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Travel Charme Ifen Hotel | Hotel and Restaurant Review As you may have already seen on my Instagram account, I recently went on a test trip to beautiful Austria. More precisely, to the 5-star Travel Charme Ifen Hotel in Kleinwalsertal. This luxury hotel is located just a few kilometers from the German-Austrian border in the state of Vorarlberg, within a picturesque village called Hirschegg. I spent three nights and days there, testing both the hotel itself and, of course, its cuisine. Read on to find out what my companion and I experienced and what you can expect when visiting the Travel Charme Ifen Hotel.

The Travel Charme Ifen Hotel: Facilities and Rooms

Before we get into the gastronomic details, I'd like to tell you a little about the hotel itself. Even upon arrival, I was struck by the alpine architecture, the modern and minimalist design, and the enormous panoramic windows offering views of the picturesque mountains. The views of the expansive alpine panorama, the idyllic valley, and the unspoiled nature are simply breathtaking – both from the terrace and the balconies. The Travel Charme Ifen Hotel is named after the 2,229-meter-high mountain "Hoher Ifen" west of the Kleinwalsertal valley. The hotel is designed throughout in an alpine-modern style: plenty of warm wood, elegant and understated materials, and numerous thoughtful details characterize the hotel. In my opinion, some areas, such as the corridors leading to the rooms or the entrance area, had an almost purist and clean design, but that's definitely a matter of taste.

Now to the room. We were greeted by a beautiful and spacious suite in the round part of the building, complete with its own fireplace, a huge balcony, a separate bedroom (including an additional TV), and a cozy ambiance. The room features larch wood floors, Italian designer furnishings by Lorenzo Bellini, and exclusive, elegantly crafted furniture. The room exudes a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. It's often the little moments and feelings that tell you whether you feel comfortable in a hotel or not. So, whenever I returned to my room at the Travel Charme Ifen Hotel after a visit to the spa, breakfast, or a hike, I felt very comfortable. My companion and I particularly enjoyed the option of lighting a fire in the always-ready fireplace in the evenings. The minibar, stocked with (non)alcoholic drinks and snacks (from €5.90), is also quite impressive.Learn more about the hotel, rooms and prices of the Travel Charme Ifen Hotel here.).

The wellness area

This one, too, was of course thoroughly tested. Spanning over 2,300 m², it combines relaxation with contemporary and modern treatments for body, mind, and soul. An 18-meter indoor pool filled with Alpine spring water, a year-round heated panoramic outdoor whirlpool, and a brine sound pool are sure to delight all water lovers. The offerings also include various saunas (Alpine herbal steam bath, fresh air sauna, Finnish sauna, sanarium), a comprehensive spa area with 15 treatment rooms (PURIA Premium SPA) for massages and body treatments, and a spacious relaxation area. A very well-equipped fitness studio and much more are also available. I particularly enjoyed using the relaxation room and the adjacent brine inhalation room after a sauna session and a subsequent cold shower. Teas, water, fresh juices, light snacks, and fruit are also available. Treatments start at €25 and can be booked by the day. As a guest, you can use the wellness area from 3 pm on the day of arrival until 11 am on the day of departure.Learn more about the Travel Charme Ifen Hotel – Wellness Area here).

The hotel's restaurant

Okay, now for the details. Without good food, even the most beautiful hotel and the best view are worthless, right? Good food is definitely part of a complete sense of well-being, so my companion and I thoroughly tested the offerings. We scrutinized the daily breakfast buffet, the afternoon snack (lunch or a small snack including cake), and the set menus at Theo's and the "Kilian Stuba." After dinner, we enjoyed a drink or two in the lobby with its fireplace, library, and live music at the modern hotel bar "1.111"—named for the hotel's altitude. The bar also offers a daily changing "Drink of the Day" (e.g., the "Melon Ball" with vodka, Midori, passion fruit juice, and fresh lime).

Theo's and the Kilian Stuba Theo's Restaurant is the hotel's main restaurant, featuring a large terrace, show kitchen, extensive buffet, and, in the evenings, regional and international dishes presented as appealing set menus. Breakfast is also served in the restaurant. For dinner at Theo's, guests can also order individual courses upon request, such as just a starter (€12), just salad from the buffet (€9), an intermediate course (€15), or a fish or meat main course (€23). Theo's also includes the separate "Carnozet" area with a fireplace and regular Alpine specialty evenings. Kilian Stuba is the hotel's gourmet restaurant and the first restaurant in Austria to earn a Michelin star. Since 2012, the restaurant has boasted one Michelin star, three toques, and 17 points in the Gault Millau guide. It offers innovative and regional cuisine, and a wide selection of wines is also available. The restaurant, complete with a fireplace and tiled stove, as well as pre-set tables, is stylish yet cozy. Your evening will be hosted by the charming restaurant manager and sommelier Roland Gunst, and the cuisine will be prepared by the affable Michelin-starred chef and head chef Sascha Kemmerer – recently named „Up-and-Comer of the Year“ by „Der Große Restaurant & Hotel Guide“.Learn more about the Kilian Stuba restaurant here.).

