Mont Cervin Palace

For the most part, one ski hotel is like any other. But Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, is not your typical resort town, and the Mont Cervin is no average alpine lodge. This 19th-century grand hotel is more elegant than many a big-city five-star, yet with the sort of relaxed atmosphere you’d expect from a classic hotel with nothing to prove.

Service is top-notch, the Mont Cervin staffed with professionals rather than teenage ski bums, and the facilities are comprehensive: indoor-outdoor pool, fitness center, and the Spa Nescens.

Guest rooms range in style from the slightly old-fashioned to a more contemporary luxury, with plenty of space and modern amenities like flat-screen televisions and wireless internet. Most rooms feature balconies or terraces, many with views of the Matterhorn, and many suites come with fireplaces. Those in search of even more space should consider the Residence, across the suite, offering fully serviced luxury apartments.

Three restaurants and two bars cater to hotel guests, while many more are easily accessible from the Mont Cervin’s central Zermatt location. The town’s shopping district surrounds the hotel, and for hikers and skiers, the trams to the mountain areas are a short walk away.

Note: The hotel is open end of November to end of April and mid-June to beginning of October.