Escape to Fairytale Austria: Posthotel Rattenberg Awaits!
Escape to Fairytale Austria: Posthotel Rattenberg Awaits! – My Honest (and Slightly Rambling) Review
Alright, folks, buckle up because you're about to get the REAL dirt on Posthotel Rattenberg in Austria. Forget the glossy brochures and perfectly posed photos – I'm here to spill the beans, the strudel, and everything in between. This isn't your typical fluffy travel review; this is unfiltered, slightly messy, and hopefully, actually helpful. Consider this your insider's guide to fairy-tale-land… with all the quirks.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Generally Okay (With a Bit of a Hike)
Let's be upfront: accessibility is present, but not top-tier, a classic like a good Austrian red wine. Posthotel Rattenberg itself is housed in a historic building, which means charming features… and maybe a few staircases. They have an elevator, thankfully, but navigating the nooks and crannies might require a bit of extra effort. The website mentions "facilities for disabled guests", which is good, but detailed access information needs to be requested. So, plan ahead and call them directly. A good starting point is to ask specific questions about the room access, and accessibility of common areas.
The Good Stuff: Pure Bliss (and a Few Minor Gripes)
Okay, forget about any accessibility issues for a moment, because the core of Posthotel Rattenberg is pure, unadulterated charm. Like, seriously, it’s the stuff of storybooks. Think cobbled streets, flowers overflowing from window boxes, and the kind of tranquility that makes you instantly exhale and forget about your inbox (mostly).
Let's talk Internet:
- Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes, they deliver on this one! The Wi-Fi was generally reliable, a small miracle in a place seemingly ripped straight from a medieval painting. And free, which is always a plus.
- Internet [LAN]: I didn't really test the LAN because, hello, vacation. But it's great to have extra options.
- Internet Services, Wi-Fi in public areas: Works just fine.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa-tacular!
This is where Posthotel truly shines. Let's start with…
- The Spa/Sauna: My God, the spa. Forget everything you thought you knew about relaxation. The sauna was perfectly hot, the steamroom a cloud of fragrant bliss. They have a pool with a view. Get this, it's an outdoor pool, with a view! I swear, I spent a solid afternoon floating there, occasionally glancing at the town below. Honestly, I almost became a local.
- Massage: Oh, the massage. I'm not a spa person as a rule, but the massage was divine. The masseuse somehow managed to work out knots I didn't even know I had. Seriously, book one, and immediately ask for the one she/he will recommend.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: okay… I'm not sure about the state of the gym, but can't be bad!
- Body scrub/Body wrap: okay. Those are on the spa menu. I did not take a body scrub, I regret that!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe in a Pandemic (Mostly)
They were serious about hygiene and protection. I was genuinely impressed by the measures.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol – all present and accounted for.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere you turn.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter (mostly) adhered to.
- Daily disinfection in common areas.
- Room sanitization opt-out available.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Feast Your Eyes (and Stomach!)
- Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: The food was… sigh… let's just say I gained a few happy kilograms. The breakfast buffet was a masterpiece of carbs and deliciousness, with options like fresh pastries, eggs, meats and fruit.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: I didn't try it.
- Bar, Poolside bar, Happy hour: The bar was cozy and the pool bar… well, it's by the pool! Happy hour was my friend.
- Coffee shop, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Bottle of water: All available and welcome.
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: both available.
Services and Conveniences: Because Life Shouldn't Be Hard
- Concierge, Doorman, Daily housekeeping, Luggage storage: Helpful and present. The staff, the entire staff, were incredibly accommodating and friendly. They made you feel like you were more than just a guest.
- Elevator: As I mentioned, essential.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: handy given Austria's quirks in regards to credit cards.
- Gift/souvenir shop: For the obligatory "I went to Austria and all I got was this…" t-shirt (or, you know, a meticulously crafted cuckoo clock).
- Laundry service, Ironing service: Nice to have.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But…
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Posthotel Rattenberg is family-friendly, even though I couldn't see any particular kid-centric items.
Available in all rooms: The Essentials
- Air conditioning: present, working.
- Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]), Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub: all there, and making the experience better,
- Slippers, Smoke detector, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Window that opens: Everything you'd expect, and a few surprises.