Our menus My companion and I enjoyed a stay that included daily breakfast, two three-course meals at Theo's on the first and third evenings, and a visit to Kilian Stuba on the second evening with an extensive tasting menu. To give you a first impression, you can find... Here are our menus (2 x Theo's, 1 x Kilian Stuba).The menu at Theo's impressed me both times – also because of the variety. I particularly enjoyed the Austrian appetizer buffet, which we had as a starter on the third evening. The attentive service also deserves praise. No empty plate remained on the table for too long, no glass stayed empty for long, and when I asked, I was given information about the individual ingredients, their origin, and how they were prepared. The regional focus and high quality play a major role. At Kilian Stuba, they consciously ensure that while the food is cooked and presented to a high standard and is visually appealing, the clarity and simplicity of the ingredients should remain clearly evident to the guest. Chic without being overly fussy, excellent taste that clearly deserves the aforementioned awards. The clear gastronomic highlight for us was undoubtedly our visit to Kilian Stuba with its extensive menu and wine pairings. I can only recommend eating there – either as a hotel guest or as a non-guest. Mr. Gunst attends to each guest with competence, warmth, and attentiveness, and provides excellent advice on wine selection. The dishes are served and described simultaneously and repeatedly by Mr. Kemmerer himself. He is happy to answer any detailed questions about the cuisine. Every single course at Kilian Stuba impressed me. Whether you're a vegetarian, meat lover, or fish enthusiast, everyone who appreciates fresh ingredients, appealing presentation, and that certain something, along with warm hospitality, is sure to be satisfied at the stylish Kilian Stuba. The extensive wine list features numerous white and red wines. Please note that Kilian Stuba is currently closed until November 28, 2016. To give you a taste of what's to come, here's an overview of all three menus:

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 1st evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 2nd evening at the gourmet restaurant „Kilian Stuba“

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

: 3rd evening at Theo's – the hotel restaurant

Breakfast Now, let's talk about breakfast. The buffet is spacious and extensive. Numerous different types of cereal, rolls, breads, jams and honeys, various egg dishes (from the live cooking station), cold cuts, cheeses, fruits, juices, and much more are offered. As always, a picture is worth a thousand words. So, take a look at the buffet photo gallery.

A room service menu is also offered, featuring a selection of breakfast items, appetizers and soups, sandwiches, main courses, desserts and cheeses, as well as (non-)alcoholic drinks.

The leisure activities

Anyone who loves nature and sports will feel right at home in the Kleinwalsertal. Impressive mountain ranges, winding hiking trails totaling over 150 km along idyllic meadows, and all kinds of snowy fun characterize the Kleinwalsertal. Whether you're a mountain biker, hiker, skier, or simply someone who wants to relax and enjoy the outdoors – the natural beauty of the valley, with its 1,600 hours of sunshine a year, is sure to impress. The Travel Charme Ifen team is happy to provide advice on hiking tours and, upon request, issues mountain railway tickets for its guests (May to November). These tickets allow you to use the numerous surrounding mountain railways, visit mountain huts, and enjoy breathtaking views. During the summer months, carriage rides, canyoning, and climbing tours in the high ropes course are also offered. Golfers will also find plenty of opportunities to enjoy themselves on the more than 20 courses in the Allgäu region. As soon as the snow falls and winter arrives (from December to April), the Kleinwalsertal valley offers ideal conditions for beautiful days of skiing on a total of 128 km of slopes of all difficulty levels, as well as plenty of fun for tobogganing enthusiasts with five runs. Those who prefer hiking in winter can enjoy 50 km of winter hiking trails.

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Travel Charme Ifen Hotel *****

Hard facts

The Kleinwalsertal valley, and therefore the Travel Charme Ifen Hotel, is only accessible from Germany via a single road. This Austrian dead-end road is a charming place to linger. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., a midday snack is available in Theo's Restaurant from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and dinner is served from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (last orders accepted). The gourmet restaurant Kilian Stuba is open from Tuesday to Saturday, also for non-hotel guests, from 6:30 p.m. onwards. Reservations are strongly recommended. The Alpine Lounge, including the hotel bar, is open from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and offers cocktails, wines, and regional beers. The spa area has varying opening hours depending on the section – the pool area and fitness room are open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The drive from Munich takes approximately two hours with light traffic. Since the hotel is only about 9 kilometers from the German border, you don't need a vignette for the journey. You can park directly in front of the hotel, or your car will be driven into the garage for you. A varied weekly guest program with free and paid activities is offered (hikes, weekly market, sports classes, etc.). The Ifen Boutique is also part of the hotel. Wi-Fi is available free of charge for guests with a voucher. Of interest to dog owners: Some rooms are specially equipped for guests with dogs, which are allowed on a leash within the hotel grounds (excluding the spa and restaurants).

My personal conclusion: My stay at the Travel Charme Ifen Hotel was thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing. The natural surroundings and leisure activities in the immediate vicinity were particularly impressive. Gastronomically, the Kilian Stuba gets top marks from me – everything is just right, exactly as you would expect from a gourmet restaurant. In my opinion, the restaurant impresses not only with its excellent cuisine but also with its warm service and the authentic chef. During our stay, we had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Kemmerer for a while and learn more about the background and concept of the Kilian Stuba. In addition to the meticulous attention to detail throughout, the friendliness of the entire team deserves special mention. You feel truly welcome and can easily unwind in no time. The food at Theo's Restaurant is good, but the Kilian Stuba is the clear winner. If you check in as a guest at the Travel Charme Ifen Hotel, please leave a message from me – also for the hotel director, Nikolaus Jäger – and enjoy your stay.

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