The luxury five star resort called Posthotel Achenkirch, near Lake Achensee in Tirol, Austria, is one of this beautiful region’s oldest and most well know spa hotels. It has become one of our favorite travel destinations as the hotel makes a great base for not only touring the surrounding picturesque Tyrolean mountain towns but is also convenient for day trips across the nearby border into Bavaria, Germany.
A few months ago, my husband and I returned to the Posthotel Achenkirch for several relaxing days as we had loved our all too short visit there the previous year. Even though the hotel is one of the larger resorts that we stay at, it never feels crowded…in fact it feels peaceful and romantic. The reason might be that this is an adults only hotel, where guests must be age 14 and over.
The service at the resort is never lacking and that starts as soon as you enter the free underground parking garage. Upon our arrival, we were greeted, our luggage unloaded and we were guided through an underground passageway to reception. There we were warmly greeted with a glass of champagne and offered something to eat from the afternoon buffet while our luggage was taken to our room.
The hotel offers an excellent buffet each day for breakfast, a lunchtime snack and a five course dinner in the evening. The food is delicious and most comes from the hotel’s own farm and other regional sources. All your meals are included in the price of your room.
At mealtimes, you have a reserved table in one of the several dining rooms or cozy parlors, all individually designed. In addition to these rooms, there is also a beautiful bistro and outdoor terrace where you can relax in your bathrobe and have a snack, enjoy a glass of wine or beer or perhaps have a pastry and a good cup of coffee.
After our lunch, we were shown to our room where our luggage had already been placed. We had a cozy country house suite, decorated in a natural tones and wood with contemporary accents. It had a king size bedroom and a separate living room with doors that led out to a large terrace with lovely views of the little St. Anna chapel and the surrounding mountains.
Since it was cold and drizzly on our day of arrival, we decided to go down to the wellness area in the hotel’s warm bathrobes and slippers to enjoy one of the warming saunas. You can also relax and read a book or perhaps take a nap in one of the quiet rooms. If you want to totally relax, head underground to the “sunken temple” to sit in the dome of silence for some quiet meditation before heading off to the steam baths and saunas.
The wellness area is a guest’s dream come true with six indoor and outdoor heated pools, numerous steam rooms and saunas as well as a center for traditional Chinese medicine.
I can see why it has earned 4 lilies and 19 points in the renown Austrian Relax Guide. The Atrium Spa (which has a women’s only section) offers a variety of facial and body treatments and a multitude of massages. While there, I had a wonderful Posthotel Kraftritual, which is their signature wellbeing treatment. Afterwards, I was escorted to the spa’s lovely relaxation area, wrapped up warm and soft to enjoy moments of serenity. Delightful!
On a nice day, you might want to go outdoors to the yin yang pool where you can enjoy both its adjacent warm and cold waters or visit the large heated outdoor pool and whirlpool.
If you are athletic or just want to make sure that the delicious food you enjoy during your stay doesn’t go straight to your waistline, the hotel has a fitness center as well as sports and activity programs that you can join. They include Nordic walking, tai chi, qigong, pilates, yoga and meditation. There is also the option of a game of golf at the Posthotel’s 9 hole course or a game of tennis at one of the hotel’s courts.
I would also suggest a visit to the hotel’s stables to see their beautiful Lipizzaner stallions. You can take a riding course at the indoor arena on one of the Lipizzaner or take a carriage ride pulled by two of these magnificent horses.
If speed is more to your liking, you can try out one of the hotel’s Johammer electric motor cycles or perhaps test drive their Tesla sports car. A boat ride on Lake Achensee, the largest lake in the Tirol, is also a nice option. Last but certainly not least, there is an underground shopping area for those so inclined.
****
We love the Tirol region and have probably visited it more than any other part of Austria. You might think that we are avid skiers or mountain hikers but that is not the case. We return to this area as each day there are countless opportunities to explore the beautiful countryside.
After a day’s outing to one of the nearby cities like Innsbruck or Kufstein in Austria or Rottach-Egern in Germany, it is always a pleasure to return to a wonderful hotel such as Posthotel Achenkirch where welcoming smiles are plentiful, good food is abundant and the amenities are absolutely wonderful.
