"Oh good, you’ve arrived in time for Almatrieb," said the ruddy-cheeked man in the village bar, sitting comfortably in his well-worn lederhosen. Seeing the quizzical look on our faces, he quickly clarified: "In Tyrol, our cows live high on the mountain in the summer, and for that, they give us the best milk. When the season changes, we bring them down the mountain, and the village comes to watch as they’re herded through town. We celebrate and drink beer, and the cow who has given the most milk has a big crown. The Queen Cow."
This is exactly the kind of place Sankt Anton am Arlberg is. Although the village has seen a growth in posh ski tourism in the last 30 years, it has clearly not forgotten its charming Austrian roots. Perhaps it was this authenticity that drew legendary Swedish hoteliers Mikael and Johanna Landstrom to open their 3rd hotel here, amongst the snow-capped peaks and fresh mountain air. Or perhaps they just saw a golden opportunity. Either way, Valluga has found its niche perfectly, offering what no other hotel in Sankt Anton does: modern styling, excellent value and a groovy international vibe. This one definitely gets the Almatrieb crown.
Highs
- Exactly what you want from a ski hotel - cosy, warm and scenic, in a charming Alpine village. Plus you can walk to the lifts
- Sankt Anton am Arlberg is renowned for its excellent skiing conditions. There are 305km of pistes in the resort, and world-class après ski entertainment
- Just 26 stylish, top-quality rooms, with Nespresso machines, Marshall speakers, Dux beds and free minibars
- Like sister hotels Esplendido and Portixol in Mallorca, Valluga’s ever-smiling multilingual staff are second to none
- Good value for the region, especially in the summer season when you can hike, bike and river raft here
- Classy spa with a heated pool, imaginative treatments, a relaxation room with water beds, and 4 types of sauna
Lows
- A minimum 5-night stay and a strict cancellation policy
- The restaurant is only open in the winter season, and we've heard the food gets a little repetitive; breakfast is fabulous though!
- Getting picky: no thermostats in the bedrooms, and ours was a bit too toasty
Best time to go
Although people tend to think of the Alps as a winter destination, Tyrol packs a serious punch in summer, too, with balmy temperatures and heaps of activities. Note Sankt Anton tends to have excellent snow late in the ski season, often with the very best skiing conditions and plenty of fresh-fallen powder as late as mid-April. Prices are also lower at that time, and availability is easier to come by.
Our top tips
Sankt Anton has recently rolled out an incredible perk for summer visitors: between June and October all hotel guests receive a card which entitles them to a mind-boggling array of activities, absolutely free of charge. Just a few of the included perks – 1 day pass for the cable cars (Bergbahnen), entrance to the public pool, 1 guided hike/mountain bike/archery session, unlimited museum entrance, a weekly night hike, a changing array of children’s activities, and free use of all public buses.
Location
Valluga Hotel is in the charming mountain village of Sankt Anton am Arlberg, in the Austrian state of Tyrol (Tirol).
By Air:
Most guests fly into Zurich (200km), it's well serviced year-round, but be sure to hire a car that allows you to cross the border. Alternatively, there's Innsbruck (90km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport:
You'll need to hire a car to get here (unless you arrive by train) - see our car rental recommendations. The hotel has a free car park.
By Train:
Austria has an extensive and punctual train network, and Sankt Anton's train station is a short walk from the hotel. Zurich is 2 hours away, Innsbruck is 70 min, and Munich is 3.5 hrs (via Innsbruck).
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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:
- Innsbruck 92.0 km INN
- Zurich (Switzerland) 201.0 km ZUR
Other:
- Beach 440.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
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