**Leogang Luxury: Ski-In/Ski-Out Chalet with Sauna!**
Leogang Luxury: Ski-In/Ski-Out Chalet… and My Over-the-Top Austrian Adventure! (A Messy Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Leogang Luxury, and honestly, my brain is still trying to process it. This wasn't just a vacation; it was a full-blown, slightly-too-much-fondue, nearly-broke-the-bank, "where am I now?" kind of experience. This review? Gonna be as chaotic as my ski run attempts. Let's dive…
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Okay!)
Alright, straight up, I wasn’t specifically hunting for super accessibility features. I'm ambulatory, but I'm always, ALWAYS, curious. The website promised, and so on, and to be honest, while I didn't need them, I poked around a bit. They say they are wheelchair accessible. I did see an elevator – thank goodness, because this place sprawls! – and I believe some rooms are designed for accessibility. But without knowing the specifics, I can't say for sure. Best to call the place directly and ask about specifics if you need them.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Hmm… again, I didn't specifically look for that. The main restaurant area seemed generally accessible (wide walkways, etc.), but again, double-checking is key.
Wheelchair Accessible: See above. My hunch? Could be better, could be worse. Check it out if it's CRUCIAL.
Internet: Wi-Fi, Glorious Wi-Fi, Everywhere and Even LAN!
Look, as a travel blogger (cough, cough), internet is LIFE. And Leogang Luxury delivered. Free Wi-Fi in ALL rooms! Seriously, blasting fast, not a single dropped signal during my Netflix binge sessions. Plus, Internet access [LAN] if you're old-school and like your wired connections (which I occasionally am, for super important things like… writing this review!). Internet services were excellent. They have a good IT department.
Things To Do, Ways To Relax: A Winter Wellness Wonderland (Almost Overwhelmingly So!)
Okay, prepare yourself. This is where Leogang Luxury goes from "pretty darn nice" to "WHOA."
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: I’m a spa junkie, and the spa here? Chefs kiss. The Sauna was the real deal – crispy, hot, perfect for sweating out all those schnitzels (more on that later). The Steamroom was a cloud of Eucalyptus bliss. And the whole area just smelled divine, like freshly cut pine and… pure relaxation.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes, an outdoor pool! Heated. Surrounded by snowy mountains. I almost chickened out, because, you know, cold, but the view convinced me. It was legitimately invigorating, despite my initial screaming! The Pool with a view is EPIC.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness : I intended to hit the gym. I really did. I even packed my workout gear. But between the fondue feasts, the glorious sauna, and the general "pure relaxation" vibe, the gym remained stubbornly unvisited. (Hey, I tried!)
- Massage: Oh. Em. Gee. The massage! I booked a full body, and it was like being kneaded by angels. I practically drooled with contentment for a solid hour. I may have even considered booking a permanent residence in the massage room.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: Alas, time was short. (Too much skiing! Too much everything!). These are definitely on my list for next time, though.
Cleanliness and Safety: Covid-Era Comfort
They took COVID precautions seriously, thankfully. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas… I noticed! The place was spotless. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Rooms sanitized between stays. They may even have done a Sterilizing equipment sweep around me after I left. I felt safe. Individually-wrapped food options were available.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Prepare Your Stomach for Extravaganza!
This is where I truly lost control (in the best possible way).
- Restaurants: Plural! Different cuisines, atmospheres, the works. I mostly stuck to the main one, because… convenience. But they were all excellent. Western cuisine and International cuisines both made an appearance.
- Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast: The breakfast buffet was… legendary. Seriously. All the choices! Pastries, cheeses, meats, every kind of egg imaginable, plus a whole separate Asian breakfast corner. Honestly, I probably gained five pounds just from the breakfast buffet.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: I'm not a huge buffet fan. But there were options for both.
- Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee shop: Drinks, drinks, glorious drinks! Loved the Happy hour and the bar was well-stocked. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was always available.
- Room service [24-hour]: I totally used this. One particularly "tired" evening, I ordered a huge plate of schnitzel and marveled at my own deliciousness. It was glorious!
- Snack bar: Essential for fueling those ski adventures.
- Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant: All top-notch. I ate my weight in Apfelstrudel. No Regrets.
Services and Conveniences: Everything You Could Possibly Need (and Maybe a Few Things You Didn't Know You Needed!)
- Concierge: They were actually incredibly helpful. They booked everything from the best ski instructors to the most obscure local restaurants.
