Paramount Delights – these are the Places to be in Zermatt
What do snow bunnies, It girls and foodies have in common? That's right, they all love Zermatt. Surrounded by 39 peaks taller than 4,000 metres lies this car-free alpine village, which has done a fabulous job preserving its original character and avoiding architectural blunders. Leaving your car in Täsch (5 km from Zermatt), you take a leisurely train for the rest of the way, terminating right in the town centre. So before you even get to Zermatt, you can start taking it easy. Up on the slopes, elegant ski lodges offer rustic or sophisticated fare, whatever your palate may fancy. Zermatt is the culinary hot spot in the Swiss Alps, as no other town has a comparable density of top chefs and celebrated alpine restaurants. Let us tell you the best places to go!
10 Tips for a Perfect Stay in Zermatt
Tip no. 1: Chez Vrony
What would Zermatt be without the Matterhorn? And what indeed would it be without the Chez Vrony? In the first case, the town would surely be poorer without its signature peak that everyone should see at least once in their lives. In the second case, it would lack one of its major culinary landmarks, one that you should definitely visit as well – and not just once. Luckily, the restaurant with its long-standing tradition has been on the mountain for roughly 100 years, and all is well.
Tip no. 2: Cervo Mountain Boutique Resort
Cervo – the top dog among the extraordinary hotels beneath the Matterhorn. The hotel's location on the edge of the ski slope is priceless. It is the perfect “ski in – ski out” resort for aspirational ski buffs and downhill aficionados who wish to make full use of their 7-day ticket without missing out on the pleasures of après-ski.
Tip no. 3: Coeur des Alpes
The Coeur des Alpes is a total work of art as far as hospitality is concerned. It is intriguing to look at with its linear architecture and its modern interior – cosy and extravagant at once. Guests are welcomed with heartfelt warmth and positively pampered during their stay. All suites and lofts have enormous scenic windows that command a picture-postcard view of the Matterhorn, Zermatt's famous landmark.
Tip no. 4: The Omnia
The Omnia is a modern-day interpretation of the classical mountain lodge. The five-star hotel's stark interior design is dominated by light and air. Architecture and the natural environment form a harmonious entity here. The view of the Matterhorn – lovingly called “Horu” by the locals – that you have from the hot tub and from most of the rooms is simply overwhelming.
Tip no. 5: Alpine Restaurant Blatten
Since 1850, the Taugwalder family has been running the small alpine restaurant Blatten in the hamlet of the same name above Zermatt. What once was a small tea house, has become a trendy venue next to the ski slope. Judging by the crowd, we are not the only fans of the mountainside cuisine at the Blatten. One of our favourites is the truffle fondue.
Tip no. 6: Alpine Restaurant Al Bosco
The Ristorante Al Bosco on the Riffelalp
From the Al Bosco, the Matterhorn looks as tempting as a giant piece of Toblerone chocolate. We love to start by ordering a solid plate of grand “Cucina Italiana.” For dessert, we always take the delicious chocolate cake.
Tip no. 7: Unique Hotel Post
At sundown, when the mountain slopes slowly become empty and quiet, this hotel – nicknamed “Pöschtli” by the locals – comes to life. Night life at the entertainment hotel Post is the stuff of legends. Whether at the cult club “Broken” or at the elegant “Live Music Bar Pink,” the carefree ambience at this boutique hotel in the pedestrian precinct will win you over in no time at all.
Tip no. 8: Restaurant Schäferstube
If you fancy lamb, you will be on cloud nine here! In the rustic Schäferstübli you will be served lamb specialities from home-bred sheep. That said, their raclette is also definitely worth a try! We always love to have a small plate for starters – and sometimes come back for another helping, or indeed a third one.
Tip no. 9: After Seven at the Hotel Backstage Vernissage
Daring to be different, local artist and owner Heinz Julen successfully combined steel, concrete and glass into an accomplished whole. This is also where the “unplugged” events originated. During the winter season, star-honoured Ivo Adam (head chef of the Seven Group in Ascona) at the After Seven fine dining restaurant inside the Hotel Backstage Vernissage. Rather than a menu to choose from, there is just one surprise dinner, limiting your choices to a small or a large plate. The best table is table no. 1, in the corner close to the wine rack.
Tip no. 10: Le Gitan Grill
A visit at the Le Gitan (French for "The Gipsy") grill is always a one-off experience. You will find yourself pampered in an unobtrusively cordial way, and the food is outstanding. Tender chunks of meat are grilled over a large fireplace, and, at this point at the latest, the fine scent of firewood and meat is sure to give you an appetite. The food comes with a superb serving of gratinated potatoes. We could actually live on just that! A must-have for all meat lovers and those who hunt for authentic restaurants.
Ready for more? On pillowandpepper.com, you will not only find a discriminating selection of truly great hotels and restaurants. We will also whisper the numbers or names of the most coveted rooms and tables in your ear. We compiled 300 hotel and restaurant suggestions just for you – all of them personally tested on location by us.
We hope you have a terrific time planning your next trip – and lots of fun frolicking in the snow.