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Home > > HOTEL GOLDENER BERG, Oberlech, Tirol

HOTEL GOLDENER BERG, Oberlech, Tirol

At-a-Glance Guide

4*, open Dec-Apr/Jun-Sept
40 bedrooms inc 12 suites
bar, 4 restaurants, terrace
all-day childcare
spa, indoor pool, outdoor whirlpool, steam, saunas, treatments, fitness centre
events/meetings
dogs welcome
B&B from €130 per double
*SPECIAL OFFERS BELOW*
 Check in/out: 3pm/12 noon


HOTEL GOLDENER BERG, Oberlech, Tirol

THE PAST:

The building which was to become the Hotel Goldener Berg began life as a farmhouse, dating from 1430. It had an open smoke-room, a living room and three bedrooms; there was also a huge hay barn, a stable and two hectares of land with a small spring.
In 1926, this small farm was sold by its impoverished owner. The buyers’ plans to build an alpine clubhouse didn't materialise; the poor farmer never got his money. This forced a sale by auction two years later.
The new owners were the Hammerbacher family. They renamed their purchase the ’Golden Mountain Sport Hostel’ and invited friends to join them for a winter of skiing. They faced one challenge at 1706m above sea level: getting food and other essentials up from the valley below. However, their fortunes changed the following year, 1929, with the construction of a cableway, which brought both goods and guests. Soon, the Goldener Berg had electric light, running water and central heating. The barn was extended, beds were purchased and a sun terrace was built. On September 4th 1930, construction of a new hotel began; by Christmas, it was fully booked with guests from all over Europe. Early visitors included British and Dutch ski clubs, aviation pioneers and ‘skywriter’ pilots.
A dip in fortunes followed the Second World War when the hotel, which had been requisitioned by the German military, was denied funds for rebuilding – in contrast to competing properties in Lech. By 1959, money was granted, and a new and much improved Hotel Goldener Berg re-emerged a year later. The original farmhouse at the heart of the Goldener Berg property was transformed into one of its restaurants – the Alter Goldener Berg, which also features a sun terrace. It is right beside the hotel, and the two are linked by a tunnel.
In 1965, the hotel changed hands when an old-established Lech family – the Pfefferkorns – took it over, and brought it to its present-day, four-star superior standard.

THE PRESENT:

This luxury hotel is family-run, so its focus on traditional hospitality comes as second nature. Owner and manager Daniela Pfefferkorn ensures that a warm welcome and attentive service await every guest - new or returning; and her assured hand, broad experience and passionate personal involvement are ever-evident.

THE PLACE FOR YOU?

At 1706m, Oberlech in the Arlberg is a wonderful destination for skiers in winter - with plenty to attract non-skiers, too, including tobogganing, ice skating, snowshoe-hiking, deer-feeding excursions at dusk and horse-drawn sleigh rides - and is every bit as wonderful for hikers, bikers and climbers in summer. (Scroll down to OUTDOORS for details of seasonal activities.) It’s equally rewarding for those who simply want to relax in a naturally beautiful setting, use the hotel’s excellent spa and enjoy its fine food and wines.
The delightful village of Lech, with its shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, is a short cable-car ride away, and the fast and frequent service operates from 0700 until 0100 daily. There are buses throughout the day to the nearby resorts of Zug and Zurs, plus a Nightbus ‘James’ linking Oberlech, Zurs and Zug from 1955 until 0340.
The Kiddy Club - and services including baby-phones for parents dining in the restaurant and babysitting, by arrangement - make this a good choice for a happy family holiday. (Scroll down to JUST FOR CHILDREN for more information.) Dogs, too, are welcome here.
The Goldener Berg will also find favour with those who value green credentials, as every effort is made to operate in harmony with the environment.

THE PROPERTY IN DETAIL:

RELAXING
Even in winter, the outdoor sun terrace, with its breathtaking mountain views, is inviting - with sheepskins or furs draped on chairs to help keep you warm. Inside, the bar is snug and a welcoming fire often beckons. All guest rooms also offer a private relaxation option.

