Encompassing a hotel, restaurant and several bars, the Helvetia is where Swiss charm meets individual design – on every level. Start at the ground floor and work your way up, given its central, riverside location, it’s surprisingly affordable (but go soon.) The unpretentious Helvti Bar attracts locals and visitors alike: enjoy a Zurich beer with friends or find a cosy corner to read the newspaper. If it’s summer, go straight to the Pool Bar, the covered space means whatever the weather guests can enjoy views of the Sihl with their cocktails. At the first-floor restaurant head chef Diego von Büren elevates traditonal Swiss cooking to gourmet levels, and after dinner there are 35 boutique rooms and two apartments to which you can retire. The rooftop bar is literally the Helvetia’s crowning glory, with its panoramic views of Zurich, and can be reserved for events and parties.