Riffelhaus 1853

The views are incredible, and the sauna may have the best view in the world. We had a fantastic stay, with Julie and the rest of the staff helping with every request. They even brought us Chess to play during a snowstorm.

Manuel noticed us struggling on the way to the train station after checkout and offered help without expecting anything in return. Earlier, Pedro had been amazing with us at breakfast. Those two employees changed how I felt about our stay at the hotel.

We had a wonderful first trip to Zermatt, and the staff even helped make a beautiful proposal happen. When my fiancée got injured on the slopes, they made sure we were comfortable and had the help we needed. The front desk team were welcoming and friendly throughout. Our corner suite was cozy and warm, with a lovely mountain feel and an excellent view. Getting there takes a little train travel, but it was worth it. Breakfast had a good variety for all tastes, while the lunch menu offered varied, well-prepared and presented dishes. Dinner is a fixed menu, so keep that in mind when making plans. The spa had plenty of space, and the jacuzzi view was unbeatable. I think we’ll be back.

I gave up my prepaid dinner and room and took the last train down the mountain rather than let one unpleasant encounter ruin an otherwise wonderful trip through Switzerland. Later that evening, I had a delightful meal at a small French restaurant in Zermatt. The food and genuinely warm service reminded me what Swiss hospitality is meant to feel like. We were a group of 13 hikers and had preordered set menus. After hiking for over four hours, we were exhausted and looking forward to dinner and a rest. We politely asked if the meals could start coming out while we finished choosing our drinks, as this had helped save time at other restaurants. Katja refused in a rude, dismissive way and insisted we had to finish ordering drinks first. When I looked up, she glared at us with a poker face and said, “It’s how we work,” confrontationally. It was shocking and unprofessional, especially at a hotel known for its iconic view and supposed high standards. It felt as if she assumed we had no other options because we were staying on the mountain. Until that point, we’d been impressed by the professional, courteous hotel staff we’d met around Switzerland, from Zurich to St. Moritz, Lugano, and finally Zermatt. Switzerland’s natural beauty, serene lakes, and hospitality had made a great impression on our hiking group. Arriving at Hotel 1853 changed that completely. Shocked and disappointed doesn’t begin to cover it.