Guesthouse Brauerstrasse

Combining solid rates, a central location and clean accommodations, the nine-room Guesthouse Brauerstrasse strikes the right balance of budget and comfort. While its location in the red light district may discourage some, the up-and-coming Langstrasse surroundings should excite urban adventurers.

Rooms at the Guesthouse Brauerstrasse won’t win any décor awards, but they are very clean and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, coffee and tea facilities and a small flat-screen TV. With wooden floors and utilitarian, “IKEA-esque” furniture, your room may remind you of a businessman’s immaculate (albeit carelessly decorated) urban pied-à-terre.

The private bathrooms are small and basic but clean.

The Guesthouse Brauerstrasse’s western Zurich location offers urban convenience. In 20 minutes you can walk to the train station, in five minutes you can cover much of the surrounding entertainment district. Note that while the trendy “Kreis 4” quarter is popular among young people, it does get rowdy and there are plenty of joints that could be interpreted as edgy or seedy, depending on your perspective. (Yes, you’ll see ladies of the night lounging about in broad daylight; and yes, the guesthouse is tucked behind a noisy brewery.)

Wi-Fi is free throughout. Note that the Guesthouse Brauerstrasse does not offer breakfast in-house, nor is there on-site reception. To check in or speak with an employee, you’ll have to walk 15 minutes to the Anwand Lodges, a sister property (and EuroCheapo pick).