Großarl flies under the radar among Austria’s big hitters, but its award-winning, family-run hotel makes it more than worth a visit.

Is there anything more soothing than the tinkling of cowbells and the scent of Alpine flowers carried on the breeze? We would argue not. Now add pine-peppered hills, lakes, meadows, and chalets that give off a warm glow under the morning sun. It may sound as such, but this isn’t the Sound of Music. It is reality in Großarl, a market town situated in a valley that wends some thirty kilometres through the Austrian countryside. The serenity of the surrounding hills meets the refinement of one of Austria’s most opulent hotels at Das Edelweiss Mountain Resort, where Beau Monde Traveler discovered the unparalleled hospitality that the country is so famous for.

Das Edelweiss was established by the Hettegger family in the late 1970s as a boutique bolthole with just 14 rooms and a small café. The Großarl-born family, however, have expanded the property over the decades, and it can now accommodate 250 adults and 120 children. The focus in recent years has shifted to wellness; the effortlessly modern Edelweiss Mountain Spa is a key component of the hotel’s five-star status, although a host of international eateries, ski-in, ski-out access, and contemporary suites certainly help too. The property is a paean to Austrian hospitality and luxury living; it’s safe to say we loved this place and you will too.

Guests can choose from 68 suites and 70 rooms, each exuding the same Alpine elegance and charm. These living spaces feature high-quality, natural materials – including polished stone and hand-crafted wooden furnishings – characterised by earthy tones and complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the landscape to take full advantage of the views. Guests are invited to savour the mountain vistas from stylish wicker furniture on their private balcony – a morning coffee in the fresh air here is surely among the best ways to start the day at Das Edelweiss Mountain Resort.

Inside the rooms, guests are pampered with amenities including a walk-in rainfall shower, gloriously scented bath products, plush towelling bathrobes, a coffee machine and a sleek Smeg kettle. King-sized beds are dangerously comfortable and draped with soft linens for a marvellous sleep.

On the upper levels of the property, a wide range of suites feature free-standing bathtubs, saunas, and private pools. As becomes evident on arrival – arguably from the first sip of the (rather delicious) sparkling wine offered at check in – opportunities to experience total relaxation are not hard to come by.

Das Edelweiss sets the tone for culinary diversity across its numerous eateries. Family member and head chef Alexander Hettegger is at the helm of the award-winning hotel kitchen where creative flavour combinations meet exemplary presentation. The first impression that whets the appetite is the restaurant’s elegant decor; atmospheric lighting casts a gentle warmth across dark-toned furniture and immaculately set tables. A robot waiter glides around its attentive human counterparts who provide Michelin-worthy service and food to match.

Seasonal dishes champion fresh and local products, with dairy sourced from farmers in Großarl, meats prepared in-house, and fish supplied from a small village just ten minutes away. The delectable beef tartare had our attention, that is, until the main course arrived – a fillet steak accompanied by a decadent herb butter and chips. Next, the smell of grilled salmon on a bed of asparagus, saffron risotto and hollandaise sauce was enough to make your mouth water. Needless to say, it’s hard for the next order not to upstage the last. The restaurant also hosts a buffet breakfast each morning with a wide assortment of dishes to suit all tastes.

Don’t skip the Sushi Bar where chef Alexis Savanx spoils guests with a large selection of dishes from sashimi and oysters to caviar and ceviche. Expert sommeliers from in-house wine bar Kork & Gloria are on hand to advise diners on excellent pairings – local Austrian wines and Japanese sake are favourites among sushi connoisseurs. Settle down at the Alpin Bar for a signature cocktail featuring homemade syrups, an experience often enhanced by live music performances.

The Sirloin Grill & Dine Restaurant boasts an open show kitchen where generously portioned dishes are prepared to personal preference. Porterhouse, T-Bone and Tomahawk cuts are aged to perfection and accompanied by sides including coleslaw, truffle fries and baby spinach.

The Spa Bistro offers the same level of culinary excellence, but in a more relaxed environment where guests can continue to lounge in their bathrobes. Sparkling spritzers, iced coffees and delicious bites can be taken inside or on sun loungers to fuel a day of wellness treatments and holistic rituals.

To spend the day at Edelweiss Mountain Spa is to experience incomparable refinement, tranquillity and leisure. The hotel was awarded an impressive 99/100 in the Falstaff Travel Spa Awards 2023, where it was celebrated for its family feel, extensive treatment options and exceptional food. The wellness area extends – inside and outside – over five floors, the infrared lounge, bio sauna, infinity pool, hammam and steam bath giving a flavour of the calibre of the facilities. Adults-only and specially designed children’s areas mean there is fun and relaxation to be had for everyone.

Visitors can choose from the extensive treatment menu that often features products from the Edelweiss Natur cosmetic line – we warn you now, you’ll want to grab some of these to take home with you. The purification ritual is a unique detox that uses a walnut-shell body scrub and a mountain-salt wrap to regenerate and reinvigorate the body, the Ayurvedic ritual combines a milk bath and a massage to smooth the skin and promote harmony, and the !QMS Classic Collagen facial is a seven-step treatment that boosts suppleness in strained skin. The staff’s unique expertise, passion and care are on display throughout.

Das Edelweiss is located in one of the most remarkable landscapes in Austria and while guests are ultimately here to relax and unwind, it would be a shame not to explore the natural world that sits on the doorstep. Großarl and the wider area awaits with a treasure trove of activities; biking, skiing, hiking, paragliding and climbing are on offer for active adventurers, while more relaxed options include yoga, gondola rides and a tipple at the Skylounge Wolke 7. Here, we settled on a smooth Austrian wine to offer some refreshment after the scenic hike up. We tucked into a light shrimp curry, followed by kaiserschmarrn – a fluffy pancake accompanied by apple compote.

Just down the road from the hotel – and at a much lower altitude – is a historic lodge and café where visitors can enjoy traditional krapfen (sweet doughnuts with jam) and coffee. The views are, of course, a given. If you’re lucky, the elderly apron-clad staff might step away from the stone oven just for a moment to offer a rendition of a local tune. We would have come back here for the krapfen alone.

Das Edelweiss Mountain Resort is where luxury wellness facilities and exemplary cuisine meet the great Austrian countryside. However, the true attraction here is the people. The hospitality and kindness of the Hettegger family and the locals go a long way to ensuring the feeling of community that marks each and every interaction within the hotel. Guests can enjoy true relaxation with the knowledge that everything they could possibly need has already been taken care of.