Castello Hotel - Zillertal Arena

The Castello is a friendly alpine ski lodge and a haven for skiers, in the pretty high alpine ski village of Königsleiten in Zillertal Arena Austria. The Biohotel Castello sits at 1600-meters (5,250’) high above Zillertal Arena’s other base villages of Zel am Ziller and Gerlos. Zillertal Arena is Zillertal’s largest ski area. Yet staying up in Königsleiten puts you higher and quieter in an historic authentic Austrian mountain village, not the busier ski towns down the hill.

Christian, the hotel owner, greeted us warmly upon arrival and showed us with pride his family run hotel, with its restaurant, bar, spa, ski and boot room, and finally to our spacious room upstairs. He fluently transitions from German to English to accommodate guests, as does much of his team.

An elevator whisked us to our 3^rd floor suite directly from the underground car-park. We’d stowed our skis and boots in the downstairs ski room where heated boot dryers, and benches, would be perfect for suiting up in the morning after a lavish breakfast, and for storing our gear at ski day’s end. We knew we would find it all warm and dry the following morning. I love how European Alps ski hotels make a ski room a top amenity, keeping your bulky gear out of your nice hotel room too.

Our lovely Arnika suite at Biohotel Castello Konigsleiten was alpine chic, with modern appointments like a spa-style bathroom with heated towel bar. A grand entry led to a spacious sitting area with pine furnishings separate from our pretty bedroom where fluffy duvets and herbal pillows awaited our big sleep after skiing the Alps. The highlight was our grand private balcony with views of chalets on the hillside and snow-covered pine trees.

Our ski hotel package included Castello Konigsleiten’s half board, a daily generous breakfast buffet, and a multi-course dinner, plus a mid-day snack. Being a short walk to the lifts, having a beautiful view of the forest, and not having to concern ourselves with meals made for a very relaxing stay.

We started each day going to the Stube restaurant downstairs, a cozy Austrian wood-lined room, often in our slippers, to enjoy a full breakfast buffet, with local foods of fresh eggs and cheeses, meats, yogurts, fruits and granola. With fresh brewed coffee and squeezed juices, even Austrian pastries, you feel well prepared and fortified for the ski day. A quick trip to your room to put on ski togs, down to the ski room to grab your gear – and you are off to the slopes!

Walking the short distance to Zillertal Arena’s ski lifts, you recognize you are on a high plateau in the sun most of the time, surrounded by sleepy snow-covered private chalets, many seemingly unoccupied. The ski village of Königsleiten is quiet for a ski resort setting, especially at night.

Returning to our “Castello” hotel in the afternoon, we looked forward to relaxing after skiing. The Bio Spa awaited downstairs with all kinds of relaxing rejuvenating treatments in this dedicated grotto area. Varying degrees of unique Finnish or herbal saunas, infrared cabin, a damp bed steam room, showers, and herbal drinks, plus a relaxation room, can be enjoyed in this serene setting, open and adult only (swimsuits not needed – Euro nude is the norm). Robes and slippers plus a carrying bag are provided in your room for your entire stay for visits to the spa. Guests can reserve a massage in the treatment rooms for reasonable spa fees as well.

Afternoons, a hearty snack of soup, salad, or cheese and meats, and a homemade dessert cake are set out in a self-service buffet spread. This was a perfect bite to tie us over, we could go out to local après ski, just lavish in the spa, or relax on our sunny balcony, and dinner time would arrive soon enough at 6pm.

As you’d expect from a Bio-hotel, our three meals a day at Castello featured healthy local herbs, vegetables, and sustainable offerings. Locals come to the bar in the late afternoon, for a drink and a pizza – the Hotel is the local pizza place with a thriving little takeout pizza business.

Christian and his family organize weekly activities for guests, including live music at Castello Schirmbar, a guided winter hike to the local Krimml waterfall, a torchlight walk with Christian’s father, an alpaca farm visit. Another fun feature of the week is Christian’s outdoor grilling of Austrian Kaiserschmarnn – this decadent Austrian cake is fun to eat outside with a hot glühwein.

This Biohotel is family operated, its relaxed, cozy, with everything you need on ski holiday. You can even buy lift tickets to Zillertal Arena at the reception desk. For kids there are games in the bar area to play, it’s a family-friendly place and the Castello allows certain pets, in select rooms. Essentially, the Eder Family has made this hotel complete, and “bio” meaning organic and environmentally friendly since 2016 – with a conscious effort to make healthy food, and to be good stewards of the local supply chain. Bio Austria has certified the hotel and its practices.

A week or even a few nights on a ski holiday is relaxing and fun, with all your meals included, a spa, and you are steps to the ski lift. Visit Castello Konigsleiten website for more information.