Escape to the Alps: Luxurious Gaschurn Apartment w/ Ski Storage!
Escape to the Alps: Luxurious Gaschurn Apartment - A Review (Because Let's Be Real…)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (complimentary, hopefully) on this "Escape to the Alps" apartment in Gaschurn. And I'm not just talking about the plush towels and the free wifi. We're diving deep – into the good, the slightly-off, and the moments that made me want to either hug a tree or scream into a pillow shaped like a cow (this is the Alps, after all).
(Metadata & SEO Blitz - Let's Get Those Search Engines Buzzing!)
- Keywords: Gaschurn apartment, Alps, ski storage, luxurious, accessible, spa, sauna, swimming pool, fitness center, wifi, mountain views, Austria, Vorarlberg, vacation rental, pet-friendly (sort of), family-friendly, contactless check-in, restaurant, bar, reviews, best, top places to stay, accessible travel, wheelchair accessible.
- Meta Description: A detailed review of the "Escape to the Alps" luxurious apartment in Gaschurn, Austria. Find out if it truly lives up to the hype – from ski storage and accessibility to the spa, food, and those stunning mountain views. Get ready for an honest, humorous, and slightly messy account of a real guest's experience!
(My Arrival and Initial Impressions: Expectations vs. Reality - The Everlasting Struggle)
First off, this thing is called "luxurious." And, to be fair, the website photos do deliver. But let's be real – "luxurious" can mean a lot of things. For me, it means a decent coffee maker and a view that doesn't involve a brick wall. (Spoiler alert: It had both! Score!)
Right off the bat, the accessibility was an extremely important factor for me. I was traveling with my elderly Aunt Mildred, who uses a wheelchair. The website claimed it was wheelchair accessible, and I'm happy to report… mostly. The elevator was a godsend, no stairs to climb! It had a decent amount of space, good for those with accessibility needs! The apartment itself had decent floor space, and thankfully there was no bathroom phone or any other bells and whistles that could prove to be a trip hazard. The facilities for disabled guests were there, but not over the top. It felt like a carefully considered thing, they put some thought into making it comfortable for all guests.
I'd give it a solid B+ for accessibility. There was a slight inclination here and there, and some of the doorways were a touch narrow, but overall, Mildred navigated like a seasoned pro. (She's a pro at everything, honestly.) The exterior corridor was straightforward, and the whole property felt pretty safe, with CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. Non-smoking rooms were a bonus; thankfully, nobody was lighting up in front of the place.
The check-in/out [express] was a breeze, which was incredible for me! With Aunt Mildred in tow, who knows what could have happened. The front desk [24-hour] was super helpful when it came to any issues.
(The Apartment Itself: A Deep Dive into the Nitty-Gritty)
The apartment? Okay, here's the breakdown. The air conditioning was AMAZING – a lifesaver during a surprisingly warm spell. The blackout curtains were legit. I mean, pitch black. Sleep nirvana! The bed was comfy (and an extra long bed at that!), and pillows that had you snoring minutes after you settled in. The carpet felt luxurious, and the closet was large enough for all our winter gear.
The kitchen was well-equipped. I'm talking coffee/tea maker, refrigerator, everything. We even had the free bottled water – little things like that make a difference, right? The separate shower/bathtub situation was great. And even though I’m not a huge fan of these, it was a plus that the apartment had convenient slippers and bathrobes.
The Wi-Fi [free] was strong. Seriously, I was streaming movies in the middle of nowhere, with no buffering! It's hard to believe that you could easily download movies and even work! They also had Internet access – LAN! And yes, there were Internet access – wireless!
Downsides? The mirror could have been bigger, and the desk was a little small for serious work, but those are pretty minor quibbles. The soundproofing was decent, but you could sometimes hear the neighbors, which was not ideal.
(The Amenities - Where Things Got Interesting)
Let's be honest, the amenities are a huge selling point. And this place almost delivered…
- The Spa/Sauna/Pool: The spa was lovely. I mean, just lovely. The sauna was hot, in a good way. And the pool with a view? Chef's kiss. Seriously, swimming while staring at snow-capped mountains? Iconic. The swimming pool [outdoor] was a bit chilly, but who cares? The steamroom was awesome as well and the spa had everything you could imagine. The foot bath was a treat. However, I wish the massage had been a little less expensive.
