Why Stay at Riffelalp Resort 2222m
Riffelalp Resort 2222m offers an experience that is fundamentally different from staying within the village of Zermatt.
Set at 2,222 metres above sea level and approximately 600 metres above the village, the resort sits on a mountain plateau facing the Matterhorn.
There are no village streets outside the door, no conventional road access and no daily movement between hotel and town unless guests deliberately choose to descend.
Instead, the stay revolves around altitude, mountain landscapes, skiing, hiking, wellness and the extraordinary sense of separation created by the setting.
For travellers who want Zermatt to feel like a mountain retreat rather than a village holiday, Riffelalp is one of the most distinctive choices in the region.
A Mountain Resort at 2,222 Metres
The origins of Riffelalp reach back to the nineteenth century.
Swiss hotelier Alexander Seiler acquired the first land at Riffelalp in 1856, and construction of the original Riffelalp Grand Hotel began in 1878.
The hotel opened in 1884 as a summer retreat high above Zermatt.
Its remote location became part of the appeal from the beginning.
In 1899, the Riffelalp Tram began connecting the hotel with the newly developed Gornergrat railway, creating one of the most unusual hotel arrivals in the Alps.
The original grand hotel was destroyed by fire in 1961, but the site eventually returned to hospitality through later redevelopment and the creation of today’s Riffelalp Resort.
The modern property retains the defining quality of the original: a location completely separated from the village below, facing directly towards the Matterhorn.
The Resort Experience
Rooms and Suites
Riffelalp Resort currently offers 65 rooms and 5 suites.
The accommodation follows a restrained Alpine lodge aesthetic built around natural materials, warm interiors and the landscape outside.
Many rooms and all five suites have balconies, and several categories are specifically oriented towards the Matterhorn.
The Matterhorn Classic and Matterhorn Superior rooms are designed around direct mountain views, while larger suites provide additional living space and a stronger residential feel.
The resort also offers accommodation facing the surrounding larch and Swiss stone pine forests, which creates a quieter alternative for guests who value the setting more than a direct Matterhorn panorama.
The distinction is important.
Matterhorn views are a major part of the Riffelalp identity, but travellers who consider the view essential should still select a designated Matterhorn-facing category.
Dining
Dining at Riffelalp remains closely connected with the mountain environment.
Restaurant Alexandre serves breakfast and dinner with a focus on Swiss and local cuisine, using seasonal ingredients and Alpine products.
Large windows keep the Matterhorn present throughout the dining experience.
Ristorante Al Bosco offers a different atmosphere through Italian and Swiss cooking, wood-fired pizzas and a terrace facing the surrounding mountains.
During winter, Restaurant Walliserkeller introduces a more traditional Valais experience through raclette, fondue and fire-grilled dishes in a chalet-style interior.
The Bar 2’222m provides a more relaxed setting for drinks, snacks and time beside the fireplace or on the sun terrace.
A dedicated Vinothek adds wine tastings and private dining possibilities.
The resort’s dining programme therefore remains substantial despite the remote setting, allowing guests to stay several nights without needing to descend to Zermatt every evening.
Spa 2’222m
Spa 2’222m is one of the strongest elements of the resort.
At 2,222 metres above sea level, the hotel presents it as the highest spa in Europe.
The wellness facilities include an indoor swimming pool, heated outdoor pool, whirlpool, sauna facilities, steam baths, saline grotto and relaxation spaces.
The outdoor pool is heated to approximately 35°C and faces the Matterhorn and surrounding Alpine landscape.
Its position creates an unusual contrast between warm water and high-altitude mountain air, particularly during winter.
The indoor pool provides a larger swimming environment, while treatments and a compact fitness area complete the wellness programme.
For guests staying several days at altitude, the spa becomes an important part of the resort experience rather than simply an additional hotel facility.
Winter at Riffelalp
Winter is one of the strongest reasons to choose Riffelalp Resort.
The resort is genuinely ski-in/ski-out.
The ski slopes pass directly beside the property, allowing guests to begin and end their skiing day at the hotel rather than travelling from the village to a lift each morning.
The resort provides private ski lockers and heated equipment storage together with an on-site ski shop and rental facilities.
This creates one of the most straightforward ski routines among Zermatt’s luxury hotels.
The advantage is particularly significant for travellers who want skiing to dominate the stay.
Rather than returning to Bahnhofstrasse at the end of the day, guests arrive directly back at the resort, where the spa, restaurants and Matterhorn views remain part of the mountain environment.
For a broader Matterhorn-focused experience beyond skiing, explore our Matterhorn private experience.
Summer at Riffelalp
Summer changes the resort completely.
Snow-covered slopes become Alpine meadows, and the surrounding landscape opens to hiking and longer days outdoors.
The Gornergrat area provides extensive walking opportunities, while trails pass directly through the landscape around Riffelalp.
The resort’s distance from Zermatt becomes particularly noticeable during summer.
Rather than hearing the movement of the village, guests remain surrounded by forest, mountain air and open views across the Valais Alps.
The historic Riffelalp Tram also operates during the summer season, connecting Riffelalp railway station with the resort.
For 2027, the hotel currently announces a summer season from 18 June to 20 September.
The property operates seasonally rather than remaining open throughout the year.
