Iglu-Dorf Zermatt
Restaurant · Zermatt ·
Unique igloo village with Matterhorn views, fondue & bar
Unique igloo village with Matterhorn views, fondue & bar
"Iglu-Dorf, or 'igloo village', is a collection of interconnected igloos sitting on the mountainside just off the Riffelhorn piste, in the glitzy Swiss resort of Zermatt. It is one of a family of 6 Iglu-Dorfs scattered around Switzerland, Germany and Andorra, but this one is the highest at 2,700m. It is also very possibly the most scenic, for the breath-taking backdrop is the iconic, Toblerone-shaped Matterhorn.The mountain dominates your visit - you arrive in the late afternoon and walk up to the village, watched over by the famous peak as the sun is setting, then you sit in wonder at its majesty as you soak in the perfectly positioned Jacuzzi. In the morning, you wake up to see it in all its rosy, sunrise magic. Inside, the igloo rooms are basic but fun, with sleeping bags on blocks of ice and carvings on the walls. All are connected by corridors leading to a small indoor bar, a dining area and a dance floor. There's even an Igloo Suite with private Jacuzzi, perfect for honeymooners! Highs The novelty of sleeping in a room built entirely of ice is a memorable addition to a Swiss holiday, with options to suit solo travellers, couples, families and groupsThe view of the Matterhorn from the outdoor bar and the surrounding groundsSnowshoe walking at night under the stars, and warming up in one of the alfresco Jacuzzis afterwardsThe camaraderie with your fellow Iglu-Dorf guests - the open-air Igloo Bar is a particularly fun, sociable place to hang out (this area is also open to day visitors)The igloo village itself - an impressive 900sqm construction that takes 3,000 man hours to build annually (the ice melts in summer) Lows The cold. It is very, very chilly (the igloo village is at a constant 0 degrees), so you need to wrap up extremely warmNeeding the loo in the middle of the night - best avoided if possible, because for most guests it involves an outdoor hike; there are no showers, either. Understandably, most guests only stay 1 nightThe walk to the hotel meeting point from the train station: you have to trek some distance on the piste so don’t bring a big bag - see the recommended packing listDining options are limited to an aperitif plate and cheese fondue (breakfast is taken at nearby Hotel Riffelhaus)The hotel requires full pre-payment at the time of booking, and is closed from late April until mid December. Also, you'll need cash for the bar, as they don't accept credit cards" - Belinda Archer
"There are two things that make the Iglu-Dorf stand out among Zermatt’s many hotels. Firstly, the views – guests are treated to front-seat views of the Matterhorn as it turns pink and orange in the setting sun. Secondly, the sense of adventure. Located at 2,700m, just off the Riffelhorn piste on the Gornergrat sector, the igloo village is accessed by foot via a snowy path, or by skis via the slopes. The igloos are basic but fun, and there’s a dining igloo for supper (meats, cheeses and fondue). It’s best for families with older children – rather like camping, with a wintery feel. " - Nicola Iseard
"A seasonal igloo village rebuilt each winter by international artists at a high-elevation station, featuring a daily-open restaurant and bar where visitors can warm up with traditional Swiss cheese fondue and homemade mulled wine amid an atmospheric, temporary alpine setting." - Nicola Iseard
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