- Additional toilet: Not in all, but an option.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking: All available, but I recommend taking the bus.
The Imperfections (Because Nothing's Perfect)
- The Building: It's old. And beautiful. But don't expect ultra-modern everything. Some rooms might be smaller.
- Food Prices: It's Austria, and a nice hotel… so it wasn’t cheap. But worth it in my opinion.
My Single Greatest Experience:
This is the meat of the experience: The Pool. The pool with a view, is something that can't be written, has to be felt!
The "Come On, Book It!" Offer (Because I Know You Want To)
Okay, here’s the deal: You're craving a real escape. You want to immerse yourself in beauty, history, and pure Austrian charm. You're tired of cookie-cutter hotels and are hungry for adventure.
Here's your offer:
Book your stay at Posthotel Rattenberg before [Date], and get:
- A complimentary upgrade to a room with a balcony (limited availability!).
- A free bottle of local Austrian wine upon arrival.
- 15% off a massage at the spa.
Use code "FAIRYTALE" at checkout.
This isn't just a hotel; it’s an experience. It’s a chance to slow down, breathe deep, and rediscover the magic of travel. So, what are you waiting for? Go forth, book, and experience the fairy tale!
Philippine Paradise: Stunning 2BR Family Home w/ City Views (Sleeps 4-6)!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a Posthotel Rattenberg (Germany) experience… narrated by yours truly, a slightly-overcaffeinated, emotionally-driven travel journaler ready to spill the tea (or, you know, the Apfelstrudel).
THE POSTHOTEL RATENBERG RAMBLE – A WEEK OF ALMOST-BLISS
Day 1: Arrival and the "Almost Had a Meltdown" Moment
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up at the crack of dawn, brimming with excitement. Pack the last-minute essentials (aka, a ridiculous amount of snacks). Feel like a freaking super-spy, except instead of gadgets, I have…travel-sized hand sanitizer.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM): Flight! The flight was… well, it's a flight. Standard issue: cramped seats, questionable air quality, and a screaming toddler who seemed determined to shatter my eardrums. Mental note: invest in industrial-strength noise-canceling headphones.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Land! Arrived in Germany, feeling a mix of triumph and jet lag. The train journey to Rattenberg was a total dream – rolling hills, storybook villages… and me, desperately trying to stay awake.
- Late Afternoon (4:30 PM): ARRIVAL at the Posthotel! The building is beautiful, the front is so inviting. Gaze at the view…and almost have a meltdown. I, a person who plans everything, apparently forgot to book a parking spot. Chaos ensues. Tears almost flow. But then, a kind-eyed receptionist, bless her heart, saves the day! (I think her name was Gretel… maybe her brother was Hans?) The room is lovely. A little antique-y, but in a charming, slightly-creaky way. I mean, who doesn't love a creaky floorboard? Character, I say!
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Oh. My. God. The food! I literally ordered everything: wiener schnitzel, spaetzle, strudel…and I devoured it all. I am not proud. But I have no regrets.
- Night (9:00 PM): Collapse into bed. The sheets smell vaguely of lavender and contentment. Sleep.
Day 2: Glassblowing and Giggles in the Glassblowing Studio
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast! The spread is incredible: a dizzying array of cheeses, meats, and breads. Ate enough to fuel a small army. Or at least, ME.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): Off to explore Rattenberg. OMG, this tiny town is adorable! Cobblestone streets, colorful houses, a medieval charm that hits you in the face (in the best way possible).
- Mid-Day (11:00 AM): Time for glassblowing! Now, I’ve always thought of myself as a crafter… but I've never thought I'd be blowing hot glass. The instructor, a gruff but lovable artist named Klaus, was a master. He made it look so easy! I, on the other hand, managed to create what he gently called a "unique" ornament. (Translation: a misshapen glob of glass that looks like a melted ice cream cone. I kinda love it.) We giggled our way through the entire experience. It felt like a whole day of pure, unadulterated joy.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch at a local cafe. More spaetzle! I might have a spaetzle problem. I also ordered a local beer and felt like a true Bavarian.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Wandering and window-shopping. Buying way too many souvenirs. Seriously, how many cuckoo clocks does one person need?
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at some other local restaurant, the name i can not pronounce. Excellent food but I miss the Posthotel.
