Anyone who knows me knows that one of my absolute favourite destinations to visit is Zermatt. Be it in winter for skiing or summer for trail running and hiking, Zermatt is an Alpine wonderland. That said, I'm often asked where the best place is to stay in Zermatt. As is often the case, the answer is not so simple. Zermatt offers a variety of different lodging possibilities. Here are places you might want to consider. They span travel types and travel budgets.

Before I get started though, I‘d like to make this point: you‘re probably going to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn. The majestic nearly triangular mountain was made famous by English tourists in the 1800s and features an appearance in Mark Twain’s A Tramp Abroad. When you see the Matterhorn it’s stunning and impressive and almost every hotel offers views of this landmark. However, as the weather will have it sometimes, the Matterhorn is shrouded in clouds not to be seen for days. I know people who have visited Zermatt on more than one occasion and still not seen the mountain. Therefore, I advise first time travellers, to spend a few days in Zermatt - spend time in the town and the mountains. There’s plenty to do. Now on to my recommendations.

Luxury Traveler: Mont Cervin Palace

Hotel Category: Luxury

Price Point: Starting at circa CHF 580/night for dual occupancy

Website: https://www.montcervinpalace.ch/

Located on Zermatt’s Bahnhofstrasse, this hotel is the epitome of luxury travel. The Mont Cervin Palace, built in 1852, is not a posh see and be seen type of hotel, but rather a relax and be yourself kind of place that embodies Zermatt’s vibe. Yes, it’s fancy, but no one is looked down upon. You can be yourself here. If you want to surprise your travelling partner, you can also arrange for a pick-up by a horse-drawn carriage at the train station.

The rooms are large and comfortable with ones on the front providing an excellent view onto the Matterhorn. There is also a 24-hour bar and room service. The hotel belongs to the Swiss Deluxe Hotels and Leading Hotels of The World. Bonus for mountain bikers is the in-house bike garage and workshop. The hotel also features a spa with all the treatments.

Trendy Traveler: The CERVO

Hotel Category: Design Hotel

Price Point: Starting at circa CHF 450/night for dual occupancy

Website: https://www.cervo.ch/

If there is one hotel in Zermatt that has done an outstanding job of harnessing the power of social media and embracing young-culture, it is The CERVO. Beautifully located above the town of Zermatt with easy access via their hotel electro bus or the elevator from the Sunnegga funicular station The CERVO is wonderfully furnished in a mountain/hunting lodge fashion with several buildings housing apartment-style rooms and suites. The terrace at The CERVO is a perfect place for drinks and watching the Matterhorn. Expect great DJs and concerts here as The CERVO is involved with many of Zermatt's cultural events. Lastly, the spa at The CERVO is an excellent place to relax.

Daniel Lauber, proprietor and host of The CERVO, has purposefully refused to join any hotel star-rating service, deciding to offer guests a more personalised stay. His hotel is recognised as a Design & Lifestyle hotel by Swiss Tourism and is a White Line Hotel member.

The Foodie Traveller: Hotel Schönegg

Hotel Category: Deluxe

Price Point: Starting at circa CHF 280/night for dual occupancy

Website: https://schonegg.ch/

Located almost across the street from The CERVO is the family-run Relais & Chateau member Hotel Schönegg. Run by a brother and sister team, the hotel's motto is Wine, Dine and View. With fourteen GaultMillau Points and an exceptional selection of Swiss wines that are hard to find anywhere else, The Hotel Schönegg is an Epicurean’s delight. Apart from the hotel's exquisite cuisine, it also offers stunning views of the Matterhorn from many of its rooms as well as from its spa and of course its restaurant and terrace.

The service is amicable and attentive, and you're most likely sure to meet Anna and her brother Sebastian Metry, the hosts of the hotel, who are more than willing to give you tips on what to do in Zermatt from hiking trails to great photo locations. My wine tip is the ValCino, only available in four restaurants in Zermatt, its a cuvée produced by friends, Ludovic Zermatten (Cave Renaissance) and David Delea (Cave Delea) and consists of 50% Cornalin from the Valais and 50% Merlot from Ticino.

