An honest review of our stay at this dog-friendly boutique hotel in the heart of Zurich

Quick Facts

Location Central Zurich, Switzerland (steps from Christmas markets and Old Town) 

Pet Policy Dogs welcome throughout the entire hotel, no restrictions 

Pet Fees None 

Restaurant Access Fully dog-friendly at Restaurant Enja

Room Type Queen Bed Cosy (compact but well designed) 

Our Rating 9/10 Almost There, A Memorable Stay

Best For Dog parents wanting a luxury city break without transit hassles or pet restrictions.

First Impressions

When you’re planning a city break with your dog, finding a hotel that actually welcomes pets can feel impossible. Most places tolerate dogs. Few embrace them. Sorell Boutique-Hotel Seidenhof falls firmly into the embrace category.

Located in the absolute heart of Zurich, this boutique property combines old-school European elegance with a refreshingly relaxed attitude toward four-legged guests. We could walk to the Christmas markets, the lake, the Old Town, and every restaurant we wanted to try without once needing public transport. For a weekend break with a dog, that kind of location is gold.

Check-In

We arrived after a delayed flight and a 35 CHF Uber from the airport. The reception staff were warm and efficient, confirming immediately that Daisy was welcome throughout the entire property. Not “welcome in certain areas” or “welcome but please use the side entrance.” Everywhere. The restaurant, the bar, the winter garden, breakfast. No restrictions.

This kind of blanket welcome is rare, even among hotels that market themselves as pet-friendly. Most have caveats. Sorell Seidenhof had none.

The Room

We stayed in their Queen Bed Cosy room, and the name is accurate. It’s not huge. But what it lacks in square footage, it makes up for in design and quality. The space felt very Swiss in that way where nothing is wasted but everything feels considered. Classic decor, quality linens, nice details throughout.

Waiting for Daisy was a dog bed (generously sized for a Shih Tzu) and a water bowl. We also found chocolates, fresh fruit, and a handwritten welcome note for the humans. Bathrobes, slippers, coffee and tea maker, and a minibar rounded out the amenities.

Our room overlooked the winter garden, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire Zurich trip. More on that shortly.

Restaurant Enja

I need to talk about Restaurant Enja because it took our entire stay from great to sublime.

Attached to the hotel, Enja serves food that makes you stop mid-conversation to fully appreciate what you’re eating. The amuse-bouche alone. A tiny bread creation maybe two inches across, packed with citrus, hearty grains, and a freshness I still can’t adequately describe. I stopped talking mid-sentence to pay attention to it. That good.

My mushroom starter was rich, earthy, and cooked beautifully. My mum’s beetroot and apple was equally impressive. Every dish showed care and technique. I’m not sure if it’s officially Michelin-level, but the food certainly is.

For dog parents, Daisy was welcomed at dinner like a guest, not an inconvenience. The staff brought her a water bowl without us asking. Throughout the meal, people smiled at her, acknowledged her, treated her presence as completely normal. No side-eyes. No being shuffled to a corner table. Just relaxed hospitality that included all of us.

For anyone who’s experienced the subtle (or not so subtle) disapproval that sometimes comes with dining out with a dog, this felt refreshing. We could actually relax and enjoy an exceptional meal without worrying about whether we were welcome.

The Winter Garden

On our second evening, we discovered the hotel’s winter garden, and it became the unexpected highlight of our trip.

A terrace strung with fairy lights, crackling open fires, and the chance to toast your own marshmallows and bread over the flames. It sounds like something staged for social media, but it was real and quiet and completely lovely. My mum said she was in heaven. I understood exactly what she meant.

The experience was complimentary for hotel guests, including two drinks each. We sat out there for ages before dinner, enjoying the fire, the lights, and the simple pleasure of toasting marshmallows in December in Switzerland. Daisy settled beside us, content and warm, very much part of the moment.

This kind of experience is what turns a hotel stay into a memory.

Breakfast

Breakfast was included in our rate, and we tried it two ways.

Room service Maybe 5 out of 10. The fruit was fine. The eggs were inconsistent, one runny, one overcooked. Nothing terrible, but nothing special. We did it for the novelty, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Restaurant Great. Daisy was welcome to join us, the spread was good, and starting the day properly fuelled made a real difference for our market wandering.

Skip the room service and head downstairs.

Location

I cannot overstate how valuable the location is, especially when travelling with a dog.

We walked everywhere. The Old Town Christmas market was minutes away. The Opera House market at Bellevue, a pleasant stroll along the lake. Swiss Chuchi for fondue, just around the corner. The train station Christmas market, walkable (though we discovered the hard way that it gets uncomfortably crowded in the evening).

Not once did we need to figure out tram routes, worry about Daisy on public transport, or calculate whether an Uber was worth the cost. We simply walked out the door and explored. For a weekend break, that kind of convenience is everything.

