This uber-cool Alpine hotel is as much a piste-side wellness retreat as a luxury activity base. At an altitude of 1050m, above Leogang village in northwest Austria, the eco-chic wooden structure immerses you in a wilderness of jagged peaks and forested valleys, stunning in all seasons. Whether sipping natural wine on a sunsoaked daybed, enjoying an early morning vinyasa yoga flow or schussing back from the snowpark, you’ll find inspiration all around.
The 54 stylish rooms are made entirely of ‘moon timber’ (felled during a positive phase of the moon), believed to lower your heartrate and promote feelings of calm. It’s exactly this vibe that makes Forsthofalm so special. From 5-course organic dinners and hand-picked herbal massages, to romantic petal-filled baths and alfresco hot tubs, you’ll come away feeling properly pampered. Just what you need after spending the day navigating the slopes, be it on skis, cycle or foot; the chairlift is mere metres from the front door, so get out there! Ideal for honeymooners, couples or friends, it’s rare to find somewhere that steak-loving yogis and adrenaline-junkie vegans will be equally at ease. This is the ultimate Alpine crowd-pleaser.
Highs
- Ski-in, ski-out access (you're 50m from a chairlift) in the beautiful Leogang mountains, part of Saalbach-Hinterglemm, one of Austria’s biggest ski areas. Great hiking and biking access in summer, too
- Hugely romantic: suspended beds and saunas in some suites, an outdoor champagne bar with a firepit in winter and luxurious lounger in summer
- We loved the steaming rooftop pool, wonderful spa and indulgent treatments, and made good use of the free daily yoga sessions and fitness classes
- Rates include a delicious organic breakfast, afternoon snacks and a 5-course dinner with plenty of veggie/vegan options
- Good value off-season
Lows
- The valley roads get congested during peak winter season; allow plenty of travel time
- In low snow conditions, snow cannons run throughout the night; rooms on the forest side are quieter
- This is a European spa so expect plenty of nudity
- Avoid school holidays if you want a romantic break, although this isn't a particularly family-oriented place (over 12s only). Children aren’t allowed in the pool after 3pm
- A full lunch is only served in winter; shops & restaurants are a 10-minute drive away (or 25min walk), but the hotel runs a shuttle service (limited times)
Best time to go
Forsthofalm is open year round. The ski season runs from December-April and is a popular time to cosy up by an open fire after a day of winter sports. Spring (late April-May) sees the snow melt away to reveal a carpet of glorious wild flowers. Summer days (June-September) are long and warm, ideal for activities such as hiking and biking. Autumn (October-November) is a much quieter time to visit; daytime temperatures are still mild but the evenings can be chilly.
Our top tips
In summer, take the Asitz cable car from Leogang to the midstation, where you'll find the 'senses' park; highlights include a barefoot walk scented by herbs, a beautiful manmade lake and a few adrenaline-inducing activities like tobogganing and an XXL zipline.
- Boutique Hotel
- 54 rooms
- Half-board stays
- 12yrs & over allowed but not ideal
- Open all year
- Pools
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Ski rental
Rooms
Rooms are elegantly designed from solid pine, with floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the huge views. You’ll find no kitsch cowbells or Lederhosen here; just sleek, modern double beds (2 duvets), Scandi-style sofas and a pervasive feeling of calm. Each has a private terrace and ensuite bathroom with rain shower or bathtub, and you won't want for space - even the smallest rooms felt generous.
Garden Rooms are the best value, with lovely terraces that open directly onto the hotel's lawned garden. We stayed in a Hill Side Room and loved soaking in the sun from our south-facing balcony. The Forest Rooms are similar in design but face north, looking out onto the pine trees.
For extra luxury, choose one of the spacious suite options. The Alm Suite is unusual but romantic, with its infrared sauna and in-room freestanding bathtub. There’s a double daybed for relaxing and separate bedroom with walk-in wardrobe. Equally plush are the penthouse Panorama Suites. We were bowled over by their wide-reaching views, separate sitting areas with wood-burners and home cinemas; they’re a luxurious space for couples. Secret Forest Suites have suspended beds and balconies with private saunas, while the Mountain Suites feature an open fire and bathroom with mountain views. Sunny Suites sleep up to 4 and are the best option for families.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Terrace/balcony
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
Food at Forsthofalm focuses on regional, seasonal fare with contemporary twists. The organic ingredients are locally sourced and peppered with herbs from the kitchen garden.