EATING & DRINKING
The Goldener Berg Bar is open daily from 10.30am.
The hotel’s gourmet kitchen uses local ingredients - including eggs, milk, cheese and vegetables - whenever possible, and seeks out those from 'happy animals', living in the open country, under appropriate husbandry.
Breakfast can be enjoyed in cosy comfort indoors, or outside on the sun terrace. An abundant breakfast buffet is offered in the Panorama restaurant from 7.30am until 10.30am, and an a la carte breakfast is served all day in the dining hall. A daily breakfast-table newsletter for guests gives the weather outlook, a list of the day's activities and the Panorama Restaurant's dinner menu.
At dinner time, diners have the choice of six courses - with three main-course options - in the Panorama Restaurant, so named for its wonderful views; the Bergstübli Restaurant, open all day, and specialising in traditional Austrian cuisine; the smaller, gourmet, Gault Millau-award-winning Johannesstübli restaurant, open evenings only, for fine dining; and the cosy, historic Alter Goldener Berg, dating from 1430 and oozing atmosphere, which opens for both lunches and dinners. Evening fondues are a feature here, as are twice-weekly apres-ski afternoon live-band sessions.
Wine-tastings in the 1,000-wines cellar with Franz Pfefferkorn, president of Austria’s first Sommelier Club, can also be arranged.
Out on the sun terrace, there’s an ice bar serving champagne and aperitifs until 7pm, and a 'Gourmet Corner' where a range of regional and international specialities such as lobster, mussels and foie gras tempts even the most demanding palate, is open every day between 12 noon and 2.30pm.
A ‘dine-around’ option means that Goldener Berg guests can not only dine at the hotel's own restaurants, but also eat at three other, partner hotels in the Arlberg. There is no extra charge for half-board guests; for others, the Dine Around package costs €50pp per day, and can only be booked prior to arrival and for the duration of your entire stay. Participating restaurants include the above four at the Hotel Goldener Berg itself, plus restaurants at the Hotel Krone and the Hotel Pfefferkorn in Lech, and at the Arlberg Hospiz Hotel in St. Christoph.
Children's dinner, supervised by the hotel's nanny, is served in the dining hall between 6 and 6.30 pm every day.

SLEEPING
Mostly fresh and modern in style and decor, yet still with some traditional touches, the bedrooms have been designed with a good night’s sleep in mind – and feature pinewood, which is known to lower the heart-rate and so help you to relax, plus feather duvets for the ultimate in comfort. All rooms feature satellite TV, radio, telephone, safe and free Internet connection. Bath robes and velvet slippers are provided and all rooms have free Internet connection.

Single rooms – which will sleep two - measure 25sq m, including a balcony or terrace, and have either a single bed plus a couch (which can make another single bed) in the small living area, or a queen-size bed and a chair only in the small living area. Bathrooms have a shower.
2013 B&B rates, per room, per night, for 1 person: £119 Sundays to Thursdays, €146 Fridays & Saturdays (14-21 Apr).
SEE BELOW FOR CHILDREN'S RATES AND FOR SEASONAL PACKAGES & OFFERS.

Studios have room for either up to three or up to four people, with one double bed plus one sofa bed, and measure 32sq m or 33 sq m including a balcony. Bathrooms have a shower/tub combined.
2013 B&B rates, per room per night, for 2 people: €231 Sundays to Thursdays, €291 Fridays & Saturdays (14-21 Apr).
SEE BELOW FOR CHILDREN'S RATES AND FOR SEASONAL PACKAGES & OFFERS.

The spacious de luxe Studios measure 35 sq m or 45 sq m including a balcony. A double bed plus a sofa bed allows up to four people. Bathrooms have twin washbasins and a bathtub. The lavatory is separate.
2013 B&B rates, per room per night, for 2 people: €231 Sundays to Thursdays, €291 Fridays & Saturdays (14-21 Apr).
SEE BELOW FOR CHILDREN'S RATES AND FOR SEASONAL PACKAGES & OFFERS.

Suites come in four sizes, from 34-80 sq m, and all but the smallest have a balcony or terrace. These suites sleep two adults – and can also sleep two children. They have a bedroom and separate, spacious living area. Bathrooms have either a tub or a shower/tub combination. The lavatory is separate in most. All but the smallest have a balcony or terrace.
2013 B&B rates, per room per night, for 2 people: €231 Sundays to Thursdays, €291 Fridays & Saturdays (14-21 Apr).
SEE BELOW FOR CHILDREN'S RATES AND FOR SEASONAL PACKAGES & OFFERS.

