I spent a phenomenal weekend tucked away within the Austrian Alps at Gartenhotel Theresia โ an eco lodge that felt like a real home-from-home with coronary heart. Positioned within the picture-perfect mountain village of Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Salzburg, the world was all the things Iโd hoped for โ it had wildflower-covered meadows, towering alpine peaks, and a soothing stillness I solely appear to search out within the mountains.
Iโve at all times liked the thought of staying someplace that was variety to the planet because it was to its company, and this family-run lodge actually delivered. From its charming chalet-style exterior to its chemical-free spa, natural connoisseur meals, and concentrate on sustainability, it felt like each element was designed to assist me breathe slightly deeper โ and depart slightly lighter!
The place is Gartenhotel Theresia Positioned?
I discovered the lodge nestled in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, a picturesque Alpine village in Salzburg thatโs tucked into the center of the Austrian Alps. Itโs often known as being a improbable ski resort residence to attractive alpine surroundings, wonderful snowboarding alternatives, and a energetic aprรจs-ski scene.
Locals advised me that in winter it attracts skiers and snow-lovers in droves, however through the hotter monthsโparticularly summer seasonโI found for myself that it reworked into a wide ranging mountaineering and biking vacation spotโฆ
The mountain village resort of Saalbach-Hinterglemm occupied a very picturesque nook of Austria. I found an idyllic, charming place the place mild streams trickled via deep valleys, rolling inexperienced meadows had been dotted with grazing, bell-adorned cows, and postcard-pretty conventional chalets sat nestled beneath the towering peaks of the Alps. I truthfully felt like I used to be standing in a scene from The Sound of Music!
Saalbach-Hinterglemm โ A Fast Information
Location: Salzburg area, Austria
Well-known For: Snowboarding in winter, mountaineering and biking in summer season
Vibe: Picturesque mountain resort with rustic attraction and alpine magnificence
Finest Time to Go to: All 12 months Spherical
Winter: December to March for snowboarding and snowboarding
Summer season: June to September for mountaineering, biking, and spa retreats
My Prime Experiences: Scenic cable automotive rides, alpine walks, aprรจs-ski bars, wellness spas
What Was it Like Staying on the Gartenhotel Theresia?
From the surface, the chalet appeared each bit like the normal Austrian alpine retreat Iโd imagined earlier than I arrived โ with its sturdy pinewood faรงade, flower-filled balconies, and shuttered home windows, it was like one thing straight off a vacationer postcard.
However as soon as inside, I discovered a surprisingly fashionable and modern house with a forward-thinking, eco-conscious ethos and distinctive design particulars corresponding to hanging cowhide-print sofas. I noticed stylish fashionable touches sitting alongside historic images and cosy log fires.
Describing itself as a โlodge with a coronary heart,โ I additionally discovered this family-run retreat was greater than only a fairly place to remain โ it was a real eco-hotel, deeply dedicated to sustainability, native sourcing, and social duty.
How Eco-Pleasant Is Gartenhotel Theresia?
I discovered from the lodge proprietor that they’d a really admirable and lengthy record of eco-friendly insurance policies which sadly remains to be a really uncommon discover in a lodge!
They serve 100% natural, domestically produced, animal welfare-friendly meals
They use power from renewable sources (hydroelectric, wind, biomass)
They recycle warmth from kitchen, laundry, and loos to heat swimming pools and water
They supply contemporary spring water for bathing and cleansing (mild on pores and skin and eco-friendly)
They use EU Ecolabel-certified cleansing merchandise
They minimise chlorine use in swimming pools โ solely the authorized minimal required
They provide fast-charging stations for electrical vehicles and bikes
They apply cautious recycling and makes use of energy-saving lightbulbs
They uphold a coverage of social duty for all employees
They comply with a resource-saving administration philosophy throughout operations
Inside, I used to be warmly welcomed by two dirndl-clad receptionists and one of many homeowners โ an environment friendly but considerate girl who was clearly obsessed with each the lodge and its alpine environment.
After a pleasant chat, I discovered myself eager to know extra about her and the lodgeโs eco philosophyโa topic that was near my very own coronary heart. Her reasoning was easy however honest: โIf we donโt take care of nature, then it would disappear.โ I’ve to confess, I couldnโt have agreed extra!
As I walked round, it rapidly grew to become clear to me that compassion and progressive values permeated each a part of the lodgeโfrom the aged resident cat padding alongside the corridors, to the pure swimming pool fed by contemporary mountain spring water, to the weekly exercise programme designed to assist company reconnect with nature. Their inexperienced credentials werenโt only for presentโthey genuinely felt like a heartfelt mission from the homeowners!ย
What Was My Visitor Room Like?
My lodge tour ended with the receptionist handing me a keycard for the normal Austrian โnudeโ sauna (which I accepted with a barely nervous giggle!) after which the important thing to my room for the weekend. I discovered the room was cosy, comfy, stylishly embellished, and featured loads of heat pine and native oak.
