Triple Z Experience
Pack your sense of wonder and don’t forget a cozy sweater – we’re heading to Zermatt, the crown jewel of the Swiss Alps! From the moment you hop on board the mountain train to the last sip of Heida wine under starlit skies, this isn’t just a getaway – it’s a grand alpine love story. Join us as we glide from peaks to palaces, shepherds’ huts to spa bliss and feel wrapped in Swiss charm with a touch of audacious luxury.
Main image: With the majestic Matterhorn rising in the background, the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof blends timeless elegance with alpine grandeur—an icon of Swiss hospitality reimagined for modern travelers in the heart of Zermatt.
ZERMATT – THE ZENITH OF THE ALPS
Where awe-inspiring nature and grandeur meet with serenity and timeless elegance. Our alpine adventure takes us through three unique Swiss Deluxe Hotels: Riffelalp Resort, Mont Cervin Palace and Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.
En route to the Matterhorn, we make a stop in Interlaken, a picturesque valley surrounded by the majestic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. There, we enjoy a stylish afternoon tea with co-author Alex Kühn at the Grand Hotel Victoria-Jungfrau. Then we continue our journey to the car train in Kandersteg.
JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF THE ALPS
As a child, I have fond memories of boarding this train: each car, one after the other, slowly rolling onto the open wagons. A tingle of excitement, butterflies in my stomach as the train began its journey, past tiny chalets, waterfalls and churches – a landscape straight out of a model train set. Finally, the train would vanish into the dark Lötschberg tunnel, gain speed and thunder through the darkness.
This same feeling returns today as we drive from Interlaken and up the Kander Valley to the BLS car train from Kandersteg to Goppenstein. Curve after curve, we fall back in love with this landscape.
RIFFELALP RESORT
Arrival in Tranquility
Zermatt is car-free – and that’s exactly where its charm lies. We park in Täsch and take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt. From there, we continue – steep and spectacular – by cogwheel train to Riffelalp. Two routes are possible: in summer, a nostalgic tram takes guests straight to the hotel; in winter, a short walk through snowy woods brings you to your destination – always with the majestic Matterhorn in view. Finally, you reach the resort’s peace and seclusion: ski slopes at your doorstep as well as warm and heartfelt hospitality from the first moment you step inside.
Culinary Passion
The resort is a retreat – a delightful blend of alpine chic and luxurious comfort. Cozy, inviting, heartwarming. Our hearts leap when we discover the in-house bowling alley and stylish billiard room. But the true heart of the hotel is the bar – the living room of the resort. Spacious, elegant, tempting at all hours. By the flickering fireplace, I chat with Chef Luigi Lafranco. Passion pours out of him. As I taste his juicy Lievito Madre focaccia and praise the salami and excellent dried meats, he says: ‘We make it all ourselves. I come from a family of butchers in Piedmont, now in its fourth generation.’ He orders perfectly ripe San Marzano tomatoes from Italy – his Squadra Azzurra and then prepares a year’s supply of sugo – the kind to make any nonna envious.
‘There are no other restaurants on the Riffelalp. So we aim to offer our guests the greatest variety in our three houses. No tweezer cuisine – just authentic dishes that make people happy.’ The culinary range spans rustic Swiss cheese specialties in the Walliserkeller, to burgers, pizza and house-made pasta at Ristorante Al Bosco, to ramen, poke bowls and lobster ravioli at the elegant Alexandre. Every bite reflects passion, craftsmanship and attention to detail – making the Alps even more magical.
Tradition and Warmth
I talk with hut warden Hans-Jörg Walther, the jovial General Manager, in the elegant smoking lounge. ‘Nearly two-thirds of our guests are repeat visitors. I’m particularly happy that some are now in the third generation.’ In the evenings, guests are invited for champagne by the management couple, who have run the hotel for 25 years. ‘Aside from the impressive nature, people value the peace, calm and genuine hospitality. There are no shops, no clubs. Not even après-ski, thank goodness. I always say: importing noise is easy. Keeping the peace is an art. Here, you can simply be – private and secluded.’
