Famous for its scenic landscape, you’ve likely heard of Grossarl valley if you’re a fan of the Austrian Alps. It’s a paradise for mountain lovers, outdoor sports enthusiasts and those seeking pure relaxation. The views and hiking trails are truly spectacular here!
What you might not know is that here’s a splendid family-run hotel – Grossarler Hof, which belongs to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio. This epic hotel is positioned to take advantage of a postcard-perfect mountain backdrop – jaw-dropping views in every direction surround the 4-star-superior chalet-style hotel.
Whether it’s for its fine dining cuisine, attentive & warm service or cozy alpine-style accommodation, there are endless reasons to book a vacation at Grossarler Hof. It’s also a pet-friendly hotel, and ideal for those looking for a stress-free vacation. You’ll love the tranquillity and stunning scenery!
Once you step foot into the lobby, you’ll start to get a hint of the amount of love and money that went into this hotel. The General Manager will great you with a huge smile, and you’ll learn that his chief aim is to make your stay here wildly special. Trust me on this – he’ll succeed!
Accommodations
Room or suite? Either way, you win. We stayed in a Superior Double Room, styled in natural tones, and featuring a comfy bed with high-quality bed sheets. The huge terrace offered killer views out to the mountains. In short – the perfect retreat for a lazy week.
The 49 rooms & suites feature timber-clad walls, noble fabrics and plush beds. All of them come with balconies, heated coat rack, safe, minibar, flat screen TV, multilingual cable TV & radio plus loudspeakers in bathrooms, free WIFI, separate toilet in all double rooms & suites, bathroom with bathtub – some with additional shower. Last but not least, all suites have a stereo set with iPod & MP3 adapter and Nespresso machines.
Delicious Eats & Wining
Serving a wide variety of homemade delicacies including pastries, and cakes, the Alpine-style restaurant is perfect for an indulgent breakfast. Best part? You’ll find an incredible homemade blueberry jam – without preservatives, added sugar, chemical flavorings or artificial colors – a pure delight! Moreover, the breakfast buffet is available alongside a menu of made-to-order dishes.
Dinner is a real feast at Grossarler Hof – you can choose between 4 main dishes: International – Regional – Fish & Seafood – Vegetarian, but there is also the excellent Jagastub’n à la carte restaurant. Want my advice? Have the mouth-watering veal and the fresh fish, served with the best local ingredients and hand-picked products. The chef can please even the pickiest eaters. Hats off to him!
The colorful bar lounge is the optimal spot for pre-dinner drinks, but you should experience also their unique wine cellar! And as you might already know, it’s easy to spend time talking about wine… So you’ll have a fantastic time here enjoying some state-of-the-art wines, which will awaken all your senses.
Wellness & Spa
No stay at Grossarler Hof is complete without experiencing the Erlenreich Relax & SPA . It features wellness services that range from hot-stone massages to dermopeel treatments. Perks include a sanarium, steam room, infrared cabin, indoor whirlpool, Kneipp foot basins, relaxation area with waterbeds including UV® light therapy , and saunas. But the highlight here is the heated outdoor whirlpool with massage jets.
To Dos While You’Re Here
The hotel attracts hikers and bikers, as well as sun chasers and couples looking for privacy. That’s probably also why Grossarler Hof provides a broad range of activities, such as guided walking tours, fly fishing and mountain bike & e-bike adventures. This gorgeous place has something for all tastes. And the Panoramabahn cable car is only steps away from the hotel – it will take you up to 1850m above sea level.
Be sure to take a day trip to the Mooslehenalm Alpine Lodge, it’s a wonderful back-to-nature hideaway, run by the owners of Grossarler Hof.
BOTTOM LINE: The hotel’s top-notch service, wonderful amenities, and outstanding food make it a great pick for discerning travelers. The only downside is that you may find it difficult to leave… just as I did. Thank you so much Markus for the wonderful week! Can’t wait to see you on the slopes – to show me why you love winter in Grossarl!
It was my third time staying at a hotel belonging to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection (read about Mykonos here, for Valpolicella click here) and I’m now so intrigued to discover more! Each SLH experience is as memorable as the last.
expattrip.com 