Reviews of Riffelhaus 1853 4 stars

The location was magic

Nothing bad to say

Everything

Location

Excellent location! Staff was very helpful and the room was great.

Hot Tub was a little small and the spa hours were very limited.

Location, location, mlocation

Nothing

What’s not to like?! Phenomenal service, friendly staff, brilliant facilities. A real treat!

This hotel has a truly wonderful location. I loved how it is situated amidst ski slopes, mountains, and lingering snow. I truly felt that this hotel was well worth the stay. The view of the Matterhorn and the surrounding Alps was absolutely stunning. I was especially impressed by the outdoor hot tub and the beautiful photo spots. The hotel was also well-equipped with excellent facilities, including a restaurant, a café, and cozy lounge areas. I would love to return and stay here again. The staff were lovely, very welcoming, and always willing to help.

I didn’t particularly enjoy the behavior of some other guests during my stay. They didn’t seem very friendly or welcoming towards Asian visitors.

Everything, simply prefect

Nothing.

The hotel is magnificently perched on the mountain facing the Matterhorn. The vistas are incredible and access to skiing could not be easier! The ski room has boot heaters that dry your boots every night and warms them for your feet in the morning. The spa is also beautiful with a sauna that looks out at the Matterhorn. Rooms are thoughtfully furnished and showers are incredibly hot. The hotel was clearly fully renovated but retains its historic charm. The staff are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Julie was particularly friendly and helpful, assisting us in organizing staff to help move our luggage and helping us extend our stay. All in all we had a terrific trip!

The hotel is a bit isolated, you cannot go into town for dinner or in the evening. Dinner is included in the room price and was delicious every night, but if you want to go out at night this would not be a suitable hotel for you. We appreciated not having to organize dinner logistics every night by having it taken care of by the hotel.

The hotel is in an amazing location and is easy to get to on the gornergrat train. It’s great for skiing. The room was spacious and clean, the WiFi was good. The spa facilities were nice and modern and never too busy. All the staff were very nice and helpful.

Only issue was there were only 2 options for dinner every night. For the most part wasn’t an issue, but there was one night when I didn’t like either of the options so I asked if I could order off the lunch menu, but was told I couldn’t, however on a previous night we had seen another table order off the lunch menu. So unsure why they could but we couldn’t.

Breakfast and dinner were amazing. A young lady Natalie from the staff was extremely helpful in advising us on things to do within Zermatt. She was very kind and friendly.

N/A

Great location

Half board is a necessity - given the location there are NO alternatives. Unfortunately, dinner is pretty disappointing - all dishes just so so, and main courses so tiny even a mouse would rapidly lose weight on these items.

The hotel is in an ideal location for skiing, and its proximity to the slopes is a major advantage. Although our room was a bit small, it was sufficient for our needs and very clean. We especially appreciated the warm and friendly attitude of the reception staff. The spa was definitely a highlight, with the sauna and jacuzzi offering breathtaking views.

The restaurant of the hotel was a major disappointment. The dinners included in the stay were far from satisfactory. What made it worse was finding out that ordering additional meals for an extra charge wasn’t possible. This left us in a difficult situation, as there were no other restaurants nearby in the middle of the mountain. You’re stuck with the hotel’s menu, and if you don’t like it or have allergies, there’s no alternative. Additionally, the long wait times during meal service were frustrating.

The location was absolutely amazing with stunning views of the Matterhorn. It was ideally located for a ski-in/ski-out holiday. I liked that the hotel had a restaurant and spa facilities (even though we didn't use the spa), and the lodging included breakfast and dinner. There was a nice little lounge area with amazing views of the Matterhorn and the rest of the Zermatt valley. The staff were quite friendly.

Overall, this facility, with age dating back to the 1800s, was nice. While it may lack some modern amenities, everything was well-maintained and functional. The beds were fine, although my wife and I found the pillows a bit uncomfortable and consequently neither of us enjoyed a good nights sleep during our stay. I enjoyed dining at the restaurant and having our own dedicated table for the entire stay, and the food was good; however, the choices were limited each evening, primarily consisting of meat or vegetarian options. The servers were friendly, but the service was extremely slow, even during off-peak times. I also thought it was interesting that water (still or sparkling) and other non-alcoholic beverages were an extra charge at dinner, but not at breakfast. These are minor nitpicks, but they’re worth mentioning since you’re paying premium prices at this resort. Of course, the location and breathtaking views are the main draws.

Very nice view just in front of Matterhorn. Nice trekking area. Nice spa and comfortable bed.

Wish to have refrigerator.