Escape to the Alps: Unforgettable Stay at Reiterklause Leutasch!
Escape to the Alps: Reiterklause Leutasch - My Honest, Rambling Review (Spoiler: I'm Smitten)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Reiterklause Leutasch in Austria, and I'm still buzzing. This isn't going to be your typical dry hotel review. Consider this more of a verbal vomit of sheer, unadulterated Alps-induced bliss. And maybe a little bit of grumbling.
First things first: The Vibe. This place just oozes cozy. Think crackling fireplaces, the scent of pine, and a general feeling of being wrapped in a giant, fluffy hug. It's nestled in the Leutasch valley, which is honestly breathtaking. Like, I spent a solid five minutes just staring out the window, trying to remember how to breathe. (Altitude, maybe? Or just pure, unadulterated beauty?)
Accessibility - The Devil's in the Details (But Mostly Good Here!)
Alright, let's get practical. Because a rambling, effusive review is all well and good, but what if you actually need to get around? The Reiterklause gets a good score here.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! I didn't personally need one, but I noticed elevators throughout the hotel, and the ground floor seemed pretty easy to navigate. You can even ask ahead, and the hotel will arrange Facilities for disabled guests.
- Elevator: Major plus. No one wants to lug suitcases up five flights of stairs after a long day of… well, anything.
- Other Considerations (and a little rant): I didn't notice any significant accessibility ramps or modifications in the common areas. So it's not perfect, but it's definitely making the effort, which is more than some places.
Cleanliness and Safety - Feeling Safe (and Clean)
Right, this is HUGE these days. And Reiterklause? They're on it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Score! This put me at ease.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Double-check. Seriously, the room felt pristine.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere: Okay, maybe a little too much hand sanitizer, but hey, I'm not complaining.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: You could tell. Everyone was masked and seemed well-versed in the rules.
- And the biggest thing: Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: essential.
- But a tiny gripe: I don't know if the sanitizing equipment is in full view, and I really would like to see it!
- And another tiny gripe: Room sanitization opt-out wasn't available.
Rooms - My Nest in the Clouds (Probably)
My room? Glorious. Here are some of the available features, including what I got:
- Air conditioning: YES! Thank goodness.
- Extra long bed: Awesome! I'm tall so this helped.
- Free Wi-Fi: Works like a charm.
- Bathtub: Heavenly after a day of hiking.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for those sleep-ins.
- Coffee/tea maker: Because I'm basically powered by caffeine.
- Desk: Useful for, you know, pretending to work. (Mostly used for writing postcards, though.)
- Hair dryer: Saves on luggage space.
- In-room safe box: Always a good thing.
- Mini bar: Temptation central.
- Non-smoking: Whew!
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: Important for late-night novel-reading.
- Refrigerator: Essential for the mini bar.
- Seating area: Comfy for vegging.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury!
- Slippers: Nice touch.
- Smoke detector: Always a good thing.
- Soundproofing: Important for a good night's sleep.
- Telephone: Old school, but works if you need it.
- Toiletries: Fine and dandy.
- Towels: Fluffy.
- Wake-up service: Didn't need it, but appreciated it.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Super!
- Window that opens: Airing out the room.
- Additional toilet: A big plus.
- Air conditioning: Always appreciated.
- Alarm clock: Handy.
- Bathrobes: The best of the best.
- Bathroom phone: Weird but functional.
- Carpeting: Soft underfoot.
- Closet: For all those hiking clothes.
- Complimentary tea: Because. Tea.
- Daily housekeeping: Thank god for that.
- Desk: A small desk - practical.
- Extra long bed: Great.
- Hair dryer: Because I don't like mine.
- In-room safe box: Just in case.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless: great.
- Ironing facilities: Never used it, but they were there!
- Laptop workspace: Perfect.
- Linens: Yes!
- Mirror: Important.
- On-demand movies: Because why not.
- Satellite/cable channels: Always appreciate variety.
- Scale: A little scary, but necessary.
- Sofa: For chillaxing
- Socket near the bed: Always a plus.
- Soundproofing: Yes!
- Telephone: I guess.
- Toiletries: Great!
- Towels: Fluffy!
- Umbrella: Great idea.
- Visual alarm: Great for if you need it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Let's Talk About Food, Baby!
