If you're looking for total relaxation, this is it. Here's a longggg (hopefully helpful) review…read moresince it took a lot a research for me to make a decision to choose Hotel Krallerhof. And we loved it ^_^
A little more than a 2 hour drive from Munich's airport (or 3 hour train ride), Hotel Krallerhoff is hidden in beautiful Austrian alpine terrain. The views here are amazing and to enjoy it from your own room or their updated modern pool/spa center (called the Atmosphere) is totally dreamy! Located right next to the cable cars, this would be a perfect ski resort too.
The hotel allows kids (and pets!) but there were a lot of places open only for adults 15+ years old. Staff were friendly and would break out in great English when they heard my broken German :P Housekeeping staff were really sweet and SO FAST and good at tidying up everyday-- excellent! Guests are mostly European (and polite)-- think we were one of the only American guests there.
When booking, you'll select a room in a select "houses/huts," with some being connected to the main building and some not (meaning you'll have to walk outside to get to meals or the Atmosphere), so do some research or ask. Most of the rooms were decorated with alpine charm but we were able to book a slightly more modern and simple room-- whew! The balcony opened up to a view of the mountains and lake; it was one of my favorite parts of the stay, so pretty~~~
Just FYI, there is no AC!! Luckily we had great weather so it was comfortable just keeping our windows cracked open. But I can't fathom how it would feel if it were any hotter (our first night it was too warm for me).
Parking is easy and free outside or paid for monitored underground parking. Guests also get a visitor card that allows free rides for public transport (select cable cars/gondola and buses) or discounts at many attractions :) Free bike rentals are also available!
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Now onto the food, which is included with booking and quite good and actually probably on the nutritious side (vegetarians can also enjoy)! We were assigned to a specific table for the stay, and depending on the weather, meals were outside in a shaded covered patio or inside. Breakfast and lunch were buffet style with a serious spread of cheeses and a heavenly shelf of assorted breads to choose from. Breakfast had plenty of cereals, oatmeal/porridges, yogurts, fruits, breads, eggs/bacon, made to order omelettes, and even a make your own juice bar. The lunch options were a little more limited but still had a salad bar, bread, and a rotating hot foods (spaetzle, schnitzel, meatballs, roast pork, etc) and cake selection.
Dinner was a paced 5 course menu that changed nightly along with the salad bar. It was fun to try something new each night, and the presentation of dishes was really on point. I loved their fish dishes, got to try venison a few times, and their meats are nicely cooked. I liked how the portions weren't enormous, because we were still pretty full an each night! Really high quality food, loved it. :D The hotel owner would make rounds each night and stop at each table for a chat-- pretty serious hospitality, and our servers were always happy and enthusiastic :)
An ice cream bar was available each night, and on Friday night, it was a dessert buffet with 6+ types of cakes along with chocolate fountains with fruit and candies to dip-- fun!
There's also a bar on site where you can use your welcome drink coupon as well as order their house beer or other drinks.
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For amenities, so many! There's an underground maze to connect them all, but the Atmosphere is their amenities center with the 50m heated infinity pool, man made lake (unheated), and sauna/spa area. The views are amazing from the pool and deck!
Everyone gets a saunas robe for the stay (but bring your own slippers or flip flops!). There's a big sauna area with different temperature dry saunas, steam sauna, and even infrared sauna, cold room, and plunge pool. I loved how there were showers and towels available everywhere. And heads-up, it's a "textile free" area and coed-- meaning you take off your robe but can keep a towel on if you'd like, but you're sharing the space with men and women.
Gym was big with a weight rack, free weights, cardio machines, and a dance studio. Since there isn't AC, it can get a little stuffy.
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We only had one encounter where we felt unwelcome-- a lady told us we weren't allowed to sit and dine for breakfast because we were wearing our spa robes (even though we saw others doing the same thing without issues the whole week we were there). Her demeanor was a little off and we felt singled out. :(
Aside from that, we reveled in the warm hospitality and really enjoyed all the amenities and dining the whole week. Definitely a great choice for a relaxing getaway... highly recommend checking them out!
