Review: Naturhotel Forsthofgut Ski Hotel
Review: Naturhotel Forsthofgut Ski Hotel
Lucy Kane checks out a stunning ski and spa retreat in Austria
Nestled in 90 acres of Alpine forestry is one of Austria’s hottest ski and spa destinations. Just an hour from Salzburg, it’s the perfect escape for a long weekend or a week’s family skiing in divine luxury. A warm Austrian welcome and traditional chalet buildings await you at the family-owned Naturhotel Forsthofgut. There’s no doubt that most are here for the skiing, but there is something to keep everyone delighted from the three-story health suite looking out over the Austrian Alps to an active children’s club and a selection of fine dining restaurants. The hotel has a deep connection with the forest and mountains that is cleverly echoed in the spa. Once you’ve submerged in the outdoor heated infinity pool with epic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, you won’t want to leave, unless you’re on skis.
The hotel offers a boot room where the experts will kit you out ready for the first day on the mountain. It’s just a few minutes ski to the gondola past the nursery slopes so you can conveniently drop the kids on the way. Leogang has over 270km of pistes and 70 lifts plus a host of winter sports for children to enjoy. You can head out for hours of uninterrupted skiing whilst new skiers can cut their teeth on the friendly nursery slopes. With the patience of a saint, my instructor expertly guided my progress from ‘terrified beginner’ to ‘made it to the first gondola and completed a blue run’, whilst the rest of my group ventured off on a guided ski across 30km of lifts with uninterrupted mountain views.
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Image 1: SkiAlpin Leogang (c) StefanVoitl
Images 2 + 3: Naturhotel
There are over 60 huts across the Leogang resort. Hendl Fischerei Mountain Club is at the top of the first gondola. Live DJ beats, a stylishly sophisticated crowd and sensational panoramic mountain views will seduce you, along with a menu of oysters, charcuterie boards, lashings of rose Laurent Perrier and their signature chicken or fish dishes. The perfect spot to indulge in some apres ski.
Experienced skiers can take the black run to the hotel. First one back can submerge in the outdoor infinity pool, soak tired muscles and lazily watch the last of the skiers coming back off the mountain. You have your choice of outdoor pools and saunas from hot to cool. The Austrians are experts at dialling up the heat, my extremities have never sizzled quite so much. Whichever sweat option you choose, you’ll be spoilt with some rest and relaxation.
With a choice of five restaurants you can go as exclusive as you wish at the Naturhotel. True to the hotel’s sustainable ethos, ingredients on their R50 menu are grown within 50 kilometres of Forsthofgut. There is traditional fayre at Restaurant 1617, fine Japanese at Mizumi but the finest dining experience is the seven course tasting menu at Silva, for no more than 12 diners. You are treated to a personal chef experience with dishes prepared in front of you and each cocktail, mocktail or wine paired to your individual dish.
They take their nature very seriously here. This area has the highest proportion of organic farms in Austria. The mountain air is bright and clear, the views breath-taking and wherever you venture in the hotel you’ll find an ideal spot to reflect on your days’ skiing, devour the sun as it sets over the mountains and ease into an evening of delicious hospitality.
