Der Steirerhof – A real wellness oasis all year round
By Kathryn Quinn
Wellness holiday are a booming trend in Austria – given the tough economic times, increasing daily pressure and the growing stress of everyday life this may not come as a surprise.
However, this was not always the case. Wellness holidays really began to boom towards the mid 1990’s, it was around this time people’s holiday trends changed and the wellness concept really took off in Europe after making it over from the USA.
Wellness resorts began to spring up throughout the Alpine republic and now twenty years down the line health and wellness holidays according to latest figures represent the strongest growth category in travel and tourism in Austria.
These popular wellness hotels market themselves as offering pure relaxation and rejuvenation for body, mind and soul as well as a mixture of health and well-being treatments, a gourmet culinary experience and top quality service.
Amongst the great array of wellness hotels in Austria, one in particular stands out: Der Steirerhof , a 5 star hotel and spa resort located in the thermal spa region of Bad Waltersdorf in the Austrian province of Styria.
This luxury retreat offers the highest quality service, fantastic views, great spa facilities all set in a wonderful location to escape from it all and relax and unwind.
This year the resort is celebrating its 20th birthday, the award winning Steirerhof, prides itself in being a family run business where guests really come first. At the helm of the resort are Gunda und Werner Unterweger who for the past 11 years have ensured top quality throughout the whole resort and make sure guests are treated to that extra personal 5 star touch.
Manager Werner Unterweger said “Guests at out hotel get the highest quality all-round wellness experience. High quality staff and quality investments throughout the resort are the key and we strive to offer the best service throughout.”
Unterweger’s motto is clear to see throughout the hotel there has been many new additions to the resort including a Ladies Spa, a new beauty spa offering all the latest treatments, a large herb garden, and a health centre offering top class health treatments.
These new additions accompany the already firm fixtures of the hotel lover of sport will be in their element as well as a fitness centre and an outdoor sports pool with breathtaking views over the valley there is an organised sports programme.
Guests can enjoy walking tours, morning yoga, aqua gymnastics, Nordic walking, aerobics and tennis as well as many other activities.
For those who want to get out and about there is plenty on offer, everything from a round of golf at the nearby 18-hole golf course, to a bike tour or hike through the Styrian countryside.
The hotel offers special packages for guests with specific interests such as a specialised Yoga holiday lead by yoga expert Dr Adhikari from Nepal, holidays focused on sport lead by one of Austria’s most successful marathon runners Eva Maria Gradwohl or a golf holiday including rounds of golf at Bad Walterdorf’s golf course. (See website for more details)
Those guests who just want to sit back and take it easy don’t fall short either whether you choose to relax in the thermal pools, work up a sweat in the sauna, enjoy a massage or a beauty treatment or just enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the resort you will not be disappointed.
And after a relaxing day what better than to enjoy a meal in the award winning hotel restaurant where fresh a la carte meals are prepared using the best of fresh local produce by award winning resident chef Johann Probst and all this can be washed down with a glass of local Styrian wine whilst you watch the sun go down.
Whatever the season Der Steirerhof does not disappoint and with over 95.000 overnight stays under its belt and with 90 per cent capacity utilised who can argue with the facts!
For more information or to book:-
http://www.dersteirerhof.at/ or call +43 3333 32110