Brew and Renew: B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa - Zurich | 來釀酒廠泡湯:蘇黎世 B2 精品溫泉酒店

There's something about old buildings that hypnotizes me. 

Maybe it's the uneven walls, the ornate patterns, or the earthy materials, architecture from the bygone era oozes a familiar aura that draws me inside to explore, to appreciate details created by bare human hands and minds before the world's collective reliance on technology. 

老房子,在我眼裡,有一種說不出的美。

也許是喜歡它凹凸不平的牆壁,細膩的雕飾,或是樸實的建材,歷史建築總是散發著迷人的氣質,吸引我去深入探索,認真欣賞在沒有機器的時代,全部靠腦力與人力打造出的作品。

The former brewery now sits in the same industrial complex as Google's European engineering hub. / © Eileen Hsieh

I like to create opportunities to cross path with unique structures that catch my eyes. In Zurich, that building is a 19th-century Swiss brewery converted into a hotel, called B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa

旅遊時,我喜歡製造與獨特建築邂逅的機會。在蘇黎世,我的目標是一棟十九世紀釀酒廠改建的旅館:B2 精品溫泉酒店

B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa in Zurich. / © Eileen Hsieh

Lounge area with comfortable chairs with waist cincher. / © B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa

Set on a hilltop overlooking a repurposed industrial complex that houses Google’s Europe engineering hub, B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa's story mirrors Switzerland's developmental progress over the past 200 years:

Industrialization > Modernization > Sustainable Preservation. 

坐落在蘇黎世市中心的一座小山丘上,俯瞰有谷歌歐洲工程中心的工業園區,B2 精品溫泉酒店的故事反映了瑞士過去200年來的發展與進步:

工業化 > 現代化 > 持續性保護。

Cobble stone road leading to the entrance of B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa. / © Eileen Hsieh

Machine hall showcasing the cooling compressing used in the old brewery. / © Eileen Hsieh

Swinging by Google's European engineering hub with sis! / © Eileen Hsieh

Once crowned the largest brewery in Switzerland, the Hürlimann brewery shut down in 1996 after 130 years of operation.

16 years later, after undergoing a painstaking renovation (as documented in this wonderful video), it was reintroduced to the public as a modern boutique hotel, with a green conscience,  homely feel, and Zurich's first thermal bath fed by an existing spring (a must visit!) 

It's also here that you'll find the city's only rooftop thermal pool, offering an expansive view of Zurich's skyline.

Hürlimann 曾經是瑞士最大的啤酒廠,經營了 130 多年後於 1996年正式關閉。

16年後,經過了浩大的改建工程(有短片記錄),這棟歷史性的建築再次與大眾見面,轉型為環保,親切,現代化的精品酒店。

最與眾不同的是,它有蘇黎世的第一個地底溫泉(必遊!),也有城市唯一的屋頂溫泉區,從這裡可看到蘇黎世開闊的天際線。

Zurich's only rooftop thermal pool is the perfect place to be at sunset. / © B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa

My main motivation for staying at B2, however, is to see its stunning Wine Library.

With large cathedral-style windows and walls covered with more than 33,000 books (all available to hotel guests), it's an inviting space to enjoy a meal anytime of the day.

Glance up and you'll be rewarded with a spellbinding view of glittery chandeliers cleverly constructed with Hürlimann's very own beer bottles. 

It's little bit Potteresque, with the dark woods and high ceilings and all, a proper hideout from the real world.

我承認,來B2精品溫泉酒店的主要動機,就是想看它美麗的葡萄酒圖書館。

The Wine Library ,顧名思義,是品酒與閱讀的地方,提供全天餐飲。

牆上有教堂風格的大扇窗與一排排的書架,裝滿了超過33,000本書籍,全都可讓酒店客人借讀。

最搶眼的就是天花板上高高掛的三座酒瓶吊燈,溫暖的銅色玻璃閃閃發光,打造出溫馨的懷舊空間。

室內設計有點 Potteresque,有哈利波特世界的感覺,若想逃離現實生活,就來這兒靜心吧。

Wine Library. / © Eileen Hsieh

Look up, it's a beer bottle chandelier. / © Eileen Hsieh

Centrally located, B2 is a scenic 15-minute walk from Lake Zurich and the old town, 8-minute walk to the closest train station (Enge), and a 10-minute taxi ride from the main train station, Zurich HB.

The hotel's on-site spa attracts many outdoorsy types looking for some R&R at the end of an active day.

Our two-night stay coincides with Zurich's annual Ironman triathlon, so the hotel is booked to capacity, but you wouldn't know it from the smooth and attentive service.