- Fitness Center & Gym/Fitness: I did not go to the gym/fitness, but I heard it was pretty decent.
- The Food and Drink (A Rollercoaster of Flavors) I had Breakfast [buffet] here. It was okay. There was a decent selection, but nothing to write home about. I could have tried the Asian breakfast or the Western breakfast, but I opted for the buffet! I was disappointed with the coffee/tea in restaurant which has led to a couple of bad experiences. I opted for the poolside bar, which was a good way to enjoy a drink.
- Things to Do: Okay, here's where things get a little wonky. The website promised a ton! But the execution… well, let's just say it varied. There are restaurants onsite. You could try the Asian cuisine in restaurant or the Western cuisine in restaurant.
- Ways to Relax: The body scrub sounded tempting, but I chickened out. Maybe next time. The body wrap could have been a fun experience as well.
(Cleanliness and Safety - Because, You Know, Pandemic Times)
The apartment felt clean. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I was on high alert, and I noticed a hand sanitizer station everywhere. I'm not sure how much the anti-viral cleaning products were being used, but I did not want to think about it. The rooms sanitized between stays. They had a daily disinfection in common areas, and the staff were trained. They had a safe dining setup and used sanitized kitchen and tableware items. They even have Individual-wrapped food options. I mean, this is as good as it gets.
(The Service - A Mixed Bag of Smiles and … Well, Less Smiles)
The staff were generally lovely. The concierge was super helpful with arranging things and gave out the best concierge recommendations, and the doorman was always there with a smile. The daily housekeeping team was on point. I loved that!
(The Quirks and the Imperfections - Because Life Isn't Perfect, and Neither is This Apartment)
- The Ski Storage: The ski storage was great. Convenient, secure, and well-organized. Top marks!
- The Room Decorations: The apartment had little details that were endearing, but it could feel a bit bare sometimes.
- The Location: Gaschurn is a cute town, but it's remote. Be prepared for a bit of a drive to get anywhere interesting. Also, the Car park [free of charge] was kind of chaotic.
(My Overall Verdict: Would I Go Back? Probably, But…)
Look, the "Escape to the Alps" apartment in Gaschurn has potential. It's got the bones of a great place. The scenery is stunning, the spa is amazing, and the key features – clean rooms, convenient amenities, good wifi – are all there.
For the price, it’s a good stay. However, if you are looking for the perfect vacation, then you have to be willing to pay a higher price.
So, yes, I'd probably go back. But next time, I'm bringing my own coffee and a serious game plan for eating out. And maybe I'll finally be brave enough to try that body scrub! Final Score: 4.2 out of 5 cow-shaped pillows.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Roevershagen Beachfront Apartment!Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my Gaschurn, Austria, ski trip itinerary. Forget the pristine bullet points and perfectly timed schedules you usually get. This is gonna be real, raw, and probably a little chaotic – just like me. And that attractive apartment with the ski storage? Oh, honey, we're going to live in that thing.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Luggage Debacle (aka, "Am I an Idiot?")
Morning: Land in Munich. Huzzah! I'm usually a mess after a flight. This time I am determined, determined to be a calm, collected globetrotter. (Spoiler alert: Didn't happen.) Actually, this is a lie, I am probably already thinking about the Apfelstrudel and the amount of mulled wine that is socially acceptable.
Mid-day: Train to Bludenz, Austria. The scenery? Breathtaking. Alps, snow-dusted trees, charming little villages… I spend the entire journey glued to the window, drooling. Finally, a perfect travel experience. (Moment of peace while it lasts)
Afternoon: Taxi to the apartment in Gaschurn (because who wants to carry skis and luggage on public transport after a flight, especially me?). This is where things get sticky. You see, I thought I'd packed a sensible bag with a decent suitcase. Turns out, the last time I skied, I was in my early twenties, and my "sensible packing" skills had… atrophied. Cue the Great Luggage Debacle. I'm talking ripped bag. Stuff spilling everywhere. Ski boots tumbling out. I'm pretty sure the taxi driver secretly pitied me. My apologies to the locals of Gaschurn.
