A contemporary six-guest residence overlooking Zürich
Architecture meets the Zürichberg forest
The R Apartment occupies a modernist building on Dorfstrasse, where the Adlisberg neighbourhood transitions from residential streets into forest. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames views across the canopy toward the lake, and the interiors maintain a deliberate restraint: white oak floors, concrete columns left exposed, and a kitchen finished in brushed stainless steel.
Adlisberg has always been a quieter counterpoint to the city centre. Here, the density thins and the streets curve upward into woodland. You are fifteen minutes by tram from Bellevue, yet surrounded by hiking trails that connect to the Zürichberg and Witikon forests. The neighbourhood retains a village quality, with a bakery, small grocer, and a handful of cafés that serve residents rather than tourists.
The apartment was designed by Elevate Schweiz GmbH to function as both short-term residence and extended stay. Storage is ample, the layout allows privacy between sleeping zones, and the lighting adapts from bright task work to low ambient warmth. A glass-walled office nook overlooks the terrace. The building itself dates to the late 1990s, renovated in 2021 with updated mechanicals, triple-glazed windows, and underfloor heating throughout.
You will find the place suited to small groups who value quiet, proximity to nature, and the ability to retreat from urban intensity without sacrificing access to Zürich's infrastructure. The tram stop is a three-minute walk; the forest trailhead is even closer.
An apartment designed around transparency and the adjacent forest
Symmetrical 500 Mbps fibre connection with mesh coverage throughout the apartment. Ethernet available in the office nook for stable wired access during calls or large file transfers.
One dedicated underground parking space included, with ceiling clearance of 2.1 metres. Additional guest parking available on Dorfstrasse at no charge after 18:00 and on weekends.
Miele induction hob, built-in espresso machine, full-height fridge-freezer, integrated dishwasher, and soft-close cabinetry. Equipped with cookware, glassware, and a full set of Zwilling knives.
Combination washer-dryer by Bosch located in a dedicated utility closet. Detergent, stain remover, and drying racks provided. Cycle time approximately three hours for wash and dry.
Underfloor heating throughout the apartment with individual room thermostats. Supplementary cooling via a discreet split-system air conditioner in the living area, effective across the open plan.
Primary ensuite with walk-in rain shower, honed marble surfaces, and heated towel rail. Second bathroom features bathtub with overhead shower, floating vanity, and underfloor heating.
West-facing terrace with teak decking, outdoor dining table for six, and planters of grasses and shrubs. Direct views into the Adlisberg forest. Retractable awning provides shade in summer.
Glass-enclosed office nook with adjustable standing desk, ergonomic chair, task lighting, and direct ethernet. Northern light and forest views reduce screen glare, conducive to extended work sessions.
Building access via video intercom and electronic key fob. Apartment door fitted with multi-point locking system. In-unit safe with digital keypad, large enough for laptops and travel documents.
Bathrooms stocked with Aesop hand wash, body wash, and lotion. Fresh towels, bathrobes, and slippers provided. Hair dryer, straightener, and magnifying mirror available in both bathrooms.
55-inch 4K television in living area with Apple TV, Netflix, and local streaming services. Sonos sound system with speakers in living area and primary bedroom. Bluetooth pairing supported.
Tram stop three minutes on foot, with line 6 running every ten minutes to Zürich Hauptbahnhof. Journey time to city centre fifteen minutes. ZVV day passes can be arranged on request.
A quiet room at the rear of the apartment with a king bed dressed in Belgian linen, built-in wardrobes, and an ensuite bathroom finished in honed marble. Blackout shades retract into the ceiling for uninterrupted morning light. USB charging ports are integrated into both nightstands.
This room overlooks the terrace and forest, fitted with a queen bed and a full wardrobe with hanging space and shelving. The window is floor-to-ceiling, and a roller blind provides privacy. A small reading chair sits in the corner beside a floor lamp.
An alcove off the main living area contains two single beds that can be joined to form a king. The space is semi-private, separated by a sliding timber panel. Suitable for children or additional guests who prefer proximity to the communal areas.
The largest space in the apartment, anchored by a modular sofa in charcoal linen and a dining table that seats eight. The kitchen island extends into the living area, and the entire western wall is glass, opening onto a terrace with teak decking and planters of ornamental grasses.
A galley-style kitchen with stainless steel countertops, Miele induction hob, integrated dishwasher, and a built-in espresso machine. Storage includes soft-close cabinetry and a pull-out pantry. The double sink faces the living area, maintaining sightlines across the open plan.
A dedicated workspace enclosed by glass, furnished with an adjustable standing desk and an ergonomic task chair. Direct ethernet connection ensures stable internet. The nook overlooks the terrace and receives consistent northern light, ideal for video calls or focused work.
