Escape to the Alps: Stunning Aschau Apartment w/ Balcony!
Escape to the Alps: Stunning Aschau Apartment w/ Balcony! - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, so I just got back from, like, the most ridiculously scenic trip to Aschau, Germany. And before I even unpack my questionable souvenir lederhosen (details later!), I gotta spill the beans on this apartment I crashed in – Escape to the Alps: Stunning Aschau Apartment w/ Balcony! Prepare yourselves, because this review is gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "drunken rant after a particularly good Apfelstrudel."
Metadata & SEO-Friendly Jargon (Gotta play the game, right?):
- Keywords: Aschau, Alps, apartment, balcony, accessibility, spa, sauna, swimming pool, wifi, family-friendly, pet-friendly (sort of!), German Alps, Tyrol region, holiday rental, Bavarian hospitality.
- Description: Honest review of a stunning Aschau apartment with a balcony, covering everything from accessibility and on-site amenities to the weird and wonderful quirks of the stay. Includes musings on the spa, food, and overall vibe with a dash of personal chaos. #Aschau #Alps #ApartmentReview #TravelGermany #Bavaria #SpaLife #HonestReview #WheelchairAccessible
Let's Get Down to Brass Tacks (or, You Know, the Balcony):
First impressions? The balcony? Majestic. Seriously. I took one look at that view – snow-capped mountains practically begging for Instagram filters (guilty!) – and nearly snorted my coffee out of my nose. This apartment is a serious contender for "Best View Ever." Okay, maybe tied with that time I saw the Grand Canyon at sunset… but still!
(Rant incoming…because real life.) The only snag? My clumsy self almost tripped over the threshold the first time I went out there. (Yes, I was carrying coffee. Priorities.) So, Accessibility wise… kinda good, kinda not. The apartment itself seemed fairly accessible, with an elevator (thank the Lord!) and decent-sized rooms. BUT that little threshold could be a challenge for real wheelchair users. You'd have to be careful, but otherwise the Facilities for disabled guests looked pretty promising for a basic level of access. More on that later.
The Good Stuff: Spa, Sauna, and Pretending to be Healthy
Alright, let's get to the fun part. They had a Spa/sauna situation. Which, naturally, I fully exploited. Honestly, after a day of hiking (pretending to be Bear Grylls), the Sauna was pure heaven. Soaking in the steam, sweating out all the Apfelstrudel I'd consumed (and there was a lot), and generally feeling like a pampered god/goddess of the Bavarian countryside. They even had a Foot bath! I felt my troubles melt away… and then I slipped on a wet tile. (See? Imperfections!)
They also boasted a Swimming pool [outdoor]. I'm not a huge swimmer, but the pool itself was GORGEOUS. More importantly, it had a Pool with a view. Again, Instagrammable gold. I did, however, make the mistake of trying to do a leisurely breaststroke while wearing my new lederhosen (stupid idea!). Lesson learned: lederhosen and water don't mix. 😅
Food Glorious Food (and My Questionable Choices)
Okay, the Dining, drinking, and snacking situation? Chef's kiss. Restaurants (plural!), a Poolside bar for those necessary pre-dinner cocktails, and… wait for it… Breakfast [buffet] service! Yes! A buffet! My kryptonite! The Asian breakfast option was an interesting cultural curveball, although I stuck to the good ol' Western breakfast mainly because, well, I am a total stereotype. The Coffee/tea in the restaurant was excellent, and I may have had a few too many cups. They also offered A la carte in restaurant and what looked like some awesome options, but I just couldn't stray away form the amazing buffet.
A few random food thoughts: The Desserts in restaurant were calling my name, but I opted for the Salad in restaurant from time to time, because balance. I did, however, make a bee-line for the Happy hour every day. And on a side note, the Bottle of water waiting for me in my room was a life saver.
Cleanliness and Safety – The COVID Chronicles (Sigh)
Let's be real, the COVID stuff kinda looms over everything these days. This place was seriously on top of it, though. Anti-viral cleaning products were a-blazing! They had Daily disinfection in common areas, and I swear the staff were practically obsessed with hand sanitizer (which, hey, I'm not complaining!). I noted Safe dining setup, and overall felt pretty safe. They even had Individually-wrapped food options (buffet-wise) and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I never actually had a nurse on call, because I didn't need one (yay!), but the fact that they had a Doctor/nurse on call made me feel much more relaxed.
