Domaine de Haslach, The Originals Collection, Résidence de Tourisme

We had a fantastic weekend. The setting is very quiet, with houses tucked into the forest among the Vosges mountains. We hiked 25 km from there to Lac Noir, and there are plenty of other trails to choose from. The views are incredible, with openings toward the Petit Ballon and Hohneck, and the ski resorts at Schnepfenried and La Schlucht in sight too. There’s a fabulous range of dishes at the restaurant, and the food was fantastic. The staff know the local area well and are very skilled. Thanks to the whole team for a great weekend. Hope to see you all again soon.

The whole estate was new, and so was our studio. It was tidy, nicely laid out, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I’d happily stay there again next time we’re in the region.

Food was great, especially dinner, though breakfast could be better. It’s a big hotel high up on the mountain, with large rooms, and dogs are welcome. A great spot for bike rides.

We found this place by chance while looking for a night’s stop on our trip from Germany back to the UK. It sits in a huge, beautiful forest above Munster in Alsace, France, at the top of the valley. The family cabin we booked looked amazing in the photos, and was just as impressive in person. I travelled with my wife and our two-year-old. The treehouse-style cabin on stilts was thoughtfully built, from the panoramic lounge overlooking the forest and valley to the compact, practical kitchen. We went in the latter half of November. It was cold but mostly dry, and snow fell on our second day, making the setting feel even more magical. If travelling from November to March, you need winter tyres or snow chains or socks for your car, as that’s a legal requirement in the Alsace mountain region. We paid a very reasonable price, probably helped by the time of year. It’s a new property that only opened in April, with some construction still going on. I imagine prices may rise as it gets more popular. The cabin was spotless. We were the only guests in the cabin and ecolodge area on our first night, so it was peaceful. Even after other guests arrived, the cabins are well spaced, so noise shouldn’t be a problem. The woman at reception, whose name I forgot to ask, was extremely friendly and helpful despite our limited French. She walked us to the cabin and showed us around. We really enjoyed our stay and took day trips to Colmar and Riquewihr, both easy to reach. On the way home, the mountain pass was extra special, with deep snow beside a clear road. Our little boy got to experience snow for the first time, which was a bonus. We’re looking forward to coming back.