Alpine Heritage Meets Luxury Design | Lech
In and Around Hotel Almhof Schneider*****S
Almhof Schneider | Lech
The Arlberg massif is in many ways the birthplace of skiing as a sport and no village is situated better to experience winter sports at its best than Lech. It’s beautifully located 1,444 meters above sea level, directly connected to the many slopes of the great Arlberg area. It is also the starting point for the White Ring, also known as ‘Der Weisse Ring’, the longest ski circuit in the world. Its beautiful connections and historic village - going back to the 12th century - have made Lech a top destination for the world’s most picky of winter sports tourists. It is the favourite spot for royalty and the international jetset, which have brought forward a thriving community with many beautiful hotels and restaurants.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best food and drink places in and around Lech, as experienced by local insiders, as well as the cultural and artistic side of this wonderful historic Alpine village.
Where to stay
Five-star Superior Hotel Almhof Schneider exemplifies a fusion of heritage, luxury and Austrian hospitality. Family owned since 1451, the farm estate became a rustic sports hotel in 1929, when Leopold and Wilhelm Schneider converted part of the building to guest rooms. Since its founding, the original inn has developed into Austria’s first ***** Superior hotel. Managed now in fourth generation by Gerold Schneider and his wife Katia, finding a way to marry Alpine tradition and modern luxury. Gerold’s background in philosophy and Katia’s education as an architect meant a winning combination of bold vision and cultural awareness. The couple was responsible for the architectural change of the hotel.
On entering the hotel you will feel the Austrian warm hospitality and a refined subtle interior design. Almhof has a restaurant divided in two areas, a lounge, a bar, good organized childcare and a beautiful spa and dining room exclusive for house guests. The restaurant, the terrace and the bar are also open to non-guests. At the entrance to the Almhof spa, a standalone Aesop kiosk offers the entire line of beauty products. If you would like to bring back home Austrian glassware, wooden cutting boards, wines, and much more, do check out the in-house shop.
The hosts’ most personal approach and their attention to detail create a feeling of coming home. You can’t help but discover Lech in a new way, even if you have been there before.
Hotel Almhof Schneider | e-mail | instagram | Tannberg 59, 6764 in Lech | call
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Mention Bearleaders during booking for exclusive benefits
New! Sonnenhof House to rent
Sonnenhof is a largely authentic ‘Walser’ house originating from the nascent days of Lech’s settlement. It dates back to almost exactly the same time as Almhof Schneider, specifically in the year 1393. It is located slightly above the Hinterwies lift station, on a spacious, traffic-free slope with views of snow-covered peaks in winter and hilly meadows in summer. Its name – which translates to ‘sunny inn’ – is not an empty promise.Based on a comprehensive historical analysis, the structure of the house has been meticulously restored over the past two years and adapted for its new use with great attention to detail. Starting from December 2023, Sonnenhof will be available to rent on a weekly basis as a residential house with 6 bedrooms.
Book directly with Almhof Schneider. Mention Bearleaders during booking for exclusive benefits
Where to eat & go for a drink
RESTAURANT HOTEL ALMHOF SCHNEIDER
The ‘Restaurant at Almhof Schneider’ consists of two very different, both stunning, rooms: the ‘Herbarium’ and the ‘Wunderkammer’.
The ‘Herbarium’ is spruce panelled, filled with blackened wood carvings by Christian Thanhäuser that show local plants and landscapes. The ‘Wunderkammer’ (Cabinet of Curiosities) is painted in dark black-brown oil paint and panelled with oil paintings of psycho-active plants by Paul Renner, each of them with a reference to an artist, philosopher or writer in history.
The delightful dishes of the lunch menu are served in both rooms and on the sun-terrace, weather permitting, not only during lunch hours but also in the afternoon. The Almhof is conveniently connected to the slopes for a refreshingly high-end winter sports lunch. In the evening the restaurants follows the concept of an Austrian Trattoria, serving Austrian classics and refined Alpine