The Apartment Itself – The Little Things (and the Big Ones)
Okay, let's talk specifics of the "Escape" part. The apartment itself was well-equipped. The Wi-Fi [free] worked like a charm (important!), the Air conditioning in the rooms was an absolute blessing (especially with the lederhosen incident!), and the Free bottled water was a lifesaver after a long hike. They even had a complimentary tea selection, which I highly enjoyed.
Room Details: I loved the Blackout curtains, perfect for sleeping off my Apfelstrudel hangovers. They had an alarm clock (helpful) and even slippers. Slippers, people! The additional toilet, was much appreciated, and the Private bathroom, of course. And the Seating area, perfect to relax and enjoy the view after a long day.
The desk was the perfect place to dump my stuff while I explored the area, and the hair dryer was a welcome tool.
There were some small flaws. I could have used better room light, and the non-smoking policy was a bummer for smokers. But overall, it was comfy, well-appointed, and genuinely relaxing. They also offered an ironing service, but I can't speak to its functionality: I'm on vacation, I only packed clothes I can wrinkle!
Accessibility, Round Two - Digging Deeper:
Okay, here's where things get a little messier. While the apartment seemed accessible, I didn't personally test every single aspect. The website mentioned facilities for disabled guests, which is good. But I REALLY wish I had a detailed, itemized list. I had to guess the check-in/out [express] was an option, if needed, which is a win.
Services and Conveniences:
- Air Conditioning in Public Area: Yay!
- Concierge: Useful for recommendations.
- Daily housekeeping: Cleaned up my mess, bless them.
- Doorman: Always a nice touch.
- Laundry Service: Probably a must for many, but I didn't use it.
- Luggage storage: Handy.
- Safe deposit box: Peace of mind.
For the Kids (and the Kid in Me):
I didn't have kids with me, but the place seemed pretty Family/child friendly. I saw babysitting service listed but can't vouch for the quality. They had kids facilities such as a small play area, or so I overheard from the other guests. They did offer Kids meals, which is always a bonus.
Getting Around:
- Car Park [free of charge]: Awesome.
- Taxi service: Available, but I opted for exploring the area.
The Imperfect Truth:
Look, this place wasn't perfect. The accessibility could be better detailed. And the lederhosen and pool incident? A moment of pure, unadulterated embarrassment. But overall? It was an amazing experience. The apartment offered incredible views, a relaxing spa, delicious food, and a staff that felt genuinely welcoming. The few drawbacks were easily outweighed by the sheer beauty and the feeling of utterly escaping, even if just for a week.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just, maybe, leave the lederhosen at home (or at least away from the water).
Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5 Apfelstrudels (minus half an Apfelstrudel for the threshold and my lederhosen faux pas).
Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Farmhouse in the Belgian WoodsAlright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is my itinerary, written by a slightly caffeinated, easily distracted, and frequently hangry human, for a trip to an apartment in Aschau im Zillertal with a balcony overlooking (hopefully) the glorious Zell am Ziller, Austria. Let's do this (and pray I don't lose my phone).
Day 1: Arrival and the Audacity of Altitude (and possibly, a melt-down)
- Morning (or Whenever I Can Drag Myself Out of Bed): Flight to Munich. Okay, this is the boring part. Pray for no screaming babies or armrest hogs. I’m already picturing the horror of the airplane food… oh, the humanity! And for the love of all that is holy, let the luggage arrive with me.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Arrive in Munich. Okay, first hurdle: navigating the airport in a sleep-deprived haze. Second hurdle: finding the rental car. I swear, GPS systems and I have a complicated relationship. It usually ends with me yelling at a disembodied voice.
- Mid-Afternoon: The Drive! The scenic route… yeah, right. I’m aiming for the scenic route, but let's be honest, I'll probably get stuck behind a slow-moving tractor and spend the whole time muttering under my breath about the joys of rural life. This is where snacks and a banging playlist are non-negotiable. And maybe some emergency chocolate, just in case.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Arrive in Aschau! Hopefully, the apartment is as advertised. "Balcony with a view" could mean anything from a breathtaking panorama to, you know, a view of the neighbor's washing line. Fingers crossed for the former. Unpack. Admire view (if it's good). Settle in. The first thing I'm doing, though, is finding the nearest grocery store. I’m famished already.
