Genussdorf Gmachl Hotel And Spa
Genussdorf Gmachl, in Salzburg’s Bergheim district, is one of the top wellness hotels in Austria. Awarded a perfect score and four lilies by the Relax Guide, one of Europe’s most recognized wellness guides, the family owned spa hotel has been welcoming guests for seven generations.
Click on any photo to enlarge and see a slide show.
My husband and I first discovered Genussdorf Gmachl, in the hills just 5 km outside the old town center of Salzburg, back in 2007 and have returned for seven stays. Over the 16 years since our first visit, it has developed from a traditional Inn with a butcher’s shop into one of Austria’s top wellness and spa hotels.
The decor of the hotel is a mix of traditional and modern with lots of alpine hardwoods, stone and glass. Furnishings are done in suedes, leather, felt and loden in warm earth tones. There are large walls of glass that open onto the wonderful terrace with views of the gardens and mountains beyond. They provide light for the many potted herbs and plants found growing throughout the hotel.
There are many of categories of rooms to choose from and we have stayed in several and they were all very nice. During our last two stays we have chosen a Mozart spa suite with a modern wooden decor. It has a kingsize bed, built in closets, drawers and a desk. The bathroom has Mozart themed frosted glass walls with a large walk in shower. The room also has its own infrared sauna and a panoramic bathtub. There is a very comfortable sitting area and a lovely balcony with a view of the beautiful 10,000 m² gardens and the surrounding mountains.
As usual for most wellness hotels, our meals were part of the price of our room which included a breakfast buffet with a nice selection of breads, cheese, vegetables, sausages and meats, and eggs cooked to order. Later in the afternoon soups, salads, pastries and delicious cakes are available. Also included is a multi course dinner that features choices of traditional Austrian cuisine, international and vegetarian dishes.
When it is a lovely warm evening, there is nothing nicer than to sit on the fabulous restaurant terrace under the apple and chestnut trees with a glass of sparkling wine or beer then enjoy a multi course dinner and watch the sun set behind the mountains. The only problem might be is if you are a foodie like myself and want to photograph each course of your meal as it gets darker as the night goes on but I think we can all live with that.
We were lucky that we had two beautiful evenings outdoors and then dined in one of the lovely dining rooms on our last night when the temperature dropped. The Gmachl family is always present in the hotel and Franz Gmachl Sr. and Franz Jr both stopped by our table each evening to kindly inquire if we were enjoying our meal. Afterward, we often head to the busy bar to join others for an after dinner cocktail and reminisce about our day’s adventure.
What we especially like about staying at Gmachl is how convenient it is for sightseeing. After a great night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, you can drive, take the train, a taxi or bike into Salzburg just a few minutes away. Once you have fully explored Mozart’s birthplace, the hotel is perfect for day trips to the many charming villages in the region. Don’t miss visiting places such as Wolfgangsee, St. Gilgen and Hallstatt in the beautiful Salzkammergut lake district or perhaps St. Bartholomew’s church on Lake Königssee, the Eagle’s Nest or Berchtesgaden in Germany. After a day out exploring, it is very nice to return to the hotel to make use of the wellness and spa areas before heading down to have dinner.
The wellness areas are very spacious and divided into three zones. There is the new hang spa which makes you feel like you are in a rainforest, the roof spa both of which are adult only and the family garden spa. Altogether, you have a choice of six pools, one being the infinity pool on the roof with distant views of the Hohensalzburg fortress that you can see on a clear day. There are also numerous steam and dry saunas and various relaxation rooms as well as lot of sun loungers and relaxation beds scattered throughout the beautiful gardens.
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The word “Genussdorf” translates to “enjoyment village” in German and it is a fitting description. The hotel has a butcher shop, a brewery, a nice gift shop and an additional restaurant “Franz” connected to the hotel that seems popular with people who live in the villages. With all that is available, Gmachl does have a feel of a small village that is very pleausrable indeed. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to visit in the future.
Cheers, looks fantastic. Love the decor.
An absolutely stunning hotel that I’d love to experience. We already have 2024 planned but maybe the following year.
Incredibly beautiful! It sounds amazing, I can only dream about a vacation like the ones you take, thanks for sharing~
Jenna
Absolutely stunning. And that food looks gorgeous too!
