Prior to this weekend I had been to Zermatt a few times and not once had I noticed the Schweizerhof hotel! It’s placed in the most prime location of the village right by the train station, so how could I have ever missed it?
Is it because it had been under construction for a while? Or is it because of its judicious location, a bit reminiscent of a speak-easy (with some imagination) where only the ones “in the know” are previewed to? Regardless, it was such a nice surprise to discover this hidden gem. Each time I discover something new, I feel like I had a huge win!
Beyond the cool interiors, the delicious food and the most majestic view one could dream of waking up and going to sleep to, what really surprised me was the human element I got to experience. Everyone was just so attentive and professional, but there was one person in particular whose journey surpassed all expectations. His way of thinking and living his life really inspired me to push even harder. I’ll introduce him later so keep on reading 🙂
So now let’s reveal this newly renovated hotel.
Schweizerhof Zermatt a complete rebirth at the foot of mother nature
It took eight months and finally on December 21, 2018, Zermatt revealed the newer, sassier and luxurious Schweizerhof. The mind behind it is no other than Michel Reybier, a pioneer in the luxury hospitality. His reputation precedes his name but for those of you who don’t know of him, Michel Reybier is a total visionary in the business. Not only is he THE luxury man but he also has a good grasp of other demographics. His range goes from luxury five star hotels like La Réserve to Mama Shelter, an urban, design and affordable hotel chain.
About Zermatt
A charming car-free village tucked in the Swiss Alps, about four hours from Zürich – the perfect location for a weekend gateway.
Those in quest for relaxation will find their bliss and those who want to be active will find ample activities to pick from. Whether you go in the winter or summer, there is plenty to do and see. To begin with, Zermatt is right beneath the king of all mountains, the iconic and majestic Matterhorn (Matte in German means valley or meadow, and Horn means peak). It’s also home to countless number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs which one can indulge in after a long day of skiing or hiking.
What I was a bit surprised about is the sheer number of tourists, from all of the world amidst the scorching hot weather all Europe has been experiencing. Don’t think that you’re safe just because you’re up in the mountains! It was hot!!
About the new Schweizerhof and the idea behind it
The energy of the mountains, the awe-inspiring views mixed with the conviviality and the simple luxuries of the hotel are all that one can hope for while on holiday in the mountains.
You don’t have to be rich, famous, single or with kids to be a guest there. There is something for everyone at the Schweizerhof. It’s a fit whether you’re sporty or lazy, foodie or not. Obviously, you’ll get a bit more out of it if you’re into good food and wine but you’ll still be fine if you’re not. The guest is the hero – just imagine and it will be made possible.
Rooms
Our room was modern and cozy with an unbelievable view of the Matterhorn. Our terrace overlooked the Kitchen housed outside while it’s hot. One look and we knew when to go for dinner. Summer tunes blasted throughout the day complimenting the vacation vibe.
Dining
It all happens here, at the Schweizerhof Kitchen! Guests become spectators of the orchestra ensemble conducted by Chef Emmanuel Horclois. He manages all dining areas (La Muña, The Kitchen and the Cheese Factory) from breakfast to dinner, day in, day out, from pizza to smoked Black Cod.
The open kitchen concept is quite original for the region and so far it has garnered a lot of positive attention. During winter, the La Muña chef prepares the cold dishes in front of the clients who love being part of the process and watch it all come to life. Apparently it was a huge success right from the opening. Unfortunately I only got to experience the Schweizerhof Kitchen because the other ones are closed during summer. I can’t wait to go back in December and try out La Muña.
Executive Chef Emmanuel Horclois & Maître d’hôtel Jurani
Both charismatic and both at the center of everything when it comes to customer satisfaction. One gets to the hearts by fuelling the tummies and the other by way of attention. I’ll introduce them both in no particular order of importance but by alphabetical order!
Executive Chef Emmanuel Horclois
I was very pleasantly surprised when Emmanuel Horclois, the Executive Chef at Schweizerhof came to introduce himself and offered a sit down. Very special in today’s world where digital connections are primed at the expense of direct human interactions – it may be a generational thing!
Emmanuel was born do be a Chef! He knew very early on that cooking would be his passion for life. It definitely helped that he was from Lyon, the city of Gastronomy, and got trained by the best names of that time who showed him the ropes and paved the way for him.
Cooking, according to him is a perpetual work of innovation and rebirth which makes it so much more exciting than repeating the same recipe year after year. He uses his French classical training as his strong base then reinterprets it with new spices and ingredients. Emmanuel only works with products of the highest quality – a big non-negotiable.
He’s extremely proud and excited to be part of the reopening of the Schweizerhof until he returns to La Reserve in Geneva. This open concept has been so successful that Michel Reybier wants to replicate it there starting September.
Maître d’hôtel Jurani
Has it ever happened to you to have a conversation not expecting it to go anywhere then out of the blue something is said that blows your mind away? That’s exactly what happened with Jurani. From the beginning, I knew Jurani had a special role at the hotel. His eyes and ears were everywhere, ready to find solutions to any problem brought to his attention, as any Maître d’hôtel should. Present everywhere, all the time and always with a big smile.
He moved to Switzerland 18 years ago from Indonesia. All he had was his love and drive, which was already a lot! He took this unique opportunity to learn and grow as much and as far as he could go. With nothing to show for in the beginning, today his resume not only includes some of the most exclusive hotels in Switzerland but also interactions with some really interesting people, those we mostly read about. He learned to speak English, German, French and Italian from scratch to better connect with his clients. He got degrees and now speaks in front of hundreds of people sharing his story and his know-how.
I believe because of his background and the work he’s done, Jurani lives his life with a great sense of humility and pride. He understands that his life doesn’t stop at his accolades and accomplishments. Now he wants to pass the torch and help others who may be walking his path.
A truly inspiring person!
See you in December!
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