‘Rest and recharge’ is the major motivation for leisure trips right now.

It’s no surprise given that burnout is at an all-time high, affecting nine in ten adults, according to Mental Health UK. 

The Austrian Alps have reinvented themselves as Europe’s top destination for a next-level luxury reset this winter – a chance to relax in a serene alpine setting enjoying holistic spa treatments and gourmet dining. Here’s how to reach your peak state of wellbeing with a stay at one of Austria Hotel Collection‘s exclusive resorts. 

1. Nourishing luxury

(c) Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel Robert Rieger

When enjoying gourmet dining in a beautiful setting, meals become less about refuelling and more about savouring. This encourages mindful eating – better for digestion and overall wellbeing.   

• As a favourite among royalty, Hotel Arlberg Lech is famed for its creative six-course Chef’s Choice Dinner. A mix of traditional family recipes with modern touches, the dishes are designed to be lingered over.
• An alpline golf course offers a stunning setting for dinner at Schlosshotel Kitzbühel. Slow down and appreciate the view from a fireside table at the clubhouse restaurant and grill, DAS Kaps.
• Walch’s Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel in Lech am Arlberg offers a treat for serious foodies. Friends and Fools is a reservation-only affair with cuisine masterclasses and pop-up dinners.
  

2. VIP wellness

Treating yourself to some pampering isn’t mere indulgence. Receiving small acts of kindness can help us feel valued and more connected to others. It’s why VIP services during a well-deserved holiday are key to promoting holistic wellbeing.

• At Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden on the shores of Lake Wörthersee in Carinthia, the hotel’s Experience Concierges can tailor your stay, from Rolls Royce limousine service to exclusive boat tours. 
• LaPosch Resort has 16 private mountain chalets where gourmet dinners and ‘royal breakfast baskets’ are delivered directly to your door. No need to lift a finger. 

3. The longevity effect

(c) Daniel Waschnig Photography

A study by the University of Sydney shows that even small changes – an additional two minutes of extra exercise, for example – can help us live longer. Combining holistic health treatments and longevity programmes with a deluxe holiday is a win-win. 

• Marienkron Retreat & Health Resort in the Lake Neusiedl region takes a holistic approach offering phytotherapy (using plant-derived medications), Kneipp therapy (a five-pillar system including hydrotherapy) and therapeutic fasting. 
• At Hotel Krallerhof, in Leogang, boost your longevity with cryotherapy and red-light therapy. Or try the new spa concept, ‘Regeneration & Longevity by Krallerhof’ with its tailored therapies.
• Mountain Resort Feuerberg in Carinthia, which has a very Instagrammable infinity pool, runs a weekly activity programme featuring yoga, forest bathing and other sessions for body, mind and soul.
• Also in Leogang, Naturhotel Forsthofgut features Europe’s first forest spa. The adult-only haven has an authentic onsen (hot spring) washing area where traditional cleansing rituals are practised.

4. Cold therapy

You burn up to 20% more calories by exercising in cold weather. Exposure to cold air also stimulates white blood cell production, strengthening your immune system. Follow up with a sauna session to accelerate your body’s warming process. Bliss!

• Das Central, in Sölden, is the perfect base for skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and guided ski safaris followed by a soak in the brine steam bath and bio-panorama sauna.
• As a 5-star ski-in/ski-out hotel with direct access to the interlinked Ski amadé region, Hotel Nesslerhof, in Grossarl, is a winter paradise for snow bunnies. For a slower pace, take a hike in Hohe Tauern National Park. 

5. Lifting spirits

(c) Lucian Burghotel Oberlech GmbH & Co

A study in the Journal of Wine Economics found that wine and craft beer, which is less pasteurised than mass-marketed beer, are significantly better for your health than other alcoholic drinks, taken in moderation of course. Both are rich in antioxidants, called polyphenols, fuelling our ‘good’ gut bacteria. They also have a mild protective affect against heart disease. Enjoy a fine wine or craft beer in a serene setting to lift your spirits.

•  Hotel Gotthard in Lech am Arlberg has its own brewery, OMES 2257, named after local mountain the Omeshorn. Its pale ale craft beer has aromas of red grapefruit, lychee and mango. 
•  Burg Hotel Lech, in the same alpine region, houses one of the largest wine cellars in Western Austria with around 60,000 bottles. The hotel was originally a small milk bar selling refreshments to skiers.

6. Healing waters

Ice plunges might be trendy but natural thermal waters prove that wellness doesn’t have to be a test of endurance. Emerging from deep underground, they’re heated by geothermal activity, promoting good blood flow. Many thermal waters are also rich in minerals, like sulphur which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. 

•  At Das Ronacher, in Bad Kleinkirchheim, the spa’s mineral-rich thermal water flows directly from St Kathrein spring and is scientifically-proven to promote relaxation and ease aching joints. 
• Hotel Schloss Seefels on the shores of Lake Wörthersee has a bioenergy heated lake pool (28°C in winter). Enjoy an early morning swim and watch the sunrise from the warmth of the crystal-clear water.
• Romantik Hotel Im Weissen Rössl’s lake pool floats in Lake Wolfgangsee itself and is heated to 30°C in the winter. After your dip, luxuriate in a Sool steam bath which uses atomised salt water.

7. Scenic serenity

(c) Daniel Waschnig Photography

Gazing at vast natural scenes evokes a sense of awe that can make you feel more connected to others and less focused on material things, according to multiple studies. It may also encourage deeper thinking and generosity. Experiencing a mountain vista from a deluxe sauna or spa pool can enhance the sense of calm and relaxation.

• Hotel Fernblick Montafon (meaning far-reaching views) lives up to its name with its panoramic Sky Pool. Jutting out over the hillside, the infinity pool gives a front-row view of the majestic Silvretta range. 
• AQUA DOME Tirol Therme Längenfeld houses Tirol’s largest spa oasis with 12 indoor and outdoor pools, one of which has a salt content of 5% so you can float while admiring the magical Ötztal mountains.

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Find out more about the comfort and authenticity of Austrian hospitality offered by the Austria Hotel Collection.