Riffelalp Resort 2222m is the hotel to book in Zermatt if you want to sleep high above the village with the Matterhorn in front of you. It sits at 2,222 meters, or about 7,290 feet, on the Gornergrat railway, just above the tree line. Most of its rooms have balconies facing the peak. When the last train of day visitors goes down, the mountain, the sunset and the stars are yours.
It suits couples who want quiet, views and easy mountain days. In winter, you ski in and out. In summer, hiking trails start at the door and the Riffelsee, where the Matterhorn reflects in a small lake, is a short train ride up. The spa has what the hotel calls Europe's highest outdoor pool, heated to about 35°C. A swim there while snow falls is a memory that sticks.
The site has hosted a hotel since 1884. The current resort, rebuilt after a fire, is a five-star superior property with about 70 rooms. It is seasonal, open in winter and summer only. You need the train or the hotel's tram to reach Zermatt. Evenings in the village take planning.
Highlights at a glance
- Matterhorn views from most balconies
- Heated outdoor pool at 2,222 meters
- Ski-in and ski-out in winter
- Historic site with its own tram
- Spa access included in every stay
Why Couples Love Riffelalp
The view, first and always. The Matterhorn fills the horizon from the terrace and most balconies. Its tip catches pink light in the morning and glows orange at dusk. From the outdoor pool, you look straight at it.
The second draw is the silence. Down in Zermatt, evenings are busy with restaurants and bars. Up here, once the day visitors leave, the resort feels like a private mountain retreat. You can stand outside under a sky full of stars with nothing but the peaks around you.
The resort's history adds charm. Hotelier Alexander Seiler first bought land here in 1856. The original Grand Hotel opened in 1884. The private Riffelalp tram was built in 1899 to connect it to the railway. The present resort has the same sense of occasion, with modern comfort. Every stay includes spa access, which makes the place feel generous.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Riffelalp has about 70 rooms: 65 double rooms and five top suites. Most have a balcony with a Matterhorn view. Rooms are warm and wood-paneled, with a classic alpine feel and modern bathrooms.
For a honeymoon, book a Matterhorn-view double or junior suite. The view is the whole point, so confirm it when booking. A balcony lets you watch the light change on the peak with a coffee in the morning. In winter, wrap up in blankets and step outside at night for the stars.
The top suites are spacious and well suited to a special celebration. They are limited in number, so book early for peak weeks. The resort offers a Moments to Celebrate package for three nights, which includes Champagne, wellness access and a gourmet breakfast. Ask whether it fits your dates and room choice.
Food, Drink and the Spa
The resort has three main restaurants. Restaurant Alexandre serves Swiss and international dishes for breakfast and dinner. Ristorante Al Bosco is the casual Italian option for lunch and dinner, with pizza and pasta after a day outdoors. The Walliserkeller is open in winter only and serves Valais specialties such as raclette and fondue in a cozy cellar. Book it for one night at least.
Spa 2222m is for hotel guests only. It has a heated outdoor pool, kept at about 35°C, plus an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, whirlpool, gym and massages. The outdoor pool is the highlight. Swim there in late afternoon with the Matterhorn in front of you.
At this altitude, drink plenty of water and take it slowly with alcohol on the first night. Some guests feel the thin air at first.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Riffelalp puts the best of Zermatt at your feet.
- Riffelsee: ride the Gornergrat railway up to Rotenboden and walk to the small lake for the famous Matterhorn reflection, best at sunrise on a calm day.
- Gornergrat: continue to the summit station for glacier views and a ring of peaks.
- Skiing: in winter, ski in and out of the resort on the Gornergrat slopes, with links to the rest of the Zermatt ski area.
- Hiking: summer trails lead down through larch forest to Zermatt or across to Findeln for a long lunch.
- Zermatt village: a short train ride for shopping, restaurants and evening walks.
If one of you is a strong skier and the other is learning, the resort offers ski guides and rentals. Altitude and sun are strong up here, so pack sunscreen and sunglasses year-round.
Getting There
From Zurich (ZRH) or Geneva (GVA), take the train to Visp, then the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt. The trip takes about three and a half to four hours. Cars are not allowed in Zermatt, so drivers park at Täsch and take the shuttle train.
From Zermatt, take the Gornergrat railway to Riffelalp station, about 20 minutes. In summer, guests can ride the Riffelalp tram, billed as Europe's highest streetcar, from the station to the hotel. Ask the resort about luggage transfers when you book.
Getting back to Zermatt for dinner means watching the train timetable. Check the last departure before you go down for the evening. In winter, skiing in and out is the easiest way to move around.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want the Matterhorn up close and quiet nights, yes. Few hotels anywhere give you this view, this altitude and a heated outdoor pool together. Rates are not shown on the homepage and vary by season. Expect roughly $800 a night and up for two with breakfast and spa access, approximate. Peak ski weeks cost more.
The resort is seasonal. Upcoming seasons run from about mid-December to early April and from mid-June to late September. Couples who want nightlife and restaurant choice should stay in Zermatt village, perhaps at The Omnia or Mont Cervin Palace. Those sensitive to altitude may prefer lower ground too. For a romantic, high-mountain stay with the stars and the peak to yourselves, Riffelalp is very hard to beat.
Insider tips
- Confirm a Matterhorn-view room when booking.
- Check the last train down before an evening in Zermatt.
- Go to the Riffelsee at sunrise on a calm day for the reflection.
- Drink plenty of water on your first night at altitude.