What Daisy Thought

For context, many hotels we’ve stayed at go above and beyond to specifically welcome Daisy at check-in. That didn’t happen here, and I mention it only for transparency, not as a criticism.

What Daisy did get was unrestricted welcome throughout an entire luxury property. She could go anywhere we went. The restaurant staff smiled at her and brought water without prompting. She lounged by the fire in the winter garden while we toasted marshmallows. She settled under our table at breakfast without anyone batting an eye.

Sometimes the best pet-friendly experience isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about being comfortably included. Sorell Seidenhof delivered that consistently throughout our stay.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

Pet Welcome

• Dogs allowed literally everywhere, no restrictions whatsoever
• No pet fee (remarkable for a luxury property)
• Dog bed and water bowl provided in room
• Restaurant staff welcoming toward Daisy
• Zero side-eyes or subtle disapproval anywhere

Exceptional Dining

• Restaurant Enja serves outstanding food
• Amuse-bouche and starters were memorable highlights
• Dogs welcome at dinner with proper service
• Breakfast included and solid in the restaurant

Perfect Location

• Heart of Zurich, walking distance to everything
• Christmas markets, Old Town, lake all easily accessible
• No need for public transport or taxis
• Ideal for a weekend city break

Nice Extras

• Winter garden with open fires and marshmallow toasting
• Complimentary drinks at winter garden
• Welcome chocolates, fruit, and handwritten note
• Staff consistently warm and helpful

Areas for Thought

Room Size

• Queen Bed Cosy is compact (though well designed)
• If you need space to spread out, consider a larger room category

Breakfast Caveat

• Room service breakfast was underwhelming
• Worth skipping in favour of the restaurant

The Bottom Line

The cons here are minor. The room size is a trade-off for the unbeatable location, and the room service breakfast is easily avoided by heading to the restaurant instead.

Sorell Seidenhof does something many hotels struggle with. It makes dog parents feel welcome without fanfare or conditions. Add in an exceptional restaurant and a perfect city-centre location, and you have a near-perfect winter city break.

Pet-Friendliness Rating: 9/10

Sorell Boutique-Hotel Seidenhof earns a strong 9 for delivering what truly matters. Unrestricted access and a real welcome throughout the property.

What earns this rating

• Daisy welcome everywhere. Restaurant, bar, breakfast, winter garden, no exceptions
• No pet fee. Rare for a luxury boutique property
• In-room amenities. Dog bed and water bowl provided
• Restaurant inclusion. Staff brought Daisy water without asking, treated her as a guest
• Relaxed atmosphere. Never once felt like we were inconveniencing anyone

What keeps it from 9.5

• No special pet greeting at check-in. Many hotels we visit go above and beyond to welcome Daisy specifically, which didn’t happen here (mentioned only for transparency)

For a city break where you want exceptional food, perfect location, and the ability to bring your dog everywhere without question, this is as good as it gets. We’d return in a heartbeat, especially for Restaurant Enja.

FAQ

Is there a pet fee at Sorell Seidenhof?

No. Daisy stayed completely free of charge, which is rare for a boutique hotel of this quality.

Where are dogs allowed in the hotel?

Everywhere. Restaurant Enja, breakfast, bar, winter garden, all public areas. We never encountered a single restriction during our stay.

What pet amenities are provided?

A dog bed and water bowl were waiting in our room. Everything Daisy needed was there.

Is the restaurant dog-friendly?

Yes, completely. Daisy was welcomed at dinner, staff brought her water without us asking, and we never felt anything less than fully included.

What’s the location like for walking with a dog?

Ideal. We walked everywhere during our stay. Christmas markets, Old Town, the lake, restaurants. Public transport wasn’t necessary once, which made everything easier with a dog.

How far is the hotel from the airport?

About 20-25 minutes by Uber (approximately 35 CHF). The hotel is in the city centre, so airport transfers are straightforward.

Is breakfast included?

Our rate included breakfast. The restaurant breakfast is good and dogs are welcome. I’d skip the room service option, which was disappointing.

What’s the winter garden?

A terrace with fairy lights and open fires where you can toast your own marshmallows and bread. Complimentary for guests including two drinks. Daisy was welcome and it became a highlight of our stay.

What room type do you recommend for dogs?

We stayed in the Queen Bed Cosy, which was compact but well designed. If you want more space, consider upgrading, but the cosy room worked perfectly for a weekend break.

Would you return?

Absolutely. The combination of location, Restaurant Enja, and the pet welcome makes this a standout choice for a Zurich city break. We’re already planning our next visit.

Book Your Stay

We booked our stay via CrazyDaisyTravels.com (that’s us!!) at approximately 400 CHF per night. For dog parents wanting a luxury city break in Zurich without compromises, Sorell Boutique-Hotel Seidenhof delivers.

Have you stayed at Sorell Boutique-Hotel Seidenhof with your dog? Share your experience in the comments below.