One of the more popular decisions made by referees of Uefa Euro 2008 would have been staying at the Movenpick Hotel in Zurich. A total of 44 officials were put through their paces by competition organisers before the games at the Movenpick this April.

Upgraded function rooms were perfect places for the refs to receive final instructions about the tournament and the 3,000 sq metre Migros-Fitnesspark, annexed to the hotel, as well as other leisure facilities, including an 18-hole golf course, were great places to relax.

In addition to these features, the hotel's conference centre accommodated up to 1,200 guests, perfect for tournament officials. The centre is undergoing further modernisation next year, which will make the Movenpick one of the best hotels in Zurich.

Regensdorf

Movenpick Hotel's major commendation is its location. Close enough to the city, with a free shuttle service to Zurich Airport, yet far enough to be in the middle of nature. It is a 15-minute drive from the Messe Zurich exhibition centre and the Hallenstadion sports facilities. Next door is a 50-outlet shopping centre.

Queen, REM and Bryan Adams are playing at the Hallenstadion in September and at the Messe is Zuspa, a consumer family event.

Get active

As well as the gym next door and the 18-hole golf course, the Movenpick has a swimming pool, sauna and spa as well as tennis courts outside. The conference rooms are flexible for all types of training and guests. Work out rooms and solarium are available.

Terrace dining

One of the highlights of the Movenpick is the terrace dining facilities of Ciao Italian restaurant. You can choose from a variety of pasta and pizza served throughout the day to a Mediterranean atrium garden seating area. Guests can also use two other hotel restaurants and a hotel bar, which is the only part of the building that allows smoking.

This year the restaurant to the affordable accommodation in Zurich has a special menu to celebrate 60 years since Ueli Prager opened the first Movenpick Restaurant in Zurich in 1948. Favourites such as tartar and smoked salmon, specialist cooked meat of the city, zurcher geschnetzeltes, and the traditional rice and meat dish, riz casimir, will be given a new edge. Not to mention the special Movenpick ice cream and apple cake with coffee for dessert courses.

Bar bliss

A resident DJ will play the tunes of your choice while the bar staff cater to the cocktail of your choice at Swing Swing which is the resident bar, nightclub and discotheque.

Time to blow the whistle

All 150 rooms have been given warm colours in a feel-good overhaul of the hotel. All bedrooms are non-smoking, have high-speed internet access and allow self-regulating temperatures. They come with telephone, radio and television and mini bar to make your stay more comfortable.

A hotel floor has been completely redesigned, now equipped with additional amenities, like coffee machines.

What the manager says

General manager of the Movenpick Hotel, which consists of more than 90 hotels worldwide, Norbert Fontana said: "We are now able to pamper our guests with passionate Swiss hospitality in a modern ambiance.

"The new premises not only give us entirely new possibilities but will also create a competitive advantage in the Zurich region."

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