Valluga at St Anton

St Anton am Arlberg is a must see and ski. This authentic ski village in the heart of the Austrian Alps is magical, charming and historic, at the base of some of the most amazing ski terrain in the world. St Anton links to Austria’s vast Arlberg ski region with 88 lifts and over 305 kilometers – all interconnected with modern lifts to St Christoph and Stuben, Lech and Zurs, to Warth, 8 ski villages – all on one lift pass. S

What we love about St Anton is its heritage, this is where alpine skiing was born and bred, where the first ski schools were formed, and modern lifts now connect time-honored ski trails and spectacular slopes above the now cosmopolitan ski town. There are delightful chalets and cafes, and more swank modern bistros and shops, its idyllic. St Anton also has its own convenient train station right in town.

St Anton’s best ski hotels are in the historic village, within walking distance or a quick shuttle to the base lifts. The Valluga Hotel is a fantastic four-star ski hotel, stylish, near the center of the ski town, with all the best amenities skiers look for, and inviting alpine décor throughout.

From arrival at Valluga, named for St Anton’s highest most prominent ski peak, The Valluga Hotel is poised and prepared for skiers. Valet helps with your car and luggage, your skis and boots are brought to ski room where you own locker awaits – emblazed with the name of a Ski Olympian. I loved being in the presence of American racers Bode Miller and Lindsey Vonn, Austrian legends Toni Sailer and Hermann Maier while booting up in my warm dry ski boots each morning.

Our modern alpine suite had a balcony offering mountain views, and a spacious en suite bath with a tub and plush robes. Fresh bright linen duvets draped our comfy bed, very welcoming after a day of thigh burning skiing. The Valluga Hotel has a lower level spa with indoor pool, steam rooms and thermal showers, and 4 sauna to choose from, or try them all: Finnish Sauna, Sanarium, Turkish bath, and Infrared, plus treatment rooms for beauty or massage therapy.

The Valluga’s living room and game room complete with billiards both offered cozy spaces for reading or relaxing after skiing or after dinner. A favorite spot for us was the cocktail lounge, where we enjoyed an aperitif before our four-course dinner served in the main dining room with salad and bread buffet nightly before a delicious chef’s plated dinner, followed by dessert and cheese display. A bountiful breakfast buffet and nightly dinner is great value, part of “half board” at the Hotel, and really allows you to unwind with an unhurried pace since you have no big decision to be made about dining reservations.

Valluga Hotel is a short walk or free complimentary hotel van to town for shopping and St Anton’s legendary après ski, and to the ski lifts.

Valluga Hotel is Scandinavian owned, its clean, mod alpine environment is incredibly soothing and spa-like in its calm pleasant atmosphere. For families, Valluga is convenient and comfortable, reserve a two-bedroom family suite, enjoy the family swimming pool, the game room and the twice-daily buffet meals with plenty of kid-friendly options. For couples, the rooms are quite romantic, ask for a king bed and balcony, and the spa offers a chance to be pampered and kneaded. There’s a fitness room too, but we found skiing the vast Arlberg exercise enough, and dancing at apres ski at Mooserwirt or Krazy Kangaruh.

See our St Anton review with tips on hiring a guide to ski The Valluga, an expert off-piste run at St Anton, and our review of the Top chalets for dining and après ski in The Arlberg while you are skiing around the vast Ski Arlberg region.