There are remote hotels, and then there’s Riffelalp. Perched high above Zermatt and reachable only by cogwheel train, it feels like a storybook alpine retreat with Matterhorn views that don’t quit. Inside, it’s warm wood and wool throws, flickering fireplaces, and just the right amount of old-world elegance.
It’s a dream for couples who want peace and powder, and a lifesaver for jet-lagged families with kids in ski school. The ski instructors are just outside the door, so even if breakfast turns into brunch, you’re still not late. Add a heated outdoor pool surrounded by snow and you’ve got the definition of magic.
Riffelalp Resort 2222m | Zermatt
So high up, your phone might forget to buzz. Bliss.
Ski-in, ski-out for real. No shuttle, no schlepping
Spa with outdoor pool facing the Matterhorn
One of the highest kids’ clubs in Europe (literally and metaphorically)
Cheese fondue that ruins all other cheese fondue
Why We Love It
Location: 2,222 meters above sea level, with cinematic views in every direction
Style: Swiss chalet elegance with cozy fires, pinewood everything, and blankets on chairs
Mood: Rustic romance meets family holiday magic
Ideal For: Families who ski, parents who spa, kids who need snowball fights and supervision
Sebastian Luxe Perks
Daily breakfast, room upgrade if available, early check-in and late check-out, and the chance to say you stayed above the tree line without sacrificing a bathtub.
Photo: by Jan Geerk, Courtesy of Riffelalp 2222
Photo: by Jan Geerk, Courtesy of Riffelalp 2222
Snow-covered Swiss Alps with Matterhorn peak in the background, ski slopes, and mountain village in the foreground.
A snowy scene of a hotel with balconies on the left and a wooden chalet-style building on the right, with snow-covered trees in the background.