REVIEWS HOTEL By Paul Revel
Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport
AIRLINE Surf Air Embraer Phenom 300, Zurich-London By Paul Revel
PO 295, 8058 Zurich Airport, • Tel: +41 44 800 40 40
info.zurich@radissonblu.com •
radissonblu.com/hotel-zurichairport
THE HOTEL OPENED in 2008, with a sleek modern design by Italian architect Matteo Thun and extensive conference facilities. To reach it you walk directly from the airport terminal via an indoor shopping mall. It’s also 500m from the airport train station and ten minutes from the city centre. The seven-storey lobby atrium is enlivened by a 16m-high glass-walled wine tower, complete with light show and acrobatic ‘Wine Angels’ swirling through the air on wires.
ROOMS: The 330 rooms and suites start at a decent-sized 28 sqm and go up to 39 sqm with suites from 57 sqm. Categories include family rooms, accessible rooms, and either airfield views or inner rooms looking into the atrium. My ‘Business Class’ room was light and airy with runway views (behind soundproof quadruple glazing) and restful neutral colours – one of three different decor themes. Business Class rooms add some key elements including breakfast, free soft drinks and snacks in the minibar, bathrobe and slippers, and no room service charges. All rooms feature The Works bathroom amenities, flatscreen LCD smart TVs and free wifi. RESTAURANTS & BARS: These are grouped around the atrium with the wine tower spectacle as its centrepiece. The Angels’ Wine Tower Grill specialises in excellent John Stone dry-aged Irish beef steaks, as well as fish and regional dishes. Italian restaurant Filini is also the place for the appetising breakfast buffet, including a live station for freshly cooked eggs. Expense managers should note Swiss restaurant prices in general are high, particularly at current
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
exchange rates. A chic lobby bar features Arne Jacobsen- designed ‘egg chairs’. MEETINGS & EVENTS: This is a key focus of the property with dedicated floors and receptions, and more than 50 flexible events spaces, many with airport runway views. The eighth floor features 29 boardrooms each for up to 60 people, lounges, day rooms and showers, and a private entrance from the airport carpark. The seventh floor has conference rooms for up to 180 people, while the first floor ballroom can host up to 550 delegates theatre-style. LEISURE: Guests can use the 24/7 gym with Technogym equipment, plus sauna and steam rooms. Guests also get a special rate (CHF19, around £15) at the 2,000 sqm Airport Fitness & Wellness Club. VERDICT: A smart, efficient and agreeable environment, hard to fault as an airport hotel that does what it says on the tin. With the easy indoor stroll straight into the airport and quick rail and road city connections, plus extensive, high-quality MICE facilities, this hotel makes an ideal place for business meetings and events, whether global or local.
Surf Air CEO Simon Talling-Smith
SURF AIR LAUNCHED IN CALIFORNIA in 2013, offering an unlimited flights monthly subscription service on its network using small executive aircraft. The airline started its first European route, Zurich to Luton, in September 2017. It went five-times-weekly during November and then moved the route to London City airport in December. Surf Air has plans to go twice-daily this year. Corporate membership discounts can be negotiated.
CHECK-IN & BOARDING: The Execujet private terminal at Zurich airport was a couple of minutes car transfer from my airport hotel. I was personally greeted at the entrance and my bags put through security screening. The smart lounge features cream leather sofas for around 16 people with staff offering coffees and snacks, magazines and newspapers. Facilities are not elaborate as most flyers arrive ten minutes before take-off. Ironically, our flight was delayed by an hour due to fog in the UK – some private jets do not have the necessary landing instruments used by commercial aircraft enabling them to ‘auto-land’ in zero visibility. When it was time to go, a quick passport check, and then the pilots introduced themselves to my four fellow passengers and me, and walked us to the aircraft parked a few yards from the door. It was all very pleasant and civilised compared to the shuffling queues and endless corridors at commercial terminals. THE FLIGHT: The Phenom 300 seats up to eight passengers, in comfortable cream leather, adjustable seats. When full there would be little room for any bulky hand luggage, so the airline asks you stow everything in the hold, and just take your laptop, etc, into the cabin. The four ‘club’-style seats are best for a more sociable flight or meeting, and there are pull-out tables for working on. Seats swivel toward the aisle for socialising. The plane is too small for a cabin attendant, so refreshments are self-service – a range of snacks such as chocolates, biscuits and nuts, and a chilled bar with soft drinks, wines and beers. ARRIVAL: We were greeted on the tarmac and inside the terminal within a couple of minutes. This flight was to the refurbished Signature private terminal at Luton, but the service now flies to London City’s Private Jet Centre, which features lounge, meeting room, catering and boasts a 90-second transfer from car to plane. VERDICT: Flying Surf Air is an enjoyable experience and an interesting business travel alternative to both commercial flights and full-on private jet charter – depending on whether your travellers frequently use the routes. CEO Simon Talling-Smith says potential routes include Barcelona, Berlin, Geneva, Dublin, Amsterdam and Milan from London, plus Munich, Frankfurt and Brussels from Zurich.
BBT January/February 2018 139
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