We stayed at the Sternen Oerlikon for two nights. When we checked in, we were put in a smoking room (I'd specifically requested a non-smoking room) on the fourth floor with a very very bouncy floor (glasses would rattle in the mini-bar when you took a step) and a very small, pre-fab bathroom. I checked with the desk and they had a non-smoking room available and we were allowed to change rooms. Being placed in a smoking room first should not have happened.

The second room was smallish and on the first floor. It looked out over a fairly busy street, but was well set-up to deal with the noise with good sound deadening windows. Access to trams and the rail system was very close - less than a three minute walk. Got a very good dinner suggestion from the receptionist. Internet was available for a significant charge.

I'd recommend this hotel with caveats.

My wife and I stayed at this hotel on our last night of our vacation in Europe. We started and ended our trip in Zurich and needed a hotel for one night before flying home the next day. We checked in at 11:15pm at night and felt safe walking to this hotel from the Oerlikon train station. The lobby was clean and well lit and the front desk staff was pleasant even though it was late.

The hotel's location north of the city center in the Oerlikon neighborhood makes it not ideal for sightseeing downtown. A tram costs about $2.50 CHF to downtown or you can take the train for about $6.00 CHF, both from Oerlikon station about 3 blocks from the hotel.

The room was small and overlooked the main street. The ventalation system (sort of a poor-man's airconditioning) didn't work well and we ended up leaving the window open all night. The shower and toilet are in a seperate room but the sink is actually in the hotel room. The beds were comfortable and the sheets clean and crisp. The hotel has obviously had a revamp in the recent past.

The front desk upon check-out was very helpful and called us a taxi.

They did offer a breakfast (not included in the price of the room) for $17 CHF. We didn't take the breakfast.

We purchased this hotel on expedia.com about a week before hand.

One last thing, like all hotels in Zurich, they charge a city tax of $10 CHF at checkout which is not indicated on your original bill.

Stayed here for 2 nights in a single room, the room was tiny but had everything I needed including a flat screen TV on the wall. The only complaint with the room was that it wasn’t non smoking like I had requested and smelt of cigarettes which I don’t find acceptable when I don’t smoke!

The entrance to the hotel is nice, clean and airy and I couldn’t fault the staff for being helpful. There is internet access in the lobby which is operated pay as you go by a coin machine!

The location is not the greatest for Zurich but its close for the airport. It’s just 15 minutes on a direct tram from the airport tram stop. Tram number 10 which cost 6.20CHF and you alight at the “Sternen Oerlikon” stop, the hotel is a short walk up the street, you can’t miss it as it takes on a full corner. Saying the location is not great, transport in Zurich is great and the actually hotel is located in a shopping district so there are plenty of places to eat and shop within walking distance of this hotel! It’s actually like downtown Zurich! Be warned you need change for the ticket machine at the tram stop, so change your swiss notes in the airport for some coins otherwise you’ll have to trek back like I did!

Finally my only other bad point of this hotel is how openly people smoke, smoking is allowed in the hotel lobby, drinking area, rest area so it’s not so pleasant if you want to use the internet and breath in someone else’s fumes!

Breakfast was 17CHF I tried it once, it was not bad, buffet style and I thought it was rather good value for the choice on offer!

Good Points
* Even though it's in a poor location, the tram to the city stops right out the front.
* Clean
* Helpful staff

Bad Points
* Bad location in the middle of nowhere
* Not the nicest area of Zurich
* No aircon or fan and rooms were ridiculously stuffy
* Small awful shower - don't book the cheapest "city" rooms, it is worth spending the extra.
* Thin walls
* Creaky floors
* Expensive parking - they actually charge you to park in their open space spots out the back - ridiculous!!!
* Expensive breakfast - we didn't bother.

Tip: If you have a hire car it is worth drive to Liechtenstein, it has amazing scenery.