Graz / Aiola Living

LEISURE AT THE LAKE

ALPENHOTEL KITZBÜHEL AM SCHWARZSEE

The thin layer of snow crunches gently underneath your feet as you head out early in the morning from the Lakeside Lodge to the banks of the Schwarzsee lake. A holiday by the lake in winter – how wonderful! After taking in a deep breath you can go back to your cosy suite suitably refreshed and enjoy the idyllic panorama that towers above the shimmering layer of ice on the lake from the warmth of the interior. Although the Alpenhotel Kitzbühel is located in the middle of the infamous winter sports resort of the same name, Alpine luxury here is more about the peace that can be found in nature. And time seems to stand still for a moment.

Those who prefer things a little livelier can get to the centre of Kitzbühel in just a few minutes and make the most of the luxury boutiques and cosy cafés that entice more than just fashionistas to take a relaxed stroll around. Afterwards, it’s back to the Lakeside Lodge, where you can put your feet up and allow your gaze to once again wander peacefully across the lake to take in the stunning Wilder Kaiser. As soon as you arrive here by the lake, surrounded by the incredible mountain landscape of this unique region, you immediately feel a sense of slowing down, and find it much easier to unwind than during a normal hectic day at home. Before you treat yourself to a culinary experience in the famous town of Kitzbühel, or even within the Alpenhotel itself, we recommend stopping for a moment to first take in a deep breath in this truly special place, as the fresh mountain air is known for its healing properties.

Das Steghaus with a sunny terrace directly at the Schwarzsee is the new á la Carte Restaurant of the Alpenhotel Kitzbühel. Regional and seasonal delights are the guiding principles of the culinary concept.

ARRIVE. BREATHE. ENJOY.

And it is this winter air that will always draw you back outside for a lovely stroll along the picturesque lakeside path, until you start to feel the cold and return to the Lakeside Lodge.

You make the spontaneous decision to pay a visit to the spa with its sauna and steam room, which for ski fans will be just as deserved a treat for tired muscles after a day on the slopes. The warmth and tranquillity will soon have you feeling totally relaxed and reinvigorated for the evening, when there are yet more gastronomic delights to be devoured before you round off the day in the Lakeside Lodge with a good book.

It goes without saying that you should venture onto the pistes – you are in Kitzbuhel, after all, and the world-famous Streif downhill slope is right in front of you. Whether you’re brave enough to take on the up to 85 % gradient and the fastest descent in the world is up to you, but it’s definitely worth heading up there for the view from the top and a stop at the Streifalm restaurant. Beyond that, you’ll have to see ...

PURADIES

LEOGANG | SALZBURG | AUSTRIA

Hotel Puradies lies at the heart of the ski resort SaalbachHinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn. Located right at the slopes, this hotel is a “ski-in ski-out” facility in winter. Enjoy an unbroken view of the Birnhorn and its surroundings from the sunniest hill in the Leogang mountains. Hotel Puradies and its chalets, rooms and suites offer unique, modern, alpine style with superb design and facilities.

Simple and tasteful, the rooms are inspired by the natural surroundings and incorporate ideas from across the world in wood from the local forest. The spa facilities of the Alpine design hotel are also unique and luxurious. Absolute relaxation is guaranteed in the “Innere Mitte” two-storey bathing facility with its 360° views, four saunas, modern feature showers and rest areas. Guests can enjoy gourmet delights from a range of restaurants, with dishes including produce from the hotel’s own organic farm. BEST ROOM

The two Wolke 7 Suites, each over 80 sqm, truly live up to their name – “7th heaven” – with an exclusive and stylish interior and their own roof terrace. The 35 sqm private spa area with Finnish sauna, infrared cabin, feature shower, tea and champagne bar and sundeck pool is the ideal retreat for spa lovers.

