By Donna Richardson
Zermatt, a Swiss Alpine resort, is a popular European ski destination among celebrities such as Robbie Williams and Brad Pitt, as well as the home of Phil Collins. In the summer, Zermatt becomes a beautiful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts, as the snow melts and green slopes covered in wildflowers emerge, offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and sightseeing in various ways – even across to Cervinia in Italy.
Walkers can traverse the picturesque Swiss countryside, ascend glaciers via cable cars, and indulge in exquisite cuisine at secluded five-star restaurants in the mountains. And you can get in some steps as you can wander around this traffic-free town to browse the endless boutique shops, artisan chocolatiers or if you tire, take a horse cart. There are five-star hotels and scores of Michelin-star restaurants. The jagged peak of the Matterhorn, known as the shy lady, emerges from behind the clouds, and a river flows into the town from the foothills of the mountain.
Where to stay
When it comes to accommodation, Zermatt is full of five star resorts and chalets, choose from The Omnia, Mont Cervin Palace and Cervo mountain resort and the Grand Hotel Zermattahof to name a few famous places, but if you want to stay in privacy like a Hollywood star, only a chalet will do.
Chalet Zermatt Peak
Offering accommodation, amenities and services fit for the A-list visitor, Chalet Zermatt Peak (CZP) was voted The World’s Best Ski Chalet and was featured in last year’s “Everyone Wins” Oscar Nominee gift bag, personally hand-delivered to stars like Ryan Gosling, Martin Scorsese, Emily Blunt, and Cillian Murphy. This means it has caught the attention of a celebrity guest or two. When guests stay at Chalet Zermatt Peak, spanning six floors, they can enjoy all the facilities of a private boutique hotel, making it the ideal retreat for celebrities. Guests are granted exclusive access to the entire luxury chalet, where they can relish personalised menus curated by private in-house chefs for breakfast, afternoon tea, and most evening dinners. As such this year’s Oscar nominees can expect to be welcomed by a full team of staff including a personal concierge and private gourmet chef and during the summer, the chalet's wellness centre comes to life, allowing guests to luxuriate in massages on the balcony or unwind in the indoor or outdoor jacuzzi.
Upon arrival, guests can enjoy a champagne reception and settle into the experience with complimentary classic massages per day. The chalet offers daily newspapers, and fresh flowers are placed in the public areas daily.
The chalet’s five individually designed bedroom suites are meticulously appointed, featuring deluxe amenities such as Bang Olufsen HD cinematic televisions with digital surround sound and Bluetooth connectivity. Remote-controlled curtains and cutting-edge audio-visual systems further enhance the property’s contemporary luxury. The en-suite bathrooms are stocked with opulent ESPA beauty and skincare products, sumptuous designer robes, hairdryers, straighteners and plush towels. There’s also a rain shower and a selection of hand and body jet options. The master suite includes a large private Jacuzzi, a powder room and a walk-in wardrobe. Recline on the master bed and enjoy breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. The two front guest suites have a wraparound balcony and fantastic views of the village and surrounding mountains. However, one of the most magical features is the Gallery Suite, which boasts a glass roof, allowing guests to fall asleep under the stars.
The dedicated team of full-time staff, including a manager, concierge, and attentive service personnel, ensures seamless hospitality. The chalet also offers an all-inclusive service with its own carefully curated wine cellar. Furthermore, guests benefit from the on-demand 24-hour chauffeured electric vehicle service, providing convenient transportation around Zermatt.
“The changing of the seasons doesn’t change the level of service at CZP; we simply tailor around it. Guests who return for a summer visit are pleasantly surprised at both the beauty and experience of the chalet in summer, said Matthew Klaiber, the Global Business Development Manager. In winter, you are restricted where you can go; however, once the snow melts, the areas our guests can explore increase dramatically. It puts a different vibe to the evenings back at the chalet during dinner and wellness time.
“Enjoying dinner whilst watching the sunset behind the Matterhorn is a highlight. In summer, we offer a luxury short stay, from three nights, which is very popular for guests who incorporate a visit to Zermatt as part of a wider European holiday.”
The National Zermatt
The National Zermatt is a classic mid-range hotel located in the heart of the town. This is the town’s only four-star hotel, offering 54 comfortable rooms and suites, many of which feature balconies or terraces.
From the moment you check in, you are invited into a world of luxury and tradition, with an oak-panelled reception and an inviting bar with expensive leather seats to unwind as you wait for your room key.
There’s several categories of rooms, from the spacious deluxe rooms come equipped with smart TVs and offer views of the mountains or the Matterhorn. Family rooms are also available, providing cosy spaces for quality time with your kids. These rooms feature either a single bed or a double bed, and an optional baby crib can be requested upon request. Additionally, guests have access to a shared bathroom. The Maisonnette Suite features a jacuzzi in the bathroom and a hygge-style corner with a crackling fire, making it perfect for relaxation.