You arrive in the late afternoon. The tram deposits you at Dorfstrasse, and the walk uphill is brief. The building stands back from the street, clad in pale render and horizontal timber slats. You unlock the apartment and step into a long, light-filled corridor that opens directly onto the main living area. The western light is golden and low, streaming through the glass wall that faces the terrace and the forest beyond.
You settle in. The kitchen is equipped with a Miele induction range and a full-height refrigerator. You brew coffee using the built-in espresso system and take it onto the terrace, where the air smells of pine and damp earth. Birdsong is the dominant sound. By evening, you have arranged your belongings in the primary bedroom, which features a king bed and blackout shades that retract fully into the ceiling.
Morning arrives quietly. You open the shades and the forest is backlit, mist rising from the undergrowth. You prepare breakfast at the island counter, then take a thirty-minute walk along the Adlisberg trail, which begins two hundred metres from the apartment. The path climbs gradually through beech and oak, emerging at a clearing with views over the Zürichsee and the Alps when visibility is clear.
Afternoon is reserved for work or rest. The office nook has a wide desk, ergonomic seating, and a direct ethernet connection. Later, you take the tram into the city centre for dinner, returning by ten. The apartment is warm, the lighting set to low, and you finish the evening reading on the sofa, windows open to the night air.
2 minutes by foot
An extensive network of trails through beech and oak woodland, connecting Adlisberg to Witikon and the Dolder ridge. Morning walks reveal mist over the canopy and occasional deer sightings. Signposted routes range from thirty-minute loops to half-day excursions.
18 minutes by tram
The lake promenade stretches from Bellevue to Tiefenbrunnen, lined with public swimming areas, cafés, and boat hire docks. In warmer months, the water is clean enough for swimming and the promenade fills with cyclists and walkers.
12 minutes by foot
The hillside around the Dolder Grand hotel offers forested walking paths, a public golf course, and panoramic views over the city and Alps. The area retains a Belle Époque character, with grand villas and mature gardens.
8 minutes by tram
A residential quarter with independent bakeries, wine merchants, and small restaurants serving Swiss and Italian cuisine. The weekly market on Helvetiaplatz offers local produce, cheeses, and flowers. Less crowded than Niederdorf but equally functional.
The Zürichberg forest changes character with each season. Spring brings wild garlic carpets and birdsong, summer offers cool shade and long evenings, autumn turns the canopy amber and rust, and winter silence is broken only by your footsteps on frozen trails. A guide to the routes we walk most often.
Zürich's dining scene extends far beyond the Altstadt. Hottingen, Hirslanden, and the Dolder hillside hide small trattorias, natural wine bars, and neighbourhood bistros serving seasonal Swiss-French menus. Here are eight places within fifteen minutes of the apartment, from morning pastries to late dinners.
Adlisberg sits at the intersection of modernist ambition and suburban restraint. The neighbourhood developed in waves, from early 20th-century villas to concrete-and-glass apartment blocks of the 1990s. A walk through its streets reveals how Zürich has built quietly upward, respecting the forest while claiming space within it.
Check-in is flexible and can be arranged from 15:00 onwards. We use a secure electronic lock system, so you can arrive at your convenience. Early check-in may be available depending on the previous booking; please enquire at the time of reservation. Instructions and access codes are sent 24 hours before arrival.
Check-out is by 11:00. Late check-out can often be arranged until 14:00 at no additional charge if the apartment is not booked the same evening. Please request this at least 48 hours in advance. On departure, simply secure the apartment and leave the key fob on the kitchen counter.
The apartment accommodates up to six guests across three sleeping zones: one king bed in the primary bedroom, one queen bed in the second bedroom, and two single beds in the flexible sleeping area that can be joined to form a king. The layout suits families, small groups, or colleagues travelling together.
One covered underground parking space is included in your booking, with a ceiling clearance of 2.1 metres. Additional vehicles can park on Dorfstrasse, which is free after 18:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends. The building entrance is accessed from the parking garage via a secure internal stairwell and lift.
Pets are not permitted in the apartment. The building has a no-pet policy enforced by the homeowners association. We apologise for any inconvenience. If you require pet-friendly accommodation in Zürich, we are happy to recommend alternative properties managed by Elevate Schweiz.
Booking directly through this site saves you the service fees charged by third-party platforms. You will receive a reservation confirmation by email, followed by a secure payment link. Full payment is due seven days before arrival. Check-in instructions, access codes, and a digital guidebook are sent 24 hours prior to your stay.
Cancellations made more than 30 days before arrival receive a full refund minus a 5% administrative fee. Cancellations between 14 and 30 days receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 14 days of arrival are non-refundable, though we offer the option to reschedule once at no charge if notice is given at least seven days in advance.
Elevate Schweiz GmbH manages the property and is available by phone, email, or WhatsApp between 08:00 and 22:00 daily. Contact details are provided in your confirmation email and again in the check-in instructions. For urgent matters outside these hours, an emergency contact number is included in the apartment welcome folder.
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