Bad Gastein was once Austria's go-to spa town of the last century. It has seen many hotels come and go over the years. But Haus Hirt is in a league of its own. This is our kind of place: eclectic design, oodles of style, imaginative decor, a magical Alpine setting, and service that gives a homely feel you can't bear to leave. Evelyn took ownership at the turn of the century. With her architect husband and a band of artisan friends she created 33 beautiful rooms. Strong colour palettes blend perfectly throughout and you can sense a creative energy at work from room to room. There's also an entire spa floor devoted to the kind of rejuvenating treatments the region's famed for – a must for your health, peace and happiness.
A myriad of activities are organised all year round, with real love and thoughtfulness: we were keen to hike so they left a rucksack stocked with maps and snacks in our room. You'll be staying Full Board, so a lot less hassle, and the restaurant has one of the world's most romantic dining rooms, with wonderful views across to distant mountain trains weaving along the valley; we felt we could actually be on the Orient Express. People come together from all generations here. Kids are brilliantly looked after, strangers meet, old friends and families gather all in one big jumble. There's something you just can't put your finger on about Haus Hirt. It never fails to charm us.
Highs
- Beautiful living spaces and décor, including a cocktail lounge, library and dining room with alfresco terrace
- Masses of outdoor pursuits year-round and an Aveda Spa that offers innovative treatments drawn from local thermal springs
- The ambience: Evelyn and her genuinely friendly staff create a sociable vibe among the mix of couples, families and singles
- Great rates, which include all delicious meals, twice-daily yoga, guided summer hikes, ski shuttle and kids club for 3-12yrs
- Stunning views of valley and mountains from most rooms and the restaurant
Lows
- In summer months, you can get some rainy spells – there's a reason it's so green
- Menus and daily activity boards are in German, but you can ask for English versions or use a translation app
- The indoor pool isn't massive but children love the dedicated splash time
- Baby cots with bedding
- High chairs
- Stair gates
- Buggy
- Potty and children's toilet seat
- Nappy bucket
- Night light
- Baby bath
- Baby monitors
- Bottle warming
- Mountain jogging buggies and back carriers available for free
- Comfy sleighs for fun in the snow
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
Babysitting and individual nanny service (daily from 8am to 10pm) priced by the hour and available by prior arrangement.
Kids Club with free supervised program for age 3-12 yrs every day from 3.30pm till 9.30pm with hot chocolate or lemonade at the bar, Splash-Time in the pool, kids dinner at 6pm, games, crafts and a range of fun active trips (some incur a small cost) Mini Club for younger children aged 18 mths-3 yrs is available every day from 9.30am till 3pm and charged per child by the day, including supervised lunch Ski School - in winter a shuttle service is available on request from the hotel at 9.15am to their excellent partner ski school in Dorfgastein www.skischuledorfgastein-angerer.at (approx 20 mins away). After a full day of skiing and lunch in Dorfgastein, the children return in the afternoon. If you want your children closer by, there is also a good ski school in Bad Gastein, next to the Stubnerkogel liftstation (the hotel shuttle departs from the hotel at 9.30am every 15 minutes)
Special kids' menus at dinner and children have the option to dine together in the restaurant at 6pm or later with parents. With all meals included in the rates, your little ones won't go hungry. The relaxed buffet lunches (available from 1-5pm) were a winner with our family and for days in the mountains you can prep the perfect picnic at breakfast and then return to delicious homemade cakes in the afternoon.
- Splash time in indoor pool (early evenings)
- Face painting
- Handicrafts
- Jewellery making
- Table football
- Marshmallow toasting and bonfire nights
- Disco nights
- Games room for teens
- Acting and workshops
- Baby massage courses
- Small playground adjacent to hotel
- Movie nights
- Daily guided family hikes in mountains (included in rates)
- Archery
- Gold panning
- Cable cars
- Adventure playground in Dorgfgastein's forest
- Climbing for beginners
- Mini golf
- Rafting
- Mountain train
- Ski school
- Boutique Spa Hotel
- 33 rooms
- Full-board stays
- All ages welcome
- Closed: 28 Apr 2025 - 24 May 2025
- Indoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
- Table Football
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
The region is stunning at any time of year. December to March is best for snowsports; June to October is perfect for hiking and biking. July and August can get quite hot and bring the risk of thunderstorms.
Our Top Tips
A week before you come, ask for a copy of their daily itineraries so you can plan ahead.
If you're coming to hike, bring good walking shoes and be prepared for some steep climbs (they can provide hiking sticks).
Combine your trip with its sister hotel Hotel Villa Auersperg 100km away in Salzburg
Allow time in your schedule for a few hours in the spa, and don't miss out on a massage – we could have spent twice as much time absorbing all it has to offer.
If you're coming to hike, bring good walking shoes and be prepared for some steep climbs (they can provide hiking sticks).
Combine your trip with its sister hotel Hotel Villa Auersperg 100km away in Salzburg
Allow time in your schedule for a few hours in the spa, and don't miss out on a massage – we could have spent twice as much time absorbing all it has to offer.
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
Airports:
- Salzburg 100.0 km SZG
- Innsbruck 200.0 km INN
Other:
- Beach 310.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
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