As we head towards summer, there’s no better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than to escape into nature. Salzburger Land, where the landscape transforms from white snow fields to green meadows, is a solid choice for families and couples in need of peaceful days.
Whether you’re looking for spa treatments, mountain hikes, or culinary delights, you’ll find it all at the Ritzenhof Hotel & Spa am See in Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer.
OVERVIEW
The family-run 4-star superior hotel is a charming wellness oasis overlooking the majestic mountains. It’s the kind of place that makes everlasting memories – a gorgeous spot to watch swans and ducks, clear your mind and become one with yourself.
WELLNESS & SPA
The impressively large Lakeside Spa offers a long menu of services, including a steel pool with direct access to the lake, various saunas, massage and body treatments, along with lovely relaxation areas.
I really liked the fact that they had prearranged fruit bowls to get proper nutrition – it’s not often that you can find fresh passion fruits, pineapple, kiwi and cantaloupe in a spa bar (Austrian spas usually serve apples and… apples).
The hotel’s own sunbathing area is an added bonus for the beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Active children can vanish into the large gardens to play, so parents can chill, lay back and relax.
There’s plenty of activities to keep you occupied at the Lakeside Spa. If relaxing by the pool and sunbathing isn’t enough for you, then head to the treatment rooms onsite, where you can try out the BABOR facials and body scrubs, which will leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.
WINING & DINING
Our stay included the Premium-Board which was a splendid choice – vitality breakfast, lunch with two soups & crispy salads, afternoon homemade cakes & strudel and a 5-course dinner menu.
Needless to say, I had some fabulous dishes, all of them prepared with love and imagination. The chef creates a menu of light, seasonal dishes, using the best local ingredients in mouth-watering combinations.
The BAR is the perfect cozy hangout for relaxing, chatting and drinking with friends. They serve a good selection of wines, particularly from Austria, plus they have good beer on tap and an impressive list of classic apéritifs.
ROOMS & SUITES
If you go, book well in advance and opt for a room in the Haus am See. The wellness hotel takes the word “panoramic” seriously: our Bergblick Room came with a fantastic mountain view and private balcony. Warm colors, and fine oak made up the design elements.
The generous use of wood, and high-quality textiles provided us with a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. In the closet we found bathrobes plus slippers for the spa as well as a stylish bag to carry all our things.
TO DOS WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Staying active in the great outdoors is an Austrian way of life. And why wouldn’t you with all this fresh mountain air and stunning scenery? If you want some action, head right to the Baumzipfelweg and the Golden Gate Bridge! It’s the highest tree-top trail in Europe, situated at the end of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm valley. The surroundings are wild and unspoiled by human touch, the hike can be easily done – it takes only 30 min from the parking up to the adventure park.
Another tourist attraction you’ll love: the Krimmler Waterfalls in the Hohe Tauern National Park – Europe’s highest waterfalls and the fifth highest waterfalls in the world. From Saalfelden it takes about an hour to reach Krimml, but it’s an amazing destination for nature lovers.
Many walkers take the opportunity to whip off their shoes and cool their feet in the fresh mountain creek, before tramping back to the parking station in Krimml. But if you are an ambitious hiker, you can hike on the waterfall trail (4,1 km) – the views are breath-taking, making the effort worth.
With plenty of nearby attractions and breathtaking views, Ritzenhof Hotel & Spa am See is the perfect location for the physically active traveler… if you feel inspired, pack your bags and hit the road!
Thank you to the Ritzenhof Hotel & Spa for welcoming Expat Trip! Opinions are, as always, my own.
expattrip.com 