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1879
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Zermatt, Switzerland
Bahnhofstrasse 55, Postfach 14, Zermatt, Switzerland, CH-3920
Original Property Opened in 1879
Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2021
Located in the remote mountain village of Zermatt, Grand Hotel Zermatterhof was built by local burghers in an effort to take advantage of the surge of tourism to the Alps in the 19th century. With its superb location at the foot of the massive Matterhorn, this luxury resort quickly became a success and has been welcoming illustrious guests into its five-star surroundings ever since its grand opening in 1879. Today the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is an award-winning luxury resort boasting three delectable restaurants, two cozy and sophisticated lounge bars, a rejuvenating Alpine spa, and several beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites with views of the dynamic surrounding landscape. A stay at Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is like a fairytale, starting with the horse-drawn carriage that transports guests from Zermatt station to the car-free village of Zermatt. With its distinguished blend of historic charm and modern elegance, the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof exemplifies traditional luxury.
Discover
- Discover this 19th-century hotel nestled within a remote Alpine village. A symbol of unity and communal pride, Grand Hotel Zermatterhof was constructed by the citizens of Zermatt. In order to avoid burdening the small village with excessive debt, the locals worked without pay, pouring their time and energy into building the luxury hotel free of charge. Their gamble paid off, and Grand Hotel Zermatterhof has been drawing guests and helping to sustain the local economy ever since.
- Spend some time with the exquisite Lipizzaner horses at the hotel’s stable. Guests are likely to meet these beauties upon arrival at the Zermatt Station as horse-drawn carriage is the preferred method of transportation in car-free Zermatt. Experience an exclusive guided tour and riding opportunity with a unique view of the Matterhorn. Afterwards, enjoy an aperitif served directly at the stables.
- Admire the breathtaking views of the Matterhorn from within the cozy and sophisticated accommodations at Grand Hotel Zermatterhof. These views enchanted and inspired the master of enchantment himself, Walt Disney, who stayed at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof with his family for several summers. His love for the surrounding area and its history inspired the film “The Third Man on the Mountain,” which was filmed in Zermatt in 1958. In effort to take the magic of the Matterhorn back with him to the United States, Disney constructed the Matterhorn Bobsled ride, which has continued to be a popular attraction since its opening on June 14, 1959.
Explore
- Explore the subterranean world of Zermatlantis, the Matterhorn Museum, and reveal the history of the village of Zermatt. Located in front of the hotel, the Matterhorn Museum showcases Zermatt’s development from a village of mountain farmers to a world-famous alpine resort. Original houses and interiors, combined with recreations of the inhabitants’ and former alpine explorers’ worlds, bring the subject vividly to life. Highlights include the snapped rope and belongings of the climbers who perished from the first ascent (July 14 1865) and a stone axe from the Neolithic Age (3000–5000 BC).
- Venture through the Gorner gorge, one of the most scenic and thrilling attractions in Zermatt. Since the last ice age, the waters of the glacier river Gornervispe have been slithering their way through 220-million-year-old serpentinite rock, carving an ever-deeper chasm. In 1886 and 1887, paths were created for adventurous souls to see the spectacular rock formations and waterfalls. This unique natural beauty is only a 15-minute walk from the village of Zermatt, making it an easily accessible attraction for all visitors to the remote mountain village.
- Journey 3,100 meters above sea level aboard the Gornergrat Bahn, the world’s first fully electrified cog railway. Today it is a modern, eco-friendly railway, equipped with a regenerative braking system that generates electricity on the descent. While ascending, tourists are treated to spectacular, constant views of the Matterhorn. During the summer months, visitors can see the famous, black-nosed sheep with their spiraled horns grazing the Gornergrat. With its sunny observation platform accessible all year, the Gornergrat has been one of Switzerland’s top excursion destinations since 1898.