The Apartment, measuring 61 sq m including a balcony, is the host’s private guest room and offers a high level of comfort. Sleeping up to four, it has a double bedroom, a living room with a tiled stove, and a small kitchenette with a dining table and chairs. The bathroom has twin washbasins, a bathtub and a walk-in shower.
2013 B&B rates, per room per night: €325 Sundays to Thursdays, €406 Fridays & Saturdays (14-21 Apr).
SEE BELOW FOR CHILDREN'S RATES AND FOR SEASONAL PACKAGES & OFFERS.

There are also Family suites measuring 60 - 67 sq m including a balcony. These have two double bedrooms and two bathrooms – one with twin washbasins, a bathtub and a walk-in shower, the other with a shower only. There is a small living room, with a sofa bed which can accommodate a fifth person and, in some suites, a tiled stove.
2013 B&B rates, per night: €347 for a Suite sleeping 3, or €462 for a Suite sleeping 4, Sundays to Thursdays, €437 for a Suite sleeping 3, or €583 for a Suite sleeping 4, Fridays & Saturdays (14-21 Apr).
SEE BELOW FOR CHILDREN'S RATES AND FOR SEASONAL PACKAGES & OFFERS.

In a separate chalet close to the hotel – and linked by a tunnel - there are two very spacious Chalet suites, each with a large terrace. These are the hotel’s newest accommodation, and are arranged on two levels. There are two double bedrooms – one upstairs and one down – and an additional bed can be provided, for a surcharge. There are two bathrooms, one with twin washbasins, a bathtub and a separate lavatory, the other with a walk-in shower. There is also a living area with a tiled stove, a dining table and chairs, and a small kitchen - which can be completely hidden behind wood panelling, if preferred. Walk-in closets provide plenty of space for storing mountain gear.
2013 B&B rates, per room per night: €516 Sundays to Thursdays, €647 Fridays & Saturdays (14-21 Apr).
SEE BELOW FOR CHILDREN'S RATES AND FOR SEASONAL PACKAGES & OFFERS.

All rates include a glass of sparkling wine and Austrian titbits on arrival, use of the Alpin Spa, guided snow-shoeing tours, morning exercise sessions, cable-car tickets for your first and last cable-car ride and a discount of up to 10% in all Pfefferkorn shops.

RATES FOR CHILDREN
Children up to one year old can stay in their parents’ room for free, without board. The cost for 1-3 year-olds is €20.00 per day. The hotel is pleased to provide cots and baby monitors. For children up to 12, the cost is €76, €86 or €111, depending on the date. Additional beds are charged at from €48, €73 or €100, depending on the date. Higher charges apply during high season, the highest applies over Christmas and New Year, Epiphany and Easter periods.

WINTER SEASON PACKAGES & OFFERS

WINTER FINAL OFFER - APRIL: 7-NIGHT PACKAGE - from €616pp,
PLUS KIDS STAY FREE, PLUS 5% OFF FOR REGULAR GUESTS*
Package includes room and breakfast. Children up to age 12 stay free in their parents’ room. For regular guests (*minimum stay of 3 weeks in 3 years) a loyalty discount of 5% is deducted from the following prices. Package price is €616 per Single; €1,232 per Studio sleeping 2; €1,232 per de luxe Studio sleeping 2; €1,232 per Suite sleeping 2; €1,799 per Apartment sleeping 2; €1,848 per Family Suite sleeping 3; €2,464 per Family Suite sleeping 4; €2,464 per Chalet Suite sleeping 4. Package available 14-21 April, 2013 only.

SPA
Larchwood and granite, over which runs crystal-clear spring water, harmonise with their natural surroundings to create a sense of soothing calm in the airy and spacious Alpin Spa, which is open daily from 7.30am until 8pm. It features a natural spring water indoor pool and a heated, outdoor whirlpool, a steam bath, both Finnish and bio saunas (the latter being ideal for those who find 90 degrees centigrade too hot, and the 100% humidity of the steam bath uncomfortable), chilled-water showers and a plunge-pool. There are also Kniepp foot-baths, as well as a tepidarium, relaxation areas - with both fixed and rocking loungers - a solarium for topping up your tan, and a fitness studio.
The many pampering, face and body treatments, wraps, baths, massages and holistic therapies on offer are carefully targeted by linking them to the winter or summer season, and its sports and activities. Hospiz Hotels’ own, exclusive Almstern natural skin care products, based on unique ingredients - including edelweiss extracts, mountain-flower honey and semis-precious garnets - can be purchased at the spa.

