Forsthofalm

The setting is what stayed with me most: Holzhotel Forsthofalm sits right on the slope, with beautiful mountain views and a wonderfully quiet atmosphere. The design looks stylish and high-end, and the room was clean, cozy and nicely done. The balcony door had been left wide open when we arrived, though, so the room felt cold at first. It warmed up quickly. Getting our ski locker key took until around 6pm. We had arrived in the morning to pick up our passes and ski, but when we came back at 3pm the key still wasn't available because the previous guests hadn't returned it. We left our skis outside and checked several times. Having to wait hours for storage felt inconvenient, especially at this price. Dinner was fine, but not especially memorable. The waiter didn't know which dish he was serving, even though it was a set menu, and the dip with the cover had already dried on top. The food itself was solid, just not distinctive enough for the hotel's upscale image. I also don't see the point of asking guests to dress casual chic if people in ski clothes can sit right beside them. The dress code adds nothing. The adults-only idea also seemed questionable during our visit. The outdoor spa pool was crowded with teenagers playing loudly and throwing balls, and the noise carried on late into the night in nearby rooms. Some of that is down to guest behavior, but it made me wonder how firmly the hotel applies its own concept. We still enjoyed the beautiful location and surroundings, but the service hiccups and small operational problems made the high cost harder to justify. It feels like the hotel could do more with what it has.

We won't be coming back. On our last day, my drink was full of tiny flies, and nobody mentioned any of the problems we'd had at checkout. There were issues throughout the stay. We were repeatedly served last at our restaurant table for no clear reason. At ski storage, we were given the wrong locker key because, we were told, the previous guests had lost ours. The first time we came back from skiing, our things had been taken out and left in the room, while somebody else's belongings were in the locker. The receptionist removed their things and we put ours in. When I raised the concern that other people had access and something could go missing, she said, “we are here.” I'd booked the rooftop tub by email two weeks ahead, along with a couples' massage for the following morning, and both had been confirmed. When we arrived for the tub, we were told it was too cold for the bubbles, so they had to fill it from outside. The water was boiling hot, so we couldn't get in. We waited in the wellness area and told the staff. After twenty minutes, we opened the champagne, which was only 375ml, about one large glass each. The “fruit platter” was an old pear and a mandarin. After about 40 minutes of trying to sort it out, a staff member laughed at us and said, “You still have time, don’t you?” She argued they hadn't had enough time to prepare it because she'd had massages earlier. Then the wellness staff left us there, so we walked away. Almost nobody apologized. Reception didn't believe us until they checked the water temperature, and even then there was no apology or discussion of compensation. We said we didn't want the same wellness staff member to give us the massage and were told we'd sort it out in the morning. After breakfast, we were told there was no booking. The manager apologized when I asked to speak with her, but offered no compensation. She said she'd find another time, but we never heard anything more and didn't get the massage during our stay. That wasn't all. At the restaurant they said I couldn't have a glass of prosecco, then made me a drink containing prosecco. I tried to join a meditation in the spa, but the yoga leader didn't pause to let anyone in. About five of us waited outside, then left. There were plenty more issues. We also weren't given the chance to attend the romantic rooftop tub reservation properly, and I never got the couples' massage we'd booked. The staff experience was the worst I've ever had at a hotel.

The food was another letdown. It was bland and seemed poorly prepared, more like mass catering than a festive Christmas Eve dinner, and the high prices weren't justified by the quality. I had hoped for a peaceful Christmas away from my busy life in Vienna, but this became one of the worst hotel stays I've had. The owner told us that our dog had urinated outside the reception while being taken out. We apologized right away and accepted responsibility. Even so, he and his girlfriend brought it up twice more in front of other guests. The girlfriend laughed and spoke ironically to us, which felt disrespectful and unnecessary. As paying guests, we expected basic courtesy, but didn't feel treated as welcome visitors with a pet. We also weren't allowed to attend the Christmas dinner. I overheard the owner and his girlfriend speaking negatively about my family, apparently thinking I didn't understand German, and that was extremely upsetting. My mom even offered to clean the reception, and the tragic thing was that the owner seemed to be considering saying yes. Room service didn't come to clean until late afternoon, and nobody explained the spa package clearly. When I asked for the bill, there was another “technical problem,” the second in two days. I wouldn't recommend the hotel. There are better priced and better quality options nearby, including places with more respectful owners and friendlier service for people traveling with pets.

The rooftop pool was a dream, with an amazing panorama, and the views, food and spa were all highlights. I'd only have liked the water to be 2°C warmer, but that's just my preference. Forsthofalm has a special warmth to it. The full wood construction using moonwood gives the place an authentic feel, and I felt connected to the mountains as soon as we arrived. Nature, architecture and hospitality come together in a way that feels quite unique. We had our dogs with us, so we couldn't stay in the rooms I personally consider the most spectacular. That's understandable, but other dog owners may want to know before booking. Even so, it didn't take away from our stay at all. We felt at home and enjoyed every moment. We'll definitely return.