Okay, this is where things get really good. Prepare for a food-induced daydream.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Oh. My. God. The breakfast buffet was a masterpiece. I'm talking about a spread that would make the gods weep. Freshly baked bread, local cheeses, mountains of fruit, eggs cooked to perfection… I may or may not have eaten my weight in bacon. (Don't judge me!). Asian Breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: All options are here, all are delicious.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, for lunch and dinner.
- Bar: Perfect place to chill.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Fantastic coffee, all times of day.
- Desserts in restaurant: I have a sweet tooth.
- Happy hour: Because, well, reasons.
- Restaurants: Well stocked.
- Room service [24-hour]: Never used it, but good to know it's there for late-night cravings.
- Snack bar: For those mid-afternoon munchies.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Very impressed!
- Bottle of water
My Biggest Food Memory: The Soup (Seriously, It's That Good)
Okay, buckle up for this one. There was this soup at the restaurant. I don't even know what it was. Creamy, hearty, packed with root vegetables and a hint of something magical. I'm not exaggerating when I say it was the best soup I've ever tasted in my life. I ordered it three times. The waiter probably thought I was a crazy person. I didn't care. I was in soup heaven.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Your Alps-Inspired Therapy Session
The Reiterklause isn't just about stuffing your face (though, let's be honest, that's a big part of the appeal). They have some amazing ways to unwind.
- Pool with view: Absolutely stunning. Swimming while gazing at the mountains? Yes, please.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool [outdoor]: All fantastic. This is a place to actually relax!
- Massage: Needed.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: If you're into that sort of thing. (I mostly stuck to eating.)
- Foot bath: Relaxing.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
- Concierge: Helpful with recommendations and bookings.
- Daily housekeeping: Always appreciated.
- Elevator: Again, a godsend.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Great option.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always available.
- Luggage storage: Essential.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Convenient!
- Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Safe and easy.
- Currency exchange: Great!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary is about to get real. Gasthaus-Pension Reiterklause in Leutasch, Austria… sounds idyllic, right? We'll see about that. Here's my attempt at wrangling a trip into a semblance of order, interspersed with my usual brand of delightful chaos. (And, you know, the truth.)
Gasthaus-Pension Reiterklause: A Messy Adventure
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread at Altitude (aka, "Why Did I Pack So Many Shoes?")
- Morning (ish): Fly into Munich. Smooth trip? HAH. Let’s just say the luggage carousel and I had a brief, dramatic falling out. My backpack, bless its cotton soul, vanished into the abyss. (Spoiler alert: It reappeared! But more on that later.) Scrounged around like a frantic squirrel for essentials (travel toothbrush, a rogue granola bar, a single, triumphant pair of socks.) Took the bus and then train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen then took the the bus to Leutasch. The scenic route is scenic, especially when you’re convinced you’ve lost your entire life's wardrobe.
- Afternoon: Arrived at Reiterklause. Initial impression? Cozy. Very, intensely cozy. Like a bear hug of alpine charm. Checked in. The room? Fine. Slightly dated, but clean. The view? Jaw-dropping. Mountains, forests, the whole shebang. I almost forgave myself for the shoe debacle.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Exploring the village. Trying to look worldly. Failing miserably. I decided to try to take a picture of a cow, but it looked me like I was crazy, I started to suspect the altitude might be affecting my judgment. Had dinner at the Gasthaus. Schnitzel. Of course. Solid, if unspectacular schnitzel. (My inner food critic is a harsh mistress, you understand.) Wandered about, feeling strangely… contemplative. Is this what peak-season tourist depression feels like? This is supposed to be a vacation - a "break." Why do I always manage to turn everything into a philosophical treatise? I went to bed way too early, feeling weirdly exhausted, and prayed my luggage would somehow miraculously teleport itself back to me.
Day 2: Hiking and Hilarity (or, The Day I Became Best Friends With a Stick)
- Morning: Breakfast. Good, honest, hearty mountain breakfast. Bread, cheese, cold cuts, the works. And coffee. Glorious, life-giving coffee. Feeling slightly less existential, I decided to embrace the whole "outdoorsy" thing. Planned a "moderate" hike. (Note to self: "Moderate" in Austria is apparently equivalent to "semi-vertical death march".)
