Bio Hotel Grafenast — Hotel in Pill

I'm not usually a big reviewer, but at this point I'd like to share my experience about our 2-week family vacation in July 2022 with young children.||U P s:||- Fantastic location with views over the Inn Valley; many hiking trails and chairlift (although also audible) right next door.||- Connection via bus line to Schwaz (approx. 25 min) with uncomplicated connection to all local sights.||- Free e-mountain bike rental (different sizes, also 1 children's e-bike).||D O W N s:||- We regularly waited 2 hours until the main meal at dinner. This is hardly feasible with small children; a few times our littlest one just fell asleep at the table.||- In addition to the regular drinks, water is also usually charged for, despite the booked inclusive service. There is a tea bar, but the water is usually empty and you have to ask for it every time. For dinner, you are expected to order water (sparkling water at 4.80 EUR). Our children had their water bottles refilled at lunchtime, and that was also directly on the bill.||- on some evenings there were additional unannounced 'company events': in the best weather we had to dine inside, while outside there was singing to live music until 11 pm in the best drinking mood.||- During our stay, there were unfortunately too few and too poorly trained service staff (who were, however, friendly and helpful).||- For the total package of services clearly too expensive (3000 EUR/week- without drinks).||- the pool was unfortunately very limited usable with children due to swarms of horseflies.||- Even if I support the recycling of food in principle, there are certainly limits. Three day old fruit salad should no longer be offered for breakfast.||N O - G O:||- The way landlady Waltraud treats her own staff is indeed disturbing. We had to unintentionally witness several times how the employees were reprimanded in front of the guests.||- Almost more dramatic was the interaction with children: the encounters with the landlady were characterized by reprimands, prohibitions or snide remarks. This experience was shared in unison by all parents during our stay.||When we wanted to bridge the waiting time for dinner, for example, with wooden crayons and paper (the table was even laid out with newspaper), we were "instructed" not only verbally, but the next day again in writing in the hotel newspaper for all other guests to read.||- our one-time laundry (approx. 4 kg; underwear and a few T-shirts) was boned with 50 EUR.||F A Z I T:||The atmosphere created by the landlady Waltraud unfortunately gave us a feeling of visiting the "evil mother-in-law". Even though the food is served exclusively in organic quality, the main dishes were partly redundant over the two weeks and rather midfield in terms of taste.||Unfortunately, we did not...

Climbing down from the Kellerjoch we sought refuge in what seemed like a scen from a Wes Andersson movie. Regulars sitting silently at their terrace tables starring at the captivating view of the valley breath us; the sun rays breaking out from beneath the storm clouded. Nobody seemed to talk and in anything was said people whispered. Until, until the Herr Ober came: commanding, sarcastic, portraying the attitude of some of the Kellners in a Viennese coffee house, condescending and not sure whether we are worth their time. Our kids were slightly concerned that this is a place where people go and don't return.||||Once we were told what we could eat - meaning more or less what the Herr Ober was determined would be an acceptable choice, we negotiated a wine (from about 200 cards in an index box focused on the various Austrian regions - it was a bit difficult to get a proper view of the wine list, but there was abundant detail on each wine and the regions, if you had time to study the cards in detail) and a shared appetizer. All was very nice and good. Suddenly a bunch of kids arrived having escaped their captors serving up plates and water thus dispelling some of the fears our kids harbored (or maybe reinforced). Our dishes were prepared nicely and enjoyable, though I wouldn't categorize this as a gourmet destination at all. The seasonal chanterelles embedded in most dishes were worth the time and effort.||||Our worst mistake was to ask the Frau of the house for something like salt. She sneered at us and we felt we had insulted her to the core. Not again did we date ask for salt, water or anything else that wasn't permitted by the Herr Ober again as we feared public humiliation. ||||At the end an announcement came that desert was served (infant of the hotel??). A frenzy erupted everybody leaving their tables disappearing beyond the house. A bit lonely, we inquired through the few remaining guest what is happening. As it turns out they were mostly on a "Pension" (full board) and as such desert was included and served buffet style. Slowly, kids muttered in chocolate trickled back followed by grown ups, holding multiple plates of what was left for...

We returned to the Grafenast after our first trip as children 35 years ago. Had a wonderful week teaching the kids to ski in the woods where we skied as children. The Grafenast retains its traditional Tyrolian charms (organic homemade meals with local wines and beautiful views over the valley). Peter and Waltraud have updated the hotel with state of the art sauna and steam rooms and yoga classes. The family rooms stunning with wooden charm and glass walls overlooking the valley below - the kids in one half and parents in another with a glass partitioned shower room in between. ||This is not the typical hardcore ski week holiday that you might expect from the French Alps. It is more of a winter sports retreat with tobagganing, snow shoe-ing, skiing with skins etc. The resort is very small (3-4 runs with old style lifts) but it is perfect for teaching little children in a safe and quiet environment. We had the pistes to ourselves with no queues and no snowboarders. There is a brand new designated skischool area with travelators and the ski school instructors are kind and patient with excellent English. Our 5 and 6 years old progressed more in one week than in the previous 2 years. They started with snow plough stops and then managed the next door Green, accomplished the drag by themselves and by the end of the week were up the mountain whizzing down the blue. Their teenage cousins could ski by themselves, parent safe in the knowledge that they could not get lost or come to harm. ||For hard pressed parents tired from work, it gives the perfect chance to wind down and look after yourself for a bit with healthy food and downtime. It is hard to do anything other than relax. I returned feeling refreshed and am...