Staying in a world of its own – yet right in the heart of a top ski resort. These houses, sometimes steeped in tradition, act as havens of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle. Retreats that typically combine nostalgia with modern comforts.
Staying in one of Austria's castle hotels or manor houses can mean an elite five-star experience, but it doesn't have to. What all these hotels have in common is that they are historic buildings, usually run with a very personal touch. Some have only a few rooms, and their prices are by no means princely. What truly sets these structures, some up to 800 years old, apart from all other accommodations is their history and the stories they tell. But fear not: blue blood, yes; blue lips, no. These days, the castles are comfortably heated, the flickering fireplace merely complementing the artfully concealed radiators.
Less aristocracy, but a healthy dose of luxury can be found in the Bergschlössl in St. Anton to be enjoyed. Almost everyone who has already skied down from the Galzigbahn valley station has had the „only“ just over 100-year-old
With the former „grain unloading station“ of the imperial railway in view, the Bergschlössl offers ski-in/ski-out access yet is located in the village center. Its elegant comfort and the charm of bygone eras make it a place where winter sports and well-being form a harmonious whole.
The combination of a fantastic ski resort and a venerable, upscale residence is widespread. Let's take the... Felsenheim Manor In Lermoos. Not only can you explore the numerous areas of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena all around, but the 300-year-old castle is located right next to the valley station. It's as if ski-in/ski-out access had already been envisioned in the 18th century. Two brand-new suites, each 48 m², offer panoramic views of the Zugspitze – from the bathtub. Elegant materials, clean lines, and hand-picked details, combined with the charm of the historic building, create a comfortable living environment. But because the old aristocracy usually had little interest in skiing, it's only on rare occasions that you can put on your skis directly in front of the castle after a leisurely breakfast.
It's not quite so close, for example, from the gastronomic gem, the imposing Gasthof Linde, to the Zillertal ski lifts. But the sweeping view of the Zillertal Alps more than makes up for it. At the Lakeside villa on Lake Millstatt The name might suggest a beach holiday, but the manageable yet varied Goldeck ski area is just a 15-minute drive away. Before or after a day of winter sports, enjoying the tranquility of the atmospheric, snow-covered park surrounding the lakeside villa is always a special experience. To mark its 140th anniversary, the highly acclaimed à la carte restaurant was renamed „1884“.
The Mittersill Castle. Those who want to fully enjoy the Kitzbühel ski area, enriched with a historical ambiance, should stay at the castle, which dates back to 1150. The hotel's shuttle service covers the short distance to the Panorama cable car's mid-station. The castle hotel, where dignitaries such as the Maharaja of Jaipur and Clark Gable once stayed, impresses with its high level of comfort since its recent renovation.
High culinary art plays a central role in almost all castle hotels. This is also true of the historic Strasserwirt in Strassen, East Tyrol, which has been a fixture in gourmet guides for decades. The Sillian ski resort is a five-minute drive away, and cross-country skiing and winter adventures in East Tyrol's Lesach Valley are just a short distance further. A truly exceptional winter atmosphere can be found in the Heritage Hotel on Lake Hallstatt Experience it. When peace descends upon the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt and the view of the lake is breathtaking. Equally so is the excursion to the Krippenstein ski area, Upper Austria's gateway to the Dachstein massif.
Ski holidays don't always have to take place in the top resorts. In the cozy Landhaus Koller in Gosau Pristine nature peeks in through the window – yet the ski lifts are just a hotel shuttle ride away. From ski school to organizing guided ski tours – everything is just a quick stop at reception. A similar 3 Gs apply to the Herrenhaus Brixlegg: enjoyment, history, and coziness. And although located in the Inn Valley, the slopes of the Alpbachtal-Wildschönau ski area are easily accessible from here.