A Stay at Studio Collinetta in Zermatt, Switzerland

Overlooking the famous Matterhorn, Zermatt remains one of the most visited destinations in Switzerland.

Its year-long appeal makes it the perfect place to spend a few days full of adventure, gastronomic indulgence, or if you prefer scenic rest and relaxation.

The winter months are particularly busy as this petrol and diesel free city is one of the prime skiing spots of Europe. For summer, the hikers and tourists come up to admire the beauty of the surrounding mountains and make the most of the fresh air that rejuvenates the soul.

Hotels are always in demand, and it is recommended to book well in advance to get good deals.

There are options to stay on the main street of Zermatt -Bahnhofstrasse – in one of the many hotels, including the Zermatterhoff which looks mighty fine. Although we didn’t stay at the Zermatterhoff, having a meal at Restaurant Whymper Stube right across from it is suggested.

For us though, the charm of staying in one of the many apartments situated in the buildings that crowd the base of the mountains, with splendid views of the Matterhorn, was a lot more tempting.

Studio Collinetta is among the most popular of the apartments in the area and is as basic and comfortable as it can get.

Now, it is a bit of a climb especially if you are carrying luggage. On top of that, even though there are road names and house numbers, people in Zermatt don’t also recognise places by street names. Instead, ask a taxi driver or a local where Studio Collinetta (or any other similar place) is, and they will guide you.

While booking, it did mention that the place is about a 10 minutes’ walk from the train station; however, that’s only true if you are without luggage and on your way down. Walking up can be a little steep and strenuous, but if done in a leisurely fashion a stunning experience with wooden chalets and fields of wildflowers to appreciate along the way.

Tip: Take a taxi at least when you go up the first time (so you don’t spend an hour and a half like us trying to find the place) and when you come back down with your luggage.

But, taxi services can be expensive in this region, and if travelling with elderly or for that matter anyone you feel would have a hard time walking up and down, then it is best to stay at a hotel near the train station.

The Studio is self-catering and part of many apartments. The owners send details of how to get the key from a locker outside the condo and even send across the number of a taxi driver who gives a discount to Studio Collinetta residents.

Our apartment was on the ground floor, but there’s hardly any activity around, so it’s peaceful. Take a step out, and you get a beautiful view of the valley as well as the Matterhorn.

Inside, a comfortable double bed and a sofa make up for most of the room. The bathroom with a shower was average sized and clean. There is a small foldable table on one side and a kitchenette that came with necessary pots and pans.

Being somewhat trained parents by now, the first thing we did was remove any breakable decorations and kept them in a safe place. The studio can possibly accommodate three to four adults, but it was perfect for our family of two adults and two kids.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to operate the TV during our stay, but that was a good thing as the kids went to bed on time. They do have free WiFi, so it wasn’t all that bad.

If you enjoy a tad bit more freedom in your stay and the advantage of cooking your own food in addition to panoramic views (not from the room but more like the doorstep of the building), then Studio Collinetta is a great option and well within budget as well.

Address: Studio Collinetta, Zer Bännu 39, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland