Austrian Alps Paradise: Your Dream Apartment Awaits (Private Pool!)
Austrian Alps Paradise: My Dream Apartment… Sort Of (and That Pool, Wow!) - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or maybe the Glühwein, considering the location) on "Austrian Alps Paradise: Your Dream Apartment Awaits." Let me be clear: the idea of it is pure perfection. Snow-capped peaks, crisp mountain air, a private pool… sounds like a fairytale, right? Well, let's just say my fairytale had a few… unique plot twists.
Accessibility: (Or, How I Almost Became a Mountain Goat)
First off, accessibility. This category felt a bit… optimistic. "Facilities for disabled guests" is listed, which is good. But navigating the property felt less like a smooth ride and more like an off-road adventure on a particularly steep incline. The elevators? Bless their tiny, underpowered hearts, they felt like they were powered by hamsters on treadmills. Getting my luggage in was…an event. Definitely call ahead and clarify the specifics if you have any mobility issues. Honestly, I was half-expecting a mountain goat to offer me a ride at one point.
Wheelchair Accessible: Maybe, maybe not. Call ahead!
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Didn't see anything screaming "wheelchair access" in the dining areas, but then again, I wasn't actively looking for it. Focus remained solely on the pool at this point.
The Internet… A Love/Hate Story (and Some Epic Failures):
Alright, let's talk internet. "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" – music to my work-from-home ears. But here's the thing: it was… spotty. Like, "will it connect? Will it not?" kind of spotty. And the LAN connection? Forget about it. I swear, I spent more time troubleshooting than actually working. This is where the honest review begins.
Internet access: Present. Intermittently.
Internet [LAN]: Non-existent for me.
Internet services: Limited. I mean, it was there at times, so you have to give them that.
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!…technically true, but the performance was lacking..
Wi-Fi in public areas: Better, but still, you know… mountains.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… and That Freaking Pool:
This is where things get good. Or, at least, potentially amazing. The "ways to relax" were impressive. Spa, sauna, steamroom, fitness center… the works. I'm a sucker for a good spa day, so I was in heaven. The gym was decent, if a little basic. But the pool? Oh. My. God.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: Seriously, the pool. The pool. Is the reason to book this place. The view? Unbelievable. Infinity edge, gazing out at snow-dusted peaks. The water was the perfect temperature. I spent hours just floating, staring at the sky, and feeling all my cares melt away. It was pure, unadulterated bliss. I even caught a glimpse of myself in a moment of pure zen.
Pool with view: Chef’s kiss.
Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Fitness center, Gym/fitness: All good, classic relaxation-style.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage: Didn't indulge this time, but looked incredible!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Buffet Bonanza and Some Hidden Gems
The dining situation was a bit of a mixed bag. The breakfast buffet (shoutout to the Asian breakfast option!) was… well, a buffet. Plenty of choices, but nothing particularly mind-blowing. But then… there was the a la carte restaurant.
A la carte in restaurant: Yes, and a highlight!
Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service: Standard, but filling.
Asian breakfast: A delightful surprise!
Restaurants: Several, but the quality varied.
Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Snack bar: All handy!
Desserts in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant: all were very satisfying
Room service [24-hour]: Convenient, especially after a long day of… well, relaxing.
Alternative meal arrangement: A nice touch for dietary needs.
Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant: Something for everyone.
Happy hour: Always a good thing, right?
Bottle of water: Appreciated after a sauna session.
Vegetarian restaurant: Not my thing, but good to know!
The real standout, however, was a little hidden gem: the local bakery down the road. Their strudel? Legendary. I'm still dreaming about it. Seriously, if you stay here, FIND THE BAKERY.
Cleanliness and Safety (and a Few Funny Quirks):
Okay, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so the "Cleanliness and safety" section was important. And honestly, they did a pretty good job.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: All present and accounted for.
But… there were some quirks. Like, the hand sanitizer dispensers seemed to develop a mind of their own. One day it would squirt with gusto, the next, it would stubbornly refuse to cooperate. And the "individually-wrapped food options" felt a little… excessive. My room smelled like an entire hospital suite, but that might just have been the anti-viral products.
Cashless payment service, Cash withdrawal: Convenient!
