Gasthof Oxen, Küsnacht, Lake Zürich
Heritage Meets Monocle-Approved Style
A Village Icon, Reborn
Set on Küsnacht’s sunny Gold Coast by Lake Zurich, Gasthof Oxen (formerly Ochsen) has been a community cornerstone for centuries—a dependable local inn where village life gathered around good food and warm wood paneling. In early 2025, Monocle’s Tyler Brûlé and the Winkreative team gave this icon a thoughtful, quietly transformative redesign, creating a space that feels both steadfastly rooted in tradition and freshly, confidently modern. The result is an inn that still nods to its long history but speaks fluently to contemporary travelers: intimate in scale, global in spirit, and unmistakably Swiss in its soul.
Where Tradition and Design Collide
Behind the preserved historic façade, the interiors are a lively hybrid of inn, café, boutique, and restaurant. Think clean-lined oak joinery, soft mid-century silhouettes, warm brass lighting, and just enough patina to keep things grounded. Monocle’s design DNA is evident everywhere: functional, unfussy, and quietly elegant. The showpiece is the new Monocle Suite—a two-bedroom apartment that reads like a perfectly edited design magazine spread. It’s filled with curated mid-century furniture, art and photography from Monocle’s archive, bespoke oak cabinetry, and wide windows framing charming views of Küsnacht’s village streets and the garden below.
Rooms with Character (and Shared Bathrooms)
Upstairs, seven minimalist bedrooms embrace a distinctly pared-back aesthetic: glacial-white walls, built-in oak furnishings, and soft wool throws that add a hint of alpine coziness. They share two bathrooms—an intentional choice that channels the intimacy of a European sleeper service more than the anonymity of a typical hotel corridor. It’s minimalism with character, offering an experience that’s stylish without pretense.
Dining for Locals and Travelers Alike
Downstairs, the restaurant has been reborn under chef Nicolas Hildebrandt, whose menu celebrates the region’s game, produce, and Alpine culinary traditions. Dishes are crafted in partnership with local hunters and farmers, and the results are both hearty and elegant—roast venison, forest mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, and house-baked breads. The dining room sets the mood with gentlemanly charm: dark-paneled walls, loden-cloth banquettes, dimmable lighting, and a convivial hum of conversation. It’s a space where locals linger as comfortably as overnight guests.
A Hub for Community and Creativity
Gasthof Oxen isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a cultural nucleus. Monocle has added an “Oxbox” café kiosk and boutique selling finely curated wares, while the OXENsaal hosts regular events, wine tastings, and community gatherings. The property hums with creative energy without ever feeling exclusive, striking that rare balance between insider cool and village warmth.
The DNA Hotels Verdict
Gasthof Oxen is a rare hybrid: steeped in local roots yet boldly contemporary. From the Monocle Suite’s mid-century flair to the communal spaces alive with village personality, this is design-led hospitality that still feels genuine and grounded. A Swiss lakeside gem for both short hops and slow weekends—a place that proves heritage can move forward without losing its heart.
