This first class airport lounge has its own ‘hotel rooms’

Business travellers spend plenty of time at airport lounges and airport hotels – but what about an airport lounge with its own hotel rooms? 

That's one of the unique traits of Swiss' flagship first class lounge at Zurich Airport's Concourse E.

Of course, the lounge itself is plenty impressive in its own right, with a luxuriously high-end yet restrained (and thus, very Swiss) design...

... with upmarket flourishes including an a la carte restaurant...

... and a fully stocked bar (while the adjacent Swiss Senator business class lounge has its own whisky bar showcasing some 120 drams from around the world).

But the Swiss first class lounge has something few of its rivals can match: hotel-style rooms where weary top-tier travellers can take a break.

Beyond the noise-proofed double-glazed windows is a verandah with views over the gates, taxiway and runway of Zurich Airport.

Those with an aviation bent could be happy just to watch the planes, although more weary travellers will be eager to draw the thick blackout curtains over the windows, don the supplied eyemask and grab some shut-eye.

Each of the lounge's hotel rooms is named for a Swiss landmark, such as the St Moritz and the Montreux.

On the inside, they're pretty much like any cosy, space-efficient hotel room.

There's a luggage rack and coat hangar (a playful Hang-it-All designed by Charles and Ray Eames)...

... with a seriously soft hotel-grade double bed...

... plus a bathroom and very generously-sized shower suite...

... where you'll find Hammam Spa amenities including a shave kit.

On the bedside table you'll find bottles of still and sparkling water, and some chocolate.

This panel next to the bed houses a paid of USB sockets plus AC outlets for European, UK and North American plugs so you don't have to rely on carrying a 'universal connector' with you (even though all savvy business travellers do, right? Right.)

Those with an aviation bent could be happy just to watch the planes, although more weary travellers will be eager to draw the thick blackout curtains over the windows, don the supplied eyemask and grab some shut-eye.

The lounge's staff can keep an eye on the clock and if you fail to wake to your smartphone's alarm – or forget to set that alarm in the first place – they can rouse you with gentle rapping on the door.

There's no room service from the lounge's a la carte restaurant, but staff are fine with you bringing some snacks – or a drink from the bar – back to your room.

Best of all, there's no cost to use the two bedrooms and no time limit on your stay: it's purely first come, first served.

The Swiss first class lounge is available only to first class passengers and card-carrying HON Circle members of the Miles & More frequent flyer scheme.