Hotel Sonnhof

The hotel has some good points: it’s near bus and tram stops, has a large parking lot and nice mountain views, and includes the sauna in the price, with tea available there. There’s also a pool, if that’s of interest. Breakfast was good and plentiful, and the Italian staff member was very nice and organized. But I have mixed feelings. I’ve stayed in many hotels, and four stars seems odd to me; I’d give it three at most. The reception staff weren’t very helpful or informative about local attractions and activities. They didn’t even mention the New Year’s Eve party for guests, which was strange, to put it mildly. There was no information about nearby postal services. Rooms are small and dated, like the 1980s, and need renovation. Wi-Fi was poor. The old-fashioned bathroom was unpleasant: the awful shower curtain stuck to you and splashed water everywhere, and the toilet bowl had a shelf in the middle, a 40-year-old design that made it stink. There was no kettle or cups in the room, which I’d expect in a four-star hotel. The atmosphere felt strange and far from cozy. Given all that, it’s overpriced.

Mutters is a quiet, relaxing village about a 20-minute tram ride from central Innsbruck, and the hotel is built in typical Tyrolian style. The staff were really nice and helpful. They gave me a free latte while I waited for my move-out time and helped carry my suitcase on my first day. There’s an indoor pool for a relaxing evening swim. Breakfast was average.

The mountain views around the hotel are breathtaking, and the facilities are five-star. The evening meals were good enough to bring back even tough critics, and I especially recommend the salmon fillet. Staff were anything but average: very friendly, polite about my questions, and happy to accommodate my early arrival with a smile. The townspeople are friendly too and can help if you get a bit lost. I highly recommend staying here to take in Austria’s raw beauty with all the comforts of home and more.

A good family-run hotel. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the pool, sauna, and garden access were excellent. They also provide free tram tickets.