The Hostelz.com Review
If you are looking for a budget place to stay in Zermatt, Matterhorn Hostel is pretty much your only option. It is very affordable, but service is lacking and the hostel is of average cleanliness and below-average service by the staff. It seems fairly secure. Keep in mind that the food will cost you a lot more anywhere in Switzerland.
The Location
Zermatt is very small and the hostel is easy to find. A map is available at the train station that includes the hostel by name. There are no cars in Zermatt, so you must leave your car in Tasche just outside and take the train in. The hostel is located on the southeast side of town, where most of the hotels and guesthouses are located.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are fairly cramped with many beds in each room. There are full-size lockers in each room with keys provided with the room that easily allow storage of backpacks and belongings. The rooms feature standard bunk beds, windows that can be opened when warm, and heaters for when it is cold. The bathroom is shared and is of standard quality, average cleanliness, and stocked with tissue and soap for washing/dishes.
Common Spaces
There is a common room on the first floor with a TV/DVD player, three tables and chairs, common dishes, and a small refrigerator. They have a book library with an exchange policy and a few DVDs. The atmosphere is pretty welcoming, with people ready to meet each other, hang out, and drink together, but it is not a big party hostel as there are clubs around and not a lot of space for partying at the hostel (silence from 10 p.m. is enforced). No smoking is allowed in the hostel and there are no balconies fro which to smoke, although outside the main entrance there is a bench and a couple of trays from which to smoke.
Summary
Overall, the hostel is a good choice if you are planning to visit Zermatt, as it is the only hostel here and given the extravagant prices of Swiss living, it is very affordable. The service at the desk, however, is lacking -- it's closed at many times and the staff are not very welcoming. There is an additional charge for the continental, all-you-can-eat breakfast. Attached to the hostel is sports bar with food and drinks at average to below-average prices for the area, although still expensive.
The Location
Zermatt is very small and the hostel is easy to find. A map is available at the train station that includes the hostel by name. There are no cars in Zermatt, so you must leave your car in Tasche just outside and take the train in. The hostel is located on the southeast side of town, where most of the hotels and guesthouses are located.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are fairly cramped with many beds in each room. There are full-size lockers in each room with keys provided with the room that easily allow storage of backpacks and belongings. The rooms feature standard bunk beds, windows that can be opened when warm, and heaters for when it is cold. The bathroom is shared and is of standard quality, average cleanliness, and stocked with tissue and soap for washing/dishes.
Common Spaces
There is a common room on the first floor with a TV/DVD player, three tables and chairs, common dishes, and a small refrigerator. They have a book library with an exchange policy and a few DVDs. The atmosphere is pretty welcoming, with people ready to meet each other, hang out, and drink together, but it is not a big party hostel as there are clubs around and not a lot of space for partying at the hostel (silence from 10 p.m. is enforced). No smoking is allowed in the hostel and there are no balconies fro which to smoke, although outside the main entrance there is a bench and a couple of trays from which to smoke.
Summary
Overall, the hostel is a good choice if you are planning to visit Zermatt, as it is the only hostel here and given the extravagant prices of Swiss living, it is very affordable. The service at the desk, however, is lacking -- it's closed at many times and the staff are not very welcoming. There is an additional charge for the continental, all-you-can-eat breakfast. Attached to the hostel is sports bar with food and drinks at average to below-average prices for the area, although still expensive.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2011
Their Description
Matterhorn Hostel Details
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Matterhorn Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
What a dump I wouldn't stay here again if you paid me!! — Anonymous , UK (2011-02-16) Bad The owners is nice, but the hostel is not. There is no kitchen that you can cook your food in. You can use a microwave if you pay extra for it. The dorms were bad as well, there was a hole in the wall next to my bed so it was freezing cold at night. There was only a blanket supplied so not good if you do not have a sleeping bag. — m , Norway (2010-01-13) One night was too many Squeaky floors, doors don't shut, showers revolting. But manager was nice and so was the basic breakfast. Definitely not recommended. — sm , australia (2009-06-08) A bargain for Zermatt! The matterhorn hostel is your basic place to get your head down, the lockers are big enough for skis (or climbing gear in my case), and the rooms are fine. After all, you are not going to be sitting inside all day unless your legs are broken. The best part is the bar. The staff are great, they do good food and the beer is cheap compared to town prices (gasp). I will be back for more climbing and I would stay here again unless I win the lottery. — robert , USA (2008-03-11) Incredibly poor -- avoid this hostel Me and my girlfriend visited the Matterhorn Hostel 22 and 23 september 2007. Avoid this hostel at any cost because of the following. dirty -- floors aren't being cleaned, toilets smell, and the bathrooms are mouldy because of poor ventilation. expensive -- for sfr 50, including breakfast (excluding the sheets to be hired separately, just blankets) per person a night in a double room can get you a hotel in Zermatt. noisy -- the noise of the central staircase spreads though the hostel rooms. poor facilities -- cheap and uncomfortable beds, no kitchen, just a microwave at a charge of sfr. 2,50, unattractive living room, dysfunctional heating units. the owner won't listen to complaints from guests (according to his staff). We've visited five hostels this summer/autumn and this hostel is a disgrace when compared to what other hostels can offer you. We felt cheated. Stay away! — Niels , Dutch (2007-10-05) Good value, friendly staff, excellent location The building is old with steep narrow staircases and tiny rooms with bunk beds sandwiched in -- typical hostel in that regard. Could use a few more toilets. The "kitchen" is a room with a hot water pitcher. The location is phenomenal, however. The views from the hostel are amazing. The beds are comfortable. Everything is clean. There are free lockers (with locks of dubious merit). The staff is friendly. There's free high-quality WiFi. Great showers. There's also no "hostel smell!" It's a bit of a walk from the train station, but there is a city bus you can take if you don't want to walk twenty minutes. — Bryan , California (2007-08-08) Whatever issues the booking may have, the lady at the front desk is great. I forgot my wedding ring in the bathroom, and they're mailing it to me. That's great service and saves me a beating from my wife. — Anonymous (2004-07-30) WARNING!!! Do NOT make a reservation with The Matterhorn Hostel using their personal web site. The site says that it is secure, HOWEVER, to confirm your reservation they send you an EMAIL which contains your name, address, credit card account number, and expiration date. Emailing such personal information is a huge NO-NO, and should never ever be done. I myself am a banker and have seen the effects of identity theft. It's horrible!! While staying at the hostel, I spoke to them about this, and they blew me off like emailing account numbers was no problem. I was greatly suprised by such a naive response. If you do want to stay there, make your reservation through Hostelz.com, by phone, or through another method. But DO NOT email any of your personal information to them, no matter what they ask.
As far as the accomodation goes, it's a typical hostel. I would have given them 3 stars if not for the EMAIL IGNORANCE. There are no sheets on the bed and the lockers are too skinny for most travel bags. There's no kitchen, but they do provide a microwave and a few dishes. You do have to wash your dishes in the bathroom sink. Internet Access is 12 CHF per hour. Instead, head down to the Papperla Pub (about 50m towards town from the hostel), where they have free internet access. Just buy a drink to be nice. — KJM (2004-07-28) The location of this hostel is beautiful. As you look out the bedroom window, you can see the sun shining on the Matterhorn. The management, under Paul, were so friendly and helpful. My friend and I
(seniors) have stayed here four times. Loved it! — Virginia Mischke (2004-04-21)