Elmau Castle
2nd place: An extensive park, the impressive Wetterstein, a rushing mountain stream and the deafening sound of silence in this magnificent natural setting: Schloss Elmau is a perfect retreat.
After a fire destroyed two thirds of the listed property in August 2005, Schloss Elmau was reopened in 2007 - after 14 months of construction and plans by Christoph Sattler and Dietmar Mueller-Elmau - in new splendor as a "Luxury Spa & Cultural Hideaway". Since then, the member of the Leading Hotels of the World has received numerous national and international awards as one of the world's best hotels. Again following the plans of Christoph Sattler and Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, the "Luxury Suites & Spa Retreat" was opened in March 2015 after two years of construction, which as a "hotel within a hotel" is both a part of Schloss Elmau and a world of its own. Consisting of the two stylish parts of a larger luxurious whole, Schloss Elmau is an unparalleled wellness hotel 100 km south of Munich in the high valley of the Bavarian Alps.
Living is elevated to a high art of living at Schloss Elmau. The architecture and interior design are characterized by a field of tension between complexity, diversity and contradiction. In the spacious and intimate rooms of the two 5-star hotels, natural materials from all over the world are combined with great attention to detail and understatement to create contemporary comfort. The beauty of the untouched mountain world and the rough surfaces of the materials are combined with subtle Asian influences and warm light to create an artistic overall concept. The cosmopolitan ambience of the individually and timelessly modernly furnished hideaways is further enhanced by luxurious beds from Schramm, oiled oak parquet flooring, American cherry wardrobes, spacious Jura natural stone bathrooms, hand-woven carpets from Iran and the finest linen from India.
Schloss Elmau offers a unique cultural program with first-class concerts, readings and talks. International artists, authors and thinkers perform in an intimate atmosphere - a cultural jewel in the middle of the Alps that inspires the mind and senses in equal measure. In addition to music and literature, Schloss Elmau also offers inspiring retreats, yoga workshops and philosophical talks. The combination of nature, culture and spiritual depth makes the house a special place for encounters and inner contemplation.
Anyone longing for ultimate relaxation will be wide-eyed at Schloss Elmau - because there are no fewer than six spas in total waiting for wellness fans! The bathhouse with infinity rooftop pool, infinity brine pool and cold plunge pool is exclusively for adults. The Finnish sauna and brine steam bath also offer soothing warmth, while the sunbathing terrace invites you to relax. The Lady Spa with Finnish sauna and intimate relaxation room is also located in the bathhouse. In the Oriental Hamam, also reserved for adults, the Orient meets the Occident: on 500 square meters there are three domed rooms with navel stones, four treatment rooms, two steam baths and an Oriental Tea Lounge! From June to September, the Nature Spa attracts all guests as a huge oasis of peace and energy right by the Ferchenbach stream. In the Family Spa, families and children will find their wellness bliss in the lap pool and the various themed saunas. There are also special treatments for children and teenagers in the bathhouse. The Shantigiri Spa offers separate areas for adults and families - with an open-air infinity lap pool, fitness area and a large relaxation room with an open fireplace and views of the mountains.
A stay at Schloss Elmau quickly turns into a culinary world tour, as guests are spoiled in no fewer than 10 restaurants. The repertoire ranges from haute cuisine with 2 Michelin stars and 18 Gault&Millau points at IKIGAI (formerly Luce d'Oro), to Mediterranean cuisine at the fine dining restaurant Summit and Thai cuisine with 15 Gault&Millau points at Fidelio. Families will be happy at Tutto Mondo and La Salle, the two spa restaurants Ganesha and Ananda serve light fare, and the Elmauer Alm serves rustic fare at an altitude of 1,203 meters. Add to this the Kaminstube fondue restaurant, the winter garden and the three stylish bars and the culinary work of art is complete!
At the highest level
Living is elevated to a high art of living at Schloss Elmau. The architecture and interior design are characterized by a field of tension between complexity, diversity and contradiction. In the spacious and intimate rooms of the two 5-star hotels, natural materials from all over the world are combined with great attention to detail and understatement to create contemporary comfort. The beauty of the untouched mountain world and the rough surfaces of the materials are combined with subtle Asian influences and warm light to create an artistic overall concept. The cosmopolitan ambience of the individually and timelessly modernly furnished hideaways is further enhanced by luxurious beds from Schramm, oiled oak parquet flooring, American cherry wardrobes, spacious Jura natural stone bathrooms, hand-woven carpets from Iran and the finest linen from India.
Fine
Schloss Elmau offers a unique cultural program with first-class concerts, readings and talks. International artists, authors and thinkers perform in an intimate atmosphere - a cultural jewel in the middle of the Alps that inspires the mind and senses in equal measure. In addition to music and literature, Schloss Elmau also offers inspiring retreats, yoga workshops and philosophical talks. The combination of nature, culture and spiritual depth makes the house a special place for encounters and inner contemplation.
Wellness temple
Anyone longing for ultimate relaxation will be wide-eyed at Schloss Elmau - because there are no fewer than six spas in total waiting for wellness fans! The bathhouse with infinity rooftop pool, infinity brine pool and cold plunge pool is exclusively for adults. The Finnish sauna and brine steam bath also offer soothing warmth, while the sunbathing terrace invites you to relax. The Lady Spa with Finnish sauna and intimate relaxation room is also located in the bathhouse. In the Oriental Hamam, also reserved for adults, the Orient meets the Occident: on 500 square meters there are three domed rooms with navel stones, four treatment rooms, two steam baths and an Oriental Tea Lounge! From June to September, the Nature Spa attracts all guests as a huge oasis of peace and energy right by the Ferchenbach stream. In the Family Spa, families and children will find their wellness bliss in the lap pool and the various themed saunas. There are also special treatments for children and teenagers in the bathhouse. The Shantigiri Spa offers separate areas for adults and families - with an open-air infinity lap pool, fitness area and a large relaxation room with an open fireplace and views of the mountains.
Gourmet World
A stay at Schloss Elmau quickly turns into a culinary world tour, as guests are spoiled in no fewer than 10 restaurants. The repertoire ranges from haute cuisine with 2 Michelin stars and 18 Gault&Millau points at IKIGAI (formerly Luce d'Oro), to Mediterranean cuisine at the fine dining restaurant Summit and Thai cuisine with 15 Gault&Millau points at Fidelio. Families will be happy at Tutto Mondo and La Salle, the two spa restaurants Ganesha and Ananda serve light fare, and the Elmauer Alm serves rustic fare at an altitude of 1,203 meters. Add to this the Kaminstube fondue restaurant, the winter garden and the three stylish bars and the culinary work of art is complete!
