Hotel Uto Kulm Car-Free Hideaway in Zurich Reviews

If you are driving, DO NOT even think about booking this hotel ! If you are looking for friendly or helpful staffs at the hotel, there is NONE ! If you are looking for fresh drinking water refill each day, there is NONE ! Bed bugs on the bed ! This hotel is ONLY suitable for hikers or someone who doesn't have any expectations of services, for a so called "4-Star" Hotel.  ### *Critical Service Deficiencies* 1. *Deceptive Parking Arrangement* - The hotel advertises "parking facilities," yet the actual lot is *5 km away*, accessible only via paid public buses (EV1/EV2 lines). - Despite arriving past midnight on Day 1 (when staff reluctantly provided an electric shuttle), we were later forced to *walk or pay for buses daily*—a cost and logistical burden never disclosed at booking. 2. *Nighttime Abandonment & Staff Hostility* - Staff imposed an *unreasonable 11 PM curfew* for shuttle service, claiming post-11 PM pickups "inconvenienced" them. - On Night 3, when I missed the bus due to this restriction: - I called the front desk *8 times* with no answer. - Upon finally reaching staff, I was *blamed for "missing the bus"* and told to *walk uphill alone at midnight*—despite carrying heavy bags and expressing fear of the dark mountain path. - Only after *30 minutes of argument* did staff dispatch a shuttle. 3. *Check-Out Humiliation* - At departure, staff refused to shuttle us or our luggage downhill, instructing us to: - *Self-load bags onto an unmanned electric cart*. - Walk 15 minutes to the bus stop. - Load our luggage and ride two buses (EV2 → EV1) to reach the distant parking lot, which needed us to pay by ourselves. 4. *Facility Failures* - *No elevators*: We hauled luggage up/down stairs, 3 floors to Room 39. - *Bed bugs*: Evidence of insects in bedding (photos attached). ### *Broader Impact* The hotel’s practices contradict Switzerland’s image as a tourism leader: - *"Zurich’s highest hotel"* is a *misleading marketing gimmick*—only the location has value. - Staff behavior (*blaming guests, refusing assistance) is **un-Swiss* in its hostility. - Without immediate staff retraining and policy reform, the hotel risk both *business collapse* and *damaging Switzerland’s tourism reputation*.

The location is stunning, but I strongly recommend visiting for the day rather than staying overnight. On our first night we stayed in a double room, which was lovely—far nicer than the “view rooms.” Had we left after that, we would have been satisfied. Unfortunately, our second night was a disaster. We had paid extra for a view room, expecting to wake up to the mountains and lakes. The room itself was less appealing, but we didn’t mind as we were looking forward to the scenery. Instead, the evening was filled with constant noise from the restaurant and winter games below. We tried to stay positive, believing the view would make up for it. But at 11:30pm, deafening dance music shook the room. Reception informed us that a function had been booked right next door and would continue until 2am. They admitted they had already moved one family and offered to move us too—meaning we had to pack up and relocate in the middle of the night. By then, we were wide awake and struggled to sleep again. The next morning, when we asked to speak to a manager, we were told they didn’t know when one would be available. The only compensation offered was a free breakfast and late check‑out. No refund was given, despite the fact that we lost the view we had paid for and endured a sleepless night. The setting itself is incredible, but the hotel’s handling of guests is unacceptable. Save yourself the disappointment: enjoy the area during the day, but avoid staying at the hotel.

Highly recommended

Beautiful scenic location on top of hill. Lovely room. Nice friendly staff. Always smiling and ready to help. Feels like hill station.

There’s no AC in the hotel so a summer time could be quite difficult. But the view is indeed phenomenal. It’s not bad considering the location and price.

It was wonderful. Very friendly, beautifully lit, the food was excellent… simply lovely and relaxing. I'd love to come back…

Beautiful view, short uphill walk, reserve spa treatments in advance, breakfast 30 CHF but very tasty. 10/10

The hotel is in the mountains, and it is a bit troublesome to drive. First, you have to park the car in a free parking lot by the swimming pool, and then find a way to get to the train station. It takes about 2 kilometers and a few minutes to take a taxi, and about 11CHF for Uber. It takes about 20 minutes to walk, and there are various slopes. At the train station, you have to wait for the train every half an hour. The one-way ticket is about 4.6CHF per person. After getting off the train at the station, you have to walk for another ten minutes to get to the hotel. Moreover, the hotel’s car only picks up luggage from the train station and not people. It cost nearly 50CHF for two people to go back and forth from the parking lot to the hotel by Uber + train, and we also climbed a lot of slopes. The room was okay, but the window of the room I booked was directly against a wall and there was no view. The view of other more expensive rooms is probably good. If you don’t want to go to the highest place in Zurich to see the scenery and are too lazy to hike, you don’t have to book this hotel.

The hotel is located at the highest point in Zurich. It is difficult to drag luggage up the mountain after the train arrives. You can ask the shuttle bus to help transport the luggage. When you ask them for help in the morning, you still have to look at their faces, and they will make a bad look for you :) Pros: The room is clean and large, and the view is beautiful! Both night view and sunrise are great Disadvantages: The attitude of some service staff is very bad! I asked the hotel if there was a hot water kettle and was given an uncleaned one. It was a very bad experience!

Thank you to the friendly reception staff.

Good location, no driving allowed

The highest location in Zurich, the hotel has an unobstructed view of Zurich's scenery. It is extremely beautiful and is especially suitable for people who love photography. The hotel service is good and considerate. The room is of high quality, hygienic and clean. Worth coming again.

The hotel is located at the highest point in Zurich - Zurich Top, where you can overlook the scenery of Zurich city. The Zurich Tower next to it can provide a better view.

A must-visit place when in Zurich, the night view is stunning!