We stayed at the Hotel Speer over the New Year. It has an excellent setting close to the lake and the old town, and we could walk anywhere we needed to go. The hotel is also directly across from the train station for getting into Zurich. Rooms are ok but nothing special. Worth mentioning was our fancy toilet seat with motorized controls, which seem totally out of place, and kept falling off every time we opened it.

This was our fifth stopover on our Eurail journey and because we are so familiar with Zurich we are staying here! We stepped out of the Rapperswil train station and the Hotel Speer awaited us directly across the street after a 5 1/2 hour train ride from Fussen. The TA write ups before us are detailed and accurate so I won't repeat what you already have read: they are friendly and efficient and the breakfast is great and the city is right behind the hotel and is a very pleasant place to visit. The lobby restaurant has turned into an Asian theme with conveyor belt sushi and while we didn't try it, the place was packed both nights we were here. Our sole reason for staying was to visit Swiss friends and so they stopped by an hour after we arrived and promptly marched us to the lakefront and into their favourite Italian restaurant. This hotel and city is a very good alternate to Zurich that in my opinion is getting too busy and slightly grouchy again. I can't blame them for the grouchy part as the Main station is a real human tsunami at rush hour but the point here is that Rapperswil is just as Swiss without the hustle and bustle! Our room faced the front street and while it was fairly quiet you might consider facing the back in high season as there is a lot of activity in front of the station. So in summary, no complaints just praise, go to Zurich in the daytime and come back here in the evening. On to Bern.........................

I have stayed the Speer many times now and would have no hesitation in doing so again. On every visit the staff have been very friendly, very efficient and nothing short of the best. Handily convienant directly opposite the train station and the old town is right out the back door of the hotel. The location is nothing short of fantastic with the castle, zoo, deer park and lake all within walking distance. A train journey or beautiful boat ride will take you from here to Zuerich or you can explore the local area. The "Back & Brau" restaurant has it's own beers made by them - although service can be variable (it is managed by the Back & Brau chain which is independant of the Hotel)

Ich war jetzt schon viele Male im Speer und werde auch in Zukunft dort absteigen. Jedes Mal, wenn ich da bin, ist das Personal sehr freundlich, effizient und einfach nur das Beste. Es hat eine praktische Lage genau gegenüber dem Bahnhof und die Altstadt befindet sich gleich hinter dem Hotel. Die Lage ist einfach nur fantastisch mit dem Schloss, dem Zoo, dem Park und dem See in unmittelbarer Nähe. Mit dem Zug oder einer wunderschönen Bootstour kommt man nach Zürich oder man schaut sich die Gegend dort an. Im Back & Brau Restaurant wird eigenes Bier gebraut, der Service dort ist aber unterschiedlich (es wird von der Kette Back & Brau geführt, die mit dem Hotel nichts zu tun hat).

Taking a vacation for 2 weeks with a Eurail pass and covering 5 countries and 10 cities we found our 3 days in Rapperswil a true retreat, with much of it due to the staff and comfort of the Speer Hotel. Rapperswil itself is beautiful, rich in history and it's location at the southern tip of the Zurich See allowed for romantic, relaxing strolls at sunset along the lake with crisp views of the alps off in the distance. Booking all our hotels spontaneously (on-line) along the way (having left our computers at home) we were in constant search of internet cafes and on-line services. The Speer Hotel offers a business center, with free internet, where we were able to catch up on some pressing items, in a comfortable, private setting just one floor below our own. The price was quite reasonable and the room was great, clean & quiet with a tub. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the strong sense of committment to customer service was apparent everywhere... all well orchestrated by warm and friendly hotel owners: Urs & Cecile Haemmerle Eberle. The small restaurant we had read about on this site was no longer in opperation, but the complimentary breakfast was great and kept us satified all day. There are also many excellent restaurants in close proximity. We are seriously considering using the Speer as a homebase for our next trip. It's central location is convenient and offers easy day-trips to all of Switzerland and beyond. We highly recommend the Speer and definitely will return!