Day 3: The Castle and the Cold Feet
- Morning (9:00 AM): Another breakfast feast. This time, fueled by the promise of adventure.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Hike up to Kufstein Fortress, a medieval marvel looming above Rattenberg. The climb was…challenging. My legs burned, my lungs screamed, and I started questioning all my life choices. (Why did I eat all that spaetzle?) But the views from the top were EPIC. Absolutely breathtaking. Worth every agonizing step.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Stare at the fortress a bit longer.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Contemplate buying a castle. Realize I'm not a millionaire.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Attempt to descend the fortress. Consider taking a nap on the grass.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): The descent was worse than the climb (surprise!)
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at the Posthotel's restaurant, savoring the familiar comfort.
- Night (9:00 PM): A glass of wine and a good book. The perfect ending to a perfect day.
Day 4: The Unexpected Epiphany (and a Minor Meltdown – Again)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Slept in! Bliss. Breakfast at a relaxed pace. Feel oddly content.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Decide to leave. I decide to get out of the room.
- Mid-Day (11:00 AM): I stumble upon a quaint little cafe tucked away on a side street, where I eat my 4th piece of strudel and order a black coffee. What I like to call a "moment of clarity". Travel isn't just about ticking off boxes on an itinerary; it's about being present, about soaking in the small moments, about letting go.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): A visit to a local farm shop. Stock up on cheese and sausage. My inner foodie is screaming with joy.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Sit by the Inn River, watching the water flow. Reflect on life. Feel a sense of peace I haven't felt in ages.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at the hotel. Again. I can't help it, the food is just too good!
- Night (9:00 PM): Pack. Realize I'm going to miss this place more than I thought. Start, you guessed it, another meltdown.
Day 5: The "Almost Didn't Leave" Crisis
- Morning (9:00 AM): Last breakfast. This time, I shed a tear into my scrambled eggs. Goodbye, delicious breakfast.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Final stroll through Rattenberg. Buying more souvenirs (because one can never have too many).
- Late Morning(11:30 AM): Check out. It's time. The staff is so nice. I almost change my mind about leaving!
- Afternoon (12:30 PM): Train journey back to the airport. A bittersweet goodbye.
- Mid-Afternoon (3:30 PM): Boarding! Flight. More screaming toddler? Hopefully not. Actually… whatever.
- Night (11:00 PM): Back home. The world feels a little brighter, a little more… delicious.
Emotional Aftermath: This trip wasn't perfect. There were moments of chaos, moments of doubt, and moments where I wanted to scream into a pillow. But in the messiness, in the vulnerability, I found something truly special. Rattenberg and the Posthotel were a reminder to slow down, savor the small things, and maybe…just maybe…embrace the imperfect. Because those are often the moments that make life – and travel – unforgettable.
Now, where's my cuckoo clock…?
Escape to Gippsland: Your Dream Traralgon Holiday Awaits!
So, is this Posthotel Rattenberg thing REALLY as fairytale-y as the photos? Because, let's be honest, those things are sometimes a LIE.
Alright, fine, let's get this out of the way. Yes. And no. The photos? Absolutely stunning. Think *Hansel and Gretel* meets *Sound of Music*. Cobblestone streets? Check. Flower boxes overflowing with geraniums? Check. The hotel itself? Gorgeous. I spent a solid half hour just wandering around in a daze, muttering, "This is... picturesque... I want to eat it."
But here's the *real* truth bomb: Life isn't a perfectly curated Instagram feed. The *charm* is REAL, but it's a little rough around the edges. The paint might be peeling *just so slightly* in places (adding even MORE charm, I say!). The staff? They're lovely Austrian folks, meaning they're delightfully efficient, but maybe not overly effusive. Which is perfect if you're like me and mostly just want to eat Schnitzel and not be bothered. So, yes, fairytale-ish. But also... real life. And that's what makes it magical.
What's the deal with Rattenberg itself? Is it just the hotel, or is there stuff to *do*? Because I'm not sure I can vacation just staring at a pretty building, no matter how pretty it is.