In the candlelit restaurant, we sat down for a 5-course dinner, chosen from nutritionally balanced, creative menus. There were several vegan options that all sounded tantalising on paper, but we felt they fell slightly short on taste when compared with the meat and fish. Our mains of crispy pork belly and duck breast with teriyaki sauce were grilled over an open flame and packed with flavour, and we really enjoyed the vegan mille-feuille with avocado cream, lime and raspberry sorbet. Leave room for their huge selection of cheese - accompanied by a bottle of biodynamic wine from the very impressive cellar.
Wake up to the smell of fresh bread and a sumptuous buffet breakfast. Press your own juice and mix a bespoke bircher muesli before loading up your plate with real honeycomb, smoked salmon or eggs cooked to order. You'll even be offered sparkling wine.
Lunch is available during winter; if here in summer, there's a snack buffet laid out in the afternoon, served 3-5pm in the laid-back Alm lounge. Soups, salads, pastries and cakes help to refuel before pre-dinner cocktails in the outdoor champagne bar with a firepit and loungerbeds. Be aware that you will be charged for tap water, but this is 'granderwasser', said to be higher quality than typical bottled water with superior health benefits.
You can opt for Half-Board or B&B rates, and there's plenty of choice in Leogang if you end up eating out. The village is pretty trendy and has the restaurants to match: expect great quality at high prices. It's a 25-minute walk to the village, so try to time your journey with the hotel's shuttle service. Out on the slopes, there are mountain huts all across the Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang area to fuel you on your way.
Features include:
- Bar
- Organic produce
- Restaurant
- Room service
Activities
- Relax with a swim, sauna and a stunning view in the hotel's rooftop wellness centre; indulge in a rejuvenating facial, massage or bespoke treatment
- Free yoga, meditation and fitness sessions are offered throughout the day. E-bike tours, cocktail-making classes and BBQs on the terrace are available for an extra cost
- In winter, enjoy ski-in/ski-out access to the Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang resort, which has 270km of piste and 73 lifts; ski down to the village of Saalbach with its cafés, bars and boutiques
- Practise your frontside grabs in the nearby Nitro Snowpark, with its half pipes, learning slopes and annual competitions
- In warmer months, hike one of the 294 trails in the stunning Leogang area; highly recommended is the 2- to 3-hour trek up to Birnbachloch rock cave. Summer rates at the hotel include a free lift pass
- Discover the 'Mountain of Senses' by taking the Asitz cable car; there's a good hiking trail at the top of the line, as well as a yoga space and a waterfall, plus there's a sensory park halfway down (see Top Tips for details)
- Mountain bikers will enjoy the bike park next to the hotel and 720km of routes; e-bikes are available to rent for those averse to hills
- Abundant other activities are available including archery, flying fox, golf, high ropes, helicopter rides, snowshoeing, tobogganing and sleigh rides
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Golf
- Helicopter flights
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Skiing
- Snowsports
- Well being
- Yoga
Kids
Children aged 12 and over are welcome on request, but it's principally an adult hotel. Teens aren't allowed in the swimming pool after 3pm.
Family friendly accommodation:
The best rooms for families are the Sunny Suites, which are open-plan with sofabeds for up to 2 children, or the Alm Suite, which can sleep up to 5 and has a separate master bedroom.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Forsthofalm is in a peaceful spot halfway up a ski slope, 10 minutes' drive from the village of Leogang in northwest Austria.
By Air:
Fly into Salzburg (just over an hour's drive), Innsbruck (2 hours) or Munich (2.5 hours).
From the Airport
There are regular shuttles to Leogang; book in advance. Alternatively, the hotel can provide door-to-door transfers. If you're planning to drive here, remember that if you hire a car in Germany/your route goes through Germany, there may be cross-border charges. Don't forget to purchase a vignette (toll sticker) before driving on an Austrian autobahn. See our car rental recommendations. The hotel has a car park (small nightly charge).
By Train:
Trains in Austria are affordable and easy to navigate. To reach Leongang it takes around 2.5 hours from Salzburg or about 3 hours from Munich. The hotel can organise a shuttle to and from the station, which is only 10 minutes away.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Salzburg 76.0 km
- Innsbruck 126.0 km
Other:
- Beach 0.0 km
- Shops 5.0 km
- Restaurant 5.0 km