First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Reassuring, though thankfully, I didn't need either.
The Room: My Alpine Sanctuary (with a Few Little Annoyances):
My apartment itself was lovely. Spacious, well-appointed, with a balcony that offered stunning views. I was in love with the idea of this place. Big, cozy bed. And a bathtub! I was ecstatic at first.
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, 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, 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, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Wow. that is a lot of stuff!
Additional toilet, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Smoke detector, Soundproofing, Towels, Umbrella: all of these also!
Room decorations: Really well-done!
High floor: The view was magnificent!
I’m not so in love with the fact that the view was almost impossible to see in the evening. This is when the room’s flaws begin to surface..
The lighting was… a little too romantic, if you know what I mean. My attempts to get a decent amount of light for actual work were foiled by the dim bulbs and ambient glow.
The soundproofing was pretty good, except when the neighbor upstairs decided to practice the tuba at 6 AM. I'm not kidding.
Linens: Excellent!
The desk and laptop workspace were appreciated!
Towels: soft and fluffy.
But, let's talk about the pillows. They were a little bit too hard.
Complimentary tea: Nice touch, though the selection was a bit basic.
The balcony… Well, it was great when I could get out there. But the door was a little sticky.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the "Wait, What?":
Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace: All the expected stuff, generally well-handled.
Business facilities, Xerox/fax in business center: Okay, but the Wi-Fi issues made it a headache.
Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking, Taxi service, Airport transfer: Driving is a must.
Convenience store: Useful, but overpriced.
Currency exchange: Handy.
Invoice provided: As expected.
Smoking area: Seemed a
Ski-In/Ski-Out Luxury: Your Dream Brixen im Thale Apartment Awaits!
Watring Waidring, Austria: Apartment Shenanigans and Existential Pool Dips (A Messy Itinerary)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your pristine, color-coded itinerary. This is the raw, unedited, slightly-hungover account of my Austrian adventure. We're in an apartment, with a 'joint pool' (that's code for ‘shared misery and lukewarm chlorinated water’), in Watring Waidring. Let's see if we can make it through…
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and the Quest for Schnitzel (and Sanity)
- 14:00 (ish) - Arrival: Landed in Munich, smooth enough, which immediately made me suspicious. Airport to taxi, then taxi to train, then train to a bus which was 90% old people discussing the weather. Then the bus drops us off 2 miles from our apartment, so we call a taxi. By "we" I mean I stared blankly at the Austrian countryside while my travel companion, bless her heart, did all the work and sorted the luggage. I think that one small bag got left somewhere, and I swear I thought I saw the taxi driver giving me a weird look.
- 15:30 - Apartment Unveiling: The apartment is… cozy. Okay, it’s tiny. Picture a shoebox, furnished by IKEA and populated, I think, by a family of gnomes. I’m instantly charmed. The balcony, however, has a view of… a road. And another road. And some really intensely green hills. Okay, maybe not so charmed.
- 16:00 - The First Pool-Side Stare: The "joint pool." I tentatively peer out the window at it. It’s less turquoise dream, more… concrete trough. A few elderly Austrians are doing laps, moving at the exact speed of continental drift. I vow to avoid it… for now.
- 17:00 - Culinary Catastrophe (Attempt): We try to cook dinner. "We" meaning my companion is trying, and I'm attempting to not burn anything down. The recipe for Wiener Schnitzel looks deceptively simple. Turns out, it isn’t. The kitchen is the size of my carry-on luggage, and the smoke alarm is aggressively sensitive. The 'Schnitzel' ends up looking like something my dog might have coughed up. We order pizza. Victory!
- 19:00 - Attempting to Sleep It Off: Jet lag is a beast! I'm fighting the urge to just pass out on top of the comforter. The only problem is that the comforters are itchy, so I'm just tossing and turning with a lot of time to think.
Day 2: Hiking Hysteria and the Miracle of Apfelstrudel
- 07:00 (approx.) – Wake Up: Wide awake! I don't know how, but I'm up and ready to face the world, even if the world wants to run away.
- 09:00 - The Hike of Doom (and Delight): We attempt a "moderate" hike. "Moderate" in Austria, apparently, means "sheer cliff face with questionable signage." We went a few hours, up, up, up. The views, though… breathtaking. Literally. My lungs felt like they were going to pop out of my chest.
