Rooms

The 33 rooms are spread over 3 floors. We were surprised how many there were - each slightly different but all with uncluttered styling. Expect a mix of traditional Alpine flavours and contemporary furnishings: pine walls and flooring, modern Artimede reading lights and occasional splashes of colour from armchairs or sofas. As you progress up the scale you get more space, but most rooms have wonderful views and balconies and there's plenty of wardrobe space throughout.

For families, the Classic Suites have 2 inter-connecting bedrooms and 1-2 bathrooms. The Alpine Suites are spread over 2 floors, with a bedroom up top and living room with sofabed down below. Most other rooms can fit a baby cot or rollaway bed.

Bathrooms are quietly stylish with fluffy towels, bathrobes and Aveda toiletries. Book a Double Room or Alpine Suite Sunrise for a bathtub; other rooms are shower only.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

With its magnificent panoramic view, crisp white tablecloths, colourful lampshades and relaxed ambience, Haus Hirt's dining room is one of the world's great treats.

Stays are Full Board, which made planning our day a lot easier. Breakfast is a buffet spread - pastries, juices, yoghurt and usual Continental fare - but they'll ask if you want anything cooked, too, and bring you piping hot coffee or tea. Their organic porridge and fruit compotes were excellent.

If you stay in for lunch, it will be laid out with fresh breads, simple salads and soups (we loved the pea and coconut), and a selection of meats or dishes like poached salmon fillets: nothing is too elaborate but it's all very tasty. If you're going off for the day they encourage you to make up sandwiches from the breakfast buffet and squirrel away a packed lunch. Just be sure you're back for afternoon tea, which includes irresistible cakes, like chocolate Sachertorte.

Dinner menus aren't too long and change daily; we found the food scrummy. We especially liked the selection of organic, locally sourced dishes - healthy salads and dishes like Weiner Schnitzel, dumpling soup or fresh trout. And be sure to try the local Austrian puddings - plum puree and souffle served with chocolate sauce.

Features include:

• All meals included
• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Lots of thought and imagination goes into the suggested daily activities. Published separately each week for kids and adults they cover both outdoor pursuits (skiing, winter hiking, climbing, summer walking, cycling, archery, gold panning, horse riding, golf, fishing) and indoor activities (bread-baking on charcoal and various workshops
  
• There are stunning guided hikes across beautiful Alpine slopes and forests - a joy to share with other guests. Running from early May to late October, they recommend trips appropriate for various age groups: either take a short drive and / or a cable car ride up to higher ground (the nearest cable car is within walking distance)
  
• The Aveda Spa has a long list of health and beauty treatments and views across the valley. You're spoilt for choice with re-balancing massages, facials, wraps, body therapies, even doctor's check-ups. Whether man, woman, baby, pregnant, they'll tailor a programme to make you feel very well indeed - all in a deeply calming place. Afterwards, profit from the local regenerative water in the thermal bath or bliss out in the sauna
  
• Skilled yoga teachers are on-hand to give classes for all levels.
  
• Walk along the promenade into Bad Gastein with its impressive waterfall (you can even zipline across it). It takes 20 mins to reach the centre of town, and to capture the history there's an App you can download with audio guide and an interactive map
  
• In summer months Bad Gastein hosts a festival of arts and culture featuring exhibitions and concerts from inspiring artists around the world

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Archery
• Climbing
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Skiing
• Snowsports
• Well being
• Yoga

Kids

Children are warmly welcomed and this is a fantastic hotel for families with large and inter-connecting rooms, equipment to borrow, a free Kids Club and imaginative activities both on-site and nearby. In summer the complimentary daily guided family hikes (varying levels) were a highlight for us. We'd return early afternoon, then the kids would join in the supervised activities while we relaxed in the spa.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms except Single and Small and Chic can fit a baby cot or rollaway bed (we particularly liked the Studio corner room, #69). The Classic Suites have 2 bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin) and interconnect. Classic Suite I has a shared bathroom; Classic Suite II have 2 ensuite shower bathrooms. The Alpine Suites are split level with a bedroom up top and living room with sofabed down below.

Distances:

• Airport: 1.5 hours' drive (Salzburg)
• Shop: 5 minutes' walk (Bad Gastein)
• Hospital: 10 minutes' walk (Bad Gastein)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Haus Hirt is located in the town of Bad Gastein in Austria, 96km from Salzburg.

By Air:
Fly into Salzburg (100km / 1.5 hrs), Innsbruck (200km / 3 hrs) or Munich (265 km / 3 hrs). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport:
There are regular shuttles from the airports, which can be booked via Austria Transfer. You can get away without hiring a car but it does give more flexibility - see our car rental recommendations - or ask the hotel for further information on transfers.
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By Train:
Euro, Intercity and Express trains stop at Bad Gastein railway station (eg direct connection Munich to Gastein), and there's a shuttle service to the hotel.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when the booking is confirmed through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Austria and getting around