Nightfall view of winter wonderland Hotel Gotthard
Image/Pio Mars
It’s been a long and busy year and Christmas is only two months away. It’s time to reward yourself for all your hard work with a trip to winter paradise also known as Lech am Arlberg. Get lost in the magical wonders of Austria and get ready to find your second home at Hotel Gotthard. You’ll never want to leave.
Our journey started in Zurich with an especially scheduled train ride so that we could get the chance to admire the beautiful natural landscapes between Switzerland and Austria. The chaos of the city finally disappeared and even dreadful things like commuting are relaxing and utterly charming.
We travelled from Zurich to St Anton to finally arrive in the stunning mountain village of Lech. We were welcomed by the owners of Hotel Gotthard, Nicole and Clemens Walch, and we felt at home right from the start. Nothing feels better than staying at a hotel full of history and family traditions.
The tale of Hotel Gotthard begins in 1931 with Filomena Walch opening up the business with a bakery, a café and some guest rooms. At the time it wasn’t certainly ordinary or easy for a woman to own and manage a hotel but thanks to her motivation, passion and her naturally welcoming character she was successful in her business venture. Her hard work and values are held high to this day by the third generation of the Walch family.
Enjoy culinary excellence at the Gotthard
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Hotel Gotthard has a huge variety of services and activities to offer, each and one of them aimed to the creation of an unforgettable and unique experience. If you’re an early bird – a 5 am kind of early bird – you can visit the Hotel bakery which supplies all Austrian breads and cakes to local hotels and some shops in Vienna. The breads and pastries are freshly baked every morning with the finest ingredients and you can choose from a generous selection. Don’t worry if you like to sleep in, breakfast is served till 12!
You can pamper yourself and choose between hot stone therapy, herb stamps or honey massages, Egyptian foot reflexology and more technologically advanced cosmetic treatments such as revitalising oxygen therapy with collagen and professional hydro lifting anti-aging treatment.
Treat yourself in the Gotthard wellness area
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This winter you could enjoy truly charming horse drawn sleigh rides or if you’re after an adrenaline rush why not take a helicopter ride and jump off for your skiing session? You’ll have the chance to ski in the best skiing region in the world. Whether skating or through classic cross country, you can explore the Alps through a 27km trail of fresh snow. After a full day of winter sports you can recharge at the Gotthard Stube restaurant for a delicious meal where you can choose between traditional Austrian cuisine, international or vegetarian dishes with food provided by the best local farms for a gourmet culinary experience. If you want to go back to the slopes right away you can take a quick break on the terrace café for a slice of cake and coffee.
Not only Hotel Gotthard is the perfect combination of 4 stars superior service and cosy vibes, but it’s also a magical place where tradition and technological innovation meet. With a strong look to the future and an environmental consciousness, the Hotel has a modern energy saving system. For example the heat coming from the ovens of the Hotel’s own bakery is reutilized to warm up the indoor swimming pool in the wellness area.
Take a relaxing break by the Gotthard’s indoor swimming pool
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In over 80 years, Hotel Gotthard has become an integral part of Lech and it would be hard to imagine one of the most famous villages in Austria without it. The establishment can be proud of its constant evolution during which it managed to preserve its traditional charm and attachment to family warmth and values, no matter how sophisticated its services are.
The Hotel is a temple of peace and quiet where you can spend time relaxing, getting spoiled with luxurious SPA treatments and delicious food, participating in natural excursions in the mountains or walking around Lech town centre where you can shop and visit the local bars.
It’s a fact that most of us automatically associate summer holidays with lying down on the beach, surrounded by palm trees and sipping tropical cocktails. More often than not, the mountains are a typically wintery gateway but they’re not just for snow. If you feel like switching up your vacation pattern, why not start with a dreamlike stay at Hotel Gotthard in beautiful Lech am Arlberg?
The beauty of Hotel Gotthard is that it offers special experiences at any time of the year. Lech is so much more than your classic winter wonderland. You can spend a lovely summer afternoon walking around the wonderful hotel grounds, fishing, taking an extremely romantic Gondola ride or from summer 2016 you can play golf in Austria’s highest golf course. If you prefer something more adventurous you can grab a motorbike or a convertible and take a tour around Arlberg for stunning views and mountain passes.
No matter when you intend to plan your visit, you’ll undoubtedly feel happier, rejuvenated and so relaxed that when you’ll be back to your desk you’ll only cry once.
So stop what you’re doing and book your trip now through the Hotel Gotthard website! To meet the family and staff you can watch their video series here
