Zurich is the financial centre of Switzerland and most travellers come with an expense account. The hospitality sector focuses therefore mostly on the 4 and 5 star sector. Zurich is known for its superb hotels, but these won't come cheap. Best is to go on a company rate, because rack rates are sometimes ridiculous.

Budget
Couchsurfing. has a lot of members in Zurich. Public transport is very fast and good, so also consider staying in surrounding areas instead of in the city centre.
City Backpacker/Hotel Biber, Niederdorfstrasse 5 (In the old-town, a few minutes walk from the main station), ? +41 44 251 90 15 (fax: +41 44 251 90 24). The most convenient hostel for backpackers. There are shared bathroom and cooking areas. Dormitory 34CHF, Private rooms available from 71CHF. 
Hotel Krone Limmatquai, Limmatquai 88 (In the heart of the old-town), ? +41 44 251 42 22. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 11:00. A simple, small hostel. Some rooms have river view. from 34 p.p.. 
Hostel Krone Zurich, Limmatquai 88.1 (in the centre of the city), ? +41 44 260 11 70. checkin: 14:00. A simple, small hostel in old town of Zurich, 4 minutes from the mainstation. tripple room from 120 in summer till 98 CHF in winter. 
Youth hostel, Mutschellenstrasse 114 (2 kilometer, 15 minute tram ride from the centre), ? +41 43 399 78 00. A little way out of the centre, but the city is easily reached by public transport (take the S-Bahn to Wollishofen and walk over the hill). A clean and sleek facility, if a little quiet. From 42CHF for a dormitory bed with breakfast; 104CHF for a single room with shower. 
Martahaus, Zaehringerstrasse 36, +41 44 251 45 50 (Fax +41 44 251 45 40). A "clean and friendly" place which doubles as a hostel and a one-star hotel. They also have weekly and monthly rates for rooms, as well as a couple of studio apartments. 40-150 CHF (dormitory bed to double room with a shower). (current as of December 2008) - Closed for complete renovation. Reopening in autum 2010 (stand march 2010)
Otter, Oberdorfstr, 7, +41 44 251 22 07 (Fax: +41 44 251 22 75). A good hotel for the price. The rooms have been decorated with the kind of care that one normally expects in a much more expensive hotel, each with its own theme. You can choose from the jungle room with its hammock, or the pink Carmen, or go for the top floor apartment. Each floor's three rooms share a bath, shower and toilet (WC), with the exception of the apartment which has its own shower. 115 CHF for a single room, 150 for a double, and 200 for 2-person apartment (240 for 4-person apartment).
Hotel Splendid, Rosengasse 5. This hotel is relatively cheap. The rooms are clean but spare. Private showers and bathrooms are not available, you share with your floor. What is really great is the location, right close to the Gemüsebrücke and the city centre. 62CHF to CHF 85 for a single, from CHF 160 for a 4-person room, plus 2.50 City-Taxe per person.
Etap Hotel, Technoparkstrasse 2, +41 43 276 20 00, Fax : (+41) 44 276 20 01; website. This hotel is in a great place if you want to party. Located in Zurich West, next to some great bars and restaurants. The rooms are clean and comfortable. 90CHF (low season) to 155CHF (high season) for a single room, and from 100 CHF for double/triple occupancy. For Zurich, this is cheap. Located near a tram station, which takes 10 minutes to get to the main train station.
Hotel Schäfli, Badergasse 6, +41 44 251 41 44. Fax: +41 44 2513476. The location is the draw in this somewhat run-down hotel. Situated in the old-town near the station and just by the charming Niederdorfstrasse, where there are tons of bars and restaurants. The shower has a timer. Be sure to get all the coins for the shower you need by Saturday, as the reception desk closes on Sundays. 102 CHF for a double room.
Hotel Neufeld, Friesenbergstr.15, +41 43 960 7373, Fax: +41 43 960 7374; website. The comfortable, modern 3*** owner-run hotel is located just a few minutes away from the city centre. All 40 new renovated rooms are comfortable and modern furnished. Perfect for businespeople and tourists. The rates start from CHF 110 for a single and CHF 155 for a double room, including tax breakfast and free wifi.

