Zermatt is the village at the foot of the Matterhorn. With the skyline dominated by this hulk of weathered rock you’re sure to enjoy some awe-inspiring scenery. But let’s look beyond this world famous alpine icon and find out what it really has to offer and where the best places to stay in Zermatt really are.

With year round glacier skiing and the highest skiing in the Alps, Zermatt is blessed with guaranteed snow. You’ll probably be able to work on your panda eyes as well, as Zermatt is said to be bathed in sunshine for three hundred days of the year.

With over 360km of pistes in the winter, Zermatt is a vast skiing area and even gives you the option of skiing in 2 different countries on the same day. The run down into Cervinia, Italy, is as charming as the rest of the resort and can be accessed on the whole area lift pass.

Zermatt has almost endless, fantastic piste skiing with the 13km run from the Klein-Matterhorn, descending 2200m to Zermatt perhaps the most spectacular. The more experienced skier won’t be disappointed either as the yellow itinerary routes on offer present some challenging and engaging skiing. If the budget stretches, the opportunities for heli-skiing are magnificent.

What not to Miss

• Obviously the skiing or snowboarding!
• If snow sports aren’t your bag, have no fear: Zermatt offers plenty more besides. From shopping or the cinema in the winter or paragliding to golf in the summer.
• Take a trip on the Gornergrat Railway on a sunny day. From the top you can see an astonishing twenty nine 4000 metre peaks! Simply awesome.
• In summer months hike the 5-Seenweg (five lakes walk). It's just under 10km in lenght, but the views and scenery are spectacular.
• Zermatt also has a number of galleries and museums to visit for those looking for culture.
• The superb food. The Gault-Millau guide rates Zermatt as the most concentrated area of gourmet restaurants in Europe and many visitors come back for the quality of the restaurants alone. There is no end to the choice available, from experimental cooking to the most traditional of local recipes.

Zermatt has an extensive range of hotels, and whilst some fall into the luxury bracket with pampering spas, we've managed to eke out a few which will suit those on a more restricted budget. We've also got a great selection of ski chalets, boutique hotels, and family-friendly accommdation. Below, The Hotel Guru has singled out the choicest pickings of the best places to stay in Zermatt.

The Best Places to Stay in Zermatt

For the Best Views

• The Omnia overlooks Zermatt and has stunning views of the Matterhorn. The cuisine is gourmet, the library cosy, the bar elegant and the spa has a plunge pool and Turkish bath. Suites have log fires and jacuzzis.
• The Hotel Europe is a luxurious mountain lodge with stunning views. Close to the Zermatt-Furi lift and you’ll have access to their heavenly wellness centre and chic restaurant.
• Impeccably designed, the Hotel Matterhorn Focus is beautiful both inside and out. It has 30 rooms and a stylish spa. Great in summer for the hiking as well as winter for the skiing.
• The Matterhorn Lodge is a beautifully designed mountain lodge with 17 gorgeous rooms mixing traditional materials with contemporary design and fantastic views. There’s a lively bar and an open fire in the lounge.
• At the foot of the Matterhorn the Hotel Firefly has 15 suites themed around the elements. Modern with an alpine feel, the decor is heavy on leather and open fires. Suites have kitchens and astonishing views.

For Families

• Built in 1855, Hotel Monte Rosa is certainly not short on history. The headquarters of Whymper’s expedition which first conquered the Matterhorn, the Monte Rosa now merges traditional Alpine interiors with undeniable comfort.
• The Hotel Alex is a large but quirky family-run hotel with 84 rooms and suites. Plenty of nice features, think hand-turned furniture, whirlpool baths, a children’s playground and exquisite wood carvings.
• With its simple unaffected atmosphere and central location the Hotel Parnass is a fantastic family option. The extravagant five course dinners will keep everyone quiet, at least for a little while.

Close to the Slopes

• Hotel Phoenix could not be more ideally suited. Just a couple of minutes from the main lifts Hotel Phoenix represents excellent value for money and will dazzle you with views of the Matterhorn.
• The Hotel Bellerive is a chic, 26 room hotel in central Zermatt right by the cable car station. The decor is contemporary and luxurious - some rooms even have private hot tubs and/or views of the Matterhorn peak.