JUST FOR CHILDREN
From 9am to 1pm, including lunch; and again from 4pm until 9pm, with a children’s buffet supper served at 6pm, the hotel’s free-of-charge, supervised Kiddy Club - for children aged 3 and over – ensures that young guests can enjoy supervised fun and games, including igloo parties and evening bobsleigh races, as well as two meals, leaving parents free to enjoy their skiing, and evening meal.

OUTDOORS
In both the golden days of summer, and winter’s Christmas-card scenery, the sun terrace is the perfect place to relax, breathe pure mountain air, soak up the sun and admire the untouched natural beauty of the surroundings.

SUMMER: The hotel offers a number of activity packages, including 'Climbing Weeks’, ‘Golf Challenge’ weeks and a four-night escorted ‘Motorbike Days’ package; and also a spa-based ‘Wellness Week’ and an indulgent ‘Feelgood Package’ – all on a half-board basis. There’s also a one- or two-week ‘Summer Package’ which includes accommodation on a B&B basis.
Other Arlberg summer activities include walking, jogging, following the fitness trail, Nordic walking, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, canyoning, hang-gliding, swimming, tennis and beach volleyball.
Staying at the hotel also entitles guests to the unique Lech Active Inclusive card, allowing free access to all operational cableways and chairlifts, the forest swimming pool, outdoor tennis courts, football pitch, Lech Golf Academy - with driving range, putting green and three holes - and the Lech Leisure Centre, as well as free travel on the blue 'tourist' bus, and access to the Library, Local History Museum, slide shows and concerts in the Square.

WINTER: Oberlech becomes car-free in winter, and the village is transformed by the first fall of snow. Winter season begins in November and lasts until May – and the Goldener Berg is right at the piste, in the middle of the skiing area. Other Arlberg winter-sport options include heli-skiing, paragliding, snowshoeing, skating, Nordic walking, hiking, tobogganing, bob-sleighing, sledding, sleigh rides and husky sledging tours.

THE ARLBERG SKI RESORT
Oberlech is one of six villages which comprise the outstanding Arlberg Ski Resort in Austria – the others are Lech, Zurs, St. Christoph, St Anton and Stuben - which offers 276 top groomed piste kilometres, 180 kilometres of powder snow and off-piste territory, with levels to suit all, from beginners to true snow-pros. Access is via 86 cable cars, as well as chair lifts and tow lifts. Lift passes and ski pass prices are flexible, to suit holiday duration and individual preferences, as well as the ski area’s seasons - Peak, Off-Peak, Wedel & Sun Ski Weeks and the Snow Crystal Days. This means you will only pay for the days or hours you really want to ski, and can choose from Day Passes, Hour Passes,Beginner Passes and Ski Pass Extension Days.
For more information, visit the Ski Arlberg website.


GETTING THERE
BY AIR: The closest international airport is Zürich. The daily Arlberg-Express coach shuttle runs between the airport and Lech, and will take you to the Lech-Oberlech cable car-station and back. The hotel will organise this for you on request.
The airports at Altenrhein, Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance and Innsbruck provide flights from many German cities, as well as from London. Taxis can be taken from there to Lech.

BY RAIL: The nearest station is Langen am Arlberg. Tickets for the journey can be booked online or directly with Austrian Railways. The hotel can arrange a taxi pick-up from the station to Lech.

On arrival in winter, you will reach Oberlech by cable car from Lech - and then, from the cableway exit, walk approximately 100m outdoors, or walk through the hotel's underground tunnel, to reach the Goldener Berg. The hotel will transport your luggage from Lech to the hotel.

Whether you fly or go by train, your luggage can be conveyed from door to door – but must be made available at least one week prior to your holiday.

BY ROAD: If you arrive by car in winter, please ask in advance for a parking place to be reserved for you in the 'Anger' underground car park, opposite the Lech-Oberlech cable-car station (a charge of €13 per day applies). Stop at the cable-car station to leave your luggage, which will be sent directly up to the hotel, and to collect your car-park ticket as well as your ticket for the cable car, which will take you up to Oberlech and the Hotel Goldener Berg.
In summer, you can drive directly up to the hotel. Proceed through Lech until you reach the end of the town, turn left onto the road for Oberlech, then follow the signs for Hotel Goldener Berg. At the first crossroad, turn left, passing the tunnel system through which supplies are brought in winter. At the next junction, take the road on the right, which leads you higher. On arrival at the plateau, you will see the Hotel Goldener Berg straight ahead.

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