During an evening welcome cocktail party, we were told by Karl Reiter Junior, who now runs the fourth generation family owned hotel, that this year is the 100th anniversary of the hotel. The original building from that time has been renovated with the addition of nine new bedrooms, a hands on kitchen for cooking classes and another bathrobe restaurant and terrace. Hopefully my husband and I will have the opportunity to once again visit the hotel and enjoy these new facilities.
Back Road Journal 
What a beautiful setting!
Hi Frank, Isn’t this a lovely area of Austria. 🙂
Wow, wow, wow! One day in the spa and an evening’s dinner at this glorious hotel would have be right-as-rain for the next 6 months. What an honour to visit such an incredible place Karen. Fabulous!
Have a super week.
🙂 Mandy xo
Yes, I most definitely agree with you Mandy…it was a wonderful experience. Thank you.
Exquisite Austria, as always. That sunken temple looks very inviting indeed! ❤
I agree with you on both counts Fatima. 😀
That’s a very beautiful place and the hotel….o…just amazing!
Hi Angie, It is why we had to go back for a second visit.
What a luxurious place! Thanks for the detailed post on this hotel and area Karen. Makes me want to book a flight.
Hi Penny, I’m glad that you enjoyed the post, thank you. I agree with you, travel posts can make us want to pull out our passports.
What an amazing place! Would love to visit!
Hi Heather, Thank you for stopping by for a visit and your nice comment. I do hope you get a chance to visit someday.
Beautiful – what a gorgeous place and hotel in Austria! We will have to plan a trip to the Tirol region some day and stay st the Posthotel… thank you for sharing these beautiful photos and details about the hotel!!
Hi Anna and Liz, I do hope you get a chance to visit the Tirol region, it is amazingly beautiful. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, thank you.
That looks like another hotel, almost just for you. The food looks delicious and great pictures!
Hi Mad Dog, We definitely have a love for spa hotels and great food. The Posthotel certainly knows how to make you happy.
Agree with Penny above. There is something so “old fashioned” about it despite the modern amenities.
Hi Jo, The hotel has a nice mix of both which I do enjoy.
Your photos are awesome. The resort looks lovely.
Thank you for your lovely compliment about the photos, it is much appreciated.
Lipizzaner stallions are SO pretty! Heck, the entire hotel and setting is just gorgeous. Great pictures, fun read — thanks.
I’m glad you like the post John, thank you. There are so many things that makes this hotel special but I believe the Lipizzaner stallions put it over the top.
That place looks like a dream! The food, scenery, and the activities and spa areas look wonderful!
Hi Jenny, The Posthotel really does have so much to offer its guests, we have a great time.
What a magical place! Those horses – swoon.
Yes Ksenia, it is a magical place and I love the horses.
what beautiful El Tirol, love these pictures ! xoxo
Thank you Gloria, I’m glad to know that a you enjoyed the post and photos.
Wow! What an amazing place!!!
Hi Pam, The Posthotel definitely is a winner.
I love love Austria, a gorgeous country and this post proves it! The region is great and the resort looks awesome!
Hi Pam, We are big fans of Austria, we love everything about the country. With resorts like the Posthotel, we just have to keep going back.
What a fabulous place ans over 14 sounds perfect to me! I would be seeing the Lipizzaner horses like a shot. Such beautiful animals and so talented. Cheers Diane
Hi Diane, Yes over 14 is a wonderful idea at a spa resort where you go to spend your time relaxing. Aren’t the Lipizzaner horses just beautiful.
It looks magnificent Karen. Your photographs are fantastic.
Thank you Gary, I really appreciate your nice compliment about the photos. :d
I am going to check out this hotel, another great tip for visiting that beautiful region of Austria. Thank you Karen!
Hi Gerlinde, The next time you plan a trip to Germany you should definitely plan to cross over into Austria. The Posthotel is not far over the border from Rottach-Egern in Bavaria.
omg, you travel to the most amazing places! That hotel sounds like heaven on earth!! You are so lucky to experience such luxury!! Thank you for sharing!
Jenna
I truly am one lucky person Jenna and I know it. I’m happy that you enjoy my travel posts and appreciate all your lovely comments about them, thank you.
