As I get older, I’ve come to realize that holidays are about rest. My travel preferences have shifted from exploring all day and partying all night to cathartic sauna sessions, well-equipped gymnasiums, and, naturally, a swimming pool with an epic view. All while being coddled in authentic luxury. From the moment you arrive at the five-star Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol resort, you feel pampered. The drive-in reception is perfect for the cold winter months and upon exiting the lift, the alpine style, ornate wooden walls and grand carved staircase invite you to explore the numerous nooks and crannies of the spacious yet cosy 282-room hotel.
This certainly isn’t a boutique hotel (the Spa area alone measures 5300 square meters), but the service from the traditionally dressed staff is inviting, relaxed and authentic. The place teems with Austrians on summer holiday and feels like a well-kept secret among international types. The main draw of Interalpen is its wellness offerings. It feels Heidi-esque, the type of place where people come to breathe in the fresh mountain air and recuperate. In terms of wellness activities and amenities, it’s got plenty to offer.
There’s the aforementioned spa, complete with its Sauna Village; featuring a Finnish sauna, steam rooms, bio-sauna, saltwater grotto, and much more, all finished in a blend of traditional dark woods and modernism framing incredible views of the Tyrolean Alps. The treatments available are vast, with esoteric options such as Ayurveda, age-defying facials, hot-stone massages and herbal massages. Combined with classics like Swedish and sports massages that I can attest are some of the best in the game. Activity-wise, the hotel boasts tennis courts, a well-stocked gym, an outdoor calisthenics area, a vast indoor-outdoor heated pool with automatic doors dividing the inside and outside, walking trails, a nearby golf course and an indoor golf simulator. For those who dislike sitting for too long, fear not.
If that all sounds like hungry work, then Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol has you covered there too. The breakfast spread is exceptional, featuring local cheeses, fish, fresh fruit, a chef station and freshly baked pastries from the in-house bakery. For lunch and dinner there are two main options: an elevated dining experience and a more relaxed option, both using the freshest local produce. As a third option, there’s an amazing mountain hut dining experience, featuring authentic Tyrolean folk music, hand-selected Augustine pilsner and a BBQ with all the wurst and sauerkraut you could expect.
Nearby, there’s plenty to do. Whether you’re there for the summer or winter, there are endless walking trails and mountain biking areas in the surrounding valleys, and you’re only 10km from Seefeld Ski Resort. If testing the upper limits of your heart rate is your thing, I’m also told it’s a great place to cross-country ski.
For Bond (and watch) enthusiasts, the 007 Elements James Bond experience in nearby Sölden is a must-see. It showcases the Gaislachkogel mountain location used in Spectre, including the gondola scene and the liaison between Bond and Madeleine Swann in the IceQ restaurant. The exhibit also features several Omega watches worn by Bond, including the Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition and the Brosnan-era Seamaster 300m Professional.
The rooms at Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol have just undergone a renovation and offer mountain-view balconies, the highest level of alpine-style finishing with all the modern amenities you could wish for. There are various room options, all with their own tubs. For the uber-luxe experience, look no further than the top-floor penthouses, which come complete with their own sauna, outdoor bathtub, freestanding baths and panoramic views of the mountains.
Interalpen is also an ideal retreat for families thanks to the room layouts, the crèche and recreation rooms, making it an ideal destination for all ages. And when the little ones are all tucked up, there’s an excellent bar and smoking room to retreat to. There’s only so much wellness one can handle.
Rates at Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection, start from £600 per room per night, based on two sharing on a half-board basis, including breakfast, dinner and daily activities such as wellness experiences and excursions.
More details at Preferred Hotels.
