A Disappointing Experience – Not a True 4-Star Hotel
We highly recommend doing thorough research before booking this hotel. Unfortunately, our stay did not live up to the expectations set by the website or the hotel's advertised 4-star status.
1) Location:
The hotel is located on a busy road, with heavy traffic from large buses and ski-related car congestion heading towards the main ski lift. Many of the rooms face this road, meaning you can expect traffic noise. This is especially concerning if you have children, as the front of the hotel opens directly onto a busy country road. The image on the hotel’s website, showing a peaceful scene, is misleading—it was taken from the back of the hotel, not the front, which actually reveals a parking lot and a bustling road.
Furthermore, the ski lifts are not easily accessible from the hotel. The drive to the lift takes around 10-20 minutes, depending on traffic, or you can rely on the hotel shuttle. It is not within walking distance, so don’t expect a quick walk to the slopes.
On the plus side, if you enjoy walking or cross-country skiing, the location is ideal, as there’s a trail behind the hotel.
2) Food:
As frequent visitors to Austrian hotels, we have come to expect high-quality food, especially when staying at a 4-star property. Unfortunately, this was not the case here. The food quality was disappointing:
Cooked items were often overdone, such as ribs that were severely burnt.
Salad ingredients appeared stale, and there was a noticeable recycling of old food.
While the dinner service seemed to have gourmet aspirations, it was more akin to a basic cafeteria, with poorly prepared dishes, outdated ice cream, and subpar meat.
On some nights, certain family members opted to skip dinner altogether. The food quality here is far from what you would expect from a 4-star establishment. In fact, we joked about nominating the restaurant for a "Gordon Ramsay intervention"—it truly needs a major overhaul.
3) Service:
Service at the hotel was another letdown. The front desk staff was consistently unfriendly, especially when we needed help with simple requests, such as arranging transportation or organizing activities. This was particularly frustrating when traveling with kids, as daily plans often change and assistance is crucial.
The hotel does seem to cater to regular guests, many of whom appear to have a close relationship with the owners and staff. This may create a more welcoming atmosphere for German-speaking guests or those from the region (Austria, Switzerland, Germany), but for international visitors, the service was lacking.
Additionally, for those coming from tea-drinking countries (which is the majority of the world), be aware that the hotel restricts access to hot water and tea service during certain hours. This policy forces guests to buy drinks from the hotel, which, while a commercial strategy, feels quite inhospitable. In our experience, we have never encountered such penny-pinching in a 4- or 5-star hotel.
The cost-cutting approach extends to the children’s playroom and movie room, both of which are not heated, even during freezing temperatures. The dining room is also not heated in the afternoon, meaning that dinner begins in a chilly environment—far from ideal when the weather is cold.
4) Hotel Billing and Invoices:
Be cautious when booking, as the hotel does not include VAT and local taxes in its advertised price. This means the room costs will end up being at least 10% higher than expected. The taxes are not disclosed upfront, so make sure to factor this into your budget.
When we asked for an itemized bill to check for any additional charges, the staff was visibly displeased. Unlike typical hotels, where extras like drinks are itemized, here everything was grouped under a vague "Restaurant Charge." When we requested a breakdown, it took some effort to get clarity.
The final invoice also included unexpected VAT charges, and we later discovered that there were errors in favor of the hotel. While these were corrected, the staff's response was less than apologetic and more defensive, which further soured the experience.
5) Overall Impression:
In comparison to other hotels we’ve stayed at in Austria, this hotel does not meet the standards expected of a 4-star property. While it has some surface-level amenities like an indoor pool, a spa, and a full-service restaurant, the overall service falls far short of what you would expect at this level. The hotel's offerings feel like a "tick-the-box" exercise, but the actual experience lacks the quality and attention to detail that make a hotel truly exceptional.
Final Thoughts:
We left feeling disappointed, and we would not recommend this hotel to others seeking a high-quality stay. There are many other hotels in Austria that offer far better service, food, and value for money.
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