IMAGE: HARALD WISTHALER; FALKENSTEINER HOTELS & RESIDENCES
AUSTRIA
N E W O PEN I NG S
Best for: A luxury stay HOTEL ENZIAN, OBERGURGL Long known for its wellness area — comprising saunas, a steam bath, a solarium, water beds, an infra-red cabin, a vitamin bar and more — the family-run, adults-only Hotel Enzian has now added a rooftop swimming pool. From its perch on the resort’s smallest four-star property there is a spectaclar 360-degree mountain view: the village is located at 6,500 feet with slopes topping out at 10,000 feet. There’s also a new gym and all 26 rooms have been revamped. Doubles from €240 (£210) per night, half board.
hotelenzian.at
Best for: A spectacular spa SILVRETTA THERME, ISCHGL Opening in December, this five-floor gleaming spa has a rooftop warm-water pool and a first- floor ice rink that encircles the building, as well as a huge indoor adventure pool, and an 80ft-long pool for serious swimmers. More than half a dozen saunas and steam baths can be found outdoors, as well as a pool bar, an ice bar and three restaurants. The hotel runs on 100 % green electricity and is mainly heated by geothermal energy and groundwater pumps.
silvrettatherme.at
Best for: Stylish self-catering DOLOMIT ROYAL, EAST TYROL These futuristic-rustic buildings in East Tyrol’s Sillian-Thurntaler ski area comprise 10 apartments set within a strikingly off-kilter, angular timber frame (sleeping two to eight), while contemporary wood-tiled chalets have generously curving walls. Both options come
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with private saunas. It’s only a two-hour drive from Klagenfurt, with its recently launched Ryanair flights. Apartments from €80 (£70) per day (for up to four people), five-night minimum; chalets from €700 (£610) per night (up to four people), five-night minimum.
dolomit-royal.com
Best for: Upscale family fun FALKENSTEINER HOTEL MONTAFON, TSCHAGGUNS This contemporary five-star family hotel (opening December 2022), with 130 rooms and suites, is set at the base of the slopes of the Golm resort, close to the 70-mile Silvretta Montafon circuit with 28 miles of runs. There’s a pool with water slide, a kids’ club and an Acquapura Spa. ‘Ecotainment’ includes sustainability-focused snow hikes. Three- quarter board — breakfast, snack lunch and buffet dinner — follows the Via Alpina local produce concept. Doubles from €420 (£380) per night.
falkensteiner.com
Best for: Racing around the slopes RUN OF FAME, ARLBERG This signposted ski tour races 53 miles through St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken, Austria’s largest connected ski area. The route — which follows in the steps of ski pioneers and racers as well as movie stars — opened quietly pre- pandemic but is now in full swing. It can (just) be accomplished in a day, clocking up 60,000ft of vertical, but do it in two and you get time to look at the mountaintop Hall of Fame and try the ski simulator.
skiarlberg.at
Above: Futuristic-rustic chalets at Dolomit Royal
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