I spent an exquisite weekend tucked away within the Austrian Alps at Gartenhotel Theresia – an eco resort that felt like a real home-from-home with coronary heart. Positioned within the picture-perfect mountain village of Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Salzburg, the realm was all the pieces I’d hoped for – it had wildflower-covered meadows, towering alpine peaks, and a soothing stillness I solely appear to search out within the mountains.
I’ve at all times cherished the thought of staying someplace that was form to the planet because it was to its friends, and this family-run resort really delivered. From its charming chalet-style exterior to its chemical-free spa, natural connoisseur meals, and deal with sustainability, it felt like each element was designed to assist me breathe somewhat deeper – and go away somewhat lighter!
The place is Gartenhotel Theresia Positioned?
I discovered the resort nestled in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, a picturesque Alpine village in Salzburg that’s tucked into the guts of the Austrian Alps. It’s often known as being a implausible ski resort dwelling to beautiful alpine surroundings, glorious snowboarding alternatives, and a vigorous après-ski scene.
Locals instructed me that in winter it attracts skiers and snow-lovers in droves, however through the hotter months—particularly summer season—I found for myself that it remodeled into a panoramic mountaineering and biking vacation spot…
The mountain village resort of Saalbach-Hinterglemm occupied a very picturesque nook of Austria. I found an idyllic, charming place the place light streams trickled by way of deep valleys, rolling inexperienced meadows have been dotted with grazing, bell-adorned cows, and postcard-pretty conventional chalets sat nestled beneath the towering peaks of the Alps. I actually felt like I used to be standing in a scene from The Sound of Music!
Saalbach-Hinterglemm – 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
- Greatest Time to Go to:
- Winter: December to March for snowboarding and snowboarding
- Summer time: June to September for mountaineering, biking, and spa retreats
- Prime Experiences: Scenic cable automobile rides, alpine walks, après-ski bars, wellness spas
What Was it Like Staying on the Gartenhotel Theresia?
From the skin, the chalet regarded each bit like the normal Austrian alpine retreat I’d imagined earlier than I arrived – with its sturdy pinewood façade, 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 trendy and modern house with a forward-thinking, eco-conscious ethos and distinctive design particulars corresponding to placing cowhide-print sofas. I noticed stylish fashionable touches sitting alongside historic images and cosy log fires.
Describing itself as a ‘resort with a coronary heart,’ I additionally discovered this family-run retreat was greater than only a fairly place to remain – 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 resort 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 resort!
- They serve 100% natural, domestically produced, animal welfare-friendly meals
- They use vitality from renewable sources (hydroelectric, wind, biomass)
- They recycle warmth from kitchen, laundry, and bogs to heat swimming pools and water
- They supply contemporary spring water for bathing and cleansing (light on pores and skin and eco-friendly)
- They use EU Ecolabel-certified cleansing merchandise
- They minimise chlorine use in swimming pools – 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 workers
- They observe a resource-saving administration philosophy throughout operations
Inside, I used to be warmly welcomed by two dirndl-clad receptionists and one of many house owners – an environment friendly but considerate girl who was clearly keen about each the resort and its alpine environment.
After a pleasant chat, I discovered myself desirous to know extra about her and the resort’s eco philosophy—a topic that was near my very own coronary heart. Her reasoning was easy however honest: “If we don’t take care of nature, then it can disappear.” I’ve to confess, I couldn’t have agreed extra!
As I walked round, it shortly grew to become clear to me that compassion and progressive values permeated each a part of the resort—from 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 friends reconnect with nature. Their inexperienced credentials weren’t only for present—they genuinely felt like a heartfelt mission from the house owners!
What Was My Visitor Room Like?
My resort tour ended with the receptionist handing me a keycard for the normal Austrian ‘nude’ 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, snug, 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 cover, there have been additionally soundproofed home windows, and a balcony the place I sat and gazed on the gorgeous views of the Alps whereas ingesting my morning espresso.
Once 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. Buhler—a really apt alternative, I assumed!
The subsequent day, I ventured out to discover the attractive native environment, beginning with a steep and scenic cable automobile experience adopted by a brisk stroll alongside a peaceable stream. Later, I returned to the resort to assuage my aching muscle mass within the calming embrace of the Mountain Inexperienced Spa.
What Was the Spa Like?
I assumed the spa space was one of many true highlights of the resort, and it was clear that wellness was taken severely. The services have been glorious—particularly spectacular given the resort’s dimension—and I handled myself to an indulgent aromatherapy therapeutic massage in one in all their cosy remedy rooms, the place (naturally!) solely natural merchandise have been used.
Wellness Highlights at Gartenhotel Theresia – at a Fast Look
- Indoor and outside swimming pools (chemical-free!)
- A standard sauna and a nude sauna (with privateness choices)
- A jacuzzi and panoramic fitness center
- Spa therapies which used solely natural merchandise
- A weekly exercise program to assist friends reconnect with nature
- A zen-like rest room with alpine views
What Was The Meals Like?
The meals was one of many resort’s foremost highlights, and I cherished how severely it was taken all through the retreat. The indulgence started early every day with a hearty and assorted breakfast buffet that includes contemporary fruits, cereals, artisan breads, home-made jams, and a collection of scorching dishes.
I discovered lunch was equally as tasty with an incredible vary of hearty soups, contemporary seasonal salads, a big number of foremost programs (together with glorious vegetarian and vegan choices), and plenty of conventional Austrian muffins for dessert.
Dinner was the actual showstopper although – I sat down every night to a fantastically introduced five-course menu targeted on seasonal, natural, and locally-sourced substances. I realized from the supervisor that additionally they hosted themed buffets, reside cooking stations, and even the occasional enjoyable fondue and barbecue evenings.
I notably admired how the resort additionally took dietary wants severely, proudly catering for vegetarians, vegans, and friends with allergy symptoms. There have been additionally loads of each cold and hot drinks out there all through the day, no visitor was ever left wanting—together with me!
When it was time to take a look at, my keycard to the nude sauna might had gone unused – however I left the resort feeling refreshed, renewed, and genuinely grateful to have stayed at a resort with such an enormous coronary heart.
Eating at Gartenhotel Theresia – 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 deal with 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 resort felt 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 is also significant, conscious, and genuinely restorative!
I additionally actually appreciated how pleasant, well mannered and well-presented the workers have been – the workers have been wearing conventional Austrian apparel, together with dirndls, they usually even helped me to rearrange outside actions and native excursions, which made exploring the encircling space very simple.
So whether or not you’re heading to the Austrian Alps for snowboarding, summer season mountaineering, or just to recharge, then this resort will tick many containers, I promise —with a heat welcome from the workers and supervisor to match!
Gartenhotel Theresia – At a Look
- Location: Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Salzburg, Austrian Alps
- Kind: Household-run, 4-star eco-friendly chalet resort
- Greatest 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/outside swimming pools, sauna, steam room, fitness center, 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 don’t miss the signature aromatherapy therapeutic massage.
- Reserving Web site
