I spent a gorgeous weekend within the fashionable eco-hotel Gartenhotel Theresia situated in Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Salzburg’s Austrian state.
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a picturesque Austrian magnificence spot nestled within the coronary heart of the Austrian Alps. It’s often known as being a improbable ski resort house crammed with attractive alpine surroundings, wonderful snowboarding alternatives, and a vibrant après-ski scene.
In the course of the winter it attracts many winter sports activities lovers and through the remainder of the 12 months, it’s a gorgeous mountaineering and biking vacation spot with a group of attention-grabbing chalet resorts to remain in, a few of which satisfaction themselves on being eco-friendly.
The mountain village resort Saalbach-Hinterglemm occupies a very fairly nook of Austria. With meandering streams trickling by means of deeply carved valleys, rolling inexperienced pastures dotted with grazing bell-adorned cows and postcard-pretty chalets all enveloped by the towering peaks of the gorgeous Alps – it’s straight out of a scene from the Sound of Music!
From the skin, the Gartenhotel Theresia resort seems to be usually very Austrian; the spectacular facade is made up of lashings of sturdy pine woods, flower-bedecked balconies and shuttered home windows all fused to make one very picturesque chalet. Though, its conventional exterior belies its stylish up to date interiors and forward-thinking ethos.
A self-proclaimed ‘resort with a coronary heart’, the chalet-style inn is an eco-retreat with a philosophy of sustainability and welfare.
They solely serve regionally produced, animal welfare-friendly natural meals, take part in resource-saving administration and have a coverage of social accountability for all their workers – very admirable qualities and sadly nonetheless a uncommon discover in a resort!
Inside I used to be warmly greeted by a pair of dirndl-clad receptionists and one of many homeowners, an environment friendly however delicate woman who was clearly passionate in regards to the resort and its environment.
After a fast welcome chat, I used to be intrigued to search out out extra about her and the resort’s eco philosophies – a topic which was additionally near my coronary heart. Her reasoning was easy however straight to the purpose “If we don’t take care of nature then it’s going to disappear.”
One of many receptionists then confirmed me round. The decor was a formidable combine of up to date and conventional—suppose cowhide-print sofas and stylish fashionable particulars juxtaposed with historic pictures and actual log fires.
Strolling round it was apparent that compassion and a progressive ideology flowed all through the resort, from the aged resident cat who wandered the corridors, to the pure swimming space crammed with mountain spring water and the weekly exercise programme which aimed that can assist you get again in contact with nature – its inexperienced credentials aren’t only a advertising and marketing gimmick, they’re a real ardour of the homeowners.
My resort tour ended with the receptionist handing me a keycard for the normal Austrian ‘nude’ sauna (which I took with a nervous giggle!) after which the important thing to my room for the weekend. The room was cosy, adorned with aptitude and featured loads of pine and native oak.
I opened the patio doorways to let within the contemporary mountain air and sunk closely into the mattress. Mendacity on the bedside cupboard was a ebook titled “Out of the Head and into the Coronary heart” by Franz X. Buhler – a really apt alternative!
The subsequent day, I explored the gorgeous native environment courtesy of a steep scenic cable trip and a brisk streamside stroll. Then, I returned to the resort to appease my aching muscle mass within the Mountain Inexperienced spa.
The spa space consisted of an indoor swimming pool, a alternative of two saunas (with or with out swimwear!), a jacuzzi, a panoramic fitness center and a therapy room the place I skilled an indulgent aromatherapy therapeutic massage which, after all, used solely natural merchandise.
Meals is among the resort’s foremost options and is taken very severely on the retreat. Beginning with a breakfast buffet, then lunch, afternoon tea, and ending with a night five-course connoisseur dinner, they guarantee no visitor leaves hungry!
At every sitting, ultra-healthy and hearty regional conventional meals (all natural, regionally sourced, and superbly introduced) are served aspect by aspect. The resort prides itself on catering to vegetarians, vegans, and victims of any allergic reactions.
When it was time to take a look at, my keycard to the nude sauna might have remained unused however I left the Gartenhotel Theresia refreshed, renewed and happy to have skilled a keep in a resort with a real coronary heart.
Gartenhotel Theresia is a comfy family-run, eco-friendly 4-star resort housed in a captivating conventional picket chalet constructing which presents visitors rest, wonderful wellness facilities, they usually may even organize outside actions and excursions for you.
My favorite resort highlights included a contemporary spa space full with indoor and outside swimming pools (eco-friendly after all there was no chlorine right here!), an onsite sauna, steam room, a fitness center, a spa with an awesome vary of therapies and a zen-like rest space.
My room was very pleasantly adorned with a picket beds full with cosy duvets, balcony and gorgeous views of the Alps and soundproof home windows.
The meals was additionally wonderful they usually served up natural, regionally sourced meals in a buffet model dinner. The workers have been additionally tremendous pleasant too and wearing conventional Austrian gown.