It is located at a height of 2,222 metres (7,290 ft) above sea level, just above the tree line, approximately halfway between the town of Zermatt and the Gornergrat mountain.

The famous Zermatt hotelier Alexander Seiler first spotted the potential of the Riffelalp meadow, with its view of the Matterhorn, in 1856, when he purchased his first parcel of land there.

Around this time, the capacity of the hotel reached 280 rooms, with the opening of two annex buildings.

In 1986 work commenced on the refurbishment of the two annex, which had survived the fire, and 1988 the Riffelalp was again open to visitors.

In 1998, work started on the construction of the new Riffelalp Resort on the site of the old grand hotel.