Todays Blogpost is not about food. It’s not always all about food in our life, well maybe 99%. It’s about our wonderful stay at the Naturhotel Forsthofgut this past weekend and I am going to tell you all about it!
I can truly say Forsthofgut is one of the most beautiful hotel resorts in Austria. It’s nestled right between the Austrian Alps in a very picturesque town called Leogang. It’s perfect for a trip all year round! In the winter it’s the perfect place for skiing, since it is directly located at the slopes. Hiking all the beautiful mountains is perfect in spring and fall and in the summer it’s perfect for all the mountain bike enthusiasts! And even though you are not a sport lover you will love it here with the award winning waldSPA.
“It’s not just luxurious, when you arrive at the hotel you can sense you get treated like family, whole heartedly.”
We had the opportunity to stay at the five star hotel last weekend and I need to say 48hours pass by so quickly at the Forsthofgut. It’s not just luxurious, when you arrive at the hotel you can sense you get treated like family, whole heartedly. I hate arriving at luxury hotels and everybody thinks they are better than you. Here it’s definitely not the case! At the entrance there’s a large blackboard with names from all the families who arrive that day (ours too) and the first thing you realize is how incredibly friendly the employees are. Our receptionist showed us to our room and then took us on a tour through the hotel. It was nice to see where everything is at the start of your stay so you don’t need to guess later.
“You can feel that there was put so much thought and love into every detail.”
I love interior design and Forsthofgut is like how I want my house to look! The outside is typical Austrian, alpine with wooden beams and flowers, old farm house style, mountain chalet like and the inside more minimalistic mixed with concrete and wood. You instantly feel at home. Nina always calls me the pinterest queen (cause my apartment could definitely appear there) and I need to say that this hotel is so picturesque, so pinterest-y (you know what I mean) and so beautiful. You can sense that there was put so much thought and love into every detail.
Our room was perfect, we had an incredible view of the mountains, the 30.000m² large garden and the natural bathing pond. The scenery is breathtaking. I am from Austria and I still always think and appreciate how beautiful my home country is. In case you forgot your hiking backpack, every room provides one, so there is no obstacle stopping you from exploring the surrounding alps. I am a yogi and it’s very handy that there is also a yoga mat and even some weights in your room, if you don’t want to partake into the yoga classes. The bed was very comfy and I was even able to order a special pillow from a selection of 6 different ones, for example one especially recommended for side sleeping people, or one filled with mountain herbs.
Voted the most beautiful spa hotel in Europe
On Saturday after our hike to the summit cross of Assitz, we enjoyed a few hours at their award winning only-adults spa. We were very eager to experience it!
The waldSPA (forest spa) is the pride and center of the Naturhotel Forsthofgut. The building itself looks very futuristic, built into the hillside right next to their own deer. It spreads out on 4 floors, includes 3 heated outdoor pools, 5 saunas, 3 steam rooms and a beautiful state-of-the-art gym. They offer courses from yoga, pilates, hiit workouts and more too, if you want your butt get kicked;)
At the building there are also several snack bars with fresh fruit or herb infused water, nuts and dried fruits and fresh fruits. We really enjoyed the rooftop infinity pool and the different saunas. At the relaxation rooms you really feel like you’re right in the middle of a cozy forest with birds chirping in the background. It was the most relaxing experience. It is definitely the most beautiful spa hotel in Europe.
ForsthofgutKÜCHE – all about the food
First off you can’t get hungry, it’s practically not possible.
Their marvelous breakfast buffets start at 7:00 till 11:00 am. They have everything your heart desires. Most of the products are produced locally or are even from their own farm.
If you do get hungry between 2:00-5:00 pm they offer an afternoon snack. It includes different buffets with fresh salads, main dishes soups and sweets with several Austrian dishes too.
The 5 course dinner is served in one of the many different dining rooms of the hotel, all designed a bit differently, but all very elegant and beautiful. Every course can be chosen from their three different cuisine lines. Starting with a huge salad buffet and ending with a large cheese assortment. The menu changes daily.
I will tell you a bit about their kitchen and three cuisine lines: Alpine (neighborly love) seven countries, one connection the alps. Delicious food combinations from Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and of course Austria. R50 (regional love) local sourced food and products no more than 50 km from the hotel. Vegan focusing on green and healthy.
“Eine wahrhaftige gute Küche besteht zu 90% aus hochwertigen, frischen Zutaten und zu 10% aus Fantasie”
Naturhotel Forsthofgut
meaning: “Truly good cuisine consists of 90% high-quality, fresh ingredients and 10% imagination” and this is so true.
I need to say that the restaurants serve some of the best food you can imagine.
Children
The Naturhotel Forsthofgut offers a lot for the little ones too, so they can feel like kings and queens. Nina could definitely take her kids, since the have child care, a little farm with miniature horses, goats, fish ponds and a play ground, a kids club and even spa treatments suited for children and so much more!
Nala approved
Next time I am definitely taking my three year old goldie puppy Nala with me, she would have approved and enjoyed the splendid nature.
5 must do things at the Naturhotel Forsthofgut
- Enjoy one of the many spa treatments or a massage, but beware book one before arriving, since it is possible that there is no free appointment. You will regret it if you did not enjoy one.
- Take the Assitz Gondola up the mountain and visit the beautiful artificial pond at the top. The room fare includes the Saalfelden Leogang Card (free use of the lifts as well as free admission to many regional attractions) or partake in the guided hikes with hiking guide Claus.
- Enjoy a cocktail at “Botanist”, their great looking bar, which is in the style of a 20th century pharmacy. Like I already mentioned interior design is my thing and the bar is extraordinary. Vintage looking light bulbs, hand labeled bottles, herbs and old pharmacy scale makes it complete. And the cocktails are really nice too.
- Take one of their daily fitness classes like yoga. You can take in the stunning mountain views while doing the tree pose.
- Completely and fully enjoy the pure deliciousness of amazing food they offer at Forsthofgut.
Summing up
If you are a sport lover or a relaxation yogi there is something for everybody here at Forsthofgut. And all the amenities are included. Whether you want to relax, feast, adventure, family vacation or have a romantic getaway, this is the place.
Forsthofgut is one of the best hotels in Austria and if you plan a visit to my home country and the mountains make sure to stop by at this marvelous hotel. They make sure that every guest has a great time. I think this is one of the few hotels I am going to come back year after year.
Love, Antonia
*Disclaimer: I was invited on a 2-day retreat by the Forsthofgut. All opinions expressed are my own.