B2 酒店位於市中心,散步到蘇黎世湖舊城區只需15分鐘左右,最近的火車站(Enge)就在酒店的山腳下,而蘇黎世最大的火車站(Zurich HB)則是約10分鐘車程。

酒店內的溫泉中心吸引了許多喜愛戶外活動的旅客,騎單車,爬山一整天後,可以好好利用水療來舒展筋骨。

我們剛好碰上蘇黎世一年一度的 Ironman 鐵人三項大賽,酒店毫無空房,不過服務品質完全沒受影響,依然如常友善,有效率。

Long leather sofa at hotel reception. / © Eileen Hsieh

Just by interacting with the hotel staff, one can't help but admire the Swiss and their cosmopolitan way of life. The multilingual staff are friendly to a fault and will happily share all they know about the city if you ask. One casual request for restaurant recommendations leads to enough information to fill a Top 10 list of #GoodEats in Zurich, for which we are very grateful!

We've checked out two of the places recommended by the hotel staff -- the legendary, artsy Kronenhall for rustic Swiss food, and Hiltl, the so-called first vegetarian restaurant in the world -- both are outstanding. 

自酒店員工的態度與素質就可以清楚感受到瑞士的國際觀,每位服務人員都會說多種歐洲語言,德英法意都難不倒他們。工作認真,友善,高效率以外,讓我印象最深刻的就是隨口問問有哪些餐廳值得一試,結果得到的回答可以寫成一篇「蘇黎世美食精選集」。

照著酒店的建議,我們拜訪了蘇黎世最有名,像畫廊似的 Kronenhall 瑞士傳統餐廳,還有號稱是全球第一家素食餐廳的 Hiltl 。兩家都值得推薦。

瑞士人食量可能很大,因為我們光臨的每家餐廳食物份量都是巨無霸,幾乎與美國不相上下,而且餐餐幾乎都有馬鈴薯(是國菜嗎?)

Contemplation.... / © Eileen Hsieh

Rooms

B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa has 51 rooms and 9 suites, and each is unique with bespoke furniture and decors. Although not large, our Boutique Room in the former brewhouse feels fresh and immaculate.

It feature a warehouse-sized window that lets in plenty of light and looks out onto the hills and the Google office below. 

客房

B2 精品溫泉酒店共有51間客房和9間套房,每個房間都有獨特的風格。

我們的精品房(Boutique Room)位於前釀酒廠內,空間不大但乾淨清新,從大扇窗可以看到附近的小教堂和山下的谷歌辦公室。

Comfortable double bed in our boutique room. / © Eileen Hsieh

Hotel corridors. / © Eileen Hsieh

A small reminder of the hotel's past identity. / © Eileen Hsieh

Small design touches pay tribute to the building's past, and the minibar is filled with complimentary water, juices and two bottles of -- what else? - cold Hürlimann beer.

房間裡處處可見有工業氣息的懷舊裝飾,迷你吧除了提供礦泉水與飲料外,當然也少不了兩瓶 Hürlimann 啤酒,向老釀酒廠致敬。

The same brand of beer that was once made in the brewery where B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa now stands. / © Eileen Hsieh

It's no surprise to see a Nespresso coffee machine in the room, given that this is the country that brought us the stylish time-saving invention.

But here they kick it up a notch, providing a Zenius pro model which also brews hot water. Tea drinkers, you can relax. 

瑞士是 Nespresso 膠囊咖啡的誕生地,所以大小旅館幾乎都有它的蹤影。

B2酒店所提供的 Nespresso 咖啡機是商業級的 Zenius 型號,可以泡咖啡也可以煮熱水,泡茶很方便。

Zenius is now my favorite model of Nespresso machine. / © Eileen Hsieh

The semi-open plan bathroom is on the small side, with a standing shower and a separate toilet. But it comes with everything you need, including a powerful hairdryer and nice toiletries by FAIR CosmEthics. I especially like its shampoo, which adds incredible fullness to my hair and leaves it touchably soft. But the conditioner is a bit too watery and doesn't do much for me.

半開放的浴室也是小巧玲瓏,有站立式淋浴和獨立的廁所,馬力大的吹風機,還有 FAIR CosmEthics 衛浴用品。

我很喜歡這公平貿易品牌的洗髮精,讓頭髮變得蓬鬆柔順。不過它的潤絲精太稀了,沒什麼效果。

Small but nicely formed bathroom. / © Eileen Hsieh

Fairtrade toiletries. / © Eileen Hsieh

Small but powerful hairdryer. / © Eileen Hsieh

Breakfast @ The Wine Library

The hotel is keen to use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, and my stay has opened my eyes to how self-sufficient Switzerland is as a country, especially when it comes to food production. 

