Riffelhaus 1853 is the perfect hotel to spend the night when passing near Zermatt. Easy to reach on our journey towards Gornergrat, stopping over at Riffelberg ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip.
We spent only a few nights there, but it was just what we needed to recover and rejuvenate from the busy city momentum.
The views were honestly astounding. With a direct view of the Matterhorn from the restaurant, the spa and even the terrace of my room, it gave plenty of opportunity to appreciate its magnificence. From the other side of the hotel, you have an equally impressive view of the other mountains, scattered with sheep! You can even see the town of Zermatt in the distance.
We resided in the Junior Suite – constructed predominantly with wood and natural materials, it had a warm, homely and comfortable feel. The bathroom was very spacious, and I spent plenty of time on the adorable little terrace soaking in the views!
In terms of facilities, the jacuzzi and spa were probably my favorite spots. After long days of adventuring and hiking, it was the perfect place to wind down – I didn’t want to leave.
Dining at Riffelhaus was truly a delight! For dinner we began the meal with a buffet style salad, then ordered the main course, dessert and wine from their carefully curated menu, filled with plenty of tempting options.
I savored a smoked salmon roll with quail egg and salmon caviar as a starter, before continuing on to lemongrass-crevettes skewer with satay sauce, basmati rice and wok-fried vegetables. Rounding off the meal I enjoyed a vermicelles dessert. Every course was delicious! I was also impressed at their vegetarian menu, because that’s not often something you tend to find in Swiss hotels.
Despite Riffelhaus actually being the only hotel in the Riffelberg area, it’s actually not crowded with tourists! This is something that’s particularly important to me, and I found it quiet, peaceful and relaxing. Perfect for couples, it really allows you to appreciate the nature without the distractions of urban life.
If you’re passing through the area, I also recommend spending time at the nearby Riffelsee Lake. It had actually been on my bucket list for years so I was really excited to finally be there! Providing ultimate tranquility, it’s a breathtaking location.