Escape to The OMNIA in Zermatt

March 29, 2021 Kevin Leitch

The last three months have been an adventure. Maybe not the adventure you'd plan or want to have but an adventure nonetheless. We've been living and working Japan hours, even on the weekends, while living in Switzerland because Japan is still enforcing a travel ban. That's an 8 hour time difference which means waking up around 10 or 11 pm and going to bed at 3 or 4 pm. It's not for the faint of heart and is testing our resilience.

Even though we constantly remind ourselves of how incredibly blessed we are, we were in dire need of a break after three months. Kevin's birthday was the perfect excuse for an escape to OMNIA Hotel, one of Switzerland's highest-rated hotels.

We've been to Zermatt several times before, but we've never looked forward to it as much as we did this time. We are still under broad restrictions, with restaurants and bars having been closed for nearly five months. Luckily, restaurants in hotels are open to guests. We needed to get out and feel somewhat normal, so we seized the opportunity!

Arriving in this snowy mountain village reminds us of our college town of Boone, North Carolina. Something happens to your breathing. It gets slower. Your mindset gets more chill.

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THE OMNIA

Auf dem Fels, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland

There are no cars allowed in Zermatt, so when you arrive at the Bahnhof (train station), you immediately see all the unique hotel mountain taxis, which are like steel golf-carts but enclosed, built for narrow passage, and super cool. Most hotels have one to pick you up and shuttle you to their location.

The OMNIA experience is even more extraordinary because you enter through a tunnel inside a mountain, then take an elevator up through the mountain to the reception. There you are instantly greeted warmly by hotel staff. Switzerland is known for many fabulous things. Customer service is not always one of them. Our experience was such a surprise and one of the most exceptional customer experiences we've had since moving to Switzerland 4 years ago. You are warmly greeted by name as if they are waiting just for you, and then provided with a glass of champagne to enjoy by the fire. After three months of lockdown and no human interaction – um, yes, please!

While taking the hotel tour, you immediately understand why this is one of the most talked-about hotels in Zermatt. The village's view, the limited number of rooms and access to the ski lift are just a few of the reasons. However, the Matterhorn suite offered not only plenty of room to do middle-of-the-night calls but, more impressively, the most spectacular view of the Matterhorn. The topper, house-made bourbon available for free drinking, Matterhorn chocolate treats, and Swiss designer furniture.

Visit The OMNIA’s Website

The hotel staff was so excellent. As soon as we told them of our Japanese living and working hours, they immediately adapted to accommodate our needs to readjust our eating and sleeping schedule. Of course, we were the first to breakfast every morning and greeted by the kindest waitstaff. It's easy to be impressed after three months of not eating at restaurants, but even then, this was beyond our expectations. Delicious, mouth-watering breakfast included an exceptional eggs benedict, fresh fruit, and homemade doughnuts, which were out of this world.

There are so many things to do in Zermatt. You can ski, hike or walk through town. The OMNIA provides easy access to downtown Zermatt. Typically, this is such an enjoyable walk to some of our favorite watering holes, but during COVID, it's a bit different. You can't help but want to shop, and the best watch stores in the world are peppered throughout the downtown. Take care and walk with caution! Your wallet may be a little less heavy after exploring this downtown village.

Part of the reason we went to Zermatt for a long weekend was because of Kevin's birthday. We aren't one to celebrate openly, yet the staff is so intuned and noticed Kevin's birthday from his passport. At breakfast on the morning of his birthday, our waitress surprised him with an incredible mini chocolate dessert and personally sang "Happy Birthday." It was delightful and very unexpected.

OMNIA Links: Rooms ⋆ Culinary ⋆ Feel Well ⋆ Team ⋆ Booking

The day we ventured out, we decided to try to adapt to Switzerland time for a day. We slept in to try to have a typical day enjoying the sun and even have dinner at a regular time. We enjoyed lunch outside on the patio with a perfect view of the Matterhorn while enjoying tartare, champagne, and a club sandwich.

We also had cocktails and an afternoon snack at the OMNIA bar. We can strongly recommend the How Does It Feel, which does feel good, by the way. The Earl Grey Martini and the Guns n' Roses were also perfect! OMNIA also has an impressive scotch selection in the library, including some Japanese brands. It wasn't easy, but we pushed ourselves to stay up to enjoy a 6:30 pm dinner. Thank goodness we did. We had Beet Soup starter sample, the Cauliflower with Alpine Salmon, an Alpine Onion Soup, the Ticinese Risotto, and one of the better Wiener Schnitzels that we've had in Switzerland.

After dinner, we arrived to birthday balloons and a handwritten birthday card in our suite from the OMNIA team. The OMNIA team continues to impress. It such a welcomed oasis and so very meaningful for us during a somewhat stressful time in our lives.

If you need an escape from everyday life, seek a winter vacation, celebrate a holiday, or want to explore Zermatt in the very best location, The OMNIA is your spot.

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