- Daily housekeeping: Yup, clean rooms are always appreciated!
- Laundry service, Ironing service: Crucial for someone like me who tends to spill coffee on everything.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Convenient!
- Doorman: Nice touch.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always good to have.
- Luggage storage: Got my bags secure.
- Air conditioning in public area: Thank heaven, because sometimes, it got steamy in there during the evenings.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars: If you're into that sort of thing. (I wasn't.)
- Gift/souvenir shop, Convenience store: For those last-minute gifts (or, you know, chocolate).
For The Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Seemed super kid-friendly from what I saw. Plenty of families.
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious Rooms!
My room was… spacious. Absolutely, ridiculously spacious. And well-equipped:
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Bed was like sleeping on a cloud (an extra-long, luxurious cloud). The Bathroom was huge and luxurious, with fluffy, delicious Bathrobes and all the Toiletries you could ever want. The View from my window of the mountains was just… breathtaking. I loved the Sofa.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer, Taxi service, Valet parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Bicycle parking: They thought of everything. Their Car park [free of charge] was a bonus.
The Verdict: Go Forth and Indulge (But Maybe Budget First!)
Leogang Luxury is… an experience. It's luxurious, yes. It's indulgent, most definitely. It's expensive, probably. The skiing was incredible, the spa was heavenly, and the food? Let’s just say I need a serious detox now.
My major gripe? I wish I had brought unlimited funds. And maybe a personal sherpa to carry my ski equipment.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Just need to win the lottery first. Highly recommended. Just be prepared to be spoiled rotten and possibly never want to leave.
Luxury De Veluwe Bungalow w/ Dishwasher: Apeldoorn Escape Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my slightly chaotic ski trip to Leogang, Austria. Holiday home with a sauna, you say? Oh, you had me at "sauna." Prepare yourselves for a week of questionable decisions, questionable skiing skills, and a whole lotta feeling.
Leogang Lunacy: A Ski Trip, Sort Of (and Definitely Not Smooth Sailing)
Day 1: Arrival & Utter Disbelief (aka, "Did I pack enough chocolate?")
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Salzburg Airport. The air is crisp, the mountains are… well, they’re there. I mean, majestic. Okay, fine, they’re breathtaking. But also, a tiny bit intimidating. I mentally pat myself on the back for finally packing those ski goggles. Those things are essential for avoiding looking terrified on the slopes, right? Right?
- 11:30 AM: The rental car saga begins. Always a saga. This time, it involves a tiny little hatchback (apparently, "adequate for the snowy conditions" translates to "you'll be praying to the gods of traction on every uphill incline"). I'm already questioning my life choices.
- 1:00 PM: Finally, finally, pull up to the holiday home. Beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. And the sauna… the sauna looks like a portal to pure, uncluttered bliss. I immediately claim it as my own personal kingdom. Forget the slopes; I may never leave this wood-panelled haven.
- 2:00 PM: Unpack. Or attempt to. Seriously, how did I manage to cram this much stuff into a suitcase? Half of it’s probably useless anyway. Wait, did I forget my lucky ski socks? The ones with the llamas on them? This is BAD. This is REAL bad.
- 3:00 PM: Grocery run. The local supermarket. Austrian grocery stores are a thing of beauty and intimidation. So much cheese! So much meat! And what the heck is "Käsespätzle"? I'm just grabbing things that look vaguely familiar, hoping for the best. Chocolate, obviously. Loads of chocolate.
- 6:00 PM: Attempt to cook dinner. Ended up with something resembling a charred mountain of potatoes and a vaguely edible sausage. At least the wine is good. Maybe too good.
- 8:00 PM: Sauna time! Finally. Oh, sweet, fragrant relief. I'm pretty sure I sweated out all the stress of the day… and probably a few liters of wine. Pure. Bliss.
Day 2: The Mountain of Anxiety (and the Sauna of Serenity)
- 9:00 AM: Ski school! I'm a slightly experienced skier, but let's be honest, "slightly" means "prone to spectacular falls in front of small children." The instructor, a cheerful Austrian man named Hans, looks at my boots and I swear, a single tear rolls down his cheek.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Skiing. Which, let's be frank, is more like “controlled falling.” I manage to stay upright… mostly. There’s the one terrifying moment on the black slope where a child probably should have yelled, "LOOK OUT!" the whole time. The only thing I could think in that moment was, "Is this how this ends?" Thank god there were only a few people there.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a mountain hut. Hearty Austrian fare. Goulash, Schnitzel, beer… the perfect combination to make the fear of skiing fade slightly. I realize I'm incredibly hungry, and the goulash is a divine reward for surviving the morning.