For Aprés-ski

• Le Petit Hotel seems to be made from a wedge of Swiss cheese. This affordable and very central spot lends itself to high revelry.
• Perren is also situated very centrally and offers slightly more comfort than Le Petit. The ‘exciting’ atmosphere is certain to get everyone in the mood

For Luxury

• The Mont Cervin Palace is a five star hotel with great views of the Matterhorn and 150 elegant, cosy rooms. There’s a choice of fine dining in any one of the four restaurant and a soothing spa.
• The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof has been welcoming guests to its 77 rooms since 1879. You can see that they certainly know how to deliver five star service. The spa is perfect and the restaurant has won 14 points from Gault Millau.
• Riffelalp is Europe’s highest 5-star resort. Far away from the main town you’re unlikely to worry about too many worldly cares. The opulence at such altitude should help to distract you.
• The Cervo Mountain Boutique Resort is a luxurious boutique ski resort with ski-in access available to some chalets which can be rented by the room or as a whole ‘house’. Each chalet has a wellness centre with sauna, jacuzzi and massage room.
• The Hotel Matthiol is a classic chalet hotel in the foothills of the Matterhorn less than a mile from the slopes and surrounded by hiking and biking trails.

For great spa facilities

• The intimate Coeur des Alpes has 21 rooms and 6 suites. Secluded, contemporary and über cool in wood, stone, steel and glass, the hotel also has an impressive lobby with a glass floor - under which is the swimming pool! The spa has EVERYTHING.
• The Backstage Boutique Spa Hotel has a great spot in the centre of town and offers guests 19 chic rooms and suites with wonderful views, fabulous furnishings, art gallery, bar and exclusive spa experience.
• The Wellness Hotel Alpenhof is a family-run hotel in a great position right next to the train station. As well as a wellness spa and indoor and outdoor pools the hotel has lovely wooden floors and a gourmet restaurant.

For Romance

• The Unique Hotel Post is a superb modern hotel with 29 rooms in the heart of Zermatt. Sleek and comfortable, the hotel has open fires, luxurious bathrooms and an unmissable spa.
• The Hotel Julen is a family-run hotel with loads of personality. There are 32 large rooms and suites with romantic details and plenty of wood, sheepskins and antlers. With a lovely restaurant and bar, three storey spa, pool and gym.

For Adventure

• Fluhalp is a traditional alpine hotel only accessible on skis or by foot. There are just four simple rooms, and prices start from around £57 per night. Please note that the Fluhalp is only open for hotel bookings during the summer months. In the winter season it operates only as a mountain restaurant.

Great Value

• Parnass is a friendly family-run hotel with stunning views of the Matterhorn from most of the 30 rooms. They serve excellent five course suppers in the dining room - or in the garden in summer - and have the sort of cosy, wooden decor you appreciate coming in off the slopes. Rooms start from around £70 per night.

For an Apartment or chalet

• If you’d prefer to stay in a self catering apartment or chalet we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• The closest airports to Zermatt are Zurich, three and a half hours away, and Geneva, four hours away. From there it’s a car journey to Täsch, followed by a 12 minute train journey. Or you can travel to Zermatt by train, which is spectacular and convenient - the final stop being in Bahnhofplatz Zermatt, right in the centre of town.
• If you want to hire a car - which you might drive to Zermatt, but will need to leave outside town (Zermatt is a car free village) - we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• If you’re here for the snow then November through January is the best time of year to visit - please book well in advance. The snow lasts longer than the main season though, so if you’re looking for a good deal then Zermatt in March or April might still offer you some great skiing. If you’re here for the summer activities the best time is between June and September.

Still not sure which to book?

• Browse our list of the best places to stay in Zermatt
• or why not check out some of The Hotel Guru’s other skiing destinations: Les Trois Valees, Val d’Isere, Verbier and St Anton,
• or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Zermatt