eye for the human element. Such is Europaallee, and by extension, such is 25hours Hotel Zürich Langstrasse, the boutique chain’s second establishment in the city. It’s all part of a concerted effort to transform the street-scale ambience — or rather, to reconcile the former red-light district’s seedier elements with stereotypical financier’s respectability — and it’s working.

Werner Aisslinger’s interiors never quite abandon the cosmopolitan shuffle, as it were, but they do beautify proceedings with a delightful penchant for Belle Époque ornamentation; the man loves his color, and we in turn love him. If that sounds artful, you’ll be glad to hear of the actual artist’s atelier on site, wherein resident aesthetes take turns producing original works for eventual display in and around the building. You’re free to make art in your own room, of course, provided you leave the furnishings intact for future travelers. Inspiration certainly abounds: vibrant rainbow accents, photographic cityscape murals, and enough light to suffuse it all with a clean, cozy Swiss glow. It’s no garret, in other words; with an iMac workstation, Bluetooth speakers, and Freitag bags in every room, 25hours clearly acknowledges digital citizens as well.

Everyone’s welcome, in other words, including stubborn analog devotees lounging about on the club floor, nodding along to their favorite vinyl on a variety of plush chairs and sofas. There’s also a sauna, Trainspotting, with (yes) excellent views of trains arriving and departing with Swiss precision. Free bike rentals drop you right into the action, if you’d prefer, or if you’d prefer not, it’s perfectly acceptable to explore Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern fusion at Neni’s pass-that-plate tables. And besides the buzzy, highball-fueled socializing after dark, Cinchona bar is perfect for a classic coffee and newspaper session to start the day.