Signau House & Garden, Zurich
A Quiet Masterpiece in the Embassadors’ Quarter
A Historic Hideaway in the City’s Leafy Quarter
Tucked away in Zürich’s plush Riesbach (or Seefeld) district—just a short stroll from Lake Zurich and Le Corbusier’s lakeside pavilion—Signau House & Garden is the kind of discreet address locals whisper about. Set in a 1912 patrician mansion once owned by a prominent silk merchant, this boutique retreat lives at the crossroads of old-world charm and refined design culture. The villa, originally conceived by Zurich starchitects Otto Pfleghard and Max Haefeli (plus famed landscape designer Gustav Ammann), has been beautifully reimagined by three local families—one a descendant of the original owners. What they’ve created is a design-forward bolthole with just nine rooms, a touch of British townhouse poise, and a seriously cinematic backstory.
1920s Salon Energy and a Secret Cinema
Inside, it’s all burnished parquet, original fireplaces, high stucco ceilings, and immaculate mid-century pieces from Josef Hoffmann, Eileen Gray, and Thut Möbel. The Salon Bleu feels like something from a lost Fitzgerald novella—velvet armchairs, hushed tones, and a quiet air of privilege. The honesty bar serves up stiff martinis, and the winter garden–style pavilion (with its checkerboard floor) makes mornings feel timeless. And here’s the kicker: Signau House was once Universal Studios’ Swiss HQ in the 1960s. That legacy lives on in its private in-house cinema, where curated screenings—from Scorsese to art house gems—light up the plush red velvet seats. It’s as much a place to stay as a place to belong.
Rooms with Grace and Garden Views
Upstairs, the guest rooms toe the line between period-perfect and pared-back. Expect vintage rugs on original wooden floors, soft colour-block walls in faded pastels, and views over Seefeld’s rooftops and rose-scented gardens. Lighting is Art Nouveau, bathrooms are elegantly minimalist, and the vibe is somewhere between Wes Anderson restraint and Jugendstil soul. Breakfast is served on the sun-drenched terrace, there’s always something quietly stylish happening behind the scenes (chef pop-ups, film nights, small cultural salons), and the team—led by hoteliers Regula Brucker and Tina Wiemes—keep the mood warm, polished, and utterly relaxed.
DNA Hotels Verdict
A design lover’s dream tucked behind Seefeld’s leafy facades, Signau House & Garden feels more like a private club than a hotel. Elegant, cinematic, and quietly glamorous, it’s a soulful slice of Zürich heritage reimagined for the now—where you check in and never want to leave.
