Following a spectacular panorama ride on the Glacier Express that took us through unbelievably beautiful mountain scenery and past picturesque mountain villages, across chasms and through valleys, our trip came to a fitting end at the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt in the Wallis…
Zermatt and its Matterhorn
Zermatt chose to show itself to us under a cloudy sky the day we arrived, but we still sensed the “certain something” that the renowned ski resort simply radiates: a mix of fashionable luxury destination and idyllic village. It was easy to like.
The Wallis chalets outdo each other in rustic charm and as dusk slowly deepens into night the lights coming on in the village make for a fascinating show!
We would have loved to photograph the legendary Matterhorn as night fell. But, “Horu” – what the locals call the mountain – simply didn’t want to pay us the compliment: time and again, it would drape itself in a hood made of clouds and snow; after half an hour’s wait in the cold my frostbitten shutter finger led us to beat a retreat. Too bad, because this is what it would look like in winter with nothing but sunshine:
© Jutta Schilling
The Unique Hotel Post Zermatt
At the Zermatt terminus of our Glacier Express train trip, we spent the night in the Hotel Post. Renovated top to bottom in the summer of 2007, the hotel presents itself in modern-cheerful mountain lodge style on Bahnhofstrasse in the very heart of where it’s happening in Zermatt.
All 29 of the modern design rooms and suites are furnished with natural materials from the region, including sand-blasted wood and dry-stone walls. The individualized Junior Suites come with fireplace or private Jacuzzi! And anyone with enough change in their pocket and ready for an unusual treat might as well go ahead and without further ado book the Matterhorn Suite…
© Hotel Post
© Hotel Post
But to enjoy a whirlpool bath, you don’t absolutely “have to” to book the Matterhorn or Junior Suite; your soul can also wash its cares away in the spa area that comes with sauna, steam bath, Jacuzzi and lifestyle showers :-).
Culinary variety
Let it be clear up front, no one is going to starve in the Hotel Post! Whether you’re interested in a Mediterranean treat in the Spaghetti & Pizza Factory or a delicious fondue in the Pöstli Stübli, or instead want to partake of the delicacies served in the Portofino Restaurant, there is something to be had for all tastes! Regardless, a fine way to start the evening is over a drink in the trendy lounge bar.
Since we had been in Zermatt during the summer three years earlier and stilled our hunger in the Spaghetti & Pizza Factory, we naturally wanted to try something different this time.
We opted for the Pöstli Stübli. Here they mainly serve specialties from the grill on hot stones, but also on the menu are cheese dishes (fondue and raclette). The atmosphere is rustic-cozy, with our hot stones sizzling to their stony hearts’ delight.
Those inclining to more dignified surroundings won’t go wrong in the Portofino Restaurant. Here things proceed a tad more elegantly, coming and going.
After dining in the Hotel Post, you can literally mail it in! Because the hotel has more bars and clubs with live music, no guest has ever not learned to slack off there (or been bored)!
We should mention that the Unique Hotel Post moved up twelve spots (from 20th to 8th) during the latest ranking of best winter hotels in the 4-star category! If you enjoy being in the thick of things, and, after a “last one for the road” in the bar or lounge, you know how to value being just a short ride up the elevator from “home,” you will love this gem of a hotel.
Check out prices and availability here.
Rather have it a bit more sedate? In that case, we can recommend the Matthiol located on the edge of Zermatt. We stayed there two years earlier on the occasion of a family celebration.
Our thanks go to…
Sincere thanks to the owners Daniela und Martin Perrenas well as to Assistant Manager Marina Gelmi, for coordinating our stay!
