72 Hours at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Zermatt is always worth a trip. Nestled in the picturesque Swiss Alps and accessible only by train, this car-free gem has been one of my all-year favorites since my first visit 15 years ago. During my time living in Lausanne, the short drive made it an ideal weekend destination for a sweet escape. Several visits gave me the opportunity to explore the local luxury hotel scene in depth. After graduating in Lausanne, however, time flew by, and I never made it back to Zermatt — until one Instagram video changed that. Seeing footage of the longest ski slope in Europe reignited my love for the Matterhorn. My colleague and I freed up a weekend in January, packed our bags, and set off for Switzerland. The journey took us just six hours from Munich by car, including two train rides (one for cars) and crossing three borders (Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland) — a relatively quick trip considering the stunning weekend that lay ahead. For our hotel, I had a clear choice in mind. I wanted a property with an indoor pool, sauna, Matterhorn views, and a renowned culinary offering. Without hesitation, I booked a room at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, knowing its excellent location and that nearly every room offers views of the iconic Matterhorn.
Unlike many hotels, which leave key details to be sorted at check-in, the Zermatterhof excels in pre-arrival communication, partly due to the logistical challenges of being in a pedestrian-only town. Upon booking, guests are advised to contact the concierge to arrange arrival details. Forty-eight hours before check-in, the hotel sends a pre-check-in form where you can provide passport details, room preferences, and arrival information. Impressively, this system worked seamlessly, and all that was required at check-in was my credit card. The arrival process is unique. Guests can either arrange a taxi via the concierge or take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn from Täsch Terminal to Zermatt station. We chose the latter, parking our car at the Täsch station and boarding the public train to Zermatt. Luggage carts are readily available, and upon arrival in Zermatt, a porter was waiting to assist us and escort us in an electric vehicle branded with the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof logo. Be sure to call the concierge once you board the train in Täsch to ensure the porter is ready when you arrive.
Upon entering the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, we were warmly welcomed at the front desk by a friendly young lady who swiftly processed our check-in. Within moments, a brief hotel tour commenced, introducing us to the spa, restaurants, and breakfast room before we were shown to our magnificent suite. This time, I had the privilege to stay in in the Classic Superior One-Bedroom Suite, one of the hotel’s most spacious accommodations. Spanning 70 square meters, the suite felt truly majestic and perfectly aligned with the hotel’s grand ambiance. Needless to say that this top-tier suite comes with unparalleled views of the Matterhorn from the living room and the bedroom. Upon entering, the suite greeted us with a delightful wood scent reminiscent of a private chalet. Right next to the entrance was the guest powder room with toilet and walk-in shower as well as a closet for coats and ski jackets. The expansive living room spread across the entire width of the building came with a dining table for four, two comfy leather armchairs in front of a gas fire place, a writing desk and two sofas.
We both loved the cosy atmosphere of this suite and immediately felt very homey. While the furniture suited the hotel’s elegant ambiance, the gas fireplace was more decorative than functional, offering only a faint flame without warmth. In contrary, I was surprised to see that the bathrooms have been completely be redone recently and we therefore had double sinks, a walk-in shower along a separated toilet and bath tub in the main bathroom. It’s always great to have double sinks and lots of wardrobe space when staying in a hotel with a friend longer than just one or two nights. So I would say the suite ticked all boxes for this ultimate four-day ski getaway. One of the porters came and put our suitcases on two luggage racks in the bedroom right opposite the wooden wardrobes. These were located in the bedroom which also had a king-size bed with two pillows each, two armchairs, another writing desk and a second television. As mentioned earlier you could also access the balcony from the bedroom to get a first glimpse of the Matterhorn after waking up. Housekeeping was doing a good job and provided different chocolates each evening (one evening we even got Toblerone, the chocolate with the Matterhorn on it). They changed towels and provided us with more toiletries than we could use and were provided by jewelry brand Chopard, they smelled very fresh.
