Alte Schmiede Hiltpolt

We've stayed at this hotel a number of times and keep coming back for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's family run and you are made to feel incredibly welcome from the moment you first step through the doors to the moment you leave. We've always booked an apartment as we enjoy the extra space. They're all well equipped, (fridge, microwave, hob, dinning area, lounge area, satellite TV etc...) especially if you wish to cook for yourself. The apartments are spacious, beds are comfortable (with some wonderful duvet/towel art!!). Our appartment in the main hotel had a bath with shower and a wonderful sun terrace, furnished with sun loungers, a table and chairs with views over the mountains. We've generally booked on a bed and breakfast basis - there's always a great selection of fruit, cereals, bread, cake, pastries, jams, cold meats and hot choices cooked to order. Great for getting you set up for a day's hiking. We decided this trip to try half board for the first week of our stay and were so impressed with the quality and variation that we extended it to the second week too. Five courses (starter, soup, salad, main then dessert) sounds like an overwhelming amount of food, but the chef has dishes perfectly proportioned so that you don't feel uncomfortably full by the time you're ready for dessert. Main course choices included a different meat or fish dish and vegetarian option daily, all traditionally cooked to perfection. The hotel is close to the village centre, located in a quiet side street. It is perfect for arriving and getting around by public transport as it's close to the railway and bus station. There's also ample free parking at the hotel which is under cover. If you stay in the region for 4 nights are more, public transport is free with your guestcard. This includes trains to Scharnitz, buses over the border to Mittenwald as well as the villages in the Olympia Region. A free ascent and decent on the Katzenkopf chairlift is also included and links walking areas, without the pain of climbing! Given the perfect location of the hotel, we were able to plan a different walk every day as well as eat cake at a different alm every day! (Our favourites were the Lottenseehutte and the Moslalm) Maps provided by the Tourist Board, available in hotels and the Tourist Information centre are perfectly adequate for planning routes, whether hiking or cycling. All in all it was another brilliant holiday, made extra special by the family Hiltpolt and staff. We'll definitely be back.