And indeed, simply being is wonderfully easy here: a massage in the spa or relaxing in Europe’s highest outdoor pool at 2,222 m above sea level, with a view of Her Majesty, the Matterhorn – it’s natural luxury in its purest form.
Images left and below: At 2,222 metres above sea level, the Riffelalp Resort blends alpine altitude with warm, wood-panelled charm offering a cozy retreat where vintage sophistication meets breathtaking mountain serenity.
As twilight settles over Zermatt, the iconic Matterhorn rises in silent grandeur, framed by glowing lanterns and snow-laden pines. Towering at 4,478 metres, this legendary peak is one of the most photographed mountains in the world as a symbol of Swiss alpine beauty and a timeless call to adventure.
MONT CERVIN PALACE
160 Years of Alpine Grandeur
We step from the cool mountain air and busy streets into Mont Cervin Palace – and are instantly wrapped in a subtle blend of nobility and alpine coziness. The scent of wood and spices fills the air – a gentle invitation to slow down and arrive. For over 160 years, this hotel has been an institution defined by a unique balance. On one hand there is the grandeur of a palace with chandeliers, soft carpets and intuitive service. On the other, a warm grounded atmosphere that makes you feel like part of a story passed down through generations.
Morning Greeting from the Matterhorn
Our spacious suite opens directly onto the Matterhorn. At sunrise, when the first rays touch the peak, it feels like a personal greeting. What are those gentle bells jingling through the street? Incredibly, a herd of Valais Blacknose sheep, guided by shepherds. A former tourism director created this charming attraction. In the evening, the mountain glows pink and gold as we sip Walliser Heida wine, wrapped in a blanket on our private balcony.
Moments of Well-being
We spend our afternoons in the spa. Between steam baths, pools and massages with alpine herbal oils, the boundary between body and soul fades – we feel as light as the clouds drifting over the peaks. In the evening at ‘Grill Le Cervin’, we savour meat grilled before our eyes over open flames. The next night could have been celebrated at the elegant Michelin-starred Capri but General Manager Rafael Biner gives us a tip: ‘Tonight, go out – to 1818 Eat & Drink. Let it surprise you!’
Fiery, Colourful, Aromatic
At sister hotel Monte Rosa, 1818 Eat & Drink offers a modern take on South American cuisine. With design vibes, club music and tattooed chefs in an open kitchen, we’re suddenly transported to South America. Top Chef Julio Escalante creates surprising and delicious plates to share, fusing his Colombian roots with Peruvian, Brazilian and smoky Argentine flavours. His ultra-hot Josper grill – more philosophy than cooking method – delivers spicy ceviche, lobster tacos, fiery skewers and tender grilled entrecôte. Best enjoyed with an ice-cold Paloma – tequila and grapefruit in harmony.
Moments That Stay
As we leave the Mont Cervin Palace, a special mood lingers. This is more than a luxury hotel – it is an experience of alpine elegance – a place where tradition and modernity don’t clash but embrace. You leave with the feeling of having truly lived in the heart of the mountains.
Left | A room with an iconic view: At Mont Cervin Palace, alpine elegance meets the Matterhorn. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the snowy rooftops and peaks, inviting the beauty of the Alps inside.
The Mont Cervin Palace and Zermatt are deeply intertwined. Since 1857, when Alexander Seiler took over the hotel, it has welcomed adventurers and seekers of alpine serenity alike. Much has changed, but the spirit of warm hospitality remains timeless.
Words Claudio Del Principe
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Contemporary 5 star comfort combined with traditional alpine coziness
Mont Cervin Palace
ZermattContemporary 5 star comfort combined with traditional alpine coziness
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Traditional luxury hotel in a central but peaceful location in Zermatt
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
ZermattTraditional luxury hotel in a central but peaceful location in Zermatt
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