In Germany, Austria and Italy: Escape the autumn blues! Seven fantastically beautiful wellness hotels for connoisseurs
The cold that has come so suddenly throws us into shock. But we have found a few ways out: 7 wellness hotels in Bavaria, Austria and South Tyrol, where you can warm up your body, mind and soul and forget the autumn blues.
From the outdoor whirlpool with a view of the summit to the pine infrared cabin and the high-altitude chamber and award-winning kitchen: What wellness hotels have to offer nowadays often exceeds the imagination. In order to dip these pearls out of the ocean of wellness hotels, the hotel rating portal “Holidaycheck” presents a special award for the most popular wellness hotels every year, based on several hundred thousand vacationer ratings. These hotels are among the best:
1. Alm Wellness Hotel Alpenhof, Schoenau am Koenigssee
Swim towards the sunset in the Berchtesgaden mountains in the 37-degree warm Grander water of the infinity pool: Well-being has many facets in the 4-star hotel in south-eastern Bavaria. And that starts with the fantastic location at 700 meters above sea level on a slope above the Königssee – mountain view included. Those who prefer to sit in the bubbling water and marvel at the peaks can step into the heated outdoor whirlpool.
It’s even warmer in the 500 square meter sauna area of the hotel run by the Zapletal family. A lot of old wood was used in various saunas and relaxation rooms, which creates a cosy, 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 salt-enriched air and moderate temperature good for the respiratory tract) to the pine chamber infrared cabin.
Relaxing in the Bavarian-rustic Alpine style is also pure well-being: on the waterbeds in the wooden rest barn, in the glazed sun pavilion or in the rest grotto. Speaking of peace and quiet: the guests at the Alpenhof particularly appreciate this luxurious property, which is also helped by the fact that access to the wellness area is only available from the age of 16.
- More info: Two nights in a double room from 299 euros per person with breakfast; www.alpenhof.de
2. Wellness Hotel Jagdhof, Markt Röhrnbach in Lower Bavaria
A 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 dimensions. Since December 2021, this has reached a new 5-star level: even more pleasant, even more luxurious, even more eventful.
The guests of the Ritzinger family can not only look forward to 21 new suites, each with its own wellness area, but also to the new fitness world – indoor (1100 square meters) and outdoor.
The highlights are in the truest sense of the word the two altitude chambers with altitude simulation up to 8000 meters for mountaineers and top athletes. The gigantic wellness and water world, which is considered to be Bavaria’s largest, is also top notch. With a natural bathing lake in the garden, our own Lady Spa, a beauty palace with treatments at the highest level and a panorama event sauna where sweating and entertainment are combined.
The Alte Mühle, a sauna in the Holzstadl style, is classic and rustic. The bathing landscape also leaves nothing to be desired: nudist fans will find their own outdoor whirlpool and brine pool, and of course clothing lovers too. And there are attraction pools with a waterfall tower, an infinity pool and a 25-meter sports pool with a power swim facility, timing device and camera analysis. This is what perfected luxury looks like!
- More info: Three nights in a deluxe double room from EUR 796.50 per person with full board; www.hotel-jagdhof.at
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 wide view over the Carinthian lakes to the Julian Alps of Slovenia is a dream.
The unusual concept of Erwin and Isabella Berger: An interplay of music, art, philosophy, an interest in other cultures and a close connection to nature, which runs through the entire house.
And then the spa! Since the conversion and extension in the summer of 2019, the Berghotel has been leading the Champions League with its bathing and wellness world. The offers range from the concert to the 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 wellness center “MeinSein”, where, in addition to classic massages and beauty treatments, energetic holistic treatments such as biocybernetics, herbal ceremony Powerful Alpine, Salve in Terra with mineral earth, “sound swinging” on the Wavebalance lounger are on the program. But not only adults experience one moment of happiness after the other in the mountain resort. Children will also find paradisiacal conditions thanks to the adventure pool, 40 meter long water slide and the feeling of always being welcome.
- More info: Chalet from 814 euros per person with half board for three nights; www.feuerberg.at
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 a wellness hut, is correspondingly diverse: with eight different saunas and steam baths, from the Himalayan salt to the organic stone pine to the herb barn sauna or floating in the salt water grotto.
In the relaxation areas, guests can choose between a lounge with water beds, floating loungers or the Stille Alm with a fireplace. Romance is very important in the adults-only hotel, which also includes the private spa suite with Rasul cabin, the stone pine wellness suites, gourmet cuisine, candlelight dinners and the new wine cellar with weekly wine tastings.
Speaking of new: the pampering hotel used the corona lockdown to renovate. Since then there have been many innovations such as a pillow menu or the indoor activity program with yoga, stretching, back fitness and fascia training.
5. Vital Hotel Edelweiss, Stubai Valley in Tyrol
Infinity pool with a view of the glacier: The view of the eternal ice of the Stubaital Glacier in contrast to the warm Grander water makes time stand still – and relaxation begins. Thoughts fly skyward through the Stubaital from 1100 meters above sea level. You also feel like you have arrived here 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 using innovative water revitalization technology. What you notice immediately: 50 percent less chlorine in the pools, skin and hair feel tender and soft after swimming or the water aerobics offered.
The sauna landscape includes an alpine hut sauna, a steam bath, an organic herbal sauna, a brine bath and an infrared cabin, which stimulate the circulation and immune system. You rest in three different relaxation rooms on water beds, heated loungers or so-called heaven swings. Like the rooms and suites, these are also furnished with natural materials – with wood and fabrics in light cream and beige tones.
6. Boutique Hotel Kircher, Sarntal in South Tyrol
Place of power north of Bozen: The view of the majestic rocky mountains accompanies you at every turn 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.
Cuddling niches, a bio-herbal sauna, a brine steam bath, experience showers, an ice fountain and morning aqua gymnastics 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-quality 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
Ever been to an outdoor water wheel 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 there one of the most complete wellness worlds in the Alps is hidden between farms and rustic alpine huts: The 5-star Hotel Quelle attracts its guests with seven pools, ten saunas, a 5000 square meter wellness garden with water mill and natural Kneipp path as well as its own medical spa the ban.
In the latter, you can have your body brought into balance 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. If you want to be active, you can take part in the daily fitness and relaxation program. Or go to the modern gym or take part in the daily outdoor nature experiences. After all, the motto of the feel-good resort, which is blessed with plenty of space, is: nature meets luxury.
For more hotels see www.holidaycheck.de/holidaycheck-award/wellness