By Shereen Shabnam
My favourite place in Switzerland is Zermatt, situated far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life at an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level. The historic village oozes with charm and the high street is lined with luxury shopping, world-class restaurants and local gatherings post the day’s adventures.
I usually stay at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof Zermatt, which is more like a second home for me in Zermatt because of the warmth of the staff, the hotel location and the fact that I can see the Matterhorn from my bed as I wake up in the morning.
Dominated by the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a rare place where everything works in synergy and GCC travellers can enjoy memorable summer and winter stays that includes a generous breakfast buffet during the festive season at this majestic property.
My favourite memory from my visit is the transfer to and from the Zermatterhof and Zermatt station in a horse-drawn carriage – most places use an electric bus on the day of your arrival and departure but I always inform the desk on my preference before arrival.
Guests at the Zermatterhof can enjoy a generous breakfast buffet, mineral water and soft drinks from the minibar, Ronnefeldt-Tea, Nespresso coffee machine with capsules, use of the spa, pool, steam bath, saunas, jacuzzi, ice grotto and gym and wireless Internet in the room and in all public areas.
Once you step into the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, hospitality and luxury takes on a whole new meaning. It is a hotel you want to spend time in, meet with other guests and enjoy a hot chocolate while gazing at the Matterhorn.
And Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is where time means something different from what it means in the city. It is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
For ski enthusiasts, there is no better place than Zermatt to flirt with adventure and enjoy the sport with untouched stunning terrain and a helicopter to give you a lift there. Zermatt is the Alps’ largest heli-skiing destination and offers the best snow with the stunning beauty of the Alps.
My last visit to Zermatt was with family so we did more exploring of the mountains, train rides to closer viewing points of the Matterhorn and the highlight for my teen was the Glacier Palace.
The Glacier Palace was filled with sparkling ice sculptures enchanting visitors with artworks carved into different designs. It is a fairy-tale palace deep under the perennial snows leading through the glacier to sites such as a glacier crevasse and an ice toboggan run.
Zermatt is a private playground for guests who truly want to get away and indulge in a memorable holiday. For me, it is always a destination I go to when I am in Switzerland.
