Wachtelhof Hotel

Austria

In the remote Alpine village of Hinterthal, just an hour south-west of Salzburg and the same distance west of Kitzbühel, is Hotel Wachtelhof. Although, for most, the significant distance is to the slopes, and that’s a mere 150m, making it the mountain escape we all need.

Adventure is on the doorstep all year round, and whether it’s skiing in the winter or mountain hiking in the summer, the setting never fails to prove spectacular. But what lies inside is just as important, so it’s good to know it provides all the relaxation and recovery you need after your activity. Inside the 17th-century spa, you’ll find a Finnish sauna, infrared cabin, sauna, swim spa and Jacuzzi, ensuring every ache is eased. Once rested, you can choose a session with a personal trainer or get stretching with some yoga classes.

Just 29 rooms make it boutique in all the right places, with plenty of individual character laced into each room, making no two stays the same. Rooms range from romantic classic doubles with a balcony to the sumptuous 80sq m Kaiser Suite, which blends the best of classic wood styling with contemporary design touches.

Food wise, winter breakfasts are classic Austrian ski fare, including speciality sausages from Pinzgau, while for dinner, it’s the best of the ‘meadows, forests and waters’, freshly prepared to give you the finest taste of the surrounding landscape.

Doubles from £479. 00 43 6584 238880, hotelwachtelhof.at

Words by Alex Mead.

This review was taken from the Christmas 2022 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.