A Winter Wonderland Staycation: Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol, Kitzbuhel, Austria
Kempinski Tirol is located a few minutes away from the center of Kitzbuhel. Even though the hotel has a lot to offer to its guests, it is nice to venture out to do a little shopping, experience different ski areas and try fashionable restaurants up in the mountains so I would recommend having a car. If not, Kempinski has a range of luxurious Mercedes limousines to drive you around town.
The hotel offers a great selection of rooms and suites. Even entry rooms are modern and stylish with brand new glass bathrooms, plush beds with dressy red bed covers and very cosy interiors with wooden walls features and oak furniture.
For couples I would recommend rooftop suites 702 and 703. These ultra spacious and luxurious rooms share Penthouse suite terrace and look out onto the magical white slopes on nearby mountains. I love warm heated stone bathroom floors, oversized bathrooms with either a stand alone bath or a steam room, beautiful thick carpets under the bed, heavy curtains on the windows, ample storage for the luggage, soft feather pillows and the welcoming ambiance. They truly feel like home.
Guests who are looking for relaxation won’t be disappointed with Kempinski spa and sauna recreation area. I haven’t seen such amazing variety of dry saunas in any other hotel before. Saunas vary in themes and temperature, from 65-90C and themed with pink salt or lava settings to mention a few. Turn the sauna timer on for 15 minutes, enjoy the heat, then jump in an outdoor pool, warm even in the middle of winter. It is a beautiful feeling swimming outdoors while it’s snowing and the steam is coming off the hot pool water. The spa offers a selection of traditional treatments expected in a five star hotel. I tried a sports massage with a German male masseur and he was excellent, gentle but firm. My body, a little stiff after travelling between continents, was very grateful to receive.
For those guests who come to Kitzbuhel specifically for skiing Kempinski is a great base as ski lifts are mere meters away from the entrance and hotel has its own ski school. Kids are offered ‘all day’ ski programs and babies are looked after in a kids club. Beginners can book in a group or private lesson with the concierge as well arrange ski passes.
Breakfast in Kempinski Tirol is fantastic and served between 7-12pm. Perfect for those who love to ski early and come back to the hotel for late breakfast. It has a great selection for the health conscious – Kombucha drinks, freshly squeezed juices, rye bread baked on premises, yogurt and sour cream butter from the local farmers, seeds and nuts to add to your cereals. Of course there are traditional eggs, cured meats and hot dishes to choose from too if you feel like a more substantial breakfast. For dinner chose from a la carte Austrian dishes at Steinberg or modern Asian in Sra Bua.I tried Austrian dishes and especially liked Ox Tail soup with noodles, lamb stew and Kaiserschmann (chopped up French toast with plum jam – typical Austrian desert that is too good to miss).
Kempinski Tirol has become my favourite new destination in Europe. It is such a wonderful hotel to bring a family to over winter holidays or, if you live close, to visit simply for a long weekend. I can’t wait for bring the kids here to enjoy the snow and all the facilities.
Written by Marina Noble
