Das Kronthaler - Adults Only

This was our second stay at Das Kronthaler, and we still loved it. The breakfast buffet remains my favourite, especially since it runs until 11am. Our room was cosy and comfortable, and the spa is still lovely. The women who looked after our room, along with the staff at our first dinner and breakfast, were warm, friendly, and very helpful. Some of the bar and breakfast staff seemed to be in a bad mood and weren't very friendly to us. That's not great at a holiday place where people come to relax. One of us also got food poisoning, possibly from the fish at our second dinner. We told the hotel at checkout, and they apologised.

The sauna area was clean and never crowded when we used it. There are four saunas, cold showers, plus a tea and snack bar. We also enjoyed hiking in the area, and the Achensee is only a short walk away. My husband and I spent three nights here and had a lovely time using the spa and exploring the trails. Our room was beautiful and spacious, with a freestanding tub and a luxurious shower. The package we booked, “Himmlische Momente,” included four meals a day and unlimited water. Dinner had an amazing salad bar and most dishes were good. The hotel even prepared packed lunches when we planned a hike that would take most of the day. Staff were polite and helpful, and did their best to make things pleasant. We were disappointed with the spa vouchers. Two €50 vouchers for massages or other wellness and beauty treatments came with our package, and we'd hoped for a couples massage. When we tried to book the day after arriving, everything except the most basic massage at an inconvenient time was already taken. The booking email did say to reserve treatments ahead, but it would have helped to be told when booking or at check-in. We couldn't use one voucher for the midday appointment and spent the other on a product from the hotel's affiliated skincare line. Some meals seemed to have been prepared well in advance and left sitting before they were served. I understand that a hotel cooking for lots of guests can't make every course from scratch to order. The breakfast eggs came out very quickly, but didn't taste freshly made. I'd still rate the food 8/10.

The welcome was lovely. We were greeted with a handshake and immediately offered a tour of the hotel. Rooms are spacious and well equipped, and most look out over the valley, so you can watch the sun rise and set. The large brown spa towels weren't replaced after we used them. The breakfast, light lunch, and cake break were delicious. Dinner was another story. My husband and I didn't like our table, but had to sit there for both breakfast and dinner. We were put in a room at the back, looking at walls. Other guests may want to ask for a table overlooking the valley. The vegetarian dinner choices were bland and disappointing. We also felt some guests were treated differently, which was odd. We had to get our own water at dinner, the only thing I drank, while the tables on either side had water brought to them. My husband's schnitzel one night was tiny, while other guests got huge ones that almost didn't fit on their plates. We wondered if we were treated differently because we're a bit younger than the average guests. We enjoyed the massages and facial treatments. They cost a little more, but the service was attentive, top-notch, and extremely friendly. The spa itself is small and beautiful, with Finnish, Himalayan, and Herb saunas plus a steam room. The Finnish sauna is the biggest and hottest. We mostly had the saunas to ourselves during the week, but on Friday it became extremely crowded and uncomfortable. If you're coming mainly for the spa, weekdays outside vacation season seem best. We weren't fans of the pool: the water wasn't warm enough and the area wasn't as pretty as the sauna section. It was a nice stay for relaxation, though I'm not sure we'll return.

The team was fantastic, and the service was the best I've ever experienced. We only stayed one night, which was a shame because the place was so beautiful. The food was delicious and healthy, with all kinds of options, including low-carb, gluten-free, and vegan. Free fresh tap water was another plus, as were the lovely little giveaway and snack for the trip home. A double water bed in the spa relaxation room would have made it even nicer. Big thanks to everyone.