Zermatt is a famous ski resort in the Swiss Alps, offering over 360 km of ski runs and spectacular views of the iconic Matterhorn. A resort accessible by train, cars are not allowed in Zermatt to preserve the environment. Outdoor activities are not limited to skiing, with hiking, mountain biking and climbing trails available during the summer season. Zermatt is also known for its gastronomic scene, with many restaurants offering tasty dishes from Swiss and international cuisine. Finally, the resort has a lively and festive atmosphere, with many bars and nightclubs for skiers looking to entertain themselves after a day on the slopes.
But perhaps the best-kept secret of this cosy resort is its hotel offer. I take you to what is probably the best kept secret of the current offer, the Cervo Mountain Resort.
An emblem, a couple, a vision…
Daniel F. and his wife Seraina Lauber are the couple behind this family project, which was initiated when he was only 30 years old. Here there is no chain, no world standard, no ascertained recipe, just a vision and a furious desire to create a unique experience between the past and the future of Zermatt.
Daniel grew up in Zermatt and met Seraina at the hotel school in Lucerne, together they wanted to create this innovative and high quality project. A way of renewing the hotel history of this pioneering resort with a conscious and respectful approach to the environment, respect for the local culture with its traditions and values, and an international touch, to show its openness to the world.
Zermatt’s hotel history dates back to the end of the 19th century, when tourists began to flock to the village to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and winter sports. The town’s first hotels were built to cater for the increasingly demanding international clientele, who sought comfort and high quality services.
The first hotel in Zermatt was the Hotel Monte Rosa, opened in 1855. It quickly gained a reputation for luxury and refinement, with its spacious rooms and elegant reception rooms. In 1879, the Hotel Zermatterhof was also opened, offering high quality services and a privileged location in the heart of the town.
Over the years, many other luxury hotels have sprung up in Zermatt, such as Hotel Mirabeau, Hotel Eden, Hotel Schweizerhof, Hotel National and Hotel Europe. Each hotel has sought to distinguish itself through its services, facilities and style, offering guests a unique and unforgettable experience.
Over time, Zermatt’s hotel offering has adapted to changing customer and market trends. Smaller, more intimate hotels have been created, as well as luxury chalets and flats. The Cervo Mountain Resort is today the perfect example and undoubtedly the flagship, combining respect for tradition with a touch of modernity and attention to detail. A lift quickly connects the hotel to the ski lift as well as to the town centre and the railway station.
In winter, it is the ideal address for ski lovers who can leave and arrive ski in ski out. During the summer, guests can enjoy a certain amount of peace and quiet, with sunshine until late evening.
With its three lodge concepts, the Cervo offers rooms that are luxurious and relaxed, alpine and elegant but also modern and functional, 4 or 5 star rooms and suites are just as varied as the Cervo’s offerings and services. Depending on the season and the needs of the residents, everything changes, evolves and adapts, as the hotel can be visited almost all year round.
The complex also includes the Overlook Lodge for relaxed flat holidays and the Schali Lago, the summer hotspot on Lake Schali with wakeboarding facilities and a bar.
Wellness for guests, wellness for the planet
The Cervo has also invested heavily in wellness facilities. The new Mountain Ashram Spa combines the best of international wellness traditions: meditation and coaching sessions, exquisite treatments, and a steam bath with local herbs, not to mention the onsen with a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn.
CERVO covers 99% of its energy needs through geothermal energy with an integrated heat recovery system and solar panels. Natural gas is used for the remaining 1% and the switch to biogas is planned for the next few years – and will be further expanded. The long-term goal is to achieve 100% CO2 neutral energy production for heating and hot water. 100% of the drinking water sold at the Cervo comes from the village and is treated by a filter system.
And guests can also make a contribution to offsetting CO2 emissions. In cooperation with MyClimate, a foundation that supports climate protection projects. In addition, every house beer consumed and every meat dish eaten is climate neutral. The vegan options do the rest. In the three restaurants Madre Nostra, Bazaar and Ferdinand, the focus is on local, seasonal creations enriched with flavours from here and abroad.
Thanks to its comprehensive commitment to sustainability, CERVO has been awarded the “Sustainable Living” category by hotelleriesuisse.
Zermatt’s popular après-ski
The Cervo is not just a hotel, it is a way of life. The refined culture of après-ski is practised here with a live music programme and artistic elements that combine to create the unique feeling of a beautiful experience.
In this way, the resort contributes to shaping the Zermatt community with its culture, traditions and values and contributes to a conscious awareness of the necessary respect for the Alpine environment. Moreover, on 19 November 2021, the Cervo was voted best Resort in Europe at the prestigious AHEAD Awards for Hospitality and Design.
A R C H I T E C T U R E & HISTORY Interior Design: Dreimeta www.dreimeta.com Architecture and Construction Lead: MLS Architekten www.mls-architekten.ch Construction and Opening: 2009 Expansions: 2010, 2012 und 2013 Complete Re-and New Construction: 2020