You travel the world in such sophisticated style. GREG
Thank you Greg, I think I’m very fortunate to be able to go to such lovely places in our world all thanks to my wonderful husband. 🙂
Hi Karen – these pictures and your descriptions are so lovely. I could spend days here and not scratch the surface. I am intrigued by the Lipizzaner stallions and that the hotel has their own farm. Truly amazing. Thanks for sharing these beautiful experiences. xo
Thank you Allie for your kind words, I’m happy that you enjoyed the post and photos. Isn’t it so nice that the Posthotel has their own farm for their restaurant. It is also the largest private Lipizzaner stud farm in Europe, with 40 white stallions and they are beautiful.
How beautiful!
I totally agree, Tonya…thank you.
I’m speechless. Can such blue skies truly exist? Are such lavish accommodations really open to guests? Truly incredible.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post Hannah. Yes…such a place does exists. 🙂
Love the Lippizaner horses formerly so admired in Vienna. Love your beautiful photo Milady: you are travelling beautifully. Love the scenery naturally but also love to stay in boutique hotels about a tenth of the size of this . . . . Am sweetly amused at the amount of food and wine available in these ‘spa’ hotels . . . . hmm: does anyone lose weight and increase in fitness . . . 🙂 ?
Thank you for your nice comment Eha. You tickled me with you comment about the food. All I can tell you is that we were gone 5 weeks and I didn’t gain a single pound. I think it is all about portion control although if you looked at the cheese I ate every morning, you might question that. 😀
What a gorgeous hotel! I could use one of their warming saunas right about now 🙂
Hi Liz, On the day of our arrival it was cold and drizzly and can’t tell you how nice the saunas were.
Get my bathrobe ready! Sounds divine.
The bathrobes are nice and cuddly Amelia.
We stayed there one Easter and it was SO over the top good. What a marvelous place and so beautiful!
It is so nice to hear from you Maureen, I hope you are well. How nice to know someone else who has stayed at the Posthotel Achenkirch and enjoyed it as much as we do. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
I can see why this is a 5-star resort! It looks and sounds like a wonderful place to stay!
Hi Nancy, Yes, the hotel definitely deserves all the awards and good ratings it has received.
Y’all really know how to vacation! What a resort! Bet you didn’t want to leave.
You are right MJ, it is hard to pack up and leave a wonderful hotel such as the ones we picked for this trip…they were all winners.
It sounds and looks fantastic! It’s a shame we don’t travel more often, my husband and I.
Will put this place on my bucket list ☺️
Hi Giovanna, do keep a bucket list and perhaps one day in the near future the two of you can do a wonderful trip together.
I absolutely love the look of your suite! It looks so spacious and I like the decor too. It definitely doesn’t look 100 years old.
Hi Lorraine, No you would not guess that the Posthotel is celebrating 100 years. They do a good job of improving and creating something new all the time.
Wow! What a spectacular place to visit. Since I was a little girl I’ve wanted to ride one of those Lipzzaner horses………..they are so beautiful!!
Hi Kelli, The Lippizaner horses are magnificent. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, we did love our stay at the Posthotel.
Wow, such a gorgeous place to be… and adult only!! I’ve never seen that before. I have to wait for 7 more years to be able to go there with my kids hehehehe.
Hi Amira, The Posthotel Achenkirch is the only hotel that we have stayed at that is adult only and I must say, it does make for a peaceful environment.
No matter what the weather, this looks like a fabulous place to unwind and enjoy all that is offered.
Hi Linda, So true…the weather can be cold and frightful or sunny and balmy and there is something to do at the hotel. We had a little of everything, weather wise, this time and truly enjoy our stay.
Karen,
What a fabulous review and photo-journey of this resort and surrounding sites in Austria! I can’t thank you enough as my husband and I yearn for a return visit to Austria and Bavaria in the (hopefully) near future.
There are so many wonderful things to experience at this resort alone simply from the welcome of guests, to the food, to the spa, to the equine rides, and more. Just a dream come true! For those of who are pondering ‘where to go next’ after the beauty of Salsburg and Vienna, this was a perfect informative post to help us. THANK YOU for your help in planning our future travels to this beautiful corner of our planet! I will most definitely inquire with this resort for a future visit.
Thank you so much for your very kind words Roz. It is always heartwarming when I know that my readers find my posts useful when planning a trip. I so enjoy sharing our travel experiences just for that reason. If I can help in any other way, just let me know. 🙂
Karen, what a beautiful and relaxing resort, your view of the chapel was gorgeous,
Hi Pam, Isn’t the little chapel gorgeous…like something out of a fairytale almost. I loved having the view of it from our room, it is so sweet.
