About Sorell

1894 the founding of ZFV-Unternehmungen: a group of women comes together to take action against the alcoholism that was a prevalent social problem at the time. What began in 1894 with a simple coffee-hall bazaar led to the founding of the "Frauenverein für Mässigkeit und Volkswohl" (Women's Association for Temperance and Public Welfare) in the same year. And this at a time when women had hardly any representation in business. Driving it all is business pioneer Susanna Orelli, who still inspires us today.

1897 a green light for the hotel business: Hotel Rütli was our founders' first hotel. It was located right at the gates of Zurich's Niederdorf area. It marked the start of a booming hotel business.  

2002 ZFV hotels become Sorell: inspired by our eponymous founder, Susanna Orelli, the Sorell brand is founded. Sorell comes from the first letters of her first name and her last name. After more than a hundred years, ZFV hotels become Sorell hotels.  

2024 A Sorell Experience: after a full rebrand, history and values are brought in line with modern times. The brand is completely redesigned and the website refreshed. "A Sorell Experience" encompasses the overall experience of centrally located hotels, restaurants and venues and their connection with local places and experiences.  

In 1900, Susanna Orelli not only realised a long-cherished dream, but also gave life to a visionary idea, building the first dry spa and public house with Hotel Zürichberg. High up on the mountain, she wanted it to be open to locals and visitors from all walks of life. The hotel also marked the opening of the very first self-service restaurant, which caused quite a stir at the time.  

Almost a hundred years later, the boutique hotel has been extensively renovated, with a new annex designed by architects Burkhalter and Sumi. It now stands as a rich blend of history and modern zeitgeist. 

Hotels, restaurants and venues, right in the middle of it all 

• 1900 Hotel Zürichberg: the iconic building of the mountain-side dry spa and public house is set half-way up the Zürichberg. Dining: the original hotel opening also saw the unveiling of the very first self-service restaurant, which caused quite the sensation. Today, guests relax on the terrace and savour classic dishes from the serviced restaurant. The kitchen insists on using fresh ingredients, including those sourced from regenerative farming. The one constant is the spectacular view of the city and Lake Zurich. Events: with its first Kursaal built in 1900 and the extension around 1911, Zürichberg has always offered a wide range of venue options.
   
• 1915 Hotel Rigiblick: located right on the picturesque edge of the Zürichberg forest, this hotel becomes the second spa built on the mountain.  
   
• 1943 Hotel Seidenhof: right on Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse, this building reveals its silk trading past.  
   
• 1999 Hotel Seefeld: in what was once Hotel Florida, in the heart of the Seefeld district, the ZFV Group adds another historic building to its portfolio. After extensive renovation work, it reopens as Hotel Seefeld.  
   
• 2002 Hotel Rüden: making its first move to a neighbouring canton, the ZFV Group ventures into Schaffhausen. The former guild house is located right at the gates to the enchanting old town. Events: the guild hall and its collection of rooms has always been a popular venue for lavish events.
   
• 2003 Hotel Ador: in the heart of the Swiss capital, the Group acquires its first conference hotel. Events: with 17 rooms and state-of-the-art technical equipment, the hotel has plenty to offer.
   
• 2007 Hotel Tamina: in the heart of Bad Ragaz, right next to the Tamina Therme, this becomes the second holiday-destination hotel at the time. Events: with meeting rooms and boardrooms, the hotel always offered a venue with a view.
   
• 2008 Hotel Krone & Hotel Arabelle: in the heart of Winterthur, right on the bustling Marktgasse, Hotel Krone is a regal addition to the Group's collection of historical buildings. In the same year, Hotel Arabelle becomes the Swiss capital's second central hotel. Dining: Wirtshaus zur Krone, the city's oldest inn, still serves popular classic dishes, but today they take on a modern twist, using market-fresh ingredients wherever possible. Events: the modern Kronesaal reminds us of its long past with traditional design details, and offers a wide range of event options.
   
• 2013 Hotel Sonnental, Hotel Rex & Hotel Arte: Hotel Sonnental is the first hotel near the airport in Dübendorf. Then Hotel Rex is opened, in the heart of Zurich's old town. And Hotel Arte is later converted into a modern budget hotel with full online self-service. Dining: Restaurant Sonnental still serves Swiss classics today. The spacious terrace also features a playground. Hotel Rex also offers events: acquired in 2013, it's the first hotel near to the airport and offers a convenient venue for national and international guests.
   
• 2017 Hotel Speer: at the gates to the old town of Rapperswil, right opposite the train station, the Group adds another lakeside hotel to its portfolio.  
   
• 2020 Hotel St. Peter and Hotel City Weissenstein: two brand new hotels open in 2020. In mid-June, Hotel St. Peter welcomes its first guests in the heart of Zurich's Niederdorf area. With a modern interior inspired by the lively Niederdorf district and a leafy inner courtyard, it forms an oasis in the heart of Sorell's founding town. The boutique Hotel City Weissenstein in St. Gallen opens soon after in July. The design embraces the creative history of this textile city, including a studio room and colourful lobby. Dining: both hotels have a lobby serving snacks and the Sorell breakfast. Events: the Creative Room at Hotel City Weissenstein has something for everyone. 

2024 - A Sorell Experience: as the brand is repositioned and the designs are refreshed, over the years, our hotels have been renovated to gradually adapt to our new vision. With the aim of putting down strong local roots, designs are inspired by places in the hotels' surroundings. And wherever possible, local people are involved in the work – from artists and carpenters through to local interior designers. High-quality materials create a lasting feel-good atmosphere. The aim is to extend the spatial boundaries of hotels, restaurants and venues even further into the surrounding neighbourhood and further explore the adventures it holds. The result is A Sorell Experience.  

How we have evolved

Fondue Chalet & Jardin Pop Up: with the Fondue Chalet Zürichberg and the Jardin Pop Up, seasonal meeting places bring festive joy to the imposing wooden terrace in front of Hotel Zürichberg and its lawns.  

Renovation of Hotel Seidenhof: the vibrant history of the former silk market inspired the hotel's extensive renovations in 2022 and became an interwoven part of the new, modern interior.  

Restaurant Enja: with the renovation of Hotel Seidenhof came Restaurant Enja. Inspired by Nordic cuisine, the menu takes a puristic, rudimentary approach to food. The centrepiece of the modern restaurant is the open-fire grill. Everything from the cauliflower to the steak is freshly prepared. Another highlight is the idyllic Enja Garden, which magically transforms every year into a Christmas sensation.

Seefeld: in 2018/2019, every room gets a new, modern design. In 2024, the ground floor of the hotel finally reflects the surroundings and history of the building, which dates back to 1930, with the interior inspired by the nearby lake. Local businesses are heavily involved – from the local carpenter to the interior design office just around the corner. Other main features include the Changemaker shop in the lobby, images shot by a local photographer and lamps made by a local art student.

FLOR Café Bar: our café bar is known as the living room of Seefeld. Artists and collaborators from the surrounding area add their magic to the interior. Breakfast is served on pre-loved dinner plates, for example, specially painted by a ceramic artist from Seefeld. Events: the original meeting room was modernised in 2024 and converted into the "Séparée" side room.

Hotel Speer: in 2024/2025, Hotel Speer is set to undergo extensive renovation.