Nestling in the Leogang region of Austria about an hour from historic Salzburg (well worth a detour), you’ll find something stunningly different, a hotel built into and around nature - Natur Hotel Forsthofgut. I happily admit to falling in love with it first on Instagram, so was quite prepared to find the reality less impressive. Social media shows imposing wooden buildings clustered round a breathtaking collection of natural swimming lakes and heated pools, with a stunning mountain backdrop.
The only surprise was that it was exactly like that. In fact, even better, not least because the late September sun was delivering the bluest of skies. Instagram shows you but a snap shot of this breathtaking hotel. The reality is that Forsthofgut is a hugely sophisticated wellness offering built into its natural surroundings and extending over many acres of immaculately tended lawns and gardens, fringed by the surrounding forests. In other words, it’s pretty special.
I dont think I’ve ever encountered so many different saunas dotted round the grounds, many with breathtaking views. Add to that the WaldSPA, a top of the range techno gym, yoga, Pilates, adult only lounges, endless quiet places to relax or snooze, snack stations cleverly positioned for those peckish moments , fantastic facilities for children, a full riding school and even a deer enclosure in the forest, and you’re getting the picture. There is so much to enjoy both inside and out, right throughout the year.
The food however deserves a special mention. Breakfasts were a cornucopia of local produce - so many types of bread they had a separate room all to themselves, delicious dairy, cheese and meat cabinets, vats of five seed porridge, a rainbow of fresh juices and local organic eggs any which way known to man.
Evening meals were no less spectacular. Whilst I could have gone Japanese or fine dining, as a fan of local produce and food systems I stuck to the main restaurant where ingredients are sourced from a 50km radius. Immaculate beef, venison, local vegetables and mushrooms were a delight both on the plate and to the palate.
Forsthofgut is a family business that has scaled considerably over the years. It says something about the ethos of the hotel and its founding family that despite the scale of this operation, the hotel never felt full and it was always possible to find a quiet corner and a place in the autumn sun. If you do want to wander further afield, the nearby cable car will transport you to endless miles of mountain top pathways with utterly spectatular views.
One final word …When you do come, bear in mind that saunas in Austria are mixed and often ‘without textile’, which means no clothes. You can wear a towel but you will find that most Austrians don’t - just a heads up for any blushing Brits.
