Finally a spirit of optimism, finally traveling again. Hotel tester Andrea Labonte has gone to restart the hotel industry in Mieming, Austria, and shows what vacation in times of Corona feels like – and what has changed.
The journey to the picturesque Mieming inspires me just as before. The mountain peaks rise into the sky and the lush green of the alpine meadows almost make me forget that the world has stood still for two months. Only the porter wearing a mouthguard reminds me that the all-changing virus has cast its shadow over this Tyrolean idyll.
I also put on my mouthguard and head to the lobby. As a guest, I am required to wear mouth and nose protection when entering the reception, the restaurant, at the buffets or during spa treatments, in the shop and at the hotel hairdresser. The employees, however, always wear a face visor or mask in all areas of the house.
About the expert
Andrea Labonte has an extraordinary profession that many envy: she is a wellness hotel tester with the online guide Wellness Heaven. In this capacity, she not only gathers splendid spa experiences, but also gathers the most bizarre events from her day-to-day work in the regular column "From the life of a hotel tester".
Her professional background: She studied business administration in Mainz and Paris, where she also met her husband, with whom she founded the hotel portal in 2006. She worked in marketing in various sectors, most recently six years for one of the largest international luxury goods groups.
“Windows” for check-in at the reception
For the official greeting, a round is then "windowed", as the Tyrolean used to say in pandemic times. Because a plexiglass protective wall gives both me and the receptionist a secure feeling. After the long isolation, I notice how good the smile that the receptionist brings me through her face visor is good for me.
But it's not just the plexiglass panels at the reception that are new, the seating in the hotel lobby has been rectified compared to our last visit. Magazines and prospectuses have been removed. The hotel's app now digitally informs guests about the activity and sports program. The app also eliminates the need to register at the reception using pen and paper. Menus or weather forecasts can also be called up via the app, and registration for the children's club is also fully digitized.
A contemporary application that is extremely popular, especially in times of Corona. We enjoy the welcome drink at a safe distance from the other guests. In Austria this is one meter. And while I sip my welcome drink, I notice the various disinfectant dispensers that keep reminding me to wash and disinfect my hands thoroughly several times a day.
Disinfectants and disposable rags – even more hygiene in the rooms
There is another disinfection dispenser in front of the elevator that takes us to our room. Kerstin, who shows us the way to our accommodation, informs us about the cleaning concept, which ranges from the use of special virucides to the use of in-room disposable rags.
The same cleaners are always responsible for the same rooms and suites, so that in the event of an accident, the virus would not be easily transmitted to other floors. When cleaning, particular attention is paid to remote controls, handles, touch screens and light switches.
The previously mandatory information folder in the room has been replaced by the app. Otherwise, the premises appear just as cozy and comfortable as before the crisis. The minibar is still filled with a variety of drinks.
Spa area almost without restriction – only at a distance
After our suitcases have been unpacked, I look forward to visiting the spa area, which is not subject to any significant corona-related restrictions due to its spaciousness and the variety of bathing opportunities. The Alpenresort Schwarz is fundamentally based on the regulations and recommendations of the Austrian Ministry of Health.
In the entire spa, I always make sure to keep a distance of one meter from other wellness visitors. Fortunately, the large garden and the various indoor relaxation rooms in the house offer numerous intimate retreats.
No corona risk in chlorinated swimming pools
It has been scientifically proven that in chlorinated swimming pools with filter systems, most pathogens are rendered harmless. This proof was also provided especially for the corona virus. However, I also keep a minimum distance of one meter from other swimmers in the pools.
This is the order of the day, also at the pool edge or when chatting with other parents in the children's pool: just don't get too close to your fellow bathers. In the hotel whirlpools, at most every second seat should be filled.
But not only the pools tempt you to refresh, the two bathing lakes in the house also attract me with their turquoise-blue water. However, these two natural bathing lakes are not chlorinated, so a rule of three to four meters applies here.
Lonely sweating at 90 degrees in the sauna – no steam baths
I admit that I have respect for visiting the sauna in Corona times. But the host family Pirktl managed to visit the sauna village despite my initial concerns and to take a sauna session in the 90-degree panorama sauna. Even the corona virus has no chance at this temperature.
In addition, I make sure that I sweat almost alone in the sauna and trust in the cleaning and disinfection standards of the hotel. In principle, the minimum distance of one meter in all directions should also be maintained in the saunas.
In order to avoid the spread of breath aerosols, infusions and frond deposits are not currently included in the sauna repertoire of the hotel. This suits my preference for having a sauna alone. The hotel's two steam baths are also still closed for hygiene reasons.
Gym open without restrictions
Because of the all-round catering in the hotel, sport seems inevitable for me these days. In Corona times, I mainly stick to outdoor sports such as mountaineering, jogging and tennis.
Golfers, riders and mountain bikers can also enjoy their passion in the open air in Tyrol. The gym can be used without restriction due to its size. Indoor activities such as yoga take place in small groups.
Finally a massage – but not without a face mask
After weeks of homeschooling, home office and housekeeping, I can't wait to be pampered for 50 minutes on my own and leave the everyday stress of the past few weeks behind me. When I book at home, my anticipation for the massage increases immeasurably. Because "Me Time" has unfortunately become a foreign word in recent months.
Thanks to the online appointment, I hardly meet any other guests at the spa reception. My therapist Maria waived and me greeting a handshake, which is replaced by a friendly smile from both of us.
At the beginning of the application, my therapist washes her hands thoroughly, the massage table and especially the headboard have been meticulously disinfected. That she wears a face shield during the massage gives me a feeling of security. I do not initially wear a mask on my face, after turning around Maria is enough for me a face mask – a completely new spa experience for me.
Hotel cuisine after the lockdown is different, but just as delicious
What such a time of travel and contact withdrawal can achieve. Things that we used to take for granted, like dining in a hotel restaurant, are a little sensation for me today on our first evening in the hotel. Once you don't have to cook yourself. Romantic atmosphere by candlelight. All of this fills me with a gratitude that I haven't felt for a while.
So I don't mind that when I enter the restaurant I wear a face mask, serve the food directly at the table and offer the buffet in a somewhat reduced form. Who cares? It tastes just as good as it used to – and the combination of buffet and a la carte makes the culinary options even more diverse.
Bounce and ride pony – when children feel freedom again
Our children are also grateful and exuberant. They ride ponies in the hotel's petting zoo, watch goats and pot-bellied pigs, and pet rabbits. Dangling upside down from the monkey bars is much funnier than to endure the bad mood of mom doing homeschooling. And I'm not in a bad mood today.
I can't keep up with my son's somersaults on the trampoline, but there is definitely a big jump in joy! The children's club is also open and scores with outdoor experiences.
In bad weather, small groups are safely looked after in four different rooms, so that parents can finally come back to the longed-for “first time” after the long time of all-round care.
- More info: Accommodation in a double room with breakfast from 194 euros per person; www.schwarz.at
This article first appeared on Wellness Heaven