Okay, good question! Rattenberg itself… it's tiny. Like, *really* tiny. You could walk across it in five minutes. But that's part of the charm! It's like stepping into a little snow globe. There's a glassblowing workshop (hello, souvenirs!), a few cute shops (I bought a ridiculously oversized felt hat, no regrets!), and a couple of restaurants *besides* the hotel's. And the views? *Chef's kiss*. Mountains EVERYWHERE.
Don't expect a buzzing metropolis. This is a place to SLOW DOWN. To breathe. To... maybe learn how to yodel (I didn't. I tried. Bad idea). I mean, the whole point is to escape, right? And the hotel has *plenty* to do: sauna, the pool -- but more on that, later.
Let's talk food. Because a good meal is KEY to a good vacation. How's the grub at the Posthotel? Spill.
Oh, the food. *Where do I even begin?* The breakfast buffet? LEGENDARY. Endless options of bread, cheese, meats, and this *incredible* apricot jam that I may or may not have hoarded. (Shhh, don't tell anyone.) Dinner… also phenomenal. Traditional Austrian cuisine. Schnitzel, of course. Goulash. Apfelstrudel that practically melted in my mouth. I had a slight *incident* with the Kaiserschmarrn (basically shredded pancakes) – ate way too much and almost passed out from happiness. Worth it. Every. Single. Calorie.
But seriously, the Posthotel's restaurant is a highlight. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is cozy, and the service is impeccable. Just... pace yourself. You're on vacation, not training for a competitive eating contest... *unless* you're me. Then, go all out with the jam.
Okay, you mentioned a pool. What's the spa situation like? Because I *need* to know if there's a decent spa, or if it's just a sad little afterthought.
The spa... is a *sanctuary*. Okay? Seriously. They have an indoor pool, a sauna (multiple kinds! Trust me, indulge.), steam rooms, and all sorts of blissful treatments. I got a massage that nearly dissolved me into a puddle of pure relaxation. I might have actually drooled a little. The pool itself is lovely, and that's what I'm REALLY here to tell you about! The *pool*.
Here's the thing: I am a massive water baby. I *live* in the pool whenever I get the chance. I had my swimsuit ready and everything. First day I walked in and, oh my god, there were kids. *Kids*. Splashing, screaming, doing cannonballs, general joyous mayhem. My first thought? "NO. I'm out. This is not a relaxing spa environment."
But then... the best thing happened. I saw a fluffy bathrobe, a fluffy towel and a bottle of water. I thought: *maybe*. I stood there, watching the kids, with a little smile creeping over my face. They were clearly having an amazing time! The parents were relaxed, no screaming, the children were just, well, completely free. The pool itself was lovely, warm, and inviting. So, I figured, why not? I took the plunge, and, you know what? It was *perfect*. The sun was streaming in, the giggling was infectious. I even did a few laps. It wasn't the serene, silent spa experience I'd imagined, but it was warm, happy and real. And I wouldn’t trade that for the world. Sometimes the messy, imperfect stuff is the best. And the sauna afterwards? That was just the cherry on top.
What kind of people go to the Posthotel? I'm trying to decide if I'll fit in, or if I'll feel like a total weirdo.
A mix! Families, couples, solo travelers (me!), and, judging by the accents, probably a few fancy Europeans. It's not stuffy, thankfully. Everyone seemed… relaxed. It’s definitely not a rowdy party spot. Think more "cozy sweaters and good books" than "neon lights and questionable decisions." I was particularly struck by the lack of pretension. Which is a huge win in my book. You won’t feel like a weirdo. Just go, relax, and enjoy.
Is it dog-friendly? Because my furry best friend is basically a member of the family, and no vacation is a vacation without him/her.
Good question! And the answer... is yes! Dog-friendly! I saw a few well-behaved pooches during my stay. I'd recommend checking with the hotel directly about their specific policies, but it seemed like they welcome furry companions. Just be prepared to share your schnitzel, maybe.
Any downsides? Because everything can't be perfect, and I'm bracing myself for the inevitable "but..."
Okay, here comes the "but." Let's be honest, and yes, there are a few minor things. The wifi wasn’t always lightning fast... and it's a *tiny* town. And if you're expecting a roaring nightlife, you're in the wrong place. One night I tried to watch a movie on my iPad and I swear the connection was so slow I aged a year. And5 Star Stay Find