I noticed there was a sturdy picket historically pained beds which balanced consolation with a cosy quilt, there have been additionally soundproofed home windows, and a balcony the place I sat and gazed on the beautiful views of the Alps whereas consuming my morning espresso.
After I first went in I instantly opened the patio doorways to let within the crisp mountain air and sank closely into the mattress. On the bedside cupboard lay a e book titled Out of the Head and into the Coronary heart by Franz X. Buhlerโa really apt alternative, I believed!
The following day, I ventured out to discover the gorgeous native environment, beginning with a steep and scenic cable automotive trip adopted by a brisk stroll alongside a peaceable stream. Later, I returned to the lodge to assuage my aching muscle tissue within the calming embrace of the Mountain Inexperienced Spa.
What Was the Spa Like?
I believed the spa space was one of many true highlights of the lodge, and it was clear that wellness was taken significantly. The services had been wonderfulโparticularly spectacular given the lodgeโs dimensionโand I handled myself to an indulgent aromatherapy therapeutic massage in one among their cosy therapy rooms, the place (naturally!) solely natural merchandise had been used.
Wellness Highlights at Gartenhotel Theresia โ at a Fast Look
Indoor and out of doors swimming pools (chemical-free!)
A standard sauna and a nude sauna (with privateness choices fortunately!)
A jacuzzi and fashionable gymnasium
Spa therapies which used solely natural merchandise
A weekly exercise program to assist company reconnect with nature
A zen-like leisure room which had alpine views
What Was The Meals Like?
The meals was one of many lodgeโs essential highlights, and I liked how significantly it was taken all through my keep. The indulgence started early every day with a hearty and various breakfast buffet that includes contemporary fruits, cereals, artisan breads, home-made jams, and an enormous number of steaming, freshly cooked scorching dishes.
I discovered lunch to be equally as tasty with an amazing vary of hearty soups, contemporary seasonal salads, a big number of essential programs (together with wonderful vegetarian and vegan choices), and numerous conventional Austrian muffins for dessert.
Dinner was the actual showstopper although โ I sat down every night to a superbly offered five-course menu centered on seasonal, natural, and locally-sourced components. I discovered from the supervisor that in addition they hosted themed buffets, dwell cooking stations, and even the occasional enjoyable fondue and barbecue evenings.
I notably admired how the lodge additionally took dietary wants significantly, proudly catering for vegetarians, vegans, and company with allergic reactions. There have been additionally loads of each cold and warm drinks obtainable all through the day, no visitor was ever left wantingโtogether with me!
When it was time to take a look at, my keycard to the nude sauna could had gone unused โ however I left the lodge feeling refreshed, renewed, and genuinely grateful to have stayed at a lodge with such an enormous coronary heart.
Eating at Gartenhotel Theresia โ at a Fast Look
Meal Plan: Breakfast buffet, gentle lunch, afternoon tea, and five-course connoisseur dinner
Meals Philosophy: Natural, regional, seasonal, and with a concentrate on being animal-welfare pleasant
Diets Catered For: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergy-sensitive
Particular Point out: Presentation was stunning and each dish was filled with taste and dietary worth
My Ultimate Ideas
To me it felt like this lodge feltย hidden gem! From the chemical-free swimming swimming pools and natural meals to the excellent hospitality and the wellness services and naturally not forgetting these breathtaking alpine views, it felt prefer it had simply received so many issues good. It was additionally a mild reminder to me that journey may be significant, conscious, and genuinely restorative!
I additionally actually appreciated how pleasant, well mannered and well-presented the employees had been โ the employees had been wearing conventional Austrian apparel, together with dirndls, and so they even helped me to rearrange out of doors actions and native excursions, which made exploring the encompassing space very straightforward.
So whether or not youโre heading to the Austrian Alps for snowboarding, summer season mountaineering, or just to recharge, then this lodge will tick many packing containers, I promise โwith a heat welcome from the employees and supervisor to match!ย
Gartenhotel Theresia โ At a Look
Location: Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Salzburg, Austrian Alps
Sort: Household-run, 4-star eco-friendly chalet lodge
Finest For: Nature lovers, wellness seekers, vegetarians/vegans, eco-conscious travellers
Rooms: Cosy alpine decor with wooden furnishings, balconies, soundproofing, and mountain views
Eating: Natural, domestically sourced meals served every day (with choices for dietary wants)
Wellness: Indoor/out of doors swimming pools, sauna, steam room, gymnasium, pure spring swimming space, natural spa therapies
Inexperienced Credentials: 100% natural meals, chemical-free swimming pools, socially accountable staffing, resource-saving practices
My Reserving Tip: Ask for a mountain-facing balcony room and donโt miss the signature aromatherapy therapeutic massage.
Reserving Web site
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