Once you step off of the train in picturesque Zermatt, you will find yourself in a charming Swiss town that’s full of adventure and wonder. Looking out and up to the mountains you’ll see the majestic Matterhorn, perhaps the world’s most recognizable mountain, straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy.
After a short walk, we made it to Backstage Hotel Vernissage, a masterpiece of Heinz Julen, an artist and architect from Zermatt. The hotel is built around the concept of allowing guests to ‘retreat from life’s stage’.
Wood, glass and steel are incorporated into the architecture and there are 19 rooms that showcase Heinz Julen’s aesthetic. Furnishings are handcrafted in his Zermatt studio and his own artwork adorns the walls. Julen and his family live onsite – therefore, every backstage visitor and employee are a guest at Julen’s home. His philosophy is “my home is your home”.
I stayed in the spacious Sky & Stars Suite with a breathtaking view of the iconic Matterhorn. There are large glass windows all around so one can take in the beauty of Zermatt at all times. At night when laying in the double bed one can look up through the glass ceiling and be mesmerized by twinkling stars. The living room is cozy and features a glass fireplace as well as a ‘chandelier’ made up of musical instruments, such as violins and guitars. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area.
Each morning I enjoyed sipping a cup of coffee on the spacious balcony with a gorgeous view of the Matterhorn and breathing in the crisp mountain air. I would then warm up with a hot bath in the free-standing tub.
Breakfast is served in the lobby and there are plenty of options to choose from: cereals, bread, different spreads, a variety of cheeses and hams, fruit and juices. They also offer made-to-order breakfast items from the café kitchen.
The hotel has a strong focus on wellness and The Spa has a hot tub, sauna, steam bath and a massage room. There’s also seven relaxation rooms and each of them have been designed and inspired by the seven days when God created the world.
There’s also a focus on entertainment as there’s a vibrant club downstairs, a movie theater, and a variety of restaurants and bars. Backstage is steps from all the action in Zermatt and it is well situated for the Zermatt Unplugged music festival.
Overall, I appreciated the thoughtfulness and attention to detail of the hotel’s design. The location, views and uniqueness of the hotel make it the hotel you must stay at when visiting this picturesque Swiss town.