- Evening: Dinner. Experiment with making a proper Austrian dinner - probably will ruin the schnitzel (sorry, not sorry). Or, if I'm feeling lazy (and let's face it, I probably will be), hunt down a local restaurant. The goal: good food and something to celebrate the fact that I’ve actually made it here! Let's hope Google Translate is my friend.
Day 2: Zillertal Valley Adventures (and a possible existential crisis)
- Morning: Wake up and take a deep breath of that mountain air. Is it the most beautiful thing to ever wake up to? Maybe. Probably. Coffee, coffee, coffee. Then, let's get exploring!
- Late Morning: Zell am Ziller! This is where the fun begins. Maybe take the cable car up the mountain? I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to heights, but the pictures look amazing, right?! Deep breaths. I am not going to be that person clinging to the guardrail.
- Afternoon: Hiking, I guess? I'm not a seasoned hiker, but I'm determined to at least attempt a trail. The views are apparently worth it. Prepare for me to be complaining about sore feet. Pray I don't get lost and eaten by a bear. Because, you know, the usual.
- Late Afternoon: After the hike, treat myself to a "Kaiserschmarrn". It's some kind of delicious shredded pancake thing, and I'm already drooling. I'm gonna need all the energy I can get for the next part.
- Evening: Okay, here's the tricky part - exploring a local pub. Embrace the Austrian culture. Drink some local beer. Talk to locals and attempt to speak German (even if it's terrible). This could either be an amazing bonding experience or an utter disaster (that I'll later laugh about). I hope I remember how to say "another beer, please".
Day 3: The Mighty Zillertal High Road and Maybe a Bit of Self-Reflection (AKA, the Day I Question Everything)
- Morning: Zillertal High Road. Seriously, the pictures look incredible. The plan is to drive the entire length. I'm not expecting any actual sightseeing here, I'm expecting me to be completely focused on the road and not driving off the edge of the mountain, however, the views are expectedly stunning.
- Late Morning/Afternoon: Stop at some of the viewpoints. Take some really bad photos. Pretend I'm an Instagram influencer (even though I'm definitely not). Have a picnic lunch with the hopefully still-intact snacks from yesterday.
- Mid-Afternoon: Find a small village. Wander aimlessly. Get lost. That's the goal. Get away from the tourists and the crowds and just…be. Maybe visit a quaint church. Or a local cafe. Maybe get a bit philosophical. You know, the real reason I'm taking this trip: not just for the views, but to think.
- Evening: Back to the apartment. Relax and recharge. Write in my journal (if I actually get around to it). Maybe sit on the balcony and watch the sunset (if the weather cooperates). Prepare myself for an early start the next day.
Day 4: Day of the Waterfalls and Farewell (and Trying to Stay Present)
- Morning: Visit the Krimml Waterfalls! Apparently, they're the largest in Austria. Prepare to get wet, take a lot of pictures, and generally be in awe of nature's power. I'm guessing I'll spend the whole time gasping. "Wow, wow, wow!"
- Late Morning/Afternoon: Another hiking adventure, this time maybe a shorter, less strenuous one (my legs will thank me). I'm considering waterfalls, lakes and mountains. I'll choose the one that looks the most appealing on the map.
- Afternoon: Do some last minute souvenir shopping. Attempt to find something unique. Probably end up buying something totally random. And expensive.
- Evening: The final dinner. Reluctantly pack my bags. Say goodbye to the view. Reflect on the trip. Do I wish I did more? Probably. Am I happy I did this? Absolutely.
Day 5: Departure (and the Longing for Strudel)
- Morning: The dreaded drive back to Munich. Say goodbye to the mountains. Hope the traffic isn't too horrendous.
- Mid-Morning/Early Afternoon: Drop off the rental car. Navigate the airport. Pray for no delays.
- Afternoon: Board the plane. Hopefully, I’m not sitting next to a snorer.
- Evening: Land back home. Start planning my next trip! The longing for strudel and mountain air hits me the second I take off my shoes. Austria, I'll be back!
Okay, so, that's the plan. Remember, this is just a guideline. It will probably be a messy, imperfect, and unforgettable adventure. And that's exactly the way I want it. Now, where's that emergency chocolate…?
Beachfront Bliss: Soustons Apartment w/ Dishwasher!