Pension Hoogerland

My wife and I had a wonderful six-night stay at Pension Hoogerland. Gerda Johnny and family were amazing. The pension was comfortable, clean and quiet, with a nice breakfast, car parking, reliable internet, and a special room for bicycles. Velden centre and the restaurants are within walking distance. We’re counting the days until our next visit 😊

The rooms were adequate and the location excellent, but the service and the owner's attitude were a major disappointment. We told the staff our room was far too cold and were told the heating wouldn't be turned on. Instead of sorting it out, they even suggested opening the balcony door because it was supposedly warmer outside. It had snowed in the Alps only a few days before we arrived, so that was hard to understand. We complained repeatedly, but the room still wasn't heated in the evenings. The only offer was an extra blanket. The owner was arrogant and dismissive in the way they communicated, with little concern for guests. Breakfast was exactly the same every day, with no variety, which made a longer stay less enjoyable. For €1,145 for two people including breakfast, the value was extremely poor. I expected a much better standard of comfort, service, and professionalism. What makes it especially disappointing is that I became ill after returning home, which I believe was because I spent several nights in such a cold room. It's a real shame that an otherwise promising property falls short in its treatment of guests and service. We certainly won't return, and we can't recommend this guesthouse to others.

Johny suggested some lovely cycling routes and gave us great tips for the area. The rooms were spacious and beautiful, and breakfast was excellent. We had a wonderful weekend with our cycling club at Johny and Gerda's. Getting to ride for a day with the former polka-dot jersey wearer through Austria, Italy, and Slovenia was awesome, too.

The Hoogerland family made both of our week-long stays feel peaceful and really enjoyable. The hosts are sporty, fun people, and this is exactly the kind of guesthouse you wish every place could be. Velden is a beautiful part of Austria to discover, so be sure to visit.