What a lovely place! The closest I’ve come to the views is walking through the streets of Vail in Colorado 🙂 Gorgeous scenery and amenities.
Hi Susan, While I’ve traveled to Austria quite a few times, I’ve never been to Vail. I’m sure it is beautiful.
Posthotel looking simply lovely. I’d go for a carriage ride if I were to ever visit:)
Hi Sweets, Yes a carriage ride would be lovely, especially as you could pass right by the little chapel on the hill.
Wow! Such beautiful accommodations. I don’t think I would ever need to leave since it looks like they have everything a girl can dream of! The yin-yang pool is so unique!
Hi Sandra, You are right, I don’t think there is much missing when it comes to staying at the Posthotel. My husband loves the yin yang pool. After using the outdoor sauna, he goes in the cold side first and then in the warm side.
This is the type of hotel we would enjoy. I am not surprised you went back 🙂
Hi Tandy, When we started planning our trip, the Posthotel Achenkirch was a must repeat as far as my husband was concerned. We went a couple hours out of our way to stay there this time and it was well worth the extra miles. I do believe you would enjoy it.
Another beautiful place to stay – yin/yang pool (what fun), the horses and oh the guys would love a driving range and golf course (ladies too). The young man in the picture with you who runs the hotel doesn’t look over 20 – I must be getting old 🙂
Hi Judi, I won’t comment about your age. 😀 Karl Reiter Junior is such a warm and personable your man. I believe that he is in his early thirties and he took over the hotel management from his father in 2004 and has done an excellent job.
My husband and I looked at this post together – I thought he should see where I want to go next! Great post, gorgeous location, wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Tricia, for your lovely compliment. I think you and your husband would definitely enjoy staying at the Posthotel Achenkirch. If you plan to travel to Austria, let me know if I can help with other sugguesttions.
Amazing Karen!! There’s no detail they haven’t thought of to make your stay enjoyable– And the food looks beautiful! Such a fun post! xo
It is so true Rhonda, the hotel seems to have everyone’s happiness in mind. It really is a wonderful resort. Thank you for your nice compliment.
Omg, pure luxury. One day I want such an experience!!!
Hi Liz, I do hope you get a chance to visit someday, I know you would have a wonderful time.
This resort looks incredible. The horses are beautiful. And, I enjoyed reading that it was the hotel’s hundredth anniversary. I have a special place in my heart for things that are 100 years old. 🙂
Hi Sheryl, You do indeed have a special love for things that are l00 years old and you would certainly like the resort…and yes, the horses are beautiful.
What a special place! I can understand why you are regular visitors .. What a treat being able to ride one of those beautiful horses 🙂
Hi Julie, I agree with you about the hotel being special and I think one of everyone’s favorite things are the Lippizaner horses.
Another incredible place to put on my bucket list! Although I haven’t skied in years, I’d love to ski in Austria, and mountain hiking sounds awesome too.
Hi Eva, If you like hiking and skiing, I believe you would definitely enjoy a visit. Do put the Posthotel on your bucket list, we love it.
Wow Karen, a luxury destination. The ambiance, views, food and more to take in. I can see why it is a favorite. You have captured this paradise beautifully. We all want to experience this.
Hi Linda, I think I agree with you, it seems all my readers would like to experience a stay at this lovely hotel. I know we would love the opportunity to make a return visit. 🙂
Gorgeous photos, as usual. And what a beautiful place. You definitely make me want to plan a vacation and get away.
Thank you Monica, for your lovely compliment. Maybe it is time to dust off that passport and think about a trip. 😀 We love Austria and I think you would as well.
Sounds like this place has a little (or a lot) of everything- a spa and an old-fashioned carriage! Where do I sign up!
Hi Fran, Yes you are right, there seems to be something for everyone to enjoy. If you can’t find something to do…well, I just don’t know. 🙂
What an idyllic spot! I bet I could spend at least a week there, unwinding. And heaven knows I could use a nice unwinding at the moment!
Hi Frank, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. A week at the Posthotel Achenkirch and you would definitely leave feeling totally relaxed.
Beautiful hotel and scenery! I went to Austria many many years ago and I definitely want to visit again!
What a beautiful place, Karen! It has been years since we have stayed in a hotel on vacation, but this looks like one that we would love!