- Mid-Morning: The hike. Holy moly. The views were magnificent, truly. But the incline! My calves screamed. I befriended a sturdy walking stick, which became my emotional support animal. It got pretty messy and I tripped a couple times. On the way down, saw a field of wildflowers. I'm pretty sure I made actual sounds of joy. I’m pretty sure I almost cried. What is it about mountains that makes you so damn emotional?
- Afternoon: Recovering from the hike. Beer. Needed beer. Found a charming little pub in the village. The beer was cold, the sun was warm, and I felt almost human again.
- Late Afternoon: Wandered around. Picked up a postcard. Went into a small bakery. The scent of fresh bread, the hum of people chatting, and the feeling of being somewhere… familiar. This is what I love.
- Evening: Dinner at the Gasthaus. This time: Kässpätzle. Cheesy, carby, glorious Kässpätzle. Divine. Talked to some locals. They spoke with a heavy accent. I understood about half of what they said. But they were kind, they laughed a lot, and by the end of the evening, I felt like I was part of the family.
Day 3: The Luggage Saga & a Dive into the Deep (aka, Tears, Triumphs, and Terrible Swimming)
- Morning (The Luggage!): IT CAME! Miraculously, my backpack appeared! A glorious sight, a symbol of hope! I celebrated by unpacking and repacking, muttering prayers of gratitude to the airline gods. Felt almost normal. Almost.
- Mid-Morning: Decided to go to the Alpenseebad. I like water. I got a bit overzealous and dove in and it was freezing. I couldn't do a single lap and I made a spectacle of myself.
- Afternoon: Sunbathing. Recovering from the freezing water. Realized my skin was starting to resemble a lobster, which I promptly felt terrible about. I hate the sun and wish I could be pale forever.
- Evening: Tried to go out to eat, but I was feeling too self-conscious from my redness. Ordered some food to go and ate it in my room. Read a book. Fell asleep.
Day 4: Departure (or, The Bitter-Sweet Goodbye)
- Morning: Wandered around town one last time, trying to soak it all in. Buy some postcards (again). Buy some sweets. The air smelled like rain and pine. It’s a strange but beautiful scent. I’m gonna miss it. (sniffs)
- Afternoon: Said goodbye. Said goodbye to the mountains, the friendly faces, and the ridiculously good bread. Heading home, a mix of happy and sad. Feeling like the trip was a bit too short.
- Evening: Still a ways from home. Train journey and I think, "When can I go back?"
Reflections & Ramblings:
- The Reiterklause: A mixed bag, to be honest. The rooms weren’t exactly luxury suites, but the warmth and friendliness of the staff more than made up for it. The food was good, but it was the community that really made the place special.
- Austria In General: It’s stunning. Truly. Nature is overwhelming, in the best possible way. The people are kind, and the pace of life is slower. I still have no idea how to hike.
- What I Learned: That I'm still a hot mess. That mountains have magical powers. And that you can fall deeply in love with a country and its culture, imperfections and all. I needed this, and I can't wait to come back to the Reiterklause and all it entails.
So there you have it. A messy, imperfect, and completely honest account of my trip to the Gasthaus-Pension Reiterklause. Hopefully, it gave you a bit of a chuckle, and maybe even inspired you to go on your own adventure, even if it's a slightly chaotic one. After all, life’s too short for perfect itineraries, right? Go. Explore. Embrace the mess. And don't forget the walking stick.
Tokyo's Day Nice Hotel: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Right, so...what *is* Reiterklause anyway? Sounds fancy. And expensive. Probably.
Okay, let's be honest. Reiterklause? Yeah, it *does* sound fancy. And yes, it's in the Alps, which automatically kicks up the price tag a notch. It's essentially a family-run kinda-posh guesthouse (more later on that "posh" bit) in Leutasch, Austria. Think cozy rooms, Alpine views that'll make you weep (in a good way, mostly), and a whole lotta that gorgeous, crisp mountain air. It's definitely not backpacking hostel territory, let's put it that way. My wallet kinda winced when I booked, but...look, the mountains call, okay? They *demand* your presence (and your credit card).
Is the view *really* as stunning as the pictures? Because, Instagram filters are a cruel mistress.
