Zermatt accommodation offers everything from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts. Book a stay under the gaze of the Matterhorn in Switzerland’s most popular village with our guide to the best places to stay in Zermatt.
Zermatt is one of the most visited destinations in the Swiss Alps.
Nestled in the valley below the Matterhorn, remarkable views combine with outdoor adventures. In summer, the hiking around Zermatt is excellent, in winter, it’s a skier’s paradise.
The town itself is also charming. Flower-bedecked alpine chalets line the car-free streets. In the evening, cafes and restaurants are abuzz with hikers and skiers coming down off the mountain.
Choosing the best place to stay in Zermatt depends on several factors.
Tucked into a steep-sided valley, the best views are only possible from certain parts of town. Additionally, proximity to transport links, restaurants, and bars might be important.
This guide to the best hotels in Zermatt explains each of the main areas with recommendations for hotels at different budgets.
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OVERVIEW – WHERE TO STAY IN ZERMATT
Zermatt is a car-free village with access via train from Täsch. There is ample covered parking at Täsch and trains depart every 30 minutes.
Most accommodation is easy to get to from the Zermatt train station either on foot or by porter transport arranged via your hotel.
We have broken our Zermatt accommodation guide into four different areas.
- Zermatt Village – This is the heart of the old town. It’s the most convenient place to stay with great atmosphere and transport links.
- Zermatt Matterhorn Express – The Matterhorn Express is about 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) from Zermatt Old Town. It’s a quiet part of town with easy access to the higher slopes and more rugged mountain scenery.
- Zermatt Mountain Hotels – Zermatt is tucked into a tight valley, and views of the mountain tops are flickering. The hotels in this section all sit above the valley walls, providing accommodation with great views.
- Zermatt Mountain Huts – Mountain huts are basic lodgings, often in a remote setting. Most require a hike to get to, but they can be perfect if you are looking for an adventure in a mountain wilderness.
MAP | BEST PLACES TO STAY IN ZERMATT
Our map of the best places to stay in Zermatt includes the hotels we recommend in each of the main areas, plus the key transport links.
- Zermatt Village hotels are in red.
- Zermatt Matterhorn Express hotels are in purple.
- Zermatt Mountain Hotels are in orange.
- Zermatt Mountain Huts are in grey.
How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.
1 – ZERMATT VILLAGE
Best place to stay in the centre of the action with good proximity to Zermatt’s transport links.
Zermatt’s town centre is on Bahnhofstrasse. It stretches 600 meters from the train station St Mauritius Church in the town plaza.
It is a charming centre, with narrow car-free lanes, old wooden buildings, and attractive shops. In the evenings, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from after a day exploring the mountains.
Most of the main transport links leave from Zermatt Village.
The main train station, the Gornergrat Railway, and the Sunnegga Funicular are all on the edge of the town centre.
PROS
- Plenty of bars and restaurants.
- Historic architecture & old wooden buildings.
- Short walk from Zermatt train station.
- Easy access to Gornergrat Train and Sunnegga Funicula.
CONS
- Limited views of the mountains.
- Matterhorn Express Cable car is a 15-minute walk away.
GOOD VALUE
HOTEL SARAZENA
Nothing comes very cheap in Zermatt, but this hotel is pretty good value. It’s not in the most glamorous of locations, but it could not be more convenient for the Zermatt and Gornergrat train stations. The old town is just an 8-minute walk away.
OUR PICK
URBAN COOL
UNIQUE HOTEL POST
A mix of Swiss tradition and urban cool, this boutique hotel is right in the middle of the old town. A stylish bar spills onto the street and it’s a great place to watch the world go by. We stayed here and loved it.
TASTEFUL LUXURY
THE OMNIA
Situated on a rock, 45 metres above the roofs of central Zermatt, access to The Omnia via a tunnel leading to an elevator. It’s tastefully furnished, with an indoor pool, outdoor jacuzzi, and sauna – it’s a top-class stay.
2 – ZERMATT MATTERHORN EXPRESS
Where to Stay in Zermatt for easy access to the highest trails and slopes.
The hotels in this section are 1 kilometre south of Zermatt town centre, around the Matterhorn Express Cable Car.
This cable car takes you to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise on Klein Matterhorn. You can also get to the Trockener Steg and Schwarzsee cable car stations.
From here, the highest and most extensive slopes are accessible. You could even descend to Breuil-Cervinia in Italy and back on the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing.
Many of the best hikes in Zermatt also leave from here, including the Breithorn Ascent, Hörnlihütte Hike, and Matterhorn Glacier Trail.
It’s less busy than the Old Town, but still close enough to walk. The Sunnegga Funicular is a 15-minute walk away and the train stations are around 20 minutes.
Many hotels will arrange pickup on arrival at the train station so you don’t need to carry your luggage.
