Edelweiss Lodge and Resort — Hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

This was our first time and certainly not our last time staying at Edelweiss. Our arrival was delayed by one day in Munich due to poor weather, and we are still disappointed that we had one less day in Garmisch! Despite our arrival delay, the Edelweiss front desk staff was very helpful in helping us adjust our reservation. ||The resort itself is in a great location for all season recreation and local dining and there are, beautiful views all around the resort. We arrived at night and the Christmas light decorations created a beautiful ambiance. ||Our room was a standard size room with two full/aueen sized beds. There was space for two adults and 1 child with 2 large suitcases; were hoping for a little bit more space to stretch out, but the larger rooms were sold out. The beds weren’t the most comfortable, so we asked for extra pillows. Bring your own conditioner as the shampoo/conditioner combo they provide isn’t great and it’s very drying.||There were a few not so great things about our room. The heat in our room felt like a sauna. We basically turned the radiator down below the snowflake and slept with the window cracked open because we were still so hot at night, even in December.||Keeping the window cracked also created a noise issue for us as we were sounded by loud drunk guests for a few nights of our stay. We slept with earplugs in, had white noise playing and we still called the front desk two nights in a room on the same guests. ||In terms of guests, there was clearly a mix of conference attendees wanting to let loose, families with kids and also retirees. These three different groups also have very different resort needs and it seems like the resort struggles to accommodate all of these groups. For starters, it would be great to have an outdoor gas fire pit with chairs away from guest rooms so guests wanting to socialize late have somewhere to go instead of being loud and disruptive in their rooms and balconies late into the night evening. ||We also noticed that some staff members by the pool were very young, not very engaged, and they did not have the greatest customer service skills. Some of them were clearly trying their best, while others seemed like they could care less. There was also one female bartender in Zuggy’s who seemed to have a bone to pick with everyone. One night, The Zuggy’s host told us to go up to the bar to order take out and the female bartender said to get away from her bar and there are no kids allowed anywhere near here. We said we were just trying to order take out per the hosts instructions. We also saw the same bartender getting angry with a group of guests standing near the bar socializing and telling them to get away from her bar and go out into the Zuggy’s lobby? Maybe designate part of the bar area for eating and another for standing as one does when they are with a group at a bar.||We decided to rent a car from Munich after looking at the Edelweiss shuttle price and seeing how long the guided tours were (many seemed too long for younger kids), so we did most of our site seeing on our own including Munich, Linderhof, Ettal, Innsbruck, Swarovski Crystal World. The one tour we booked through Edelweiss, was the horse and carriage tour and it was great. Joseph and his horses were unflappable. As a horse person, just the thought of driving horses down side roads, near rivers and waiting at busy traffic lights is the stuff of nightmares for me, but they were all collected pros. We also bought Zugspitze lift tickets (make sure to get your family refund when you’re done!) from the Edelweiss lobby gift shop and went to the top of Zugspitze for a day of skiing, but it was very foggy, cloudy and windy, the sun came out for about 1hr before the clouds rolled back in. It was very hard to see in front of you and despite it being an open bowl, there are a lot variations in the terrain. It was disappointing that Hausberg Lodge and Garmisch Classic weren’t open during our stay after a great early season storm. It seemed like most winter amenities open around Dec 15, a few days after our departure.||Despite some weird hiccups, we would definitely come back in the winter or summer. Edelweiss is located in such a beautiful...

Edelweiss Lodge and Resort: A First-Class Bavarian stay for Military Members and Families

For active-duty military members, retirees, and DOD cardholders, Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the ultimate destination in Germany. Nestled in the breathtaking Bavarian Alps, this resort offers the perfect balance of comfort, adventure, and convenience. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing retreat or a base for exploring, Edelweiss has you covered.

A Home Away From Home

The resort itself is tailored to military families and individuals, offering American-style comforts while embracing the charm of Bavarian culture. The rooms are spacious, clean, and equipped with all the essentials, making it easy to relax after a day of sightseeing. The on-site amenities are fantastic, including a pool, spa, and fitness center. Dining options are varied, with hearty breakfasts and Bavarian-inspired meals served in the main restaurant, as well as a cozy café for lighter fare.