Alright, buckle up, because here's the truth bomb: the photos *do* a decent job. BUT... they can't capture the sheer *scale* of the thing. I’m telling you, I’m not exaggerating. The first morning I woke up, I nearly choked on my coffee (which, admittedly, was slightly burnt, but more on that later). The mountains... they just *dominat*. And the air? Crisp, clean… it's like your lungs are getting a spa day. Just be prepared to spend approximately 87% of your time staring out the window. You've been warned. One late afternoon, though, the light caught the peaks just *so*… I actually burst into tears. It was embarrassingly beautiful.
What are the rooms like? Cozy? Modern? Do they have those tiny, annoying hotel shampoos?
The rooms are… well, they depend! They range from "charmingly rustic" (read: slightly dated but in a good way) to "modern Alpine chic." Honestly, it depends which room you snag. The one I had… it was "charmingly rustic". The bathroom was clean, yes, but the shower pressure wasn’t exactly what you'd call "blasting". And, yes, there were those tiny little shampoo bottles. I'm talking *itty bitty*. Bring your own. Seriously. Unless you have a fondness for conditioner the size of a thimble (I don’t, in case you were wondering). But honestly? The slightly dated-ness added to the charm. And the beds? Heaven. Absolute, fluffy heaven. I slept like a rock after a day of hiking. Or, you know, staring at the view.
Let’s talk food. Is it all… well, German food? Heavy on the meat and potatoes?
Okay, food. This is where things get interesting. Yes, there's definitely a hearty dose of traditional Austrian fare. Think Schnitzel (it's practically a national dish!), dumplings (the *best* dumplings!), and potatoes prepared in a million delicious ways. And, yes, there’s a fair bit of meat. But, the chef (who was, let's just say, a character with a strong opinion on the proper way to make Kaiserschmarrn (fluffy shredded pancakes)) also made an effort to serve regional produce. They were always fresh, and, honestly, I found it all utterly delicious, even if I did feel like I'd consumed half a cow by the end of the week. Breakfast with the selection of local cheese and bread… that was a daily highlight. Pure, unadulterated joy (and I'm not usually a breakfast person!).
The dreaded "What's there to *do*?" question. Besides stare at mountains…
Ah, the *do* question! Okay, mountains are the main attraction. Hiking, obviously. The trails are endless, ranging from gentle strolls to "holy-moly-this-is-steep" ascents. Bring good boots. Trust me on this. I thought my light hiking shoes would be fine. I was wrong. My knees still haven’t forgiven me for that one steep climb. In Leutasch itself, there are biking trails, swimming pools, and a few little shops to poke around. The main activity (besides hiking and staring) is *relaxing*. Seriously. It's the perfect place to just… be. Read a book, sip a drink on your balcony, and breathe in the fresh air. Honestly, that's half the appeal. I spent a whole afternoon just sitting in a deck chair, watching the clouds drift by. Perfection. I'm pretty sure I actually felt my stress levels physically melt away.
So, what about the service? Are the staff… friendly? Or do they run on that "efficient but aloof" European charm?
This is where Reiterklause truly shines. The family who run it? Genuine. Warm. Welcoming. Okay, they might not always be *perfectly* polished (there was the occasional mix-up with my breakfast order - I still maintain that the bacon was *definitely* the cook's fault), but their friendliness is absolutely infectious. It's more like staying in someone's home (a very well-appointed home, mind you) rather than a hotel. They're happy to offer advice on hikes, make recommendations for restaurants, and even just chat about the weather (which, believe me, is a major topic of conversation in the Alps). The grandmother, bless her heart, would always ask if I had enough to eat. And then she'd offer me more. It's that kind of place. You feel like you're part of the family. And, let's be honest, who doesn't love being part of a family that plies you with delicious food?
Any downsides? Because no place is perfect…
Okay, the honesty hour. Yes, there are a few *minor* downsides. As mentioned, the shower pressure in my room wasn't exactly a power washer. No biggie, but worth noting. Also, the Wi-Fi, while present, was… spotty at times. Embrace the digital detox, people! Embrace it! And the price, as mentioned, can be a bit of a sting. But honestly? The view, the location, the warmth of the staff...it's worth it. The only *real* downside? Leaving. I actually felt a pang of sadness when I packed my bags. That feeling of being away from everything... it was magical.
Would you go back? Be completely honest here.
Without a DOUBT. Absolutely, unequivocally YES. I started dreaming of going back *before* I even left. I'm already planning my return trip. There's a certain magic to Reiterklause. It's a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, reconnect with nature, andWhere To Stay Now