PROS
- Easy access to Matterhorn Alpine Crossing.
- Short walk to Forest Fun Park.
- Quieter than the historic town centre.
CONS
- A 20-minute walk from Zermatt and Gornergrat train stations.
- 15-minute walk to Old Town and Sunnegga Funicular.
GOOD VALUE
MOUNTAIN PARADISE
Good value, well-rated hotel right next to the Matterhorn Express Cable Car. The spacious rustic-inspired rooms all have a balcony. Some of which face the Matterhorn. There’s a Sauna downstairs.
OUR PICK
DESIGN HOTEL
MATTERHORN FOCUS DESIGN HOTEL
Featuring a range of gorgeous designer rooms and suites decorated in a contemporary Alpine style, this modern hotel has lots of lovely touches. It even has a pretty good view of the Matterhorn.
STYLISH SUITES
SUITENHOTEL ZURBIGGEN
Owned by the famous skier Pirmin Zurbriggen, the Suitenhotel in Zermatt is only 100 metres from the Matterhorn Express Cable Car. They have stylish rooms or suites plus indoor and outdoor pools, the latter overlooking the Matterhorn.
3 – ZERMATT MOUNTAIN HOTELS
Best place to stay in Zermatt for the best views.
Zermatt is tucked into a tight valley. Although the top of the Matterhorn flickers in and out of view, the rest of the mountain views are hidden behind steep walls of rock.
If you want the best views every morning and evening, then you need to stay above Zermatt, on top of the valley walls.
Fortunately, there are several excellent hotels that offer a great stay with views to match.
Just be aware that you need to get a cable car to get to these hotels. So, once they shut for the evening, you won’t be able to get in and out of Zermatt Village.
PROS
- Stunning mountain views from your room.
- A short distance from the cable car stations.
- Peaceful for dawn and dusk photography.
CONS
- You need a cable car or train to get in or out of Zermatt.
- More limited options in the evening.
SKI IN & SKI OUT
SILVANA MOUNTAIN LODGE
Situated next to the Furi Cable Car Station, the views from this mountain lodge are decent. But the myriad of hiking trails and ski runs from the front door are excellent. There’s a pool and wellness centre.
OUR PICK
5-STAR LUXURY
RIFFELALP RESORT
This is 5-star luxury with sublime views, a sun terrace, saunas, steam room, hot tub, and outdoor pool, plus 3 great restaurants. Hiking paths, biking trails, and ski slopes leave from the front door. It’s a Short walk to the Riffelalp train station.
ONCE IN A LIFETIME
3100 KULM HOTEL GORNERGRAT
Perched above the Gornergrat Railway, this is the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps. The views over the Matterhorn are unparalleled. After the last train heads back to Zermatt, you’ll have these wonderful views to yourself.
4 – ZERMATT MOUNTAIN HUTS
Where to stay in Zermatt for a true wilderness experience.
Mountain huts provide a more basic form of accommodation, but often in a remote and rugged mountain setting. Some can only be reached after one or two hours of hiking, and most are only open in the summer.
The benefits however are a true wilderness experience. Staying in one, allows you to wake up in some of the most impressive destinations in Switzerland before anyone else can get to them.
Mountain huts are not for everyone. But, it’s the best way to be on the trails early and to capture mountain photography in the best possible light.
PROS
- Stunning mountain views in a true wilderness experience.
- Peaceful dawn and dusk photography.
CONS
- Basic level of accommodation.
- You’ll need to hike to get there.
- You need to take a cable car or train to get in or out of Zermatt.
- More limited options in the evening.
Here is a complete list of all the mountain huts around Zermatt, below are some we recommend.
SCHWARSZEE
SCHWARSZEE HUT
This is the best location to be in to do the Matterhorn Glacier Trail and Hörnlihütte, two of the best hikes in the area. The Schwarszee Gondola Lift is only 100 metres away, and the Matterhorn views are simply sensational.
MATTERHORN
HÖRNLIHÜTTE
Situated right under the Matterhorn, Hörnli Hut is base camp for climbers heading to the summit. It offers a great view of climbers edging along the narrow ridges. Hörnli Hut can book out in advance and it’s a strenuous 2-hour hike from Schwarszee.
SUNNEGGA-BLAUHERD-ROTHOR
FLUHALP HUT
In the middle of the Five Lakes hiking area this gloriously positioned hut offers rooms for 2,3,4 or 5 people. It has a sweeping sun terrace and wonderful views across to the Matterhorn. It’s a 40-minute hike from the Blauherd cable car station.
TRIFT
TRIFT BERGGASTHAUS
This is the best place to stay to tackle the Edelweiss Trail without needing to do the entire 20 kilometres in one day. Friendly staff are a welcome sight after the 2-hour strenuous climb from Zermatt.
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