Ruby opens first hotel in Switzerland
- Munich
- 01 November 2021
"Stars are born, not made" is the motto at the Ruby Mimi in Zurich since 18 October 2021. It is the first hotel of the Munich-based Ruby Group, led by founder and CEO Michael Struck, to open in Switzerland. The hotel’s 208 rooms are spread over seven floors across the Art Deco listed building with a total area of 8,400 sqm. Situated where one of the first cinemas in Zurich used to thrill audiences over 100 years ago, the new hotel takes guests on a journey back to the exciting golden era of Hollywood of the 1910s and 1920s. The extraordinary architecture of the building is immediately apparent upon entering, with the Mimi Bar and its impressively high ceilings taking centre stage. Luxurious materials and hand-picked antiques are skillfully juxtaposed with modern stylistic elements, whilst the oversized neon sign "Stars are born, not made" lights up on the wall.
Another highlight is the hotel's charming cinema hall - a reminder of the building's history. Cosy armchairs, red velvet curtains and a popcorn machine create a cinema feeling just like in the golden days of Hollywood.
The hotel rooms reflect Ruby's Lean Luxury philosophy: fresh and bright white, with glass rain showers integrated into the rooms, as well as high-quality white oak floors and wooden wall panelling which blend harmoniously with the historic charm of the building. Many of the rooms feature large round windows; lovingly restored open wooden beams; and old, natural brick walls.
The hotel building itself also reflects a lot of the city’s history. Built in 1913, Haus Du Pont housed a cinema within the same walls for over 100 years: first named as the 'Orient', it was later renamed as the ABC Kino, where the final screening took place in 2014.
"The Swiss market, especially Zurich, offers great potential for our Lean Luxury philosophy - a luxury accommodation experience at an affordable price in a prime location", explains Daniella Boeken, Group Vice President Commercial at Ruby.
Markus Juan Perez Lieb, who has already been responsible for several hotel openings in Switzerland and abroad, manages the hotel: "Already as a teenager, I often went to the then ABC cinema. I never thought that I would take over this building as hotel manager one day. It is the most beautiful project in my professional career so far, and that too in my hometown of Zurich."
Ruby Hotels follow a clear structure: a location in the heart of the city, top design and high-quality furnishings, focusing on the essentials in order to remain affordable. "This works because, following the example of modern luxury yachts, we accommodate our luxury in a relatively small area and simply leave out the non-essentials. We also organise ourselves with the help of our own technical solutions in a completely different way than is usual in the industry. We plan and build more modularly, centralise more and automate consistently behind the scenes. This helps us to make a luxurious and unique hotel experience affordable for our guests", Michael Struck, founder and CEO of Ruby, explains with regards to the company's approach.
Six different room categories are available in Zurich, ranging from the NEST Room with approx. 17 sqm; COSY Rooms with approx. 18 sqm; LOVELY Rooms, which are perfect for the weekend for two, at approx. 19 sqm; WOW Rooms with up to 28 sqm; and the spacious LOFT Rooms, with up to 32 sqm, some of which feature a green balcony. The STAR Rooms, with approx. 30 sqm, are particularly striking: they are inspired by five starlets of the 1910s who all bore the name Mimi, and each of the rooms feature historical dressing tables and a chaise longue. Prices start at CHF 158 at opening, with average room rates ranging from CHF 210 - 230/night.
For more information or to book directly: www.ruby-hotels.com/mimi
Ruby Mimi Hotel & Bar
Beatenplatz 4
CH-8001 Zurich