Guests can enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, apples, and water, as well as access to a bar and an à la carte restaurant that provides a self-serve breakfast. After a day of adventure, unwind in the impressive 400 sqm spa and swimming pool with a 37-degree hot tub ideal for soothing aching muscles after a day hiking in the mountains. Overall, this hotel is an excellent, centrally located option for easy access to both the town and the slopes, as well as the Sungetta station.
Hotel Zermattahof
In the town centre, the Grand Hotel Zermatahoff, the Ritz of the Alps, is a luxurious destination for royalty and rock stars. The hotel is the grand dame of Zermattahof and was opened in 1879. A member of the Historic Hotels Worldwide, the Grand Hotel Zermattahof is among the country’s best hotels. Sir Walt Disney is one of the famous guests at this hotel and when staying here he was inspired to produce The Third Man on the Mountain and opened a theme park ride called The Matterhorn in tribute to his happy days here. Guests can enjoy cocktails at The Stars Bar with live entertainment, and dine at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, one of 44 on the mountain.
Opposite the Monta Rosa Hotel is an even older hotel, the oldest hotel in Zermatt, established in 1839. You’ll find one of the oldest ballrooms in the Alps. This is where Edward Whymper stayed while conquering the Matterhorn. Edward’s Bar, named after him, is a charming spot for a nightcap. A statue downstairs pays tribute to him, while upstairs features photographs of the first explorers who joined his historic ascent.
What to see and do
Zermatt offers plenty to explore in the summer, especially around the majestic Matterhorn. The slopes are ideal for hiking, with Ingham’s Walking Holidays available to help plan your trip. For a gentle hike, take the cable car to Furi, where you’ll find a suspension bridge. Alternatively, head to Blatten, which takes you along the gorge with traditional Wallisian chalets.
Summer hiking promotes wellness, and you might encounter mountain goats, ibex, foxes, and black-nose sheep, along with the sounds of marmots and alphorn processions, stopping for mountain barbeques along the way.
Dairy cows with alpine bells add to the charm, and views of the snow-capped Matterhorn can be enjoyed from anywhere in town. At Gornergrat (3,089 metres), you can take in stunning vistas of 29 mountains, including Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier, accessible via a scenic cog railway to Riffelalp and Riffelberg.
Consider the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, which connects Zermatt, Switzerland, and Cervinia, Italy, offering a chance to enjoy an Italian lunch. This route features the highest-altitude border crossing in the Alps with six cable car connections. Starting from Zermatt, the first cable car takes you to Schwarzsee, where you can admire stunning Matterhorn views.
For a luxurious experience, opt for a Swarovski-sponsored cable car to Trockener Steg and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, enjoying the scenery through the glass bottom while relaxing in heated seats. The next cable car to Cime Bianche Laghi provides views of rocky landscapes and lakes. As you descend into Italy, you’ll see the greenery of Breuil-Cervinia in the Valle d’Aosta before returning the same way.
We enjoyed an Italian meal at Ristorante Bar de Mario, run by Mary Grace and her husband Mario. Mary’s father, Jean Birch, was the first Italian to climb the North face of the Matterhorn in 1961 with Piero Navra and Peirino Pession. On the menu is local venison pasta washed down with Valle d’Aoste Pino Gris and an affogato to follow with a limoncello.
Then we set back off to Zermatt and were hungry again. So we got ready and went in search of a value-for-money meal at one of the elegant restaurants on the Bahnhofstrasse. Theodor’s Stuba serves some of the best schnitzel in town, along with great vegetarian options, all while showcasing its Swiss and German heritage. Zermatt Kitchen, which serves delicious, rustic food such as leek and potato rosti smothered in local raclette.
Of course you are spoilt for choice when it comes to fine dining, with hotels such as Mont Cervin Palace and other fancy options if you want to splash ou, but I was more than content with my snitzel at Theodor;s Stuba.
If you want to continue drinking, then head to Harry’s Ski Bar, a local institution in the town, and wall-to-wall with skiers during peak season. Grizzly’s is a welcoming bar with hearty food, great ales, and a fantastic atmosphere, as well as a pub dog called Charlie. This is a classy resort, so don’t expect much nightlife after 10 pm. But if you do wish to have a drink later in the evening, Brown Cow, part of the Post Hotel group, which operates adult nightclubs and bars, is a good pitstop.
There is so much to see and do in Zermatt that it offers a summer break with a difference, and accommodation like Chalet Zermatt Peak (CZP), which is fit for an A-lister, makes it an even grander experience. Experience an enchanting summer in Zermatt and discover that it is much more than a winter destination.
Fact box
Getting there: Fly with Swiss Air to Geneva and then take a train to Zermatt (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn)
Book tickets for the Matterhorn Alpine crossing online at the Zermatt tourist office. The full route from Zermatt to Testa Grigia to Cervinia begins at 120 CHF one-way and 240 CHF return.
Find out more at https://www.inghams.co.uk/walking-holidays
