Roman Omlin is the energetic and enthusiastic General Manager of the Schweizerhof Zermatt. An iconic Zermatt hotel, the Schweizerhof underwent a complete refurbishment in 2018 under the new ownership of Michel Reybier Hospitality. Now a sleek and chic modern hotel, the Schweizerhof Zermatt is reborn and re-established as one of the most popular hotels at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn.

Roman at work in the Schweizerhof Zermatt

How long have you been General Manager of the Schweizerhof Zermatt?

I take over the responsibility of Schweizerhof Zermatt in September 2019. Before I was more than 10 years at the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern in Lucerne. It’s funny that the name of the hotel is the same one, but they have nothing to do with each other and have totally different owners.

Tell us a bit about your background and previous experience?

Since I was a child, I wanted to become hotel manager. I loved travelling abroad with my parents and enjoyed the atmosphere of the hotels. So after finishing high school I signed up to study at the famous Swiss Hotel Management School in Lucerne. Before starting there I already worked three seasons with the Seiler Hotels in Zermatt. Then during the studies, I worked at several places for a six months i.e. at Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in a five star resort in Tenerife, Spain and for UEFA EURO 2008 in Switzerland. In 2009 I had the chance to start as a Sales & Marketing Manager in the best hotel in my home city Lucerne, the Schweizerhof Luzern. Soon I could take over the department and ended up in the small management team. After more than 10 years I decided for a new challenge in Zermatt and now here I am with my 34 years.

What has been your favourite moment working at the hotel?

As a seasonal hotel the best moment is to open the doors for the first day of the season. All staff is waiting for the first clients, ready to enthuse them.

Stylish Rooms come as standard at the Schweizerhof Zermatt

What do you love about working in the mountains?

The nature is just amazing here in Zermatt. Even from my bed at home I can see the Matterhorn. What a view while waking up! What’s more, you can go for skiing and hiking just in front of your doors. And then the animals. How sweet is it to watch the squirrel jumping around on my balcony? Or to see the deer during a hike.

Where is your favourite place to ski?

My favourite place is on the top of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. At 3,883m a 360º panorama opens up, taking in 38 peaks towering over four thousand metres and 14 glaciers in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. From there you can ski down to the Gandegghütte and go for a typical Swiss Raclette for lunch.

What influences have you brought to the hotel?

Our industry is people’s business. Schweizerhof Zermatt is part of Michel Reybier Hospitality and a General Manager from another hotel suggested me for this job. He knew that I was looking for a new challenge. So, I went to Zermatt to see this hotel. I knew it from earlier days before the huge renovation. And when I arrived in Zermatt I directly felt home again, more than 15 years after my first job here as receptionist.

What changes has the industry seen in your resort?

Zermatt has become a full year-destination. Summer is nowadays as busy as winter. And even spring gets stronger and stronger. This is also thanks to the huge investments of Zermatt Mountain Railways and Zermatt Tourism. They do an amazing job.

In your eyes what makes your resort a special destination?

Well, the Matterhorn is just a unique landmark. Skiing down the slopes and enjoying this view, this is difficult to top, believe me. What else, I think the culinary offer of Zermatt is unique, whether it’s in the village or on the slopes. There are so many terrific restaurants to discover.

What experience do you want to give your guests when they stay at your hotel?

They should feel comfortable while enjoying a great quality of service and food. Our hotel is a modern design & lifestyle property, with live DJ in the evenings. A place to be, a place to return to.

What new developments are there to the hotel and service this year?

The entire property has reopened after huge renovations in December 2018. Since then we have tried to optimize small things i.e. our kids club now remains open until 9 pm, so the parents can enjoy a dinner on their own.

Skiing in Zermatt with views of the iconic Matterhorn

Where do you like to spend your holidays?

This summer I am going to spend the holidays most probably in Switzerland. Our diversity is enormous, and I am looking forward to visit small villages and amazing landscapes I haven’t seen so far. So far, my favourite hotel in the entire world is the Four Seasons Manele Bay in Lana’i, on Hawaii. And on my international bucket list the top 3 are Galapagos Islands, Namibia and Oman.

Which is your favourite room in the hotel?

I personally love our Junior Suites with Matterhorn View. Waking up with such a spectacular view is a unique experience no one will ever forget.

What is your favourite dish on the menu in the hotel?

Difficult to say, as we offer three totally different restaurants. So let’s go for one dish per restaurant: In our Cheese Factory I’d go for a truffle cheese fondue. Yummy! In our Schweizerhof KITCHEN I love every piece of meat from our huge XXL-Barbeque, well, may be the lamb rack even a bit more than the rest. And in our Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant La Muña every wonderful evening has to end with a selection of Mochi.