The Interwoven Sensorial Experiences of Zermatt’s The Omnia

With the 2006 opening of The Omnia in Zermatt, Switzerland, USM Haller CEO Alexander Schärer welcomed guests into a mountainside escape built upon the principles of the acclaimed modular furniture brand. A passion project for Schärer, designed in partnership with the late architect Ali Tayar, the boutique property encompasses 30 unique guest accommodations with varying layouts, floor-to-ceiling windows, and outdoor space. In addition to its architectural significance and harmonious design, The Omnia is predicated on an elevated guest experience, further supported by the appointment of executive chef André Kneubühler, an alum of Tanja Grandits’ Stucki in Basel.

Kneubühler spotlights seasonal, organic produce—and an underlying narrative. “My goal is to set the perfect stage for each ingredient—to let local Alpine flavors shine in a pure, uncomplicated way, yet always with a creative twist that surprises and delights,” he shares with Surface. “Each dish should tell a story. I love to incorporate personal memories or an element of our Alpine surroundings into the presentation—it might be a childhood inspiration or something from these mountains—and then elevate it into fine dining.”

The chef binds the sustainable cuisine of the vegetarian menu—which can be complemented with fish or meat—to the architecture and interior design. “You eat with your eyes first, after all,” he adds. “The presentation is contemporary and elegant, but never at the expense of comfort or flavor. It’s about finding harmony, the same way this hotel balances a sleek look with a cozy alpine soul.” This includes a dry-aged carrot with saffron and sea buckthorn, and “Holzenfleisch” lamb with Pak choi and coriander.

Cuisine, design, and service all share the same values. “My aim is hospitality that ages well: human, thoughtful, and built to last,” The Omnia’s Managing Director, Christian Eckert, says. “Hospitality is personal, precise, and calm. Guests should feel known, not managed. We measure success by names we remember and guests who return.”

“Clean lines and natural materials set a calm stage; our team brings it to life,” Eckert adds. “The spaces invite connection; we make that connection meaningful.” The precise, understated architecture acts to frame both the mountains and the guest experience. Eckert says the clarity of the design removes noise, as well, allowing guests to focus on the sweeping views of the Matterhorn, or quiet time in the spa. And while USM’s modular furniture draws inspiration from architecture, here, it works in tandem with it.