For our latest luxury hotel review we follow in the footsteps of the eminent Bilderberg group. The Interalpen Hotel Tyrol is a true gem at a secluded spot on the Seefeld Plateau, 1300m above the sea level. The large hotel built in the form of a three-pointed star opened in 1985 and is owned by the Liebherr Group, a well-known manufacturing company.
Like the elite that gathered at the Interalpen hotel during this years Bilderberg conference, we chose fitting transport. Behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce and an Aston Martin, we made the scenic journey from Germany to Seefeld. This resort gathered fame during the winter olympics in 1964, but like us we wouldn’t be surprised if you see little of Seefeld during your stay at the Interalpen as there are few reasons to leave the hotel.
One of the coolest features for any car enthusiast is the drive-in lobby at the Interalpen hotel. Upon arrival at the star shaped hotel you drive straight in to the building where you find the ground floor lobby. The friendly staffed quickly unpacked the cars and guided us to the elevator – up to the main lobby where we were checked in to our room. The large lobby connects the three wings and provides access to the bar, a new cafe, the main restaurant and several meeting rooms. Due to the star layout it easy to get disorientated.
The Interalpen hotel is easily reached from Innsbruck and Innsbruck Airport which is a mere 30 minute drive away.
The Rooms
We took up shelter in one of the Deluxe rooms. All rooms at the Interalpen are without exception huge. Our room had a spacious combined living/bedroom with a king size bed and an additional kids bedroom. Next to the bed a traditional Austrian stove and a large dining table finish the living area of the room. The large balcony provides stunning views over the surrounding forest and mountains.
The rooms at the hotel are designed in Alpine-lux style with inspiration taken from the Tyrolean mountain range. On the top floors there are new styles that have a more modern style with a combination of stone and wood. The bathroom is equally spacious and has a separate shower and bath. The furniture, made from pine and walnut, and wooden floor give a traditional Alpine feel. The beds are among the most comfortable you can wish for. Flatscreen tvs and free wifi come standard.
The Spa
One of the key features of the Interalpen hotel are its spa facilities, which span over 5,000 sq.m. The spa at the hotel opened in 2002 and has been certified a ‘Leading Spa’, for which 200 quality criteria have to be met. The panorama indoor pool is Olympic size and connected with the heated outdoor pool, which gives a great view of the Tolfs mountain range. Apart from that, at the spa you will also find saline baths, more than two dozen relaxation rooms and a sauna village designed as a Tyrolean village with bright wooden houses concealing the saunas and steam rooms. The spa gardens spread over a large area and are simply stunning.
The focus of Interalpen’s spa services is on the individual. Holistic treatments are carried out by expert beauty therapists and can be tailored as per one’s personal requirements.
Restaurants & Bar
The main restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast buffet is among the largest we have ever come across. In the evening the restaurant offers some a la carte options but it is still very buffet centric. It would be nice to have a dedicated a la carte restaurant in the hotel as well as we are not a big fan of buffet – even when they are as high quality as at the Interalpen.
The new Café Wein is popular for its cakes and pastries and sports a completely different style. It reminds one of an archetypal Viennese café with its bentwood chairs and marble tables. Its a great place to read the paper while the guests delve into the sweet Austrian dishes.
We haven’t tried it ourselves but were told the spa restaurant serves vitamin-rich and whole-food dishes. The restaurant overlooks the swimming pool and one can eat in his bathrobe and slippers.
Interalpen Hotel has its own bakery where baked goods are produced without any additives or preservatives. In addition, the hotel is supplied with dairy products and vegetables by domestic farmers and herbs are procured from its very own Herb Garden.
The lobby bar offers cocktails and a large choice of local and sought after wines. It is a cozy place to end the day. Prices for drinks are quite high for Austrian standards but on par with similar hotels across the globe.
Activities
There are both indoor and outdoor tennis courts at the hotel, including an ATP-standard sand court. Meanwhile, for the golf-enthusiasts, there’s a golf center with golf simulators and putting and chipping greens. The 18-course (par-72) Seefeld Golf Course is just 900 meters from the hotel. It is part of the “Leading Golf Courses of Austria” and only those deemed physically fit can play at it owing to the taxing nature of the hilly course. Guests can also go for a mountain bike ride or indulge in a cross-country ski tour.
Conclusion
The Interalpen hotel is a truly unique luxury hotel set in a secluded and beautiful part of Austria. The spacious rooms offer all the comfort you could wish for – and with a choice between traditional alpine luxury and more modern rooms they gather for many different guests. We particularly enjoyed the Spa and the outdoor pool which is the best place to take in the beauty of the surrounding mountains. The service was excellent across the board. The restaurant and bar offered a varied and high quality mix of food and drinks but a dedicated a la carte restaurant would be a great addition.