Kosher Hotel - Austria (Hinterglemm)
As many of you may have heard, there's a delightful hotel - 2 in fact - that 's under kosher supervision during the summer months; actually, they had a Chanukah program this winter.
The Blumenhotels are run by the Sommerbichler Family - an interesting story in itself.
The four-star Tirolerhof and the three-star Knappenhof offer kosher half-board in the summer months - usually Shavuous 'til Succos, though offered a Chanukah/Ski week in 2004. There are also apartments available.
http://www.kosher-hotel.at/
I stayed for a week in 2003 during its first season; in fact, they told me that I'd been the first to book for the new kosher program.
It was WUNDERBAR!
The hotels are situated in the small village of Hinterglemm - approx. an hour south of Salzburg - which lies in a picturesque valley (see web site). I actually thought that I might have an accident while driving as it was so mouth-dropingly beautiful.
The Sommerbichler Family could not have been more hospitable. Of course, they had a lot of learning to do, dealing with a kosher clientele and vendors. At the time, the rate was an unbelievable $80 per day - meals included; although they've gone up a bit, it's still an incredible bargain - IMHO.
The meals consisted of a huge buffet for breakfast - cheese, rolls, cereals, eggs, etc., and dinner - four courses with choice of entree; Shabbos was out of control! The food was all very good, and included local specialties (Sacher Torte!) At the time, the management was allowing guests to make sandwiches for lunch. In addition, there was a small "market" set up with kosher products for sale - mainly from Israel.
The two hotels are located directly across from each other - on either side of the main road, and a stream - and there's even an Eruv surrounding the properties! The Tirolerhoff includes a spa (sauna, steam, pool, massage) but guests of the Knappenof are also welcome to make use of the spa facilities, including a mikvah for men. And there's a beis medrash.
When I was there - post Tisha b'Av - there were three minyanim for Shacharis during the week.
Caveat - Europe goes on holiday in August; this holds true for frum families as well. When I was there in August, 2003, there were over 200 Jews in the village (can you imagine?) with their families...
If you're looking for peace and quite, go BEFORE Tisha b'Av!
Still, it was a wonderful experience. So, check it out! There are more wonderful day trips than a week will allow.
(I'll be there again the week of July 24, 2005, if you happen to be in the neighborhood.)
The Blumenhotels are run by the Sommerbichler Family - an interesting story in itself.
The four-star Tirolerhof and the three-star Knappenhof offer kosher half-board in the summer months - usually Shavuous 'til Succos, though offered a Chanukah/Ski week in 2004. There are also apartments available.
http://www.kosher-hotel.at/
I stayed for a week in 2003 during its first season; in fact, they told me that I'd been the first to book for the new kosher program.
It was WUNDERBAR!
The hotels are situated in the small village of Hinterglemm - approx. an hour south of Salzburg - which lies in a picturesque valley (see web site). I actually thought that I might have an accident while driving as it was so mouth-dropingly beautiful.
The Sommerbichler Family could not have been more hospitable. Of course, they had a lot of learning to do, dealing with a kosher clientele and vendors. At the time, the rate was an unbelievable $80 per day - meals included; although they've gone up a bit, it's still an incredible bargain - IMHO.
The meals consisted of a huge buffet for breakfast - cheese, rolls, cereals, eggs, etc., and dinner - four courses with choice of entree; Shabbos was out of control! The food was all very good, and included local specialties (Sacher Torte!) At the time, the management was allowing guests to make sandwiches for lunch. In addition, there was a small "market" set up with kosher products for sale - mainly from Israel.
The two hotels are located directly across from each other - on either side of the main road, and a stream - and there's even an Eruv surrounding the properties! The Tirolerhoff includes a spa (sauna, steam, pool, massage) but guests of the Knappenof are also welcome to make use of the spa facilities, including a mikvah for men. And there's a beis medrash.
When I was there - post Tisha b'Av - there were three minyanim for Shacharis during the week.
Caveat - Europe goes on holiday in August; this holds true for frum families as well. When I was there in August, 2003, there were over 200 Jews in the village (can you imagine?) with their families...
If you're looking for peace and quite, go BEFORE Tisha b'Av!
Still, it was a wonderful experience. So, check it out! There are more wonderful day trips than a week will allow.
(I'll be there again the week of July 24, 2005, if you happen to be in the neighborhood.)
posted by Amerloque at 2/10/2005 10:30:00 PM
2 Comments:
Hi there... I just want to share this site about kosher resorts and hotels. I think this will be a nice place for you to celebrate your next Chanukah and other kosher holidays!
We spent a wonderful 15 days in July in this hotel, and loved every minute of it. This hotel is located in the center of Hinterglemm, just off the main road. A babbling brook runs in front of the hotel, and the courtyard is filled with trees and potted flowering plants. Our plan included kosher meals: breakfast, boxed lunch and dinner. I do not know if that is standard - verify when booking.
The hotel is an easy walk to 2 of the ski lifts that are operational during the summer (ReiterKogel and ZwelferKogel), a short bus ride or half hour walk from the other two, a short walk from shops that are reasonably priced if you forgot anything at home.
The great things about this hotel, in no particular order, just as they come to mind.
Comfortable, fluffy bathrobes and slippers.
Delicious water.
Warm and friendly owners that treat you like their personal, valued and invited guests, not like paying patrons.
Dining room staff that removes empty plates immediately. No sitting at a table staring at dirty dishes, not even for a minute!
German cleanliness.
HUGE buffet breakfast, including fresh squeezed orange juice, fresh waffles, an egg chef who cooks omelets, scrambled eggs or fried eggs to your specifications, cheeses, breads, crackers, salads, fresh fruits, tuna, lasagna - you name it - they've got it.
24 hour tea and coffee and hot chocolate and cappuccino, with a choice of at least 6 different cookies, cakes and pastries.
Dinner was a six course formal affair, with at least 2 choices at every course, and a presentation that did justice to the finest food magazine pages.
Indoor and Outdoor swimming pools, different types or saunas, salt room. Massages and other spa pamperings are also available at an additional cost.
From the owners to the most menial staff, there was a pervasive attitude of helpfulness and caring. Each room had a pad of sticky notes, with a the printed message: We try to provide everything we can to make your stay enjoyable. If you need anything else, please write it down here, and leave the note on the bathroom mirror.
the rooms and the grounds are beautiful; the Alps are breathtaking. We love this place, and hope to return.
Post a Comment
<< Home