HOTEL ALEX ZERMATT
Family Tradition with a Quirky Alpine Style
Zermatt Switzerland is certainly a unique little corner of the world.
Tucked into a deep valley in the heart of the Swiss Alps, a virtual cul-de-sac
of a town at the foot of the mighty and famous Matterhorn. Narrow walking
lanes lined with bars and shops of dark alpine wood, with enticing window
displays of expensive Swiss time pieces, and flower boxes. Zermatt, with
its mountain climbing legacy and world renowned skiing on high glaciers
and steep slopes in winter and hiking alpine meadows in summer.
Zermatt
has no real industry other than hospitality – a village
of hotels all owned locally by the families of Zermatt (see Zermatt
Matterhorn).
The famous five star resorts of the Mont Cervin and Zermatterhof are
closed
for
large parts of the year, only open during the high season for the glitz
and glamour international set. For the casual visitor, whether for a
week of skiing, or just a ride up the Gornergrat railway and catching
the Glacier Express (see Glacier Express Scenic Rail) out of town, one
of the best kept secret gems of Zermatt’s hospitality is the Hotel
Alex.
The
Hotel Alex has been operated by the Perren family since first constructed
under the vision of and named for Alex Perren. The second generation
of Hürlimann-Perren’s have taken over the family business
and continue the tradition with a pride you’ll notice. The Hotel
Alex combines a unique traditional Zermatt local flavor with all the
service of a modern hotel. Upon entering lobby, you’re first greeted
by the grinning face of an Alpine woodland spirit, a former fireplace,
now just holding firewood in his maw. 
From
first entrance into the cozy lobby the hotel seems rather small,
but as you explore, each new space offers a pleasant discovery. The bar
with its antler backed stools, rich wood and deep cushioned couches of
the lounge present a style that lets you know you’re in a place
with a special charm. Entered from downstairs past the spa treatment
rooms or from the outside in the warm seasons, the Hotel Alex’s
famously large indoor pool is a marvel, like a visit to a grotto on the
Adriatic. The rooms can be a little smallish, commensurate with a 
traditional
hotel, but warmly furnished and maintained. And you needn’t ask
where to eat in Zermatt when staying in the Alex, the restaurant is one
of the town’s best spots with an eclectic menu of Swiss, Italian
and French traditional cuisine, with grilling a specialty. For pampering
the Alex has three massage rooms, a a Finnish sauna, gym and handball
court. They offer yoga, Pilates and water aerobics classes. Reserve in
advance to get a balcony room with mountain views.
The
Alex offers both summer and winter packages for romantic couples stays,
families,
and for single travelers. Kids will enjoy the hotel’s play yard
with its life sized elephant, “Joya” play slides. If you
walk out the front door of the Alex look up the mountain-side above and
you’ll
see a small building clinging to the cliff. That’s the climber’s
bar, only reachable by foot up the steep trail. For the energetic only.
The
Hotel Alex is one of the closest hotels to the Zermatt rail station (just
behind it actually), steps from the central plaza and the Gornergrat Bahn
station (see Gornergrat
Matterhorn Railway).
The Matterhorn cableway station is at the far end of the village, about
a 15 minute walk, or
the hotel will provide a ride on the electric cart. The cable goes up
to the Klein
Matterhorn and Glacier
Paradise, nearest the big famous
peak. If
you just want to see the mountain, even at night when the sky is clear
and the
moon is out, just walk through the village to the church
and turn left to the bridge across the creek which runs through town. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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Hotel
Alex
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SEE ALSO:
SWISS
RAIL PASS
WALLISERHOF CHALET HOTEL - ZERMATT
MATTERHORN MUSEUM - ZERMATTLANTIS
GLACIER
EXPRESS - SWITZERLAND BY RAIL