- 12:00 - Apfelstrudel Redemption: We find a tiny, rustic café at the top of the mountain. The Apfelstrudel is the best thing I've ever eaten. Seriously. Flaky pastry, sweet apples, a whisper of cinnamon… it's a religious experience. I order seconds, because, why not?
- 14:00 - Hiking Hysteria (Part II): Back down. My knees are screaming. I'm pretty sure I saw a deer silently judging my fitness level. The trail is even more intimidating on the way back down.
- 16:00 - Pool Side Contemplation (and Failure): Back at the apartment. I drag myself to the pool, determined to overcome my fear. I gingerly lower myself into the frigid water. It's so cold. I make it about three minutes before declaring defeat and retreating to the warmth of the balcony. The old Austrians are still doing laps. I'm convinced they're robots.
- 19:00 - Dinner with the Devil: The pizza place we ordered from yesterday. I order the same size pizza, I swear that they have gotten smaller since yesterday.
Day 3: Cave Wonders, Village Quirks, & the Alluring Void of the Pool
- 09:00 - Exploration (sort of): Attempted a "cultural experience" at a local cave. Turns out, caves are cold and drippy. The formations are pretty though, I guess. I'm more of a "sit in a sunny spot" kinda tourist.
- 11:00 - Village Wanderings: We get lost (surprise) in the most charming way possible. Found a bakery. Bought way too many pastries. Ate them. No regrets. The village is ridiculously picturesque. Every house looks like it belongs on a Christmas card.
- 14:00 - Poolside Reconnaissance (Take Two): Another attempt. I bring a book. I bring a towel. I bring a grim determination. I dip a toe in. It's still freezing. I stick to my book on the sun lounger. I watch the robots swim. I judge them silently. I decide I'm not a pool person.
- 17:00 - The Great Cheese Acquisition: We stumble upon a local cheese shop! Oh. My. God. The selection! The smells! The sheer audacity of it all! We purchase way too much cheese. We also buy sausages. This feels like a good sign, for a while.
- 18:00 - Apartment cheese and sausage fiasco: I'm still bad at cooking. We take the food to the balcony with a bottle of wine. The wine is bad. The cheese is good. The sausages are great. The view is of a road. I'm thinking that it's nice.
Day 4: The Big Pool Dip - A Moment of Zen? (Spoiler: No)
- 09:00 - The Grand Ambition: Today's the day. We're tackling the pool. I've mentally prepared myself. I've taken a deep breath. I've accepted my fate.
- 10:00 - Poolside Confrontation: I walk out, with my bathing suit on, and I get to the pool. The sight of the cold water is not as inviting as it sounds.
- 10:05 - The Plunge (and the Regret): I jump. It's as bad as I imagined. Ice water! I scramble out, shivering and defeated. The robots give me a look, which is a lot more judgemental than I thought.
- 10:10 - The Realization: I am not a pool person. Never was. Never will be. This is my truth. I'm okay with it.
- 11:00 - An Escape: We pack up our stuff and leave.
- 12:00 - The Trip Back Home: The trip back went a lot smoother. No problems. I still feel like something was left behind. I hope to find it, one day.
- After all: I have no idea how to end this. Austria was… an experience. The Apfelstrudel was the highlight. The pool was a lowlight. The fact that I'm going to stay in this crazy place makes me laugh. Maybe that's the whole point? We're still friends.
Austrian Alps Paradise: Your Dream Apartment Awaits – Seriously, a Private Pool?!
Okay, is this real? A *private* pool in the Austrian Alps? Like, is this a typo? Did someone accidentally add a zero?
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because yes, YES it's real. No, I haven't gone completely bonkers. I swear. The private pool? It's the reason I'm still pinching myself. I actually spent, like, a solid hour staring at the listing photos and then calling the agent, half expecting them to say, "Oh yeah, that's a communal kiddie pool shared with the angry neighbor's poodle." Nope. Private. Yours. And let me tell you, after a day of hiking and eating schnitzel, that cool plunge? Pure. Bliss. Okay, maybe not *pure* bliss – remember when I slipped on the edge the first day? I think my dignity is still recovering. But yeah, totally real.