Private SPA Suite Wolke 7

Room Rates: € 150 - € 395 Rooms | Suites | Chalets: 90

Hotel & Chalets Puradies Rain 9 | 5771 Leogang | Salzburg | Austria www.puradies.com

RUSTIC LUXURY

PURADIES

A holiday in a hut evokes images of a rustic atmosphere – a four-star hotel, on the other hand, is all about luxury. You’ll find both of these in the cosy chalets at the Puradies nature resort, where you can spend your holiday in private as a couple or as a family, and enjoy unobtrusive luxury combined with sleek, alpine flair. Your own little hut from which to go off and enjoy skiing and hiking – for many, that sounds like a dream. And sometimes a hut sounds a long way off luxury. It’s different at the Puradies nature resort, which boasts several four-star chalets to choose from that will comfortably sleep up to six people. The luxury huts have been constructed in an organic way using lots of wood and will ensure a total sense of well-being from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave. It’s almost as if you were at home, but then again, nothing like it – because here, you can have your organic breakfast brought right to your chalet in the morning, so you can sit by the open fire, flick through the newspaper or let your gaze meander across the view of the Salzburgerland region. It makes for a fortifying start to the day. No matter whether you then venture out onto the 270 kilometres of ski runs in the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm resort (remember: ski in, ski out) or would prefer a romantic sleigh ride, as long as the sun is shining, no one can resist the snowy winter wonderland that’s right on your doorstep. The crunch of your shoes gently sinking into the snow, the warmth of the sun on your face, the choice between adventures on the slopes and the tranquillity of nature…

PURE ENJOYMENT

The Puradies is a small slice of paradise in the middle of the immense Salzburg mountain landscape.

As a chalet guest, you’ll also be spoilt for choice when it comes to cuisine: will you go for choosing from over 300 regional products in the hotel grocers, then enjoying a glass of wine and some local cheese in your chalet, or would you rather opt for the hotel’s own gourmet restaurant ESS:ENZ, which is right next door? There, you will savour natural cuisine on another level: homemade pasta, truffles, dry-aged steak, rainbow trout from Saalfelden and radish sorbet. With delicacies like these, even dinner will become an unforgettable experience. Afterwards, why not try one of the Alps-inspired drinks with wild herbs from the mountain pastures and the forest around the hotel, served in the open area in the hotel bar. It’s worth taking a closer look around, as the bar and seating areas are made out of around 16,000 cubes of oak that combine together to form a cohesive work of art that won the German Design Award 2018. And speaking of a “cohesive work of art”: that would also be the best description for this spectacular location, where nature can be experienced with all of the senses and our dream of a luxury holiday in a hut comes true. Just like paradise.

HOTEL EDER

MARIA ALM | SALZBURG | AUSTRIA

Hotel Eder in the centre of the picturesque village of Maria Alm offers the perfect conditions for anyone who loves the high alpine life: the sporting adventure starts right behind the hotel in the ski and hiking region Hochkönig.

The design hotel Eder has been carefully extended and modernised by local skilled crafts and trades and is exciting, unique and refreshing. Its creatively designed spa with 25 m pool, steam bath, bio sauna, massages and more leaves nothing to be desired. The 72 rooms and suites are modern equipped with lots of wood, stone and Loden, resulting in a homely atmosphere. The hotel is committed to a long tradition of Austrian hospitality, friendly cosiness, good food and rural conviviality. As the village restaurant it has been serving guests with Pinzgau delicacies and international cuisine for 60 years. The hotel Eder is located directly in the village centre, surrounded by the stunning natural scenery of the Hochkönig. BEST ROOM

Built from reclaimed wood, inspired by the style of an old alpine hut. The spacious Mountain Relax Suite with its own infrared cabin and a terrace with a view allows you to »feel« the mountains.

Mountain Relax Suite

Room Rates: € 180 - € 468 Rooms | Suites: 72

Hotel Eder Am Dorfplatz 5 | 5761 Maria Alm | Salzburg | Austria www.hoteleder.com