Located less than a two hours flight away from Gatwick airport, a trip to Zurich is an ideal hand luggage-only break. It's also the perfect introduction to Switzerland and makes a great starting point if you are looking to explore more of the mountainous Central European country. And if you're looking for the perfect base in Zurich, we've got just the place for you.
Part of the Ruby hotel family (also offering locations in London, Hamburg and Vienna), Ruby Mimi is the brand's first hotel in Zurich and is housed in what was once one of the country's first cinemas.
Where is Ruby Mimi?
The hotel is close to the River Limmat, Zurich’s old town and the city’s top shopping streets, making it a fantastic starting point for whatever your plans are.
It's also located just a five minutes walk from the main train station where trains to Zurich airport are just 10 minutes, making it both quick and easy to get our holiday started.
There's no 'reception' area as such at Ruby Mimi. Check-in (available from 3pm) is done in the main bar through a self-check-in system where you simply enter a few details before your card is cleverly 'released' to you, similar to a snack from a vending machine. There are still plenty of Ruby staff around to help should you have any issues with the process.
Where will I sleep?
There are six different types of rooms to choose from at Ruby Mimi. All rooms follow the hotel's 'Lean Luxury' philosophy which simply means they've streamlined how they do things: getting rid of unnecessary extras such as ironing boards and kettles in rooms while not compromising on the luxuries we all really want: comfy beds, powerful showers and ideal locations. So while you might not be able to make a hot drink right in your bedroom, you can simply pop along to one of the Galleys – located on the 1st to 4th floor - where you'll find hot water and free organic tea plus an ironing board and iron. There’s also a 'Maxi Bar' where you can buy everything from soft drinks and snacks to a toothbrush.
Our room, the 'Wow room', enjoyed sweeping views of the city through large windows. The plush 160cm-wide bed was suitably soft and cosy as we quickly found out, taking a quick nap after an early flight. The room on the whole was very clean and modern, with interesting features such as vintage furnishings and a Marshall amp which you can use by hiring an electric guitar from the hotel. The glass rain-fall shower is very much part of the bedroom (although can be hidden by a curtain for any shy guests) and while some might find having the sink where you brush your teeth so close to their bed a bit strange, these weren't elements that bothered us personally or that we found to be in the slightest bit inconvenient.
My husband and I were offered two drinks vouchers in lieu of room cleaning during our stay in an effort to reduce the environmental effect, something we were quick to accept and both thought was a really nice touch from the hotel. This sustainable theme is noticeable throughout the room, including smart lighting, refillable toiletries and the use of renewable natural materials such as wood panelling and flooring. The hotel also states that they like to "rescue and restore second-hand furniture" too.
What is there to do?
Ruby Mimi's 24-hour bar is very much the central hub of the hotel. Decked in lavish and rich fabrics and mirrored surfaces, leaning fully into its cinematic history with film posters, vintage cameras and movie props, it really is a sight to behold. On both evenings of our stay at Ruby Mimi, we found it to be a hive of activity, frequented by both hotel guests and those meeting friends for drinks. And during the day it was no different, with many people working on laptops or sipping coffees in snug nooks.
We loved discovering that Ruby Mimi had a movie lounge and felt it was a fantastic ode to the hotel's history. Filled with art deco touches reminiscent of a bygone era, it's complete with velvet armchairs, surround sound and of course a big screen. Each day you can find in the bar which film will be showing and head downstairs with fresh (sadly not free) popcorn and your drink of choice from the bar. It's no secret that Switzerland is an expensive place and we found this to be a lovely activity to do in the evenings if you didn't fancy spending money on alcohol.
While the hotel doesn't have the likes of a spa, there's hardly a need with so much to do on your doorstep. We personally loved ambling around the old town and checking out the shops and also enjoyed a trip to the Lindt Home of Chocolate during our stay.
There are also the cobbled streets and quaint old buildings of the Altstadt to explore including churches such as the Grossmünster. For those with good fitness levels, you could also head for the hills with a hike up nearby Uetliberg.
What is there to eat?
Breakfast was included with our stay at Ruby Mimi and although you won't find fried favourites like sausage and eggs, you can tuck into locally sourced goods including fresh eggs, hand-cut fruit, Butterzopf bread, meats, cheeses, superfood cereals, pastries and unlimited barista coffee and fruit juices. Everything was very tasty and plentiful but we would have liked to have seen a few more hot options rather than just boiled eggs.
There are no lunch or dinner options at Ruby Mimi (including room service menu) although Dupont Brasserie and bar is just next door and you will of course find a wide variety of dining options for any type of food you might fancy. Personally, I recommend the Raclette Stube for the best fondue in the city.
How much does it cost to stay?
A double room excluding breakfast starts from 185 GBP (210 CHF) per night.
Final thoughts
Ruby Mimi won't be to everyone's taste. Some might prefer a bit more hand-holding during a hotel stay and to not have to make up their own teabag for a brew. But if you count yourself as someone who likes their hotel to come with a good night's sleep in a comfy bed, a central location in the heart of a city, bags of style and no skimping on the things you actually need, then you'll be right at home at Ruby Mimi. The hotel's lean luxury ethos proves that actually, we don't need half the things that a traditional hotel might usually provide and if fact, we're better off without it. There's nothing 'no-frills' about this hotel chain, it's simply a whole new way of running things.
With rooms only sleeping two people max, Ruby Mimi isn't particularly family-orientated unless you have a little one who sleeps in a cot, instead suiting solo travellers, couples or friends looking to explore Zurich. But if you do fall into one of those camps and consider yourself to be an open-minded traveller, you'll be sure to appreciate a stay at Ruby Mimi.