 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello
I'm just looking provisionally at going to St Anton next season. I'm looking at mid to end of January to avoid busy holiday times. Is January a good time for those that have been to St Anton before?
Any accomodation recommendations? I'm looking for a half board hotel close to the slopes and resort centre so have looked at Sporthotel and Hotel Arlberg so far for prices. Has anybody been to these hotels before?
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Both Hotels i would not recommend,
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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VolklAttivaS5, just to add to that helpful comment from stanton, January is a good time because after new year the resort is about as empty as it gets. This year the snow was good in Jan ( fantastic in December ). As far as hotels are concerned I can recommend the Grieshof, which is directly in Anton, or if you dont mind being outside Anton then the Gridlon in Pettneu is also good. It's not inconvenient because they have a private minibus that goes back and forth between the hotel and Anton every 15 minutes.
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Steilhang, thank you, yes that is helpful. I will have a look at the Grieshof as I am looking for a hotel in St Anton itself.
stanton, why would you not recommend the Sporthotel and Arlberg?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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VolklAttivaS5, why half board? StAnton is hoaching with restaurants to suit all wallets and most palates (although ones that enjoy pig do best). There are also plenty of good value B&B pensions.
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VolklAttivaS5, the hotels you are looking at are quite expensive and there are lots of others close to the slopes, try the St Anton website for a list of hotels. I would not do half board becasue there are loads of places to eat and the resort slope side bars are lively from 4 to 7pm (ish) so you may well want to have a few beers and miss your meal
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rayscoops, thanks I will have a look at the St Anton website for the list of hotels near the resort centre and the slopes.
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I stayed at the Sporthotel as part of a package holiday this season. It was luxurious, with large rooms, excellent food, and staff that could not have been more helpful. It was also pretty much in prime position in the resort. Whether the cost is worth it is up to you. If I were booking for myself, I would probably book a bed and breakfast place. Do check that the hosts speak English, though, if you don't speak German. Years ago I stayed at Haus Lina (now Hotel Lina, I think) - Frau Lina did not speak English, but did speak some French. Although both my German and French was (and still is) grim, they were sufficient to get by, and enjoy Frau Lina's first-class establishment.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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achilles, thanks for that re the Sporthotel, the price I've found booking this long in advance is not that expensive in my opinion considering its a 4 star hotel, has good reviews on trip advisor, the location is brill, facilities look nice, food is good from what you've said etc etc. Its nice to have a bit of luxury now and again anyway, the room I had in France the last 2 weeks was the smallest room I had ever seen and with hardly any storage space either so I'm up for a change next season! The B&B option is worth considering as the Sporthotel do offer that as well I see, and although there are lots of restaurants to choose from in St Anton itself, after a day on the slopes and apres ski I just want to crash and have dinner in the hotel to be honest.
Out of interest achilles, did you book the Sporthotel a while in advance or as a late deal? I'm after a single room and I see they don't have many of them available so I'm tempted to get on and book it for next year, on the other hand I wonder if I might save quite a bit and book as a late deal nearer the time but might have to stay somewhere else if that hotel is full.
Was the hotel fully booked when you went?
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VolklAttivaS5, I went as part of a package holiday - and was sharing a room. The hotel was pretty full, I think.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| VolklAttivaS5 wrote: |
Steilhang, thank you, yes that is helpful. I will have a look at the Grieshof as I am looking for a hotel in St Anton itself.
stanton, why would you not recommend the Sporthotel and Arlberg? |
Seriously. Sport hotel is dead central. can be noisey from the adjacent bars (Scottys, Piccadilly) I remembered when they built it. There are places in town where you can get the same service (better) at a much cheaper rate
The Arlberg is just "tired"
Also the The this place is the biggest rip-off in town http://www.tyrolhotel.com/
Anyway enjoy
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Mon 28-04-08 10:36; edited 1 time in total
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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stanton, anywhere in town that you would recommend then? I want something close to the slopes if possible with nice facilities, pool etc and really good breakfast (doesn't necessarily have to be half board though) this time as I have just got back from living for 2 weeks in France in the smallest room I had ever seen with a shower and no loo. Want some luxury in Austria for a change next year for a week. 
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VolklAttivaS5, I can recommend the Pension Schindler (B&B , but it has an excellent restaurant and you could eat there every night, I suppose, although it's not especially cheap), but in common with most pensions it has few facilities (a sauna is about it), but it's very comfortable and convenient (<5mins from Galzigbahn). Brekkie is very good. StA has an excellent pool, <10 mins walk from the hotel. I much prefer small hotels, even though facilities are limited, and I enjoy sluicing and browsing in different spots rather than in a hotel bar or restaurant.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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VolklAttivaS5, stanton may have a point. Quite a few of my party's members were talking about noise from drunks during the night. My Sporthotel room (414, IIRC) didn't seem to have a problem - but I think the window faced a different direction to most - and anyway, I use sleeping tablets on a skiing trip - so I might well not have noticed, even if there were a problem. My room mate didn't seem bothered, though, so that may have been a good room, noisewise.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I guess that most of the hotels on that part of Arlbergstrasse (the pedestrianised bit) are likely to be a bit noisy. Unfortunately, that seems to be where most of the 'full service' hotels are.