- 3:00 PM: Back on the slopes. (Or, more accurately, near the slopes.) The afternoon is a hilarious mix of near-misses, clumsy turns and snow angels after a particularly spectacular wipeout. I'm starting to think I should take a lesson in how to fall gracefully.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the sauna. Need. To. Decompress. This is my therapy. My sanctuary. My happy place. I meditate on my sore muscles and vow to become a better skier tomorrow. Maybe. Probably not.
Day 3: Embracing the Mess (aka, "Falling with Style")
- 9:00 AM: Attempt to be a morning person. Fail. The hot cocoa and the cozy home are doing their best to encourage a day of rest.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: More skiing. I'm making tiny, incremental improvements! Or, at least, I'm falling slightly less than yesterday. Small victories, people. Small victories. I discover a new, surprisingly elegant way to fall – it involves a slow-motion tumble that ends with me looking like a beached whale. But hey, at least I'm entertaining.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Again, the goulash saves the day. Gorging on calories is officially part of my ski trip training.
- 2:00 PM: The après-ski scene! Apparently, it's a thing. I decide to check it out because who doesn't like hot chocolate?
- 3:00 PM: Sauna time. Seriously, this is the highlight of my day. I contemplate the meaning of life while contemplating the perfect sauna temperature. Is there a better way to spend an hour? I think not.
Day 4: Avalanche of Emotional Rollercoasters (and Another Sauna Session)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Skiing. I venture onto a slightly more challenging slope. Disaster strikes. I lose control. I start to scream. I tumble head over heels, convinced this is the end. I end up tangled with a small child. Apologies are made. Humiliation ensues. I temporarily consider taking up knitting instead of skiing.
2:00 PM: The only sensible thing to do after an on-slope meltdown… go back into the sauna. I sit there, swathed in steam, and slowly, slowly, the anger subsides. The humiliation… well, that lingers. But the sauna, my dear friends, is a balm for the soul. I swear, if I could live in the sauna full-time, I would.
4:00 PM: A walk through the village of Leogang. Pretty, charming, but still a little too aware of my skiing ineptitude I was just witnessing.
6:00 PM: Another attempt to cook dinner. The result is… edible. Slightly. At least I didn't set the smoke alarm off this time.
8:00 PM: Sauna. Because, well, obviously. And then, I do a few more rounds of the sauna.
Day 5 - 7: The Slow Fade… and the Love of the Sauna
- Day 5-7: The days blur together into a glorious, slightly hazy symphony of skiing (mostly falling), goulash consumption, and sauna bliss. I might even start to ski a little faster, but the real skill that develops is my sauna ritual.
- Final Day: Packing. Saying goodbye to the sauna. Bittersweet. The mountains. The adventure. The delicious pastries and the even more delicious sauna. Everything will be missed. Until next time, Leogang… and that sauna!
- Departure: Drive back to Salzburg Airport. The drive back to the airport is slow and full of memories. The plane is on time. The flight is perfect. Life is good. Until next time, Leogang…
The Verdict:
Leogang? Absolutely fantastic. The skiing? Meh. The sauna? Heaven on earth. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Just promise me there's a sauna waiting for me.
Lanzarote Luxury: Unbelievable Belvilla Mango II Getaway (6 Pax!)
Okay, spill the beans. Is this "Luxury Ski-In/Ski-Out Chalet" REALLY as good as it sounds? Because I've been burned before...
Look, lemme be honest. My *first* reaction when I saw the pictures? "Yeah, right." My brain screamed 'photoshop,' 'exaggeration,' and 'overpriced!' You know the drill. I’ve stayed in places that promised the world, and delivered a damp sock.
So, here’s the real deal. Ski-in/ski-out? Yep. Like, you literally click out of your skis at the door. No schlep across the parking lot, no awkward bus rides. Pure, unadulterated bliss after a day carving up the slopes. I remember one time, legs screaming after a particularly epic run (and a few too many schnapps breaks) and I *collapsed* at the chalet entrance. Sweet, sweet victory! The luxury part? Well… It wasn't just a promise. The place is *beautiful*. And the sauna? Oh, the sauna. I thought I was going to spontaneously combust with joy after using it. It was the perfect, burning, cleansing end to each day.
