Schweizerhof Zermatt

The Alps aren’t exactly short on monumental destinations, and Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn — and surrounded by countless other iconic peaks — is nothing if not impressive. And amid the plentiful traditional lodges in what might be the original Alpine adventure town is a hotel that’s every bit as impressive as its setting. Hotel Schweizerhof belongs to the same family as the fantastically luxurious, fantastically stylish La Réserve Paris, and like its Parisian sister, it combines haute-luxe comforts and boutique-hotel good looks in equally generous measure.

Hotel Schweizerhof’s rooms are somehow both Alpine and urbane, combining contemporary design and minimalist elegance with the bare wood and comfortable textures of a traditional lodge. They start out cosy — that’s the very honest name of the entry-level category — and expand to impressive proportions at the high end. At all levels, however, they’re much more than luxurious enough — this is a high-end experience, from top to bottom.

Skiing is necessarily the main attraction here, but the hotel’s spa offers plenty of reasons to stay in. Meanwhile the restaurants include Le Schweitzerhof Kitchen, with its massive show kitchen, and La Muña, serving Asian-Peruvian fare, and Cheese Factory, with its traditional raclette and fondue. There’s a cocktail bar and a cigar bar to round things out, and it’s worth knowing that the head of the La Réserve group, Michel Reybier, might be better known for his Champagne than anything else....