Zermatt Luxury Apartments
Zermatt, Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Reviewed by
Belinda Archer
This small but decidedly exclusive collection of pristine designer apartments is perched high on a rocky spur overlooking the Swiss resort of Zermatt. It attracts a style-conscious clientele of families and groups of friends who come year-round for the breathtaking outdoor scenery (the resort is overshadowed by the mighty, Toblerone-shaped Matterhorn), and the vast range of activities on offer.
Owned by Rudy Julen (from one of the 4 separate Julen families who seem to own most of the resort), what makes these apartments so special is their plum location, hotel-style services and cool interiors. Rudy is a hobby sheep farmer, keeping 300 Blacknose Valois sheep in his spare time, and this detail has been imaginatively picked up by the apartments' interior designer. There are sheep-themed features throughout, from balls of wool and giant black-and-white photos to cosy sheepskins artfully draped over chairs. Even the lift linking the floors is lined with a sheep print.
Owned by Rudy Julen (from one of the 4 separate Julen families who seem to own most of the resort), what makes these apartments so special is their plum location, hotel-style services and cool interiors. Rudy is a hobby sheep farmer, keeping 300 Blacknose Valois sheep in his spare time, and this detail has been imaginatively picked up by the apartments' interior designer. There are sheep-themed features throughout, from balls of wool and giant black-and-white photos to cosy sheepskins artfully draped over chairs. Even the lift linking the floors is lined with a sheep print.
Highs
- Combines the privacy and relaxed vibe of a chalet with the services of a first-class hotel, including breakfast delivered to your door, a wellness area and a concierge
- A mere 2-minute stroll down to the main square in buzzy Zermatt, a resort where many chalets and hotels are out on a limb
- Spacious, light-filled accommodation with lots of luxurious touches - bathrobes, Apple TVs with movies and a Nespresso
- The flexibility of being able to self-cater some meals, order in others via room service, and stroll to great restaurants
- All bedrooms can be set up as doubles or twins, and all have their own bathroom - perfect for couples, friends and families
Lows
- No communal bar area or restaurant so it feels a little like the building lacks a heart
- No pool, just a shared large whirlpool, wooden sauna and steam room
- Expensive, but worth it
Best time to go
Winter is always busy, especially over Christmas and New Year. January is cold but the snow can be fantastic. February is busy and expensive so best avoided if possible. March is our favourite month; few crowds and generally sunny weather and great snow. The resort is closed in May until early June, which is a lovely month for spring flowers (springtime is later at this altitude). September and October are perfect hiking and biking months. Zermatt stages various festivals which pull in the crowds, including the groovy Zermatt Unplugged in April, and a classical music festival in late August.
Our top tips
Catch the ‘first tracks’ gondola up the Klein Matterhorn early in the morning to see the glittering sunrise and to ski virgin slopes. And don’t miss lunch at Chez Vrony, one of Zermatt’s celebrated mountain restaurants; a hang-out of the rich and beautiful (open both summer and winter).