Riffelalp Resort is the mountain-top option for travellers who want to wake up above the village, with the Matterhorn in the window. It sits at 2,222 metres at Riffelalp, on the Gornergrat railway line, and holds the Swiss five-star superior classification as a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The hotel has 70 rooms in a range of room types, and the facilities are generous for a property this high: an indoor pool and an outdoor pool that is heated all year, a full-service spa with sauna, steam room, hot tub and massage treatments, a gym, a games room, a library and a playground. There are three restaurants, Al Bosco, Alexander and, for winter, the Walliserkeller, plus a bar and lounge. A free buffet breakfast is served daily. In winter the resort offers ski-in ski-out access, ski storage and equipment rental, and in summer bicycles can be rented for the surrounding trails. Pets, dogs and cats only, are allowed for a nightly fee, and children are welcome, although rollaway beds and cribs are not available.
The main reason to stay here is atmosphere. At this altitude the evenings are quiet, the air is clear and the Matterhorn is a near neighbour rather than a distant postcard. Guests who want the full resort experience, with long breakfasts, spa afternoons and dinner without leaving the building, will find it a very different stay from the village hotels. In winter, ski-in ski-out access removes the morning commute entirely, and in summer the surrounding trails start at the door.
Access works differently from a village hotel. The Gornergrat railway calls at Riffelalp, and the property operates a shuttle from the station for guests, which must be arranged with the hotel in advance and carries a surcharge. Plan your arrival time around the railway timetable and the shuttle hours, tell the hotel what luggage you are bringing and ask what the arrangements are for late arrivals. Parking is offsite, so most guests arrive by train from Zermatt. The page lists check-in from mid-afternoon and check-out before noon.
What to know
The resort operates seasonally and closes for part of the autumn before the winter season, so confirm opening dates before you plan around it. Rates are at the top of the Zermatt range and rise in peak weeks. The spa and pools are a highlight but check which facilities are open on your dates. Because you are 600 metres above the village, a dinner in Zermatt means a train and shuttle journey home, so most guests dine on site. For a splurge that puts the mountain first, it is hard to beat.
Why stay here
- ✓70 rooms
- ✓Indoor pool
- ✓Heated outdoor pool
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓Three restaurants
- ✓Free buffet breakfast
- ✓Ski-in ski-out in winter
- ✓Ski storage and rental
Good questions
How do I get to Riffelalp Resort?+
Take the Gornergrat railway from Zermatt to Riffelalp. The hotel runs a shuttle from the station for guests, which must be arranged in advance and carries a surcharge.
Is the resort open all year?+
No. It operates seasonally and closes for part of the autumn before the winter season, so check the opening dates for your trip.
Does it have a spa and pool?+
Yes, an indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, and a spa with sauna, steam room, hot tub and massages. Check what is open on your dates.