The Quality Traveller: Hotel Perren

Hotel Category: Three-Star Superior

Price Point: Starting at circa CHF 190/night for dual occupancy

Website: https://www.hotel-perren.ch/

The Hotel Perren is a family owned and operated, three-star hotel has been serving guests since 1956. It offers fantastic quality for the price. Enjoy a nice dinner in the restaurant La Barrique and your breakfast in the restaurant Montanara. You can also grab a late-night drink at the Q-Stall-Bar. The hotel also features a spa area with steam bath and sauna. The rooms are large with comfortable beds and a full bathroom. It's also well located near Zermatt's old-town. If you're looking for a place to stay in Zermatt that doesn't look or feel budget, but won't break the bank, the Hotel Perren is an excellent choice.

Family or group Travellers: Chalet Bergheim

Hotel Category: Four-Star Superior

Price Point: Starting at circa CHF 150/night (7 day rentals)

Website: http://www.chaletbergheim.com

Travelling with the entire family in Switzerland and especially Zermatt can get extremely expensive, and there is often a desire to pull back a little, cook for yourself. Chalet Bergheim was lovingly renovated by Will and Amanda Southwell, who have a family themselves what families want and need. Chalet Bergheim is a self-catering mountain Chalet about an 8-minute walk from The CERVO. It's located near the end of the Sunnegga ski piste, which those looking for their next ski-vacation will love.

The four-star superior Chalet has two double bedrooms that can comfortably sleep six adults. With additional beds, the Chalet can even host seven adults, one child and a baby. The kitchen comes equipped with the basics to cook a meal, and there is of course wine and beer on hand. While the chalet does have a television, you're most likely to want to play board games in the evening around the traditional Swiss table with corner bench or perhaps relax in the wooden outdoor hot tub with views directly onto the Matterhorn.

The Adventurer: Fluhalp

Hotel Category: Mountain Restaurant and Lodge

Price Point: Starting at circa CHF 85/night/person with dinner & breakfast

Website: https://www.fluhalp-zermatt.ch

If you're the type of traveller who likes to get away from it all, then a stay at the Fluhalp is for you. Further away from the Matterhorn than places directly in Zermatt, the mountain lodge Fluhalp offers stunning views of the Matterhorn from the terrace and some of the rooms. Getting to Fluhalp requires a circa 30-minute walk from the Blauherd mountain station. You'll pass the beautiful Stellisee from which you can take some impressive Matterhorn reflection pictures. The restaurant offers good food in healthy portions and has a surprising selection of wines including Tignanello, Opus One, Gaja, and Dom Perignon. As is typical in mountain lodges, there are a select few single and double rooms, more 4-person rooms more beds in dorms. Bathrooms are shared. The Fluhalp is only open in the summer, and I highly recommend making reservations. It's the perfect place to start the Five-Lakes-Hike (Fünf-Seen-Wanderung).

The Economy Traveller: Youth Hostel Zermatt

Hotel Category: Youth Hostel

Price Point: Starting at circa CHF 40/night/person with breakfast

Website: https://www.youthhostel.ch/en/hostels/zermatt/

Youth hostels generally have a bad reputation. However, the Swiss Youth Hostels are fantastic. They are clean, well staffed, affordable and more and more of them have been renovated to offer more comfort and amenities as well as great design. The Youth Hostel in Zermatt is not a design hostel, but it has been renewed to provide single, double and group rooms as well as barrier-free rooms. There is a dining hall offering breakfast and dinner at affordable prices. There is also a secret room here - From room 333 you'll have one of the best views of the Matterhorn in all of Zermatt.

There you have it, seven great places to stay in Zermatt for travellers with different needs, wants and budgets. I've tested all of them in the past few years and found something in each of them that made them stand out and be worthy of a recommendation.