Your hotel in Zermatt should match your lift. Sunnegga, Gornergrat, and Matterhorn Express offer different access, terrain, and evening scenes, so the base you choose matters. Below, find where to stay in Zermatt for your style and how close you’ll be to bars, shops, and après.
Think of the village in three sections: Sunnegga for easy starts and learner zones, Gornergrat for central convenience, and Matterhorn Express for the highest terrain and Cervinia link. Everything is walkable, but your base sets the tone for mornings and après.
Sunnegga Lift – Best Area to Stay in Zermatt for Families and Beginners
The Sunnegga valley station anchors a handy cluster of gear shops, cafés, and ski schools at the north end of Zermatt. From the top, you’re straight onto sunny runs toward Blauherd and Rothorn with Matterhorn views, plus easy links to Wolli Park and Findeln. Expect busy streets at start/finish times.
Why Stay Near the Sunnegga Lift
Stay near the Sunnegga lift if you care about simple mornings and reliable access.
Quick access: It’s a short, flat walk to the underground funicular, which stays open when other lifts are down from the wind.
Great for mixed levels: Kids and beginners have gentle zones nearby; intermediates can lap long reds all day.
Close but not in the town centre: You can walk to the main restaurants and bars in five minutes, but the noise isn’t outside your hotel room.
Hotels Near the Sunnegga Lift
Cervo Mountain Resort ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Apres-Ski • Spa/Sauna • Steps from Sunnegga Funicular
Tucked just above town, Cervo has an alpine luxury mixed with casual cool feel, complete with live music, mulled wine, and insane views.
Gornergrat Lift – Best Area to Stay in Zermatt for Convenience
Anchoring Zermatt’s center beside the main station, the Gornergrat cogwheel climbs to a high-alpine ridge with endless groomers and front-row Matterhorn views. From Riffelberg to Gornergrat, this is classic, confidence-building terrain with scenic descents back toward town. Down below, expect a convenient base with everything within a short, flat walk.
Why Stay Near the Gornergrat Lift
Pick this base if you want the fastest train-to-terrain start and easy skiing up top.
Roll-off convenience: Arrive by train, stash bags, and board the cogwheel in minutes.
Great for mileage: Broad, confidence-building pistes suit intermediates and mixed-ability groups.
Not tucked away: Being central puts rentals, bakeries, and bars at your doorstep.
Hotels Near the Gornergrat Lift
Alpen Resort & Spa ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spacious Rooms • Free Station Shuttle • 350m from Gornergrat Lift
Perfect for families or longer stays, Alpen offers ski lockers, cable TV, multiple dining options, and free rides from the station.
Matterhorn Express – Best Area to Stay in Zermatt for Quiet Nights
At Zermatt’s south end, the Matterhorn Express rises toward Furi, Trockener Steg, and the glacier at Klein Matterhorn. The draw is big-mountain access: glacier laps, the snowpark, and the border-hop to Cervinia for long, sunny cruisers. Down below, the vibe is quieter and residential, with easy end-of-day ski-backs.
Why Stay Near the Matterhorn Express
Stay near the Matterhorn Express if you’re looking for a quieter area, plus first lifts to the highest, most snow-sure terrain.
Gateway to the glacier: Fast access to Klein Matterhorn, advanced lines, and the Italy link.
Finish where you sleep: Most routes funnel back here, so boots come off faster and après can start sooner.
Away from the crowds: Fewer bars on your doorstep means peace, but also that the center is a 10-15 minute walk or shuttle ride away.
Hotels Near the Matterhorn Express
Matthiol Boutique Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Multi-Bedroom Units • Spa/Sauna • 800m from Matterhorn Express
A little higher up, but worth the walk for roomy suites, modern design, and everything you need to self-cater in style.
Think of the village in three sections: Sunnegga for easy starts and learner zones, Gornergrat for central convenience, and Matterhorn Express for the highest terrain and Cervinia link. Everything is walkable, but your base sets the tone for mornings and après.
Don’t base yourself too far uphill east of the river unless you’re happy with daily climbs and icy evening walks in boots. Täsch looks cheap on paper, but you’ll burn time on transfers and miss Zermatt’s après and late spa sessions. Also, avoid staying more than 500–700 m from a lift as the wait for shuttles can be long in the mornings and afternoons.
Final Thoughts
Choose location first—Sunnegga, Gornergrat, or Matterhorn Express—then add the spa, views, and vibe you want. Zermatt is built for simple mornings and smooth end-of-day returns, so staying near your lift pays off all week.
Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
