Bellerive Zermatt
No wonder that Bellerive Zermatt is considered one of the best 3 stars hotels in Switzerland. The attention to the details, the family-like hospitality, the highly personal treatment and its outstanding services. Its Breakfast buffet offering and the cosy surrounding makes you want to stay in as much as you can.
If you book one of the rooms facing the front, you will have the VIP view of the stunning Matterhorn, making you want to look outside as much as possible to absorb all of its power. Towards the end of the day, one can enjoy the cosy Spa and fully relax, followed by an apéro at the fireplace in the lounge before heading to a delicious dinner in the city.
The couple Katja and Mario Noti, who you will meet personally when staying at the hotel, run the hotel. You might also have the chance to meet their lovely kids Kiano and Enya. A proper family-owned hotel. The positive and uncomplicated energy of the family spreads to the entire personnel and atmosphere of the hotel. You feel at home and in good hands at all times.
Their breakfast buffet is worth taking the time for. Everything that you can imagine is included, a variety of loaves of bread (for the ones looking for grains up to the pain au chocolat), fresh fruits, all kinds of cereals, a delicious palette of home-made jams, cold cuts from the local butcher, eggs, fresh-pressed juice, cheese and yoghurt from the Horu Käserei (the only cheese-maker in Zermatt, more about it below). It's that type of buffet that you could stay hours indulging yourself. If you want an even cosier morning, breakfast in bed is also an option. You can choose what you like, they will bring it to your room, and you can enjoy it while admiring the sun shining in the Matterhorn peak. I can highly recommend it. The best would be to stay at least two nights and try both options to make the best out of it ;)
They don't have many rooms, but still a wide variety with or without the view. Chic and deluxe rooms, Junior Suites and the one and only Sky Room - a duplex, with a high ceiling and big windows, facing the Matterhorn, and a bathtub on the mezzanine level with access to the stars. A unique experience.
The location of the hotel is also superb. Not in the buzz of the city, but still only 5-10 minutes away from it. Located on a quiet street but surrounded by delicious restaurants and a 10minute walk from the ski lift. For the hiker lovers, a good starting point to any of the options the region offers.
I had the opportunity to try three different types of rooms, and I must say, none of them compromises on the comfort and cosiness. The amenities are of high quality (one of the best body lotions I had so far). You will have the option to serve yourself with Sirocco tea and Nespresso coffee without an extra charge in the room. One could even say a 4-star service for a 3-star price.
The importance of sustainability to the owners is visible across the hotel—local products in the breakfast buffet, carefully chosen amenities and the option of tailor-making your housekeeping through a QR Code. To avoid unnecessary cleaning and changing towels and sheets, the guests can choose online which kind of services they wish/need. What a great idea!
Furthermore, there is no food waste. Breakfast leftovers are reused the following day if possible. Otherwise, sandwiches are prepared, and everything is served for free at the bar. Guests can help themselves as they please.
Even though the hotel does not offer lunch nor dinner, it has great cooperation with the surrounding hotels and restaurants. Through these cooperations, even with Corona restrictions, Bellerive's visitors have the chance to choose from 5 different restaurant options. From local cuisine to Thai and Japanese food - something for every taste located no more than a 3 minute walk away from the hotel.
I can highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get away, feel at home outside of home, relax and have an uncomplicated and down-to-earth stay in Zermatt —the perfect place to feel welcomed and have the possibility to recenter. In the lounge, you can have a drink by the bar, play a game or read a book next to the fireplace. There is also the option of choosing one of the many movies offered to watch in your room.
If you're still not convinced about staying here, I hope the pictures will convince ;)
HORU KASEREI
While staying at Bellerive, Katja organised a visit to the local cheese-maker, the Horu Käserei, to snap some shots of their supplier.
I went early morning to catch them preparing the daily batch of products. I was warm welcomed by the workers who gave me a full explanation of the entire process. I had the opportunity to follow them on the whole cheese-making process. From stirring the milk, retrieving the excess water, heating up the mixture, putting in its forms and letting it sit, up to, a few hours later, taking out of the containers, putting it in salted water (no salt goes in the mixture, only in the water where it stays between 17-24 hours depending on the size of the product), and retrieving it to the shelves where it sits for days until maturation. Cheese-making is all about the right timing and temperature. Precision is needed to achieve the right quality continually. No wonder that Switzerland became known for its cheese-making capabilities ;)
I also had the opportunity to learn more about the Yoghurt and butter making process. What a life school.
If you’re in Zermatt, make sure to visit and buy some of their products at their little kiosk outside the house. Choose your product in the fridge and leave the payment in the little box (first-world country trust).
APARTMENT
During my stay, I also took some pictures of their new offering - a luxury apartment located inside of the hotel but with the option of using a separate entrance. A two-story apartment with three bedrooms, threes bathrooms, a cosy living room, an open, fully-equipped kitchen and a big balcony. All carefully designed, with high-quality furniture and a modern but still homely atmosphere. The perfect place to come with family or friends and spend a more extended period in this charming Swiss village.
