The Swiss Alps in the summer are spectacular.

I'm heading to Switzerland this Summer — Zurich, Grindelwald (with stops in Wengen for sure…Lauterbrunnen and Murren if I have time), Zermatt, St. Moritz — and I want your input before I go.

I've narrowed the hotels in each city down to three options, but I haven't booked yet. Help me choose my adventure!

Vote for where you'd stay. I'll tally the results, make my plans, and then come back in late August with honest reviews of everything — hotels, restaurants, the trains, all of it. Ready to talk Switzerland? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

Let's go through the itinerary.

Zurich

Zurich’s old town sits right on the Limmat River — guildhalls, medieval fountains, restaurants that have been open for over a century. Restaurant Kronenhalle is the one everyone should know: Swiss classics, original Picasso and Miró on the walls.

A night or two in Zurich, dinner in the old town, a walk along the lake, and then I'm on the train to the mountains.

Where should I stay in Zurich?

Baur au Lac — On the lake since 1844. Classic, elegant, Virtuoso property. The garden terrace is one of the better spots in the city.
The Dolder Grand — Up on a hill above the city with views of Zurich and the Alps. Part castle, part modern design hotel. Excellent spa. I sorta feel this one is too out of town for me. But it would be great for a spa stay.
Park Hyatt Zurich — Contemporary, central, strong food and wine program. Better if I want to be out in the city rather than eating in.

Reply with your Zurich pick.

Grindelwald

From Grindelwald I'm taking the cogwheel train up to the Jungfraujoch — 11,332 feet, highest railway station in Europe, built through the inside of the mountain. You come out on top of a glacier. In August.

I'm also doing the First Cliff Walk — a cliffside walkway with glass-floored sections hanging over a 1,000-foot drop. Worth it.

I plan on stopping into Wengen on my way down. Maybe Lauterbrunnen and Murren if I have time.

The alpine cheese in this region is excellent — Emmental, Gruyère, farms you can visit. (Gruyère is one of my favorite cheeses. I blame Pret a Manger and their ham and gruyère baguette, a staple from my time in London.) The raclette and fondue in the village restaurants is the real version, not the tourist version.

Where should I stay in Grindelwald?

Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof — Family-run, one of the better restaurants in the village, mountain-view wellness area. Very Swiss.
Boutique Hotel Glacier — Small and intimate, owner-run, focused on local food and wine.
Bergwelt Grindelwald Alpine Design Resort — A Small Luxury Hotel. Alpine adventures, big and small, begin at Bergwelt Grindelwald.

Reply with your Grindelwald pick.

Zermatt

The village is car-free. The Matterhorn is as dramatic in person as it looks in photos. And the food is genuinely some of the best of any mountain town in Europe.

I'm taking the Gornergrat Railway at sunrise — climbs to 10,000 feet, views of 29 peaks over 13,000 feet. Then a long lunch. Zermatt is excellent at long lunches.

One restaurant I'm already planning on: Schäferstube at the Julen Hotel — they serve lamb from their own black-nose sheep herd)

Where should I stay in Zermatt?

Mont Cervin Palace — The grande dame. Virtuoso property, Matterhorn views, been hosting guests since 1852.
The Omnia— Sits above the village on a rock, accessed by a private tunnel elevator. Contemporary, dramatic views.
Backstage Hotel Vernissage — Art-filled boutique hotel with its own cinema and gallery. Completely different from the other two.

Reply with your Zermatt pick.

The Glacier Express: Zermatt → St. Moritz

Eight hours through the Swiss Alps. 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, panoramic windows floor to ceiling.

You cross the Rhône Valley, climb the Oberalp Pass at nearly 7,000 feet, and wind through gorges that look like they belong in a film. There's a proper multi-course lunch on board in 1st Class or Excellence Class — white tablecloths, Swiss wine, the Alps out the window.

St. Moritz — Two Nights

St. Moritz is different from the rest of the trip. Grindelwald and Zermatt are mountain villages. St. Moritz is a resort — two Winter Olympics, private jet clientele, luxury boutiques on the main street.

But the lake is stunning, the hiking is world-class, and the food in the Engadine Valley — where Swiss and Italian influences blend — is excellent.

One thing worth knowing: the Graubünden region produces Pinot Noir that competes with Burgundy.

Where should I stay in St. Moritz?

Badrutt's Palace — The most famous hotel in St. Moritz. Royalty, artists, the well-heeled — since 1896. Virtuoso property.
Kulm Hotel — The oldest hotel in St. Moritz. Where modern winter tourism essentially started. Great spa, two golf courses, quietly excellent service.
Hotel Schweizerhof St. Moritz — Boutique, family-owned, on the lake. More intimate than the palaces, with a serious wine cellar.

Reply with your St. Moritz pick.

The Bernina Express: St. Moritz → Italy

When I leave St. Moritz, I take the Bernina Express — a UNESCO World Heritage railway through glaciers, viaducts, and mountain passes. Then the train descends. The pine forests give way to palm trees. In under four hours, I go from the Swiss Alps to Milan. Switzerland and northern Italy share a border. The Bernina Express is the most spectacular way to cross it.

I'm spending two nights in Milan — the Last Supper (booked months ago, don't wait on this), a Navigli wine bar crawl, the best risotto Milanese I can find — and then it’s off to London for a few days!

I Need Your Votes

Hit reply with your picks:

Zurich: Baur au Lac / The Dolder Grand / Park Hyatt
Grindelwald: Grand Hotel Regina / Romantik Schweizerhof / Boutique Hotel Glacier
Zermatt: Mont Cervin Palace / The Omnia / Backstage Hotel Vernissage
St. Moritz: Badrutt's Palace / Kulm Hotel / Hotel Schweizerhof

Thinking About Switzerland?

If this has you interested, let's talk. I'm building itineraries for 2026 and early 2027 now, and good hotel availability moves fast. Hit reply or Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80 countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.

I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation for travelers considering a custom itinerary or luxury cruise.c

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I work best with travelers who want expert planning, trusted partnerships, and someone in their corner from start to finish. That’s what I am best at! Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

I'm Scouting Switzerland This Summer — And I Need Your Help Picking Hotels