Mid-range
Hotel Adler, Rosengasse 10, ? +41 (0)44 266 96 96, fax: +41 (0)44 266 96 69). Clean rooms and breakfast is included in the price. They have a terrific restaurant attached and associated with the hotel that has delicious fondue. The hotel is in a great area for foot exploration. With many bars, restaurants, and cafes all within a few minutes. They have a single computer on the seond floor with free internet access. 110-230CHF single room; 180-310CHF double. 
Ambassador à l'Opéra, Falkenstrasse 6, CH-8008, ? +41 044 258 98 98 (fax: +41 (0)44 258 98 00). Four star boutique hotel situated in the town centre, opposite the Opera House and only 10 min away from the main station Hauptbahnhof and 30 minutes from the Zurich airport. Newly renovated and exquisitely decorated. Single room from 220CHF, two-person room from 390CHF in the low season. 
Claridge Hotel Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 8-10, ? +41 44 267 8787 ( fax: +41 (0)44 251 24 76). Four star hotel located within 5 minutes walking distance from Bahnhof Stadelhofen. The theater and the museum of art are just around the corner. Single room from 190CHF, double room from 230CHF. 
Helmhaus, Schifflände 30, ? +41 44 266 95 95 (fax: +41 (0)44 266 95 66). Three tram stops with tram number 4 from the main station. Located directly next to the Limmat in the old town of Zurich. Very traditional four star hotel with first-class service, style and modern comfort. Single room from 230CHF, double room from 300CHF. 
Rex, Weinbergstrasse 92, ? +41 44 360 25 25 (fax: +41 (0)44 251 24 76). Three star hotel, 5 minutes by tram number 7 from the Hauptbahnhof. All rooms are non-smoking. Single room from 158CHF, twin room from 194CHF. 
Wellenberg, Niederdorfstrasse 10, ? +41 043 888 44 44 (fax: +41 (0)43 888 44 45). The four star Art Deco Hotel Wellenberg with its idyllic inner court terrace is in the car-free old town of Zurich, 10 walking minutes from the Hauptbahnhof. The rooms are modern and elegant. One-person room from 290CHF, two-person room from 370CHF. 
Palais Kraft, Kraftstrasse 33, +41 44 388 84 85, Fax +41 44 388 84 86. Three luxury rooms in Zurich's most prestigious residential building. Located 2 kilometers from the centre, above the university district at Toblerplatz (Trams 5 and 6, direction Zoo), in the heart of Zurich's prime residential area. The rooms come with a large well-stocked fridge, kitchenette, 32" or bigger flat screen TV, wireless internet access, and open to the terrace of the Palais Kraft. Beginning at 385 CHF per room/night, including continental breakfast, soft drinks, snacks, internet, local calls, and all taxes. 330CHF double-bed guest room with bath and kitchette.
Designer Hotel Greulich, Herman-Greulich-Strasse 56, ? +41 (0)43-243 42 43 (fax: +41 (0)43-243 42 00). Located in the heart of Zurich's vibrant Aussersihl district, the stunning Hotel Greulich is a haven of style and comfort with a renowned gourmet restaurant. Online booking. 
NH Zurich Airport, Schaffhauserstrasse 101. 8152 Glattbrugg, ? +41.44.808.5.000. This modern hotel offers 140 rooms, function rooms, and a fitness room and sauna. There is a free shuttle service to take you to and from the airport. Rooms from 155CHF. 

Splurge
Hotel Widder, Rennweg 7, +41 44 224 25 26. Best hotel in town, known for excellent service and unique location in the old town, but just 1-2 min from Bahnhofstrasse. Prices from from 600CHF single room up to 1500CHF for 1 bedroom suite.
Hotel zum Storchen, Am Weinplatz 2, +41 44 227 27 27. On the river Limmat with an exclusive restaurant.
Baur au lac, Talstrasse 1, +41 44 220 50 20. Perfect location at the lake, excellent restaurant, popular with actors, celebrities, and politicians.
Savoy Baur en Ville, Paradeplatz, (fax: +41 (0)44 215 25 00). Rooms are clean and modern but small. 
Park Hyatt Zurich, Beethovenstrasse 21 (east on zurich after 200 miles on gimmelwald), ? +41 43 883 1234 . expensive but has a very nice room and spa there is a casino too 2000. 
Dolder Grand, Kurhausstrasse 65, +41 44 456 60 00 Recently renovated flagship hotel of Zurich with amazing view and excellent spa.
ALDEN Hotel Splügenschloss, Splügenstr. 2, +41 44 289 9999. A small and intimate five-star boutique hotel in Zürich, located on a quiet side street, near the lake shore and Bahnhofstrasse. The hotel comprises of two restored landmark buildings and has a modern interior.

Camping
Zurich has numerous camping sites, in true Swiss style they are usually very clean, all the sites are the the southern end of the city, normally in river valleys (for obvious reasons). Most campsites close for the winter.
Camp site Waldhof. Quiet and idyllic campsite.
Camp site Zürich-Seebucht .
Camp site Züri-Leu.