Experience
- Experience the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest mountain station soaring 3883 meters above sea level. With a 360° viewing platform, visitors can cast their gaze far and wide and take in the full expanse of this glacial paradise. 15 meters below the surface lies another must-see feature, the glacier palace. Enchanting and fascinating, the palace is home to several intricately carved ice sculptures and centuries-old ice formations. The atmosphere inside the palace is anything but icy, with soft lighting effects and music creating a mood of relaxation. Grab a bite to eat or sip some delicious hot cocoa at the palace’s restaurant. Wander through the icy corridors and admire the gleaming, glistening surroundings. Visitors are sure to feel as though they’ve stepped into a frozen fairytale.
- Take the 5 Lakes Walk, a one-of-a-kind hike in the Zermatt mountains. The path leads past the Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee lakes, three of which reflect the majestic Matterhorn. Each of these mountain lakes differs in shape, color, character and size. The Leisee is a popular swimming destination and is especially frequented by families. The Grünsee looks out over a rugged landscape, where Swiss stone pines grow among the scree and sand. Rare flowers and plant life sprout along the shores of the Grindjisee. Each lake boasts its own unique experience and atmosphere, making the 5 Lakes Walk full of enchanting variety.
- Enjoy the view from the Rothorn, known by locals as the “the chocolate-box side of the Matterhorn”. At a height of 3,103 m, the Rothorn is the perfect place to see the highest peaks of the Valais Alps. In the summer, the Rothorn is a popular destination for hiking, biking, and exploring the natural beauty of the Alps. Winter brings ski and snowboard enthusiasts who take advantage of the Rothorn’s beautiful sunny pistes.
Taste
- Taste some delicious Swiss fondue at the hotel’s restaurant saycheese! The quality of the cheese is exceptional, with all of the cheeses on the menu coming from the Valais region. The chef recommends the Zermatterhof fondue, which is served either with champagne, winter truffles, and porcini mushrooms. Another must-try dish is raclette, a deliciously cheesy Swiss staple. The dish is made when a raclette cheese round is heated, melted, and then scraped onto plates. Raclette is typically served with potatoes, gherkins, pickled vegetables, and dried meats. Finish it off with a glass of Fendant, a classic Swiss white wine made from the Chasselas grape in the Valais region.
- Savor the culture of the Alps, where Swiss, Italian, and French cuisine come together to create culinary specialties unique to the Valais region. A staple of the Zermatterhof’s restaurants, the tarte flambée, hails from the Alsace region in France. Also known as Flammekueche, it is composed of bread dough rolled out very thinly in the shape of a rectangle or oval, which is covered with fromage blanc or crème fraîche, thin-sliced onions, and lardons. At Brasserie Lusi, guests can try an Italian inspired Flammekueche complete with tomato, mozzarella, pesto, and arugula, or a Valais interpretation topped with local goat cheese, honey, dried meat, and cracked pepper.
- Drink the refreshing spring water of Zermatt. Guests will see Zermatt water proudly featured on every menu at Grand Hotel Zermattorhof. Until the 18th century, Zermatt was called “Prato Borni,” which means “meadow in an area of springs.” This is because the area is home to over 100 springs renowned for the purity and quality of their water. The water is very soft because it primarily flows through crystalline rock such as gneiss and granite. It does not pick up minerals, however it does contain calcium and sulphate because of the rock. The water in Zermatt also contains virtually no nitrate as the mountain slopes are little used for agriculture and Zermatt’s car-free policy prevents further contamination of the water supply.
- Savor a sip of the herbal cocktail known as Augenblick. The historic hotel’s signature cocktail draws its inspiration from Appenzeller Aplenbitter, a Swiss herbal liqueur made with 42 secret herbs. The cocktail captures the spirit of Alpine traditions and the charming heritage of Zermatt.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Best Available Rate
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, a member of the International National Trusts Organisation.
Gentian Wedding Package
This package comes with a three-course dinner, selection of white and red wine during the meal, and a glass of champagne to enjoy with the wedding cake.
Alpine Rose Wedding Package
The Alpine Rose package includes a four-course meal preceded by a selection of aperitifs. White and red wine is served throughout the evening, and a celebratory glass of champagne accompanies the cutting of the wedding cake.
Edelweiss Wedding Package
This package includes a five-course meal, a selection of aperitifs that include three warm canapes and three cold canapes, a selection of local wines, and a complimentary glass of champagne served with the wedding cake.