早餐 @ 葡萄酒圖書館

住在B2酒店,讓我深刻體驗到瑞士這個國家,凡事都希望能自給自足的態度。

Breads from Switzerland. / © Eileen Hsieh

Breakfast buffet with locally sourced delicacies. / © Eileen Hsieh

Swiss jams. / © Eileen Hsieh

Breakfast is served at the Wine Library, and the buffet - with all kinds of fruits, yogurts, specialty cheeses and dried meats - is a proud display of #GoodEats, Swiss style. 

he coffee -- however -- is from Italy. Rightfully so.

酒店裡所使用的東西幾乎都是國產的,早餐 buffet 有多樣化的新鮮水果,優格,起司和風乾肉,全都插著紅底白十字旗,標示出產地。

咖啡倒還是來自義大利(嗯,有品味)。

Freshly cooked egg dishes are served at breakfast. / © Eileen Hsieh

Swiss meats! / © Eileen Hsieh

Important Information: When in Switzerland, drink Swiss wine, because it's so good that hardly any of it gets exported!

Hence Zurich wine is a big selling point at the Wine Library, a perfect accompaniment to Swiss delicacies available throughout the day. 

我想慎重地提醒大家,來到瑞士,一定要嚐嚐瑞士出產的葡萄酒。

因為瑞士酒的品質優良產量又不多,在國內就被消耗掉了,所以幾乎沒有外銷的機會。因此蘇黎世葡萄酒是B2酒店 Wine Library 的一大賣點。

Wine Library. / © Eileen Hsieh

All-day menu at the Wine Library. / © Eileen Hsieh

Just can't get enough of this beautiful room. / © Eileen Hsieh

Thermal Baths & Spa

The hotel is located right above the Thermalbad & Spa, well-known for its Irish-Roman bath fed by the Aqui spring. For a fee of 25 CHF, B2 guests can have direct access to the spa's private facilities via the hotel lift.

The spa looks like a secret underground oasis out of an ancient Rome movie, where turquoise water shimmers in the grotto in the vaulted stone walls of the old brewery, with flowy curtains shielding heated stone lounger from prying eyes. 

溫泉 & 水療中心

蘇黎世著名的 Thermalbad 溫泉水療中心,位於B2酒店正下方,有門票(25 CHF)的房客可以通過酒店的電梯直接進入spa,使用所有水療設施。

Thermalbad & Sp 的前身也是酒廠的一部份,有厚實的拱形石牆,還有大酒桶改建成的温泉池。

來自蘇黎世地底深處的天然泉水在水晶吊燈下閃爍著,像極了古羅馬電影裡的地下神秘洞穴。

 

At the end of the bath ritual, relax in this dark, mystic lounge at Thermalbad & Spa. / © Eileen Hsieh

Roman-Irish bath fed by the Aqui spring underneath Zurich. / © B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa

The self-guided Roman-Irish spa ritual lasts about two hours, and after 10 steps of wet and dry procedures, you're guaranteed to feel soft and relaxed. 

The rooftop thermal pool is beautiful too, although it can get crowded in the evening when lovebirds tend to congregate for the spectacular sunset over Zurich. 

Spa 建議客人花個兩小時,照著羅馬愛爾蘭浴儀式的十道步驟,經過乾,溼,冷,暖的程序來放鬆全身。

地下溫泉浴完畢,別忘了上屋頂的溫泉區欣賞蘇黎世的天際線,泡湯看夕陽。

One of the giant wooden tubs at the spa. / © Thermalbad & Spa

Back in our room, with a bottle of Hürlimann in hand, we look out from the window and admire this hardworking, environmentally conscious, perfectly kept city that has an eye for the future, and a foot in the past. 

Now we understand why time and time again, Zurich has been voted one of the best places to live in the world. 

回到房間,一瓶 Hürlimann 啤酒在手,我們坐在窗臺上討論這個環保,有氣質,前瞻又懷舊的城市,對它佩服萬分。

 

蘇黎世,不愧是世界上數一數二適宜居住的好地方。

The hotel staff surprised me with a birthday cake at breakfast, unprompted! / © Eileen Hsieh


MY RATING: 9.5 / 10

The thermal spa alone would be good enough a reason to stay at B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa. But here the therapeutic energy comes from more places than one: comfortable room, nostalgia design, locally sourced foods, and the incredible staff.

It is truly an all-star hotel.

我的評價:9.5 / 10

光是羅馬溫泉浴就值得來B2精品酒店小住,但這家旅館還有許多其他讓人微笑的亮點:舒適現代的房間,懷舊情懷,愛用瑞士國貨,以及高素質的員工。

這的確是一家全明星酒店。

 

B2 BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA

Brandschenkestrasse 152

CH-8002 Zurich

Phone:  +41 44 567 67 67

Email: zurich(at)b2boutiquehotels.com