Yet another beautiful hotel, food and scenery! I particulalry like the wicker bar by the pool and the spa bath suite. “it gets darker as the night goes on” – I’ve had the same problem quite a few times. I once did a blog post without food pictures, because there was no outside lighting, just a couple of candles! By the time the food arrived it wsa already dark. I did, at least, manage to get a shot of the menu and kitchen before dusk.
It looks nice and relaxing. The Königssee is one of my favorite lakes in Austria .
This may be among my favorite of your recent post. I love that it’s very close to Salzburg, and I find all the architectural details absolutely beautiful. As often you post, the food looks wonderful, and the outdoor terrace is one of the most inviting I’ve seen in a long time. I do look forward to getting back to the area.
Karen, a place that gets your attention for seven stays has to be pretty special. We were soooo close to adding a couple of wellness hotels (from your list) to our itinerary this past July, but the logistics of combining France and Germany seemed a bit daunting. One day we will dedicate a complete trip to this beautiful region. Pining this post for future reference. P.S. my daughter took the boat ride on the Konigssee and toured the church on her last visit. She too, reminds us frequently that we must go!
“Enjoyment village” seems apt. I think I’d be filled with “wellness” by just looking at the views from the windows. The photographs are gorgeous, Karen. Being there and breathing the air and seeing everything with your eyes must have been amazing.
Looks lovely Karen. I know Berchtesgaden and that area well, and love it dearly. 😃
I sure enjoy traveling vicariously via your blog.
I can see why this is called the “enjoyment village” – What a fabulous place. Thanks for sharing it.
Oh my! This looks absolutely divine. The wonderful food, beautiful accommodations and my! The countryside and setting is beyond beauty — it’s just amazing. I love it all!
Karen, you find the most beautiful and restful vacation spots in our beautiful world!
The attention to detail is simply spectacular. From the architecture to interior design, plating of the food to the flavor combinations, everything is clearly done carefully, thoughtfully. Amazing.
Wow, that hotel is enormous! I can’t believe everything that it has on its grounds. I think I could live there. 😉
What a beautiful area! The hotel is stunning with all the wood.
I’m in love with this place! Wow!
Karen, you find such lovely places!
wow so very beautiful!
Thanks for sharing this special place with us.
I would absolutely love the opportunity to visit that hotel! We’ve been to Salzburg before, and we were talking about how we’d like to go back someday. You better believe I’ll be keeping Genussdorf Gmachl on the radar for when we do. Talk about the ultimate of relaxation!!
I’m so thankful you share all your adventures, Karen. Your photos are gorgeous and the details you share are so fabulous I feel like I’m right there with you. This place is definitely one of those places where you check in and never want to leave. I’m so excited you guys had a chance to rest and relax! Hugs and happy traveling, CoCo
Stunning! I love this series of wellness hotels you are sharing. And how lovely to see it transform and grow over 7 stays.
Absolutely beautiful Karen, I thought at first glance it was Bali! What a stunning place to stay and my mouth was watering looking at those photos. I’ve never been to Austria, although my husband’s grandmother was Austrian. We should put it on our list of places to visit in Europe.
Karen, what a charming and gorgeous hotel and spa. The food photos are stunning as are all of the surroundings. We were in Salzburg recently and enjoyed it immensely. I would love to visit picturesque Hallstatt! Your travels are amazing!
Your personal experiences and vivid descriptions offer a compelling glimpse into the world of Genussdorf Gmachl, making it an enticing destination for those seeking a luxurious wellness retreat in the heart of Austria. Youre living the dream Karen
Wow… how beautiful! A wonderful place to enjoy the view and food. 🙂
How wonderful that you and your husband have been able to enjoy this splendid hotel over so many years. It really is quite beautiful!
Karen, such a beautiful place to stay. So glad you can share your photos with us. The food looks exceptional and the accommodations are so elegant.
Our next overseas trip will be Austria and Hungary, though it probably won’t be until 2025. I’m going to make note of this fabulous hotel!!
What a gorgeous place! I love Salzburg. I’m going to have to make a point of seeing this hotel next time I go.
So much beauty in this post, Karen! What a charming place with so many lovely, old landmarks. I think my head would be spinning in every direction trying to take it all in 🙂 I’m glad you got to have to meal outdoors before it got too cold!! I would love to visit here myself one day, thanks for sharing with us!
Hi Karen, a previous comment was from me!! lol I forgot to log in 🙂 Hope y’all are well