Petit Chalet by Schönegg

It is very easy to review a hotel under normal circumstances, but if you really want to see what a hotel and people running it are all about, be there during an emergency and you'll quickly find out what's real. We were in Zermatt from April 12-19, though we were scheduled to leave on the 17th for a night in Zürich before an early morning flight home. Our first 4 days/nights in Zermatt where as amazing as you'd expect with beautiful weather and hikes to Zum See and Chez Vrony (highly recommend both). The Chalet Hotel Schönegg was equally exceptional in those first 4 nights with a beautiful terrace, a new indoor/outdoor pool, a lovely spa, a first rate staff and a great breakfast spread. So for the normal review - beautiful hotel, great staff, exceptional amenities and jaw dropping views of the Matterhorn. When it started snowing on the afternoon of the 16th, we should have considered getting out of Zermatt but who knew how much snow was really going to come our way. The power went out that night around 1am and snow kept falling through the afternoon on 17th leading to Zermatt being cutoff from the rest of Switzerland with only road in being closed and no trains running. So this is the point where I'd go from a rave 5* review to even higher if allowed based on the care and concern provided by the whole staff at the Chalet Hotel Schönegg. Based on our experiences with Sebastian, this level of service starts at the top and shows in all of the staff that he has assembled and trained. I could go on and on, but just a few highlights: * hotel staff trekking in to work in over waist deep snow and working extremely long shifts * Sebastian taking time to speak to all guests individually (in multiple languages) multiple times a day to provide updates on power, food and transportation * kitchen staff preparing lunch with no power and even heating soup by candle * hotel staff boiling water for tea on the indoor fire place * rooms being cleaned as if nothing had changed Finally it was looking better on the 19th that trains might actually run in the afternoon, though not guaranteed and also requiring many hours waiting in line. Alternatively the road from Zermatt to Visp was open on the morning of 19th for a few hours, closing again at 11am. Sebastian arranged for a minibus to get about 16 out of Zermatt that morning to Visp where trains were running as normal. I was literally moved to tears based on the care, concern and generosity given us by everyone at the Chalet Hotel Schönegg. I won't even consider staying anywhere else when I return to Zermatt.

Well where to begin ? The whole experience was fantastic and having stayed in Zermatt on several occasions the hotel did not disappoint. The location is fantastic and right on Sonnega for all skiers this means you can ski straight back to the hotel past the champagne bar if you fancy . The staff are magnificent and the owner Sabastian takes time out to meet and greet everyone with friendly chat and advise . A mention to Ronya,Hubert and Marjory, her Swiss French accent was fab .The apres ski in the bar inside and out was excellent and the guests from all round the globe were fun . Food was excellent as were the drinks and breakfast with hot coffee was a joy. The spa has a great relaxing feel and the whole experience from check in to check out was flawless . My only down side perhaps was overenjoying the experience and drinking a tad too much . A big recommend from me and if possible I aim to return. Thanks all .

There is no better view of the Matterhorn than this hotel. It's quite an experience and one that takes your breath away with each waking moment. We came at a peak time and yet were well taken care of. Even while renovations where still at full swing, we didn't feel bothered as construction was well organized. The food is great and the rooms cozy and well stocked and clean.

We just checked in for a romantic 6 night Christmas break but are very disappointed. Having stayed in Zermatt before at this time of year we were very much looking forward to staying at schonegg to soak up the Christmas ambiance and snowy Matterhorn view. Unfortunately our first night has been far below our expectations. Firstly, and most distressing, is the constant construction noise from inside the hotel from 7am to 8pm! The spa which was due to open on 5 December is delayed and there are interior modifications going on the entire 2nd floor of the hotel. The tunnel entrance is dirty and full of construction materials, which doesn’t make for a pleasant arrival. All we have heard since our arrival is the constant sound of drilling and hammering (no matter where we are in the hotel), it’s also impossible to sit on our balcony and relax with our Matterhorn view due to the noise. We had breakfast this morning to a symphony of banging and drilling after being woken at 8am to the same. The hotel did not notify us in advance of any ongoing construction. We left our busy lives to come to Zermatt for festive fun and relaxation but instead we are stressed and disappointed. In addition, it is 12 December and there are no Christmas decorations or lights anywhere in the hotel, other Zermatt hotels have Christmas decor but schonegg doesn’t have any festive atmosphere at all. The staff say it is too early for Christmas decorations, but 12 days before Christmas is not unusual especially considering other hotels have made preparations for their guests. We feel like we are staying in a hotel that opened its doors too early and isn’t ready to receive guests. The only positive at the moment is that the staff are very pleasant, Laura at reception in particular.

Le shuttle de l’hôtel est venu nous chercher à la gare. Conducteur très sympa ! Grosse surprise à notre arrivée en bas de l’hôtel, le shuttle est entré dans un petit tunnel joliment éclairé et là nous avons pris un ascenseur qui nous a amené à la réception 60 m plus haut !! Personnel souriant et chambre parfaite avec balcon et vue sur le Cervin ou pas ;) le premier jour il s’est caché mais le lendemain matin il était bien là ! La terrasse et le restaurant de l’hôtel sont au top et nous y avons bien mangé Bref c’était parfait:))

Hôtel vraiment top, le personnel est très sympathique. Nous avons super bien mangé. La chambre avec charpente apparente et vue sur le Cervin était vraiment top Petit déjeuner, pour tout les goûts assez variés, de quoi faire le plein d’énergie avant une magnifique randonnée…