The best hotels in the Ötztal
Winter pleasures in Austria's skiing stronghold
22 January 2021
While the alpine society around this time is actually in Sölden and cheering on the professional athletes or even skiing down the slopes themselves, this year you will have to stay away. And yet we want to provide you with brilliant impressions of Austria's Noble place impress.
The village name Sölden is originally derived from "selda", which means a small farm that feeds only one family. Today, the starting signal for the Ski World Cup is given annually in this once sleepy mountain farming village. It's the perfect place for the spectacle, because here state-of-the-art cable car technology transports snow-hungry guests through an impressive mountain backdrop: 31 lifts lead to an unbelievable 144 kilometres of slopes for skiing fun. There is enough room for several training teams to regularly hone their technique and speed on the red and black runs of the Rettenbach Glacier, while experienced skiers enjoy the challenging downhill runs. It is not without reason that the giant slalom in Sölden is considered one of the most difficult in the FIS Ski World Cup.
The best hotels in Ötztal/Sölden
If you already want to get inspiration for your future winter holiday in the Ötztal, then take your time and let yourself be inspired by the best hotels in the ski paradise.
Hotel The Central
Auweg 3, 6450 Sölden, Austria
T: +43 525 422 60-0
central-soelden.com
The hotel "Das Central" is considered the five-star highlight in the center of Sölden for demanding alpinists. The kitchen has been awarded the "Toque d'Honneur", the eternal toque from Gault&Millau, which decorates chef Michael Kofler with three toques. Since April 2018, Kofler has been responsible for the culinary delights at "Das Central", a successful blend of international delights and Tyrolean delicacies. In the hotel restaurant "Feinspitz", in the à la carte gourmet restaurant "Ötztaler Stube" and in the "Central-Weinkeller", finesse is used to ensure the physical well-being of the guests. Not only pleasure vacationers and gourmets are right here, but also wellness lovers in need of rest. "Das Central" is known for its warm hospitality, but also for the expertise in the exclusive spa oases of the hotel. The three-storey water world Venezia comes up with ten different saunas and steam baths as well as an indoor pool. In this spacious beauty and wellness area, deep relaxation is guaranteed after a day in the Ötztal mountains. Double room from € 190,- per person.
Hotel Schöne Aussicht
Hochsöldenstraße 3, 6450 Hochsölden, Austria
T: +43 5254 2221
beautifulview.com
There are many special features that make the four-star superior hotel "Schöne Aussicht" the ideal holiday destination for winter holidays. Firstly, it is the absolute dream location, surrounded by the mountains of the Ötztal, in the middle of the ski area. The unobstructed view of the 3000m peaks is gigantic and conveys a feeling of space and freedom. Although the piste is directly accessible from the hotel, it is wonderfully quiet. With a great sense of alpine tradition and the same courage to innovate, the hotel has been continuously modernised in recent years. Since the beginning of the winter season 2016/17, charging stations for electric cars have been installed in the hotel in cooperation with Tesla. The wellness area is generously designed with a sauna area and an outdoor infinity pool. The massage offer ensures complete letting go and carefree satisfaction to recharge strength, vitality and energy.The outdoor pool offers pleasantly warm swimming pleasure at 32 degrees - no matter whether it is storming or snowing. On the terrace adjacent to the swimming pool, you can relax undisturbed and enjoy nature with nothing but mountains in view, which is crowned by the evening gourmet menu with perfect wine accompaniment. By the way, from summer 2021 the hotel will shine in new splendour. The number of rooms will remain the same, but they will be completely redesigned and upgraded in quality. For the perfect holiday in Hochsölden! Double room from € 168,- p. p.
Hotel Gotthard Time
Hohe Mutweg 4, 6456 Obergurgl, Austria
T: +43 525 662 92
gotthard-time.com
White downhill slopes, winter hiking trails and cross-country ski trails surround the "Hotel Gotthard-Zeit". The four-star superior sports hotel offers a direct view of the magnificent mountain landscape. The romantic feel-good hostel puts the Obergurgl ski area at your feet. No lugging your ski equipment, no waiting for the ski bus - just carve off without wasting any time! In addition to skiing holidays de luxe, the hotel also provides a perfect indoor break. The wellness world promises full-body relaxation and scores with seven saunas, two whirlpools - one of which is outdoors with a distant view - as well as an indoor pool in which you can do your laps. In the various bio saunas, sauna novices can feel their way leisurely to the heat. If you are looking for refreshment afterwards, you can feast here on a high level: the restaurant offers traditional Austrian cuisine, international dishes, vegetarian dishes and light wholefoods. And best of all: all this can also be enjoyed in the fresh air - from the sun terrace with a view of the ski area. Double room from € 169,- p. p.
The Crystal
Gurglerstraße 90, 6456 Obergurgl
T: +43 5256 6454
thecrystal.at, vayaresorts.com
Casual luxury with first-class living design, this is how the four-star superior hotel "The Crystal" in Obergurgl, which is part of the VAYA Group, presents itself. A modern-puristic retreat for all those who want to experience regional culinary delights, exclusive wellness moments and the Tyrolean mountain scenery even more intensively - in a slope location with the hotel's own ski rental and only a few meters away from the Obergurgl ski school. The wellness concept in the hotel's own beauty paradise integrates precious materials and perfectly formed aesthetics, pools, facials with world-renowned top cosmetics, relaxing treatments as well as muscle building in the fitness studio. A highlight of relaxation: the private spa suite with its own steam bath, Finnish sauna, bio sauna, bathtub, private massage area and cosy relaxation zone lets togetherness soar to new heights. Afterwards, enjoy the pleasant lounge flair with romantic fireplace crackling and the in-house gin "C18" at "The Crystal Bar"! The ingredients for the aromatic distillate are collected in the Tyrolean mountain meadows in summer. Double room from € 143,- p. P.
Picture Credits: Ötztal Tourism, Alexander Maria Lohmann, Hotel Gotthard-Zeit, Daniel Zangerl
This article appeared in the Falstaff TRAVEL issue Winter 2020.