Who Riffelalp Resort Suits
Riffelalp is particularly well suited to travellers who want to step away from the centre of Zermatt.
Its location creates genuine seclusion.
The village remains accessible by railway, but guests do not naturally pass through it several times a day.
Skiers benefit from direct slope access in winter, while hikers can use the surrounding trails during summer.
Couples may appreciate the quiet and Matterhorn views, while families can make use of dedicated children’s facilities and the broad outdoor environment around the resort.
The hotel also works particularly well for travellers who want significant wellness facilities without giving up immediate access to the mountains.
Those who prioritise shopping, nightlife and spontaneous evenings in central Zermatt may prefer a hotel within the village.
For a wider comparison of locations, Matterhorn views and ski access, explore our Luxury Hotels in Zermatt guide.
Experiencing Zermatt from Riffelalp
Staying at Riffelalp changes the relationship with Zermatt.
The mountains come first and the village second.
The Gornergrat Railway provides the main connection with both Zermatt below and the higher mountain landscape above.
Gornergrat itself offers one of the most recognisable panoramas of the Matterhorn and surrounding four-thousand-metre peaks.
In winter, skiing provides the most natural way to explore the mountain from the resort.
In summer, hiking and scenic railway journeys replace the ski programme.
Guests can still descend into Zermatt for restaurants, shopping or village life, but the experience is deliberately less spontaneous than when staying around Bahnhofstrasse.
That separation is not a disadvantage for the right traveller. It is the defining reason to choose Riffelalp.
Reaching Riffelalp Resort
Riffelalp has the most distinctive arrival logistics of any hotel in this Zermatt collection.
Luxury Switzerland can arrange a private transfer from Geneva to Zermatt to the authorised entrance of the car-free village.
From Zermatt, guests continue to the Gornergrat Railway.
The railway is the only connection between Zermatt and Riffelalp Resort.
Guests travel from Zermatt to Riffelalp station, where the resort team handles the final approach and luggage.
During summer, the historic Riffelalp Tram carries guests and luggage from the railway station to the hotel in approximately five minutes.
During winter, luggage is transported by electric skidoo while guests complete an approximately eight-minute walk through the forest to the resort.
Arrival timing therefore matters more here than at a conventional village hotel, particularly because the stay depends on the Gornergrat Railway timetable.
For wider Swiss itineraries, Luxury Switzerland can coordinate private chauffeur services with the railway connection and resort arrival.
Continue Your Journey
Riffelalp can form the high-altitude centrepiece of a broader Swiss itinerary.
Geneva provides one of the principal international gateways from western Switzerland.
Montreux offers a contrasting lakefront experience before travellers continue into the Valais.
For guests interested in combining two iconic Alpine destinations, St. Moritz introduces the Engadin, a very different resort culture and another major mountain landscape.
The additional railway segment required for Riffelalp makes careful planning particularly valuable when combining the resort with flights, long-distance transfers and other hotels.
Planning Your Stay
Where is Riffelalp Resort 2222m located?
Riffelalp Resort is located at 2,222 metres above sea level on a mountain plateau approximately 600 metres above Zermatt.
The resort faces the Matterhorn and can only be reached via the Gornergrat Railway.
How many rooms and suites does Riffelalp Resort have?
The resort currently has 65 rooms and 5 suites.
Many accommodations have balconies and selected categories provide direct Matterhorn views.
Does Riffelalp Resort have Matterhorn views?
Yes.
The Matterhorn is central to the resort’s setting, and many rooms, suites, public areas and spa spaces face the mountain.
View orientation still varies by accommodation category.
Is Riffelalp Resort ski-in/ski-out?
Yes.
The resort has genuine ski-in/ski-out access, with ski slopes passing directly beside the hotel.
Guests also have access to private ski lockers, heated equipment storage and an on-site ski shop.
Does Riffelalp Resort have a spa?
Yes.
Spa 2’222m includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna and steam facilities, a saline grotto, whirlpool, treatments and relaxation areas.
Does Riffelalp Resort have an outdoor pool?
Yes.
The heated outdoor pool is approximately 8.4 by 4.2 metres and faces the Matterhorn.
What restaurants are at Riffelalp Resort?
The principal restaurants are Restaurant Alexandre, Ristorante Al Bosco and Restaurant Walliserkeller.
Walliserkeller operates during winter only.
The resort also has Bar 2’222m and a Vinothek.
Is Riffelalp Resort open in summer?
Yes.
The property operates dedicated summer and winter seasons.
Its current published calendar lists the next summer season from 18 June to 20 September 2027.
How do you reach Riffelalp Resort?
Guests first reach Zermatt and then take the Gornergrat Railway to Riffelalp station.
The Gornergrat Railway is the only connection between Zermatt and the resort.
How do you get from Riffelalp station to the hotel?
In summer, guests are transported by the historic Riffelalp Tram on an approximately five-minute journey.
In winter, luggage is transported by electric skidoo while guests walk approximately eight minutes through the forest to the resort.
Can Luxury Switzerland arrange a private transfer to Riffelalp Resort?
Yes.
Luxury Switzerland can coordinate the road journey to the authorised Zermatt entrance together with the onward connection through Zermatt and the Gornergrat Railway, taking luggage and arrival timing into account.