What's the catch? There's *always* a catch, right? Like, does the air conditioning sound like a jet engine? Or the Wi-Fi is slower than a snail on valium?
Okay, the catch. Let’s be real, nothing’s perfect. The air conditioning *is* a little… enthusiastic. Think more "industrial fan" than "whisper-quiet breeze." But honestly? You're in the Alps! You're supposed to be outside, soaking up that crisp mountain air. Just open a window, dammit! And the Wi-Fi? It's… functional. Don't expect to stream 4K movies. Think more like... checking emails and occasionally uploading that stunning photo of the pool (which, let's face it, is the only internet activity that *really* matters). And the heating? Magnificent! Honestly, sometimes I just sat in the living room, just breathing in the air. Not a catch.
How far is it from, you know, civilization? Like, can I actually get takeout? Or am I stuck eating those weird cheese things from the gas station?
Okay, civilization… that depends on your definition. There's a charming little village about ten minutes away with a grocery store so charming, you'd think it was out of a fairytale! And yes, there *is* takeout. Mostly pizza and schnitzel. Look, I'm not complaining. Pizza and schnitzel *are* high on my list of essential food groups. The gas station cheese things, though? Yeah, maybe avoid those. Unless you're feeling *adventurous*. I tried one by accident. Let's just say the experience involved a lot of water and a near-death experience.
Is this place family-friendly? Like, will my kids be miserable? And will I be judged for letting them scream in the pool?
Family-friendly? Hmm. Okay, I don't have kids, so take this with a grain of salt the size of Austria. But there’s space, a playground at the nearby village, and a pool that’s *perfect* for splash fights. (Just maybe warn the neighbors – that water pressure is intense!). The apartment is spacious, even if you're all tripping over each other. I think it depends how much the "scream" comes. I imagine it’d be like a very special, mountainy, high-pitched, sound. (For me, it sounds like a dying cat.) Judging? Look, even if you are the judge, the view from the windows will shut them up.
What's the best thing about this place, beyond the pool? (Because, let's face it, the pool is already the winner.)
Okay, *besides* the pool… that's a tough one. The view, of course. Absolutely mind-blowing. You wake up to the sun kissing the mountains, and it is so beautiful you tear up. I had to force myself to eat breakfast sometimes, because I was so emotional. The apartment also has a cozy, lived-in feel. It doesn't feel like a sterile hotel room. Someone actually *lives* there. It’s got character, even if the wallpaper choice in the guest room is… bold. (Think: slightly faded, floral, with a hint of the 70s. Embrace it!) And the hiking! Oh, the hiking! I spent a whole day just wandering around, getting lost, and feeling completely and utterly… peaceful. (Except for that rogue cow that tried to eat my backpack. Good times.)
Give me the real talk. Any downsides? Be honest, I can handle it.
Alright, the real talk. There's the "enthusiastic" air conditioning, as mentioned; the hike up the driveway does make you want to give it up after a week. And the lack of a grocery store. You'll need a car. Also, if you're expecting a five-star, everything-is-perfect experience, you might be disappointed. This place is about authenticity, charm, and a whole lotta peace and quiet… and a freaking *private pool*! The furniture might not be the latest IKEA catalogue, but the charm outweighs any tiny flaw. And honestly? The downsides are so minor, you won’t care. You'll be too busy floating in that pool, contemplating the meaning of life, and wondering if you can quit your job and move there forever. (I'm seriously considering it).
The pool! Tell me more about the pool! Is it heated? Is it big enough to swim laps? Is it... actually clean?
Okay, the pool. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE POOL! It’s… not Olympic-sized. Don't expect to train for the next games. But it is big *enough* for a proper swim. It is *clean*. I made a point of checking. I was that paranoid person checking the filter every five minutes, afraid of finding a dead bird or something. The water's a perfect temperature. Not freezing cold, not bathwater warm. Just… perfect. Honestly, I think I spent at least half my waking hours IN that pool. Even when it was raining, I’d peek out and think, "Should I? Probably not. But… hmm…" And then I'd jump in anyway. It's *that* good. Best. Thing. Ever. (Besides the schnitzel, obviouslyBook a Stay
