5 reasons I'm so excited about Marriott's new hotel in Zermatt
If you asked me to rank my 10 favorite places in the world, Zermatt would definitely make the cut — it might even land a spot in the Top 5.
An alpine town in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, Zermatt is a rare gem among tourist hot spots, offering high-end resort amenities without compromising its local, historic charm. In many ways, I hope to never see that change.
There is one small area where the town could benefit from a modest adjustment, though — Zermatt remains largely inaccessible to travelers hoping to redeem hotel points to book a stay, which is why I was especially excited to learn about Marriott's plan to open a hotel.
Expected to welcome guests beginning in 2026, The Ritz-Carlton Zermatt will offer just 69 rooms and will be the brand's first ski resort in Europe. The hotel will offer two restaurants, two bars, an outdoor terrace and a private dining room, along with a gym, spa, pools and easy access to the slopes.
The hotel is designed to “offer a refined take on the classic mountain chalet,” so it should blend in nicely with the town's largely traditional alpine architecture, as you can see in the rendering above.
Having a great redemption option is just one of the reasons I'm especially excited about this Zermatt addition, though. There's great skiing, of course, but Zermatt offers so much more than some quality time on the slopes. Read on for a closer look.
You can save a ton of cash
During peak weeks, lodging can be incredibly expensive — a very basic room at the three-star lodge I usually book can cost as much as $300 per night, and even a nonrefundable shared room in the town's youth hostel can run you more than 50 bucks. A base room at a five-star hotel can cost far more, with nightly rates approaching $1,000 on peak dates.
I'd expect The Ritz-Carlton to command a similar premium, but it should also be available for award nights via Marriott's Bonvoy program. I wouldn't be surprised to see the hotel fall into Marriott's top Category 8 tier, currently requiring between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night, depending on the day. Still, you're likely to come out far ahead with a redemption, especially if you're visiting on the most popular dates.
Bonvoy offers the fifth night free
Marriott currently offers the fifth night free on award stays of five nights or more, and given Zermatt's distance from Geneva and Zurich, it's perfectly suited to longer stays. Making your way there from the airport can take four hours or more — it's a beautiful ride on two different trains, and the hours onboard really fly by, especially if you're looking out the window, or decide to nap after a redeye.
Still, popping by for a night or two isn't especially practical, and with so much to see and do on and off the slopes, I wouldn't hesitate to spend five nights in Zermatt, or perhaps even more.
You can visit year-round
Zermatt is one of the few resorts in the world that offers skiing in the summer. Thanks to its glacier, just under the Matterhorn, you'll find snow — and functioning lifts — near the summit in the middle of July. It's a fantastic destination in the winter, of course, but I've really enjoyed coming in the summer, as well.
If you're considering a summer trip, I recommend timing your visit to coincide with the town's annual Shepherd's Festival, where you'll get to meet some of Zermatt's famous black-nose sheep — this year, it's scheduled for Sept. 12, but it's a bit too soon to plan a trip for 2026.
It's a step back in time
Zermatt is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle back home. The town is quaint and incredibly picturesque, with photo-ops at nearly every turn, and it's entirely walkable, and a lot of fun to explore on foot at any time of the year.
Best of all, Zermatt doesn't allow vehicles with combustion engines, so you don't have to worry about encountering big trucks or exhaust, and the snow stays (mostly) white. There are small electric vehicles here and there, including taxis and hotel cars, plus large electric buses hauling skiers around, but the car and truck restrictions really do make a huge difference.
Visit two countries during one stay
Visitors with a sense of adventure can ski from Zermatt in Switzerland to Cervinia in Italy, including a delicious Italian feast for lunch. While you'll pass through a border crossing of sorts, often covered in snow, there isn't much indication you've crossed over until you make it down to the charming Italian village.
For now, this particular perk is only an option in winter, since you'll need to ski on both sides of the mountain, but a cable car linking the two resorts is expected to open long before The Ritz-Carlton, so this should be a year-round option by then.
Bottom line
Five years is a long time to wait for a new hotel, and opening dates do tend to slip — while I'm optimistic that we'll be able to redeem Bonvoy points for a Zermatt adventure come 2026, I wouldn't be surprised to see the date get pushed back a bit, especially considering the hotel's remote location, and frequent heavy snow.
Still, I'm thrilled that Marriott will eventually offer a hotel in Zermatt, and has partnered with Mario Julen, a Zermatt native and local developer, to bring the project to life. I'm sure I'll continue to return to some of my family-owned favorites over the years, but you can't beat having a great redemption option available, especially if you're hoping to visit on the most popular dates.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.