Breakfast at the Zermatterhof was an unexpected highlight. Live piano music accompanied the meal each morning, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. The quality of the breakfast items was exceptional, featuring upscale Champagne, one of the best Eggs Benedict I’ve ever had, and attentive service. Upon our arrival on the first morning, the manager of the restaurant greeted us by last names and on the second day she was immediately coming towards our table when she saw us and had a lovely conversation adding some recommendations for our ski day. Coffee and egg orders were a la carte and all other items could be found on the buffet. I loved the quality of cheese and cold cuts as much as the shrimp cocktail and smoked salmon. There are daily changing freshly squeezed smoothies that add a wonderful touch each morning. Overall breakfast alone is reason to stay at Zermatterhof rather than any other hotel in town and it is the best among all hotels I have reviewed nearby. We didn’t have the chance to explore the hotel’s dining outlets - on our last evening we wanted to pay a visit to the hotel’s new fondue cellar Saycheese! but weren’t able to get a last minute table anymore. There is a Michelin-starred restaurant called Prato Borni in the house and according to fellow travelers is among the best restaurants in Zermatt definitely worth a visit. If that’s not your cup of tea, there is Brasserie Lusi serving a very international cuisine along with the chic and elegant Stars Bar where we enjoyed live music almost every night while sipping the Matterhorn Gin Tonic - the hotel’s signature drink.
The hotel’s wellness is called Vita Borni and is conveniently located in the annex building directly underneath our suite. This way we had an almost private elevator directly to the vast indoor pool. If you are sitting in the hot jacuzzi next to the pool you can overlook the Matterhorn which is just incredible. It’s great to have a warm and one cold water option with the jacuzzi and the indoor pool. I loved jumping into the refreshing pool after a round of sauna and steam bath. Everything is wonderfully maintained and I liked the dimmed lights in the adults only sauna area creating a relaxing environment. What I found a bit odd is that they provide Lalique toiletries in the spa that smelled better and of higher quality than the in-room toiletries by Chopard. There is one Finnish sauna that gets perfectly hot, a warm steam bath, a medium temperature steam room and an ice room to cool off next to the relaxation room with six additional lounge chairs. In case there is no available seat around the indoor pool (that can get quite lively at peak hours), I highly suggest the loungers in the relaxation room for a quiet rest. Actually, the spa had everything we wished for during this sporty ski weekend. Space definitely is a constant and therefore the only way to make the hotel stand out even more is by refreshing the design of the spa just like they did with the public spaces and the majority of the rooms and suites.
Zermatt is a place where hotels only sell bed & breakfast as most guests prefer to make use of the extensive food and beverage offer on site. Chez Vrony is a must-visit in the Sunegga area, best booked immediately after securing your flights and hotel. Aim for the second seating around 2 p.m. for a relaxed experience. If skiing in the Glacier Paradise area, Zum See offers a cozy indoor Stube that’s perfect for a midday break. This way you get back to the hotel recharged and have enough energy for the walk back to the hotel (hotels in Zermatt are not allowed to drop you off or pick you up from the ski slopes - alternatively you can take a cab). Make sure to be back just in time for a bit of recovery in the Vita Borni spa. Afterwards dress up and get ready to enjoy some live music in the lobby lounge or the Stars Bar. Make your way to Bahnhofstrasse and choose any spot for a typical Swiss dinner or head to Prato Borni if you’re in for a culinary treat on Michelin-level. Our stay at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof was nothing short of extraordinary. From the attentive service and luxurious accommodations to the unparalleled dining and spa experiences, the hotel once again proved why it’s the leading luxury property in Zermatt. With its prime location, elegant ambiance, and top-tier amenities, the Zermatterhof epitomizes the grandeur of a Swiss Grand Hotel. For anyone seeking a refined and unforgettable alpine escape, this is the place to be.
We were guests of Grand Hotel Zermatterhof and the stay was arranged by Matterhorn Group for editorial purposes.
All above written expresses the sole opinion of our editor and has not been influenced.
