Rooms

The 33 rooms are spread over 3 floors. We were surprised how many there were - each slightly different but all with uncluttered styling, designed by Evelyn's husband, Ike. 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. We most recently stayed in one of the Alpine Suites, spread over 2 floors, with a bedroom up top and living room with sofabed down below. The view from our twin balconies was truly spectacular. The Studios are smaller but still offer plenty of space for a couple and ample storage for winter gear. Most other rooms can fit a baby cot or rollaway bed.

Bathrooms are quietly stylish with fluffy towels, bathrobes and toiletries (but no conditioner on our last visit). 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. Their organic porridge and fruit compotes were excellent, and the daily changing fresh juices were a hit - even beetroot!

If you stay in for lunch, it will be laid out with fresh breads, a good variety of salads and soups (we loved the pea and coconut), and a selection of meats or dishes like poached salmon fillets or beef goulash: 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 - cling film and paper bags provided. 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 roasted duck breast. And be sure to try the local Austrian puddings - plum puree and souffle served with chocolate sauce - along with a glass of Grüner Veltliner or one of the fab house cocktails.

As rates are Full Board and the offering is so yummy you may never want to leave, but there are a few good bars and restaurants in Bad Gastein if you do fancy a change of scene. For a break from healthy eating (or to appease fussy eaters), head to Good Gastein Pizzeria for fresh pasta, Neopolitan-style pizzas and funky Italo-disco vibes. Silver Bullet Bar is the go-to spot for après ski. In the town's resort area, Sportgastein, we enjoyed traditional kaspressknodelsuppe (cheese dumpling soup) and apple strudel at Valeriehaus.

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, with 2-3 levels of difficulty on offer, 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)
  
• They offer guided 'buggy walks' for parents with babies/little ones, with buggies and baby carriers to borrow
  
• In the winter months, the Gastein Valley is one of the best skiing hotspots in Austria, with slopes for every ability; the hotel has a boot room and shuttle, and you can organise all lift passes and kit hire here
  
• 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; with twice-daily yoga sessions (included in the rate) in the pavilion in summer. There's also an in-house Shaman if you need your body cleansed
  
• 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

Best Time to go

Our Top Tips

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 daytime shuttle service to the hotel. The hotel can arrange a taxi if arriving at the station in the evening.

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

More on getting to Austria and getting around