Schweizerhof Zermatt is one of my favorite choices for families who want the Matterhorn without making the logistics difficult. It is steps from the train station, with a winter kids club, indoor pool, family suites and easy access to the village and mountains.

CERVO is Zermatt for travelers who want Matterhorn views, excellent ski access and a serious spa without the traditional grand-hotel formality. Here’s how I’d choose between Nomad, Alpinist, Huntsman and Overlook, plus who the hotel suits best.

Reachable only by cogwheel train and perched 2,222 meters high. A storybook retreat with Europe’s highest heated outdoor pool and front-row seats to the Matterhorn.

If James Bond had a thing for moody lighting, he would stay here. Built into a cliff and reached by a private tunnel, this is where mid-century lodge meets Alpine modernism.