I planned to have at least one “splurge stay” in Zermatt, a more upscale hotel where I could kick back and relax. After some research, I decided on the Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel. In this post I’m going to give you my honest review of this property, covering the highlights of my stay, a few downsides, and whether I would recommend it to other travelers.
The Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel is a modern four-star property in Zermatt, set with expansive mountain views and unique in design. This hotel is the brainchild of FOKUS FOKUS, a Swiss design firm with an interesting philosophy: hotels should be built more like “mountain huts” than traditional buildings.
They take inspiration from alpine architecture but infuse it with clean lines and modern technology. The Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel is a great fit for anyone in the market for a design-forward property with a view of the Matterhorn, with spa facilities and a slightly different vibe than the typical Swiss mountain village.
Before you book, you’ll want to read on for the lowdown on my stay here!
First Impressions
Pulling up to the Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel, you know immediately that it’s not your average Alpine resort or hotel. Driving or walking towards the entrance, you don’t see the typical wooden lodge design; instead, the front of the property is a rocky tunnel that you pass through like a cave.
It has an element of mystery to it, which I quite liked, and it also feels very naturally cool inside—literally, since the walkway is made of stone instead of wood. This was welcome “air-conditioning” after the steep walk uphill.
Stepping inside the hotel, there’s more glass and steel. The front half of the hotel has an all-glass façade that both fills the room with natural light and frames the surrounding snowy peaks.
I arrived with sky-high expectations (this was the priciest hotel of my entire Switzerland trip), but while the Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel had some missed details that didn’t match my own ideal picture in my mind, it also blew me away in more ways than I expected.
Location
The hotel is located just above the center of Zermatt, about a 10-minute walk from the main shopping drag. The location isn’t in the heart of it all, but here in Zermatt “center” means a different thing because it also means you get more peace and quiet, fewer crowds, and more unobstructed views of the Matterhorn.
The single biggest perk of its location is the cable car to Glacier Paradise right next door. If you’re coming to Zermatt to ski or snowboard, you can literally roll out of bed, step outside, and hop on the gondola. It is incredibly convenient. Matterhorn FOCUS also has a complimentary shuttle from the Zermatt train station, which saved me the trouble of lugging luggage uphill.
Deluxe Mountain View Room
I stayed in the Deluxe Mountain View Room. The room wasn’t on the large side, but the space was enlivened by the modern, industrial-chic style of decor. Clean lines, sparse furniture, and concrete accented by warm lighting created a stylish vibe.
The floor-to-ceiling windows give an air of spaciousness and create a seamless transition between indoors and out. Weirdly, the glass door leading out of my room didn’t have curtains, which made it tricky for privacy at night, but the tradeoff was it never lost the view during the day.
The rest of the room and amenities were simple but nice. Plush bedding, a Nespresso machine, and a spacious bathroom with high-end toiletries all set the tone for the place. I definitely got a sense of design hotel versus a ski lodge here.
Drawback: the Matterhorn view is partially obstructed by a nearby gondola line. It wasn’t the straight-on, dreamy postcard view I had envisioned, but waking up and pulling back the curtains to see a full view of the magnificent Alpine giant outside my window was still magical.
The Spa & Pool
If there’s a real standout feature of the Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel, it’s the spa and pool area. There’s an indoor-outdoor heated pool where you can swim back and forth between the warm inside area and the snowy mountain air outside.
Few experiences are better than lounging in a hot pool with the Matterhorn looming over you.
The spa also has whirlpools, saunas, and steam baths, and after a long day of hiking or skiing, this is the kind of pampering I always dream of doing.
My favorite memory from the hotel was swimming in the outdoor hot pool while the sun set behind the mountain peaks. To have the cold Alpine air on my face and the steaming water on my skin all at once felt like pure luxury.
Dining & Breakfast
The breakfast at Matterhorn FOCUS was the best of my Switzerland trip, with an abundant spread. You’ll find everything from fresh breads and croissants, to eggs and cheeses, to smoked salmon, fruits, and more.
Prosecco, in case you want to start your morning with bubbles, is also available.
The dining room itself is bright and airy, with wide windows so you don’t feel like you lose sight of the mountains as you’re eating.
The hotel also provides a complimentary afternoon tea service, with cakes and snacks for guests to enjoy in the late afternoon. It’s a cute touch and one that gives the place an extra homely vibe.
Service & Hospitality
The staff at Matterhorn FOCUS were nice and efficient. The hotel arranged for my pick-up from the train station without a hitch and provided helpful ski and hiking tips.
The day of my departure, as I was checking out, the hotel staff surprised me with a refreshing drink as a kind of going-away gift. A small gesture, but one I appreciated.
Who it’s for?
Who is the Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel for?
- Couples in the market for a romantic getaway with spa relaxation.
- Skiers and snowboarders who want to be able to step outside and onto the Glacier Paradise gondola.
- Travelers who prefer modern architecture and design over the traditional Swiss Alpine chalet.
- Guests who don’t mind being a short walk from the village center in exchange for panoramic mountain views.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Expansive floor-to-ceiling glass design, lots of natural light, mountain views.
- Spa and pool area is a major highlight.
- Complimentary shuttle service to the train station.
- Superb breakfast and free afternoon tea included.
- Perfect for ski season, as the gondola is right next door.
Cons
- Rooms are stylish but not super large.
- Matterhorn views are partially blocked by gondola wires.
- Glass doors with no curtains make it hard to get privacy at night.
- Slightly uphill walk from the town center (though shuttle is available).
Tips for Staying Here
- Book a room with a Matterhorn view guaranteed. The views are worth it, but not all rooms have direct and unobstructed views.
- Take advantage of the shuttle. Don’t carry your luggage all the way uphill from town, but instead let the hotel pick you up from the train station.
- Schedule time in the spa. It’s easy to want to spend all your time skiing or hiking, but try to schedule at least an evening or night to enjoy the pools and saunas.
- Winter travelers: If you’re visiting during the ski season, it’s even more ideal as it is located right next to Glacier Paradise.
Overall Experience
Did the Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel live up to my expectations? I would say it was both yes and no. I built up expectations very high before my arrival at the hotel (after all, it was the most expensive of my entire Switzerland trip), so a few missed details (like the obstructed view) were disappointing in comparison to my dreamy mental picture.
But on the whole, it is a stylish, modern four-star property with some of the best spa facilities I’ve experienced in Switzerland. The design, location, and spa experience combined made for one of the most memorable hotels of my entire trip.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a modern and luxurious (but not a traditional wooden chalet) hotel in Zermatt, the Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel is a great choice. It captures the design hotel aesthetic and embeds it right into the Alpine setting.
This is a great choice for couples and skiers in particular, who will find it hard to beat the convenience of the hotel’s location next to the Glacier Paradise cable car. Just set your expectations appropriately: the rooms aren’t large and Matterhorn views may be slightly obstructed.
In the end, this is a hotel that will make for memories of swimming under the Matterhorn and waking up to snow-covered peaks outside your window.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Solid choice for design lovers and ski travelers, with just a few minor drawbacks that don’t completely detract from the overall experience.
Have you visited Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel in Zermatt? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to know your opinion of the views, spa, and rooms.
Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel Review: Modern Retreat at the Foot of the Alps