Perfect for a short break! Seven fantastically beautiful wellness hotels for connoisseurs

From the snow sauna to the outdoor whirlpool with a view of the summit to the mountain chamber and gourmet kitchen: what wellness hotels have to offer nowadays is often beyond the imagination. In order to dive these pearls out of the ocean of wellness hotels, the hotel review portal “Holidaycheck” awards a special award for the most popular wellness hotels every year, based on several hundred thousand holidaymakers reviews. Only the ten best hotels in a region receive the award – like the following:

1. Alm Wellness Hotel Alpenhof, Schönau am Koenigssee

Swim in the 37 degree warm Grander water of the infinity pool towards the sunset in the Berchtesgaden mountains: Well-being has many facets in the 4-star hotel in southeast Bavaria. And that starts with the fantastic location at 700 meters above sea level on a slope above the Königssee – mountain views included. Those who prefer to sit in the bubbling water and marvel at the peaks can take a dip in the heated outdoor whirlpool.

It is even warmer in the 500 square meter sauna hut of the hotel run by the Zapletal family. A lot of old wood was built into various saunas and relaxation rooms, which creates a cozy, homely atmosphere. There is something for every taste – from the Hütt’n sauna with a view of the valley to the Schwitz-Stub’n with brine graduation (the air enriched with salt and moderate temperature is good for the respiratory tract) to the Zirben-Kammer’l infrared cabin.

Relaxing in the rustic Bavarian Alpine style is pure wellbeing: on the water beds in the wooden relaxation room, in the glazed sun pavilion or in the relaxation grotto. Speaking of tranquility: Guests at the Alpenhof particularly appreciate this luxurious property, and access to the wellness area is only available from 16 years of age.

2. Wellness hotel Jagdhof, Röhrnbach market in Lower Bavaria

Symbiosis of wellness and sport near the Bavarian Forest National Park: The Jagdhof is a world of its own in terms of luxury, wellness and dimension. From December 2021 it will reach a new 5-star level: even more pleasant, even more luxurious, even more exciting.

After the renovation, the guests of the Ritzinger family can look forward not only to 21 new suites, each with their own wellness area, but also to the new fitness world – indoor (over 1,100 square meters) and outdoor.

The highlight are, in the truest sense of the word, the two altitude chambers with altitude simulation up to 8000 meters for mountain and top athletes. The gigantic wellness and water world, which is considered to be Bavaria’s largest, is also great. With a natural bathing lake in the garden, its own lady spa, a beauty castle with treatments at the highest level and a panorama event sauna that combines sweating and entertainment.

The Alte Mühle is classic and rustic, a sauna in the Holzstadl style. The pool landscape also leaves nothing to be desired: nudists will find their own outdoor whirlpool and brine pool, as well as textile fans, of course. There are also attraction pools with waterfall towers, an infinity pool and a 25-meter sports pool with a powerswim facility, timing device and camera analysis. This is what perfected luxury looks like!

3. Mountain Resort Feuerberg, Bodensdorf in Carinthia

Uncomplicated, luxurious and noble, but not stiff: The Feuerberg is located at an altitude of 1769 meters on the Gerlitzen Alpe (in the middle of the ski area) and is a place of wow moments: The panoramic view over the Carinthian lakes to the Julian Alps of Slovenia is a dream.

Erwin and Isabella Berger’s unusual concept: an interplay of music, art, philosophy, an interest in other cultures and a close relationship with nature that runs through the entire house.

And first of all the spa! Since the renovation and extension in summer 2019, the mountain hotel has been leading the Champions League with its bathing and wellness world. The offers range from the concert sauna to the stone pine sauna and 16 relaxation rooms with fantastic views. They are equipped with floating loungers, water beds or themes such as sunset or crystals – never overloaded, but carefully and thoughtfully designed so that there is always a Feng Shui feel-good atmosphere.

This also dominates the “MeinSein” wellness center, where, in addition to classic massages and beauty treatments, the program includes energetic holistic treatments such as bio-cybernetics, herbal ceremonies Powerful Alpine, Salve in Terra with mineral earth, “sonorous swinging” on the Wavebalance lounger. But not only adults experience one moment of happiness after the other in the mountain resort. Children will also find heavenly conditions thanks to the adventure pool, 40-meter-long water slide and the feeling of being always welcome.

