Coffee at the top of the mountain

About Hotel Riffelhaus 1853: A Swiss icon above Zermatt

Built in 1853 as only the second hotel in Zermatt, Hotel Riffelhaus 1853 is part of Switzerland’s alpine hospitality heritage. Today, it continues to welcome guests from around the world seeking an unforgettable mountain experience.

Perched high above the village on the Riffelberg, the hotel combines historic character with contemporary comfort. With 25 rooms, 4 suites, a restaurant, wellness facilities, and a terrace seating 80 guests, it offers a unique blend of tradition, hospitality, and breathtaking views of the Matterhorn.

The hotel is part of Matterhorn Group AG, Zermatt’s leading hospitality company, operating five hotels and 15 food and beverage venues. Across the group, quality is expected in every detail, and coffee is no exception.

The challenge: Delivering premium coffee in a demanding environment

In a premium hospitality setting, consistency is expected. At Hotel Riffelhaus 1853, that standard is especially high. When Katrin Nägeli-Lüthi, who was Director at the time, took over the hotel, she had one clear requirement: milk foam had to be perfect – for every cappuccino, every latte macchiato, every single time.

But quality was only part of the challenge. The hotel operates in a demanding seasonal environment with busy service periods, changing staffing situations, and strict hygiene requirements. At breakfast, guests serve themselves coffee, while later in the day the hotel team takes over service.

The solution therefore needed to support both self-service and staff-operated use. It had to be intuitive for guests, efficient for employees, and reliable enough to deliver premium coffee quality consistently without adding operational complexity.

The solution: Premium coffee, made effortless

To meet these expectations, Hotel Riffelhaus 1853 relies on two Franke A600 fully automatic coffee machines. Together, they serve more than 200 cups per day across different service moments, from morning self-service to afternoon terrace service.

For Katrin Nägeli-Lüthi, the turning point was Franke’s FoamMaster™ technology. It allows consistency and density of milk foam to be configured precisely for each beverage, ensuring every cappuccino and latte macchiato meets the same premium standard. Even during peak periods, the result remains consistently high.

The A600’s intuitive touchscreen interface also makes self-service simple and accessible for guests. Whether preparing a morning coffee at breakfast or selecting a specialty beverage later in the day, guests can enjoy a seamless experience without additional support from staff.

Behind the scenes, Franke’s CleanMaster system helps automate daily cleaning routines and supports compliance with strict HACCP hygiene standards. The result is a coffee operation that feels effortless for both guests and employees while delivering premium quality throughout the day.

Real results: Consistency guests can rely on

With Franke, the Riffelhaus has created a coffee experience that meets the same standard as the rest of the hotel. Guests enjoy consistently high-quality coffee, whether they prepare it themselves at breakfast or order it on the terrace in the afternoon.

Daily cleaning routines are simpler. Hygiene standards are reliably maintained. Staff can focus more on hospitality, rather than on machine management. The machines have also proven exceptionally durable in a demanding day-to-day environment. For Matterhorn Group AG, reliability is not a nice-to-have. It is essential.

Built on trust, designed to last

For the Matterhorn Group, the relationship with Franke goes beyond equipment. Hotel Riffelhaus 1853 has relied on Franke coffee solutions for more than a decade to support its daily operations. Over time, this collaboration has grown into a partnership built on trust, continuity, and dependable local support.

As guest expectations continue to evolve, Hotel Riffelhaus 1853 remains committed to maintaining the same high standards across every touchpoint. With Franke, the hotel is well positioned to continue delivering exceptional coffee experiences for years to come.

Coffee machine used in this story