Moar Gut: Premier Family Resort in Austria's Alps
As our taxi departs from Salzburg airport, the driver shares fascinating insights into the surrounding landscape. The mountains visible to our right mark the northern edge of the Alps, extending into Germany, while in the distance stands the Eagle's Nest, a mountain-top chalet presented to Hitler fo
As our taxi departs from Salzburg airport, the driver shares fascinating insights into the surrounding landscape. The mountains visible to our right mark the northern edge of the Alps, extending into Germany, while in the distance stands the Eagle's Nest, a mountain-top chalet presented to Hitler for his fiftieth birthday. This journey introduces our seven- and nine-year-old children to the Alps, Austria, and Germany all at once, creating an unforgettable blend of excitement and discovery. Leaving behind the intense summer heat of London, we relish the crisp mountain air and stunning vistas as the vehicle ascends steadily into higher elevations.
Our destination is the exceptional Moar Gut family resort, located roughly an hour from Salzburg and framed by the majestic Hohe Tauern National Park. Arriving in early summer, my husband and I are captivated by the vast blue skies, verdant mountain slopes, classic chalets, the melodic chime of cowbells from grazing animals, and vibrant wildflowers dotting the meadows. Upon closer inspection, one notices ponies grazing peacefully, tractors working the land, flowing rivers, and cascading waterfalls, painting a picture of an idyllic rural escape.
The property itself enhances this natural charm through features like a pristine swimming lake, an on-site riding stable, and an organic farm. Managed by the Kendlbacher family since 1995, this ten-hectare car-free haven seamlessly combines upscale amenities with the beauty of the outdoors. It provides year-round activities, and during warmer seasons guests enjoy swimming, cycling, hiking trails, archery sessions, horseback riding, and tennis courts.
Upon settling into our elegant suite featuring a Scandinavian-inspired design with wooden ceilings and floors plus a separate children's area equipped with bunk beds, we immediately venture out to explore. Our first stop is the lake for a swim. The water proves invigoratingly cool, and our daughter delights in spotting tadpoles while I pause to appreciate the nearby yellow irises, woodland geraniums, and sea thrifts flourishing along the shore.
To regain warmth after the lake dip, visitors can choose between two heated pools, one indoors and one outdoors. Our son particularly enjoys the family sauna and the thrilling metal water slide known as the wasserrutsche, which delivers an exciting adrenaline surge. Later in the day we enroll the children in an archery activity, allowing my husband and me to unwind in the adults-only spa area where we alternate between the whirlpool and steam room facilities.
The resort offers abundant opportunities for entertainment in a welcoming and secure environment, enabling our children to freely visit the rabbit enclosure, engage in basketball games, or spend time in the dedicated teenagers' lounge featuring video games. Additional options include trampolines, a fitness center, and yoga or reformer pilates sessions tailored for adults. Moar Gut positions itself as an ideal setting for families spanning multiple generations, and during our stay we encounter one such group from southeast England with members aged from five to eighty-five on their third visit. They note the increasing popularity, including more British families discovering the location, yet their affection for the resort remains undiminished.
This being our initial visit, the property impresses with its exclusive atmosphere and outstanding service levels. Accommodating forty-six family rooms alongside two double rooms supported by one hundred ten staff members ensures attentive care at all times. Whether seeking recommendations for optimal hiking paths, confirming allergen-free options in desserts due to our daughter's peanut sensitivity, or requesting Austrian sparkling wine or a cigar in the evening, assistance is readily available.
The resort operates on a full-board basis featuring breakfast and lunch buffets along with gourmet à la carte dinners for adults while children enjoy their own buffet selections. Additional items such as escargots, oysters, and fondue can be ordered for an extra fee. During lunch we sample classic dishes including mushroom goulash and beef broth. Our son appreciates the beetroot dumplings served with pesto and goat's cheese, and our daughter requests multiple servings of the farmhouse doughnuts accompanied by apricot jam. Alternatives like fish fingers and pizza cater to younger palates, complemented by a baby bar offering freshly made purées.
Childcare provisions stand out as exceptional, with the kids' club operating from nine in the morning until nine in the evening for ages ranging from thirty days to teenagers. Our children form new friendships during an afternoon picnic for those seven and older, later reuniting for a mocktail preparation workshop the following evening. While the resort provides ample entertainment on-site, we also explore the national park, Austria's largest and oldest, via a guided one-and-a-half-hour waterfall hike. My smartphone quickly accumulated numerous images capturing the breathtaking scenery. If our vacation were adapted into a film, it would evoke The Sound of Music with subtle James Bond influences, as the hills indeed came alive in their splendor. Within Moar Gut itself, Bond-like elements appear in the underground passages linking buildings and certain interior aesthetics featuring masculine luxury, sweeping curves, charcoal walls, and expansive floor-to-ceiling glass. The car park filled with black Audis further enhances this sophisticated ambiance.
As our time at the resort concludes, we depart feeling thoroughly rested, nourished, and invigorated by the enchanting qualities of Moar Gut and its remarkable Alpine surroundings. For those seeking a refreshing summer escape from the heat of urban areas and crowded beaches, this destination represents an outstanding selection for a memorable family holiday.