Swiss Star California - Self Check-IN

The apartment is clean and nice, but there is no lift inside the building. I stayed at level 3 and need to carry all the way up. Location wise, not too bad. A few stations away from the main station.

The biggest problem is accessing this studio. The owners always claim, but never send the password for access in advance to the guests. So we ended up stuck with our suitcases in the dark and it was pouring with rain having to call a phone number displayed on the premises door. This was answered eventually and our access was granted. We had to repeat this process to gain access to the inclusive internet and on our checkout to find out where to leave and secure the key. Location is good as its convenient for the tram station which is for No.8 and No.3 trams. These take you to Belleview or Central respectively. The location is peaceful and there is a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant directly opposite the main tram terminus (100meters walk). The room itself has almost everything needed for your stay, but lacks a washing machine/dryer for clothes. It has a large radiator that quickly warms the room and electronic venetian blinds. Kettle, fridge, small cooker and microwave, shower and TV are provided but none of the channels were English speaking (even English movies were re-dubbed into German).

I was plagued with trepidation before staying at the Swiss Star California. I had read some negative comments on Google Maps and trip.com, and the dread of what might go wrong loomed heavy over me. However, as fate would have it, my fears were unwarranted - the hotel, or rather, the service apartment, turned out to be a pleasant surprise and surpassed my expectations. The room was clean, well-equipped, and not too shabby. The heater functioned perfectly, which was a relief since it was a frosty February in Zurich. They had everything one would expect from a basic hotel room. But here's a word of caution: after booking your stay, make sure to check your email. You will receive a message from the hotel, not just a confirmation, containing the passcode and room number. Without this information, you might find yourself stranded outside the door, with no one to receive your calls or help with check-in. Trust me; I know how it feels to be left out in the cold, frantically seeking assistance from Trip.com. Furthermore, if you have a lot of luggage, you may want to pray for a room on the ground or first floor. Unfortunately, there is no lift in the building. However, let's not forget that this is one of the most affordable places to stay in Zurich. With that in mind, who could realistically expect luxury amenities and top-notch service? All in all, Swiss Star California proved to be a pleasant surprise and an excellent value for the price.

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