But... the "luxury" comes at a price. I won't lie. My bank account whimpered a bit. So consider that. It's not a 'budget stay,' by any stretch. But for *that* experience? I’d actually be willing to eat ramen for a month to save up for it again. Maybe the ramen part is an exaggeration, but you get the idea.
Is it *actually* ski-in/ski-out, or is that a euphemism for "a five-minute walk uphill in ski boots"?
Okay, okay, deep breath. This is important. Listen, *I* hate the "five-minute walk" deal. It's a lie! A cruel, snowy lie!
With this place? Legit. Like, so legit, it’s almost rude. You ski *directly* to the front door from the piste. Seriously, you could probably hurl yourself onto the deck after a particularly challenging black run. (Don't do that, though. Probably not great for the deck.) And in the morning? Click in, and slide onto the slopes. I was so used to trudging... I actually missed the exercise after a few days! It's the easiest access I've ever experienced
The only "walk" involved is from the door to the ski room (which is heated, by the way. Another win!). No faffing. No hauling. Just pure, unadulterated snow-sliding joy. I can't stress how much that improved the whole experience. The stress disappears.
The sauna. You mentioned the sauna. Tell me *everything* about the sauna.
Alright, alright, buckle up. The sauna... the *sauna*. It was the holy grail of the whole experience. I’ll admit, I am a sauna addict. It's my thing. I have a very specific and complex sauna routine, so I knew whether the experience was worth it instantly.
First off, it was *massive*. Big enough for a whole group to sweat in together, or, as I preferred, for me to luxuriate in peace – which is exactly what I did. The smell of the wood (cedar, I think? Definitely something divine) was intoxicating. The heat... perfect. I like it *hot*, and this sauna did NOT disappoint. The water. The steam. The feeling of complete relaxation slowly melting away the stresses of the day….
One night, I actually timed it. I spent a solid hour in there. Hour! I emerged looking like a boiled lobster, but a *very* happy one. I literally waddled back to the chalet, feeling like a new person. It was a religious experience, honestly. The one small imperfection? The view from the sauna window wasn't quite as spectacular as the brochure promised, but who cares? I was in a sauna!
What about the food? Did you have to fend for yourself, or was there something more glamorous?
This is where things get a little messy, folks, because it really depends on what sort of package you're booking. Some include caterers to feed you at every meal, some are self-catering. I've done both.
The self-catering experience was a bit of a disaster at first, I'm not going to lie. We'd show up in a rush, with our bags and our skis and completely forget the food. "Oh... right." And that one time we *did* remember shopping for groceries, and we got completely carried away. We ended up with enough cheese to feed a small army! But we didn't get wine! What a disaster.
When we went with the catering option? Oh boy. Absolute glory. The chef was a revelation. They made us meals that are almost as good as a Michelin star restaurant! It was amazing. From hearty breakfasts to fuel you up for the day, to gourmet dinners served with exceptional wine. I felt like royalty! The only downside? It might have made me a little *too* relaxed...and less inclined to actually *ski*. (Worth it.)
So, check the details. If you *can* spring for the catering? Do it. Your stomach (and your sanity) will thank you. And if you're self-catering, make a *list* before you arrive, and stick to it! Or at least, remember the wine.
What's the vibe of the place? Romantic getaway? Family adventure? Party central?
Okay, this is an important one. It's not a nightclub. It's not the kind of place where you stumble in at 3 AM, covered in questionable substances. Unless *you* make it that, which, hey, no judgement. That's not my style.
I'd say it leans towards luxury and a bit of calm. It's ideal for a romantic escape, a well-deserved break from the rat race. Cozying up by the fire with a glass of something nice... Pure bliss. Family-friendly, too, as long as your kids appreciate the finer things in life (and don't mind being told to "shush" occasionally when you're enjoying the peace and quiet). I took my wife there, and my in-laws, at separate times.
It's definitely not a place for raucous partying, though. Think refined, not rowdy. Think 'après-ski at a quiet bar,' not 'shotski at a crowded pub.' I actually really appreciated this aspect. After a day of skiing, I didn't want to be surrounded by boisterous crowds. I wanted to sink into a comfy chair, and revel in the silence.
Anything *bad* about it? Come on, there has to be something!
Ugh, okay, fine. Let's get the disappointments out of the way. It wasn't *all* sunshine and rainbows, although sometimes I feel like it.
Firstly, the price. I've said it before, I'll say it again: it's expensive. Chicstayst