Tours and Activities

One of the standout features of Edelweiss is the wide variety of tours and activities organized by the resort. From guided day trips to Neuschwanstein Castle and the Zugspitze (Germany’s highest peak) to excursions into Munich or Salzburg, the options are extensive and expertly planned. These tours are ideal for those who prefer hassle-free exploration, with transportation and knowledgeable guides included.

If you prefer to explore on your own, Edelweiss is an excellent starting point. The resort staff provides helpful advice on local attractions, hiking trails, and tips for navigating public transportation. For those driving, free on-site hotel parking is a huge plus.

The Garmisch-Partenkirchen Experience

The Garmisch area itself is magical, blending natural beauty with a rich history. Whether you’re hiking through lush alpine meadows, taking a cable car up to stunning mountain vistas, or strolling through the charming streets of Garmisch and Partenkirchen, there’s something for everyone. Winter brings world-class skiing, snowboarding opportunities, and Christmas markets, while the warmer months are perfect for hiking and biking.

Convenient Accessibility

Public transportation in the area is efficient making it easy to reach nearby attractions even without a car. For those driving a Mini-T Campervan or another vehicle, the resort’s free parking is invaluable. This accessibility ensures that whether you’re taking a guided tour or heading out on your own, you’ll have a great experience.

Why Edelweiss Stands Out

Edelweiss Lodge and Resort isn’t just a place to stay; it’s a gateway to experiencing the best of Bavaria. The warm, welcoming atmosphere and military-friendly pricing make it an unbeatable choice for those eligible to stay. It’s more than a hotel—it’s a community hub where you can relax, explore, and create great memories.

From its comfortable accommodations and excellent tours to its prime location in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, Edelweiss Lodge and Resort truly has it all. Whether you’re there for a quick weekend or an extended stay, this resort is the perfect place to embrace the beauty and culture of Germany while enjoying all the comforts of home.

Thank you for your hospitality...

The resort itself, as a place to stay, is fantastic. It’s the amenities and restaurants that are trash.

First, the resort quality, appearance, rooms, scenery, etc., are all amazing. There is such an incredible setting where Edelweiß is located.

It’s very clean, well-decorated and furnished. The rooms are great. Nothing fancy (we just had a standard room), but also not low-grade either. We don’t really have any complaints about the rooms.

The amenities, however, leave MUCH to be desired. All of the restaurants are super over-priced, which can be expected to a degree. However, the café obviously gets their bakery goods and sweets from a Bäckerei in town, yet the increase the price 7x from what it would cost down the street.

So, if you’re really lazy and don’t care how much money you spend - the café isn’t a big deal. They were incapable of making a grilled cheese because “they were out.” I still can’t understand how the resort wouldn’t have two more slices of bread and a slice of cheese somewhere, but nobody bothered to look either. 🙄

The buffet is horrible. There are many solid potentials in their offerings, but the food is always cold by the time you sit down and heavily salted. They ruined many good dishes with either bad preparation or the inability to store food without it getting cold. Save your $15 per person for breakfast and $20 per person for dinner.

The sports bar has waaaaaay better food than the other two options, but the prices are insane. We compared Edelweiß to a Great Wolf Lodge. It’s a little nicer, but basically the same setup.

You’ll EASILY spend $300+ a day between room and food if you eat meals at the hotel. It’s ridiculous. A croissant is $3.50, but I can go to Lidl a few blocks away and get them for €0.50….so I can get a feast for the price of one at the resort.

All the food is like that - $20 burgers, $16 for eight boneless wing bites, etc. Most of the food is good except at the buffet.

You can’t beat the lodging price, though. If you have access to Edelweiß, you probably will not find a rental or room for about €100+ a night in this very popular resort town.

They also have an insane markup on their excursions. We cut our expenses for the lifts and equipment rental by about 50% by getting them ourselves at the slopes.

My advice - do you lodging at the resort, get breakfast from Lidl or a local bakery and go visit the Tourist Office your first day. They can fill you in on everything going on. It was hit and miss with...