4. Pampering hotel Kristall, Achensee in Tyrol

Class instead of mass and adults only: The Hotel Kristall is located in a sunny forest clearing in Pertisau, directly on the Karwendel nature reserve and a five-minute walk from Lake Achensee. As the first certified hiking hotel in the region, it specializes in mountain and wellness experiences. The offer in the 2100 square meter spa oasis, which consists of a crystal spa and wellness alm, is correspondingly diverse: with eight different saunas and steam baths, from the Himalayan salt to the organic stone pine to the herbal sauna or floating in the salt water grotto.

In the relaxation areas, the guest has the choice between a room with water beds, with floating loungers or the Stillen Alm with a fireplace. Romance is very important in the adult hotel, which also includes the private spa suite with rasul cabin, the pine wood wellness suites, the gourmet cuisine, candlelight dinners and the new wine cellar with weekly wine tastings.

Speaking of new: the pampering hotel used the past season to renovate. There are many innovations such as a pillow menu or the indoor activity program with yoga, stretching, back fitness and fascia training.

• More info: Double rooms from 123 euros per person with 3/4 luxury board, which includes a breakfast buffet, lunch and a 5-course evening gourmet menu; www.kristall-pertisau.at

5. Vitalhotel Edelweiss, Stubai Valley in Tyrol

Infinity pool with a view of the glacier: The view of the eternal ice of the Stubai Valley Glacier in contrast to the warm Grander water lets time stand still – and relaxation begins. Thoughts fly up into the sky from a height of 1100 meters through the Stubai Valley. This is where you feel at home when you enter the 1300 square meter mountain meadow spa.

The name of the spa says it all; Alpine herbs are used in the cosmetic and massage treatments. The water in all pools, including the family indoor pool with baby pool and children’s steam bath, is the purest spring water that is treated with innovative water revitalization technology. What you can feel immediately: 50 percent less chlorine in the pools, skin and hair feel delicate and soft after bathing or the offered water aerobics.

The sauna area includes an alpine hut sauna, a steam bath, an organic herbal sauna, a brine bath and an infrared cabin that stimulate the circulation and immune system. You can rest in three different relaxation rooms on water beds, heated loungers or so-called heaven swings. Like the rooms and suites, these are also equipped with natural materials – wood and fabrics in light cream and beige tones.

• More info: Suite from 117 euros per person with 3/4 board, which includes a gourmet breakfast, an afternoon snack and a 6-course evening meal;www.vitalhotel-edelweiss.at/de

6. Boutique Hotel Kircher, Sarntal in South Tyrol

Power place north of Bolzano: The view of the majestic rocky mountains accompanies you at every step in the family-run hotel in Reinswald in the heart of the Sarntal. Be it in one of the rooms furnished with high-quality materials and designer pieces, from the panoramic outdoor pool, during an infusion in the panoramic sauna or from a floating lounger in the relaxation room.

Cozy niches, an organic herbal sauna, a brine steam bath, adventure showers, an ice fountain and morning aqua aerobics in the heated indoor pool make up the extensive relaxation program.

This is followed by the next highlight: fine dining with a view of the summit. Award-winning chef Gottfried Messner spoils the guests with top cuisine made from regional products. He also serves wines from the in-house vinotheque. Light, fine and very special – just like the boutique hotel, which is also suitable for hiking and winter holidays.

7. Hotel Quelle Nature Spa Resort, Gsieser Tal in South Tyrol

Have you ever been to an outdoor waterwheel sauna? Or in a snow sauna with fresh snow every day, even in summer? In a quiet side valley of the Pustertal you can experience this and much more.

Because one of the most complete wellness worlds in the Alpine region is hidden between farms and rustic alpine huts: the 5-star Hotel Quelle draws its guests in with seven pools, ten saunas, a 5000 square meter wellness garden with a water mill and natural Kneipp path and its own medical spa the spell.

In the latter you can have your body balanced by a physiotherapist and your mind and soul by a psychotherapist. The holistic approach also includes medical services in cooperation with a local private clinic. Those who want to be active can take part in the daily fitness and relaxation program. Or go to the modern fitness studio or take part in the daily guided outdoor nature experiences. After all, the motto of the feel-good resort, which is blessed with plenty of space, is: nature meets luxury.

• More info: Double rooms from 154 euros per person with 3/4 luxury board, which includes breakfast buffet, lunch and gourmet dinner; wellness.hotel-quelle.com

More hotels can be found at www.holidaycheck.de/holidaycheck-award/wellness