In 2021, plans were announced for a Ritz-Carlton to open in Zermatt, Switzerland. I was very much looking forward to this, given that it would’ve almost certainly been the most luxurious ski resort in Europe that’s bookable with points.
I just randomly checked on the progress of this project, and unfortunately there’s some bad news, which happens all too often when hotel projects are announced years in advance. First let’s take a look at what the plans were, and then I’ll share the update.
In this post:
Basics of the planned Ritz-Carlton Zermatt
In early 2021, Marriott signed an agreement with Mario Julen to open a Ritz-Carlton in Zermatt, Switzerland, at the cost of roughly 250 million CHF. He had spent the past couple of decades buying the land to make this project possible.
This was supposed to be Ritz-Carlton’s first ski resort in Europe, and the brand’s second property in the country, after the Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, in Geneva. The 69-room property was supposed to open in 2026.
The intent was for the property to feature unobstructed views of the Matterhorn. Design plans showed that the property would feature two restaurants and two bars, an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining, ski-in ski-out access to slopes, a spa and gym, and both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.
The property was supposed be designed by Paris-based firm AW², led by partner architects Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux, with the architectural and interior design intended to offer a refined take on the classic mountain chalet.
Below are some renderings of what the Ritz-Carlton Zermatt was supposed to look like, plus a video about the property.
Ritz-Carlton Zermatt project delayed indefinitely
The Ritz-Carlton Zermatt project has been delayed indefinitely. The hotel was supposed to be a partnership between Zermatt local Mario Julen and real estate investment firm ACRON, but the partnership between the two has collapsed, and they now need to start from scratch.
Per a local media report in Switzerland:
“A visionary, locally anchored entrepreneur on the one hand, a close-end mandated investment company on the other. Some build for the long term, others for the exit. In retrospect, you can admit that a lot of time could have been saved on both sides.”
In an interview early this year, Julen said the following with regards to working with ACRON:
“I would rather go bankrupt, and I am constantly bankrupt, than do it badly and give certain people an instrument with which they can make money.”
On top of that — and I don’t know the background here — but Julen apparently threatened people with a knife earlier this year, causing him to be taken into police custody.
So it seems this project is no further along than it was in 2021. It’s of course possible that this is once again developed into a hotel. However, it’s definitely not happening by 2026, and I think it’s far from a sure bet that it will end up being a Ritz-Carlton.
This isn’t the only luxury ski resort in Europe that has been scrapped. The Alila La Gruyère, Switzerland, was supposed to open in 2023, and be part of World of Hyatt. Unfortunately the developer decided not to move forward with that project, so that’s no longer in the cards either.
Bottom line
The Ritz-Carlton Zermatt was announced in 2021, with a planned 2026 opening. Unfortunately cooperation between the developer and investment firm has broken down, so the project is on pause for now.
Between this and the Alila La Gruyere project no longer moving forward, I’m quite bummed, as we were supposed to get two of our best mountain resorts in Europe bookable with points.
What do you make of this Ritz-Carlton Zermatt update?
Points or not this was not a good development for Zermatt. I go often and the hotels are fine and the town should be kept small-ish. Global chain not needed - will just bring in more annoying Americans.
Been thinking about Zermatt all week. As lovely as the renderings were, I prefer the charm of a cozy property. Like fondue, they are comforting and warm.
Glad it fell apart. Mr Julen already owns 3 properties in Zermatt that I know and they're all expensive but again everything in Zermatt is expensive. No big hotel please that most of us cannot afford to stay at anyway. Not everybody can afford to collect that many points either. I like charming small boutique hotels especially in Zermatt. Zermatt is my all-time favorite...was just there a few days ago. No chain hotel of any...
Glad it fell apart. Mr Julen already owns 3 properties in Zermatt that I know and they're all expensive but again everything in Zermatt is expensive. No big hotel please that most of us cannot afford to stay at anyway. Not everybody can afford to collect that many points either. I like charming small boutique hotels especially in Zermatt. Zermatt is my all-time favorite...was just there a few days ago. No chain hotel of any group should be built there. It's a terrible idea.
Many Swiss mountain hotels are now bookable through points thanks to Mr and Mrs Smith: Le Crans (gorgeous !), Chedi, le Chetzeron, Le Grand Bellevue … also beware of being optimistic about booking the Ritz on points even if it ever opens: many if not most hotels in Zermatt have minimum stays of 1 week in season…
Have to imagine it’s extremely difficult for a large international chain (even worse, a US one) to build a hotel in a high-end Swiss resort since a significant percentage of locals will not want it there! How the W Verbier ever happened I’m not sure.
There are plenty of international chains in the Swiss Alps that work well with a majority of local visitors.. Six Senses Crans Montana, Chedi Andermatt, W Verbier, Hilton Garden Inn Davos, IHG AlpenGold Davos, Radisson Blu Andermatt, Flims Autograph Collection, The Cambrian Design Hotel, Moxy Sion, Kempinski St Moritz, Kempinski Engelberg.... to name a few
Grace la margna Hyatt,Slh
Many Swiss mountain hotels are now bookable through points thanks to Mr and Mrs Smith: Le Crans (gorgeous !), Chedi, le Chetzeron, Le Grand Bellevue … also beware of being optimistic about booking the Ritz on points even if it ever opens: many if not most hotels in Zermatt have minimum stays of 1 week in season…
I agree the less bonvoy the better… zermatt is bad enough with the influx from the Ikon pass.
As for the most luxurious European ski resorts bookable with points. Leading hotels of the world, leaders club points… gstaad palace, Badrutts palace, the Chedi, all solid contenders and far superior than any Ritz Carlton in service standards.
So I’m not the only one who noticed all the ikon pass holders…
It was crazy last season how many Americans were in Zermatt. I wish some were a bit more aware of being in a different country & culture - shouting handsfree on your speaker phone about your business deals does not make you look like a big man in Zermatt, quite the opposite, even watched a guy get into an argument at a bar because they wouldn’t accept US dollar cash!
The less Bonvoy the better. There are many, many super nice hotels in Zermatt.