Holiday Inn Express Zurich Airport

This hotel’s all about making travel days feel like part of the holiday, not the chore before it. Set in a quiet area near the airport, it’s a short shuttle or local train ride from the terminals, and you can be in central Zurich before your coffee has time to cool. Think Old Town wanders, lakeside strolls and Bahnhofstrasse window-shopping whenever you’ve got a few spare hours.

Back at the hotel, the open-plan lounge doubles as a bar, breakfast room and planning HQ, with comfy spots to scroll through photos or check in on tomorrow’s flight. There’s free Wi-Fi to keep you connected and handy parking if you’re road-tripping into the Alps. Breakfast is included, with hot items, pastries and fruit to fuel a day of meetings or mooching along the lake.