I agree with the review of the Schindler restaurant linked by stanton, except that for one of 'St Anton's best kept secrets', its remarkably difficult to get a table, even if you're staying there.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| VolklAttivaS5 wrote: |
| stanton, anywhere in town that you would recommend then? I want something close to the slopes if possible with nice facilities, pool etc and really good breakfast (doesn't necessarily have to be half board though) this time as I have just got back from living for 2 weeks in France in the smallest room I had ever seen with a shower and no loo. Want some luxury in Austria for a change next year for a week. |
I stayed here many years ago when it was still a private house. It was renowned for its breakfast.
It has been substantially rebuilt over the years is right on the Piste has a wellness centre. I have not heard one bad word about the place.
It is still run by Johanna Moosbrugger.
http://www.bergschloessl.at/
(Her family also owns the 5* Gasthof Post in Lech) http://www.postlech.com
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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What a big post.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Very comprehensive, I am impressed. Would you have the same reference for chalets by any chance stanton, ?
That would be even more impressive...... 
edit....spellchecker!
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I will not promote the chalets concept.
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We stayed with flexi ski a few years ago at the amalien haus which was on the main pedestrian street and it was great. I didn't have any problems sleeping.
You will have a great time wherever you choose to stay!
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stanton, why ever not bud? We had our very first experience of chalet skiing this season and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our kids are bordering on adulthood and we reckon that this may be the only solution for future "family" holidays until they are married and have kids of their own and need older baby sitters.....so I think it's got value!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| northantsred wrote: |
| stanton, why ever not bud? We had our very first experience of chalet skiing this season and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our kids are bordering on adulthood and we reckon that this may be the only solution for future "family" holidays until they are married and have kids of their own and need older baby sitters.....so I think it's got value! |
Im sure they offer great value.
The closure of around 7 restaurants in the last few years is a direct result of the increase in Chalets.
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| stanton wrote: |
| northantsred wrote: |
| stanton, why ever not bud? We had our very first experience of chalet skiing this season and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our kids are bordering on adulthood and we reckon that this may be the only solution for future "family" holidays until they are married and have kids of their own and need older baby sitters.....so I think it's got value! |
Im sure they offer great value.
The closure of around 7 restaurants in the last few years is a direct result of the increase in Chalets. |
I would be very surprised if that were true, or anywhere near true.
Unless the Chalets are replacing self-catering accommodation, the only difference they will make to the numbers of people eating at restaurants is to increase the number once per week.
Most chalets created are additions to existing accommodation, not replacements for some of it, so cannot reduce the numbers eating out.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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What is very much more likely to have affected the restaurants is the increase in half board (or even full board) packages in the hotels, rather than B&B.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| alex_heney wrote: |
I would be very surprised if that were true, or anywhere near true.
Unless the Chalets are replacing self-catering accommodation, the only difference they will make to the numbers of people eating at restaurants is to increase the number once per week.
Most chalets created are additions to existing accommodation, not replacements for some of it, so cannot reduce the numbers eating out. |
It is 100% very true. I was being conservative about the number of restuarants/cafes that have shut down in St Anton over the last 10 yrs.
A lot of large guest houses/Pensions which offered B&B have been leased for the season to Companys & converted to offer the Chalets Format.
The diminishing choice of restaurants/cafes is one of the biggest complaints they receive at the St Anton Tourist Office. There is not much they can do about it unfortunately. IMO Its sad.
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| stanton wrote: |
| alex_heney wrote: |
I would be very surprised if that were true, or anywhere near true.
Unless the Chalets are replacing self-catering accommodation, the only difference they will make to the numbers of people eating at restaurants is to increase the number once per week.
Most chalets created are additions to existing accommodation, not replacements for some of it, so cannot reduce the numbers eating out. |
It is 100% very true. I was being conservative about the number of restuarants/cafes that have shut down in St Anton over the last 10 yrs.
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Like I said, I would be utterly amazed if it is even remotely close to true.
I don't dispute for one moment that many restaurants have shut.
I do think it is incredibly unlikely that is as a result in any rise in Chalets.
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| The diminishing choice of restaurants/cafes is one of the biggest complaints they receive at the St Anton Tourist Office. There is not much they can do about it unfortunately. IMO Its sad. |
Like I say, I don't dispute that, at all. I just think you are almost certainly wrong about the reason for it.
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You know it makes sense.
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| alex_heney wrote: |
| stanton wrote: |
| alex_heney wrote: |
I would be very surprised if that were true, or anywhere near true.
Unless the Chalets are replacing self-catering accommodation, the only difference they will make to the numbers of people eating at restaurants is to increase the number once per week.
Most chalets created are additions to existing accommodation, not replacements for some of it, so cannot reduce the numbers eating out. |
It is 100% very true. I was being conservative about the number of restuarants/cafes that have shut down in St Anton over the last 10 yrs.
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Like I said, I would be utterly amazed if it is even remotely close to true.
I don't dispute for one moment that many restaurants have shut.
I do think it is incredibly unlikely that is as a result in any rise in Chalets.
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| The diminishing choice of restaurants/cafes is one of the biggest complaints they receive at the St Anton Tourist Office. There is not much they can do about it unfortunately. IMO Its sad. |
Like I say, I don't dispute that, at all. I just think you are almost certainly wrong about the reason for it. |
Just ask the locals.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Hmm. I have mixed feelings about chalets. I have had some very good holidays in them, and of course they helped keep cost down, but there have been times when the chalet staff have been throwing wobblies. I remember some Crystal advice that chalet staff ere not your servants. Well, yes they were, actually - as far as doing their duty around the chalet was concerned. And there is the business of chuck-out day, which can be a joy discovering a new restaurant - or can be dire. These days, I would rather go to a hotel, where the staff want to look after you well, in return for proper remuneration, and for 7 days of the week. I'd rather go somewhere where I can readily organize my own transport, too, rather than wait for hours for another plane (or 2) to come in, and the go all around the resort to the various accommodation points - and the reverse going home. Interesting point about restaurants closing - it could be true. OTOH, staying in at a hotel can't be good for the local restaurants, either.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously, if some B&Bs are now offering half board, whether they call themselves chalets or hotels, it will reduce the number of potential restaurant customers. One would hope that the restaurants which close will be the poorer ones, but that may not be the case. Can't the local authority control the use to which business premises such as B&Bs are put? I had the impression that local authorities are quite powerful in Austria. Is it perhaps the case that the local families who run the main businesses also run the local authority and are indifferent to the fate of independent restuarants? The frequency with which a few family names crop up in St Anton businesses makes me think that there is a wealthy business owning elite in the town (or perhaps its because they're all inbred and thus have only a few surnames between them!).
BTW, I don't see why locals should be expected to talk less rubbish than anyone else.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| stanton wrote: |
Just ask the locals. |
Which would acheive what, exactly?
1. They will know Restaurants have closed - I don't dispute that.
2. They will know there appear to be more chalets arund - I don't dispute that either.
But they are unlikley to know how many more hotels now only offer HB packages in the winter than was the case a few years ago. I do know that very few of the hotels now offer B&B as standard in the winter, although quite a few give you a discount (from the standard rate) of €11 - €12 per night if you want B&B only.
I believe this latter factor will be far larger than the effect of additional chalets - which are still not all that common in Austria, even in St Anton.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes, really.
65 is not all that many.
Even assuming an average of 20 beds per chalet (that would be a high estimate, except that the list includes "Chalet-Hotels"), that is only 1300 beds, and I notice that list includes Lech & Zurs (as did your hotel list).
Your hotel list - which only included 4 & 5 * hotels had 105 hotels, probably averaging about 100 beds each.
I would suggest that by the time you include the 3* hotels, there are probably at least 10 times as many hotel beds as chalet beds.
While in some of the places where chalets are most common, in France or Switzerland, there may be only 2-3 times as many hotel beds as chalet beds.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks to all of you for your comments. I have decided that the B&B option is best so that I can sample all there is to offer restaurant wise in St Anton!
stanton, thanks very much for your big list, the link to the tells it like it is website (that is great!) and the recommendation for the Bergshloessl, that looks just what I am looking for with it being right on the slopes and also within close proximity to the centre for dining in the evenings. I have emailed them to ask about availability as they only have 11 rooms so better book up quick if they have got room.
I have looked at the train website with the intention of getting a train from the airport to the hotel, but their timetable isn't out yet for next January. Can anyone tell me how often the trains run and how much is it approx for a return fare to Innsbruck?
Thanks very much
Emma
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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You will enjoy Bergshloessl if you get in (they get alot of repeat guests) .
Have you already booked a flight to Innsbruck?
If not I would recommend using Zurich instead. The Train journey is direct from Zurich Central Station the scenery is more spectacular.
Also in the winter, flights into Innsbruck are often affected by bad weather & frequently get redirected to Munich.
The railway winter timetables do not get published until about mid December however there is rarely much change from previous winters so I would look up for the winter just gone as a guide.
Innsbruck to St Anton on the train take 1hr 10mins (no changes) they approx every hour.
Price. this year
1-PLUS-Freizeitticket inklusive Mitnahme eines Fahrrades je Reisenden ( auf ÖBB-Strecke )
für 1 Person älter als 14 Jahre Hin+Rückfahrt 2 Klasse kostet 40.00 Euro
2nd Class Return with no Seat reservation and I without discount card cost €40 return.
1st Class €64
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stanton, thanks, so about 40 Euro return then isn't bad at all. No, I haven't booked my flight yet so I can consider Zurich airport instead. Thanks for that. A good point about the flights being redirected to Munich as well in the winter in bad weather......hopefully I can get into the Bergshloessl, I'm sure they will get back to me soon enough to let me know.
Is the train from Zurich to St Anton same sort of price on a return basis and runs just as often?
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FYI. Alot of the Resort Families (Hotel owners) go on Holidays in the mud season (May) so they may not reply until they get back.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Watch out that most places have their summer rates on view now (which are about half the winter rate.
It is an expensive town but you should get a decent, central B & B for a week for about €400 per person.
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FAQ