Evening: The apartment! Holy moly. It is attractive. The ski storage room? A blessing. I might actual cry. The view from the balcony is insane. (Okay, breathe, don't start crying.) Unpack (or… attempt to salvage what's left of my packing). Dinner at a local Gasthaus. Ordered the Wienerschnitzel, because when in Rome (or Austria), you eat the schnitzel. Ate half. Fell asleep at the table. Jetlag is real.
Day 2: Skiing - Or, More Accurately, "Falling Down a Lot"
Morning: Ski rental. Found my skis. Found my boots. Struggled to find my balance. Decided I needed an experienced "instructor", or anyone who could help me. (Hint: The instructor was a very patient, very young man who looked about 12.) First time in a "long" (aka, many years) It's all a bit like riding a bike though, right?. Apparently not.
Mid-day: Learning to ski. (I use the term "learning" loosely.) More falls, more faceplants. Got a snowflake up my nose. The instructor, bless his heart, spent most of the time picking me up off the snow. I spent most of the time laughing, but also wanting to cry. And now I miss him.
Afternoon: I tried. I really, really tried. Made it down a blue run (with a healthy dose of fear and a lot of sideways sliding.) Celebrated with Glühwein at a mountain hut. It was… perfect. Except maybe the falling-on-my-butt part and the fact that the other skiers were zipping past me like I was standing still.
Evening: Apres-ski! (Which, in my case, meant collapsing by the fire.) Dinner at the apartment. Burnt the potatoes. Ate them anyway.
Day 3: Exploring & Embrace the Tourist
Morning: Give up on skiing (temporarily). Decided to explore Gaschurn. Walked around the village. Took approximately 500 photos of everything because, well, tourist. It snowed. It was magical. Almost felt like I was in a postcard.
Mid-day: Found a charming little bakery. Ate approximately six pastries. No regrets. They were divine. Decided to embrace the tourist lifestyle. Got a little tipsy.
Afternoon: Went to a spa. Had a massage (needed it, after all that falling). So relaxed I almost fell asleep in the sauna.
Evening: Found a traditional Austrian restaurant. Ate more food and had more Glühwein. Tried to speak some basic German, butchered it spectacularly, and the waiter laughed in the nicest way. Still worth it.
Day 4: The (Attempted) Adventurous Day
Morning: Return to skiing, because “this time will be different”. Took the gondola back up the mountain. Skiing. Fell down again. This time on the same run, like a fool. Took the gondola back down.
Mid-day: Decided to rent a snowshoe. Oh boy. Stumbled through the snow. Got completely lost (despite only being five feet from the groomed trail). Nearly fell into a ravine. Decided to take off the snowshoes.
Afternoon: Attempted, again, to ski. More falls, more laughter, more tears (of joy, mostly!). The mountain air. The sun (when it peeked out!). The crisp snow! I am not an athlete, I am not coordinated, but, I am happy. Finished the day with some more Glühwein, and a lot of cheese for dinner.
Evening: This evening was reserved for the rest of the cheese and Glühwein. Sat in front of the fire and listened to music. Realised how peaceful and relaxing my trip actually was.
Day 5: Departure Blues & Sweet Memories.
Morning: Woke up to the most gorgeous view yet. The mountains. The snow. And the knowledge that I had to pack and leave. Noooo! Packed. Packed everything and left nothing behind. Packed everything, and I decided I wanted to stay.
Mid-day: Taxi to Bludenz station. Train to Munich. All the feels.
Afternoon: Flight home. Watched the video I recorded (of me mostly falling) and laughed until I cried.
Evening: Back home. Exhausted, sunburnt, and smelling vaguely of Glühwein. But happy. Truly, gloriously happy. This trip wasn't perfect, it wasn't Instagram-worthy (unless face-planting is in vogue now). But it was mine. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Gaschurn, Austria, you were amazing. And I'll be back. Maybe next time, I'll even master the whole "skiing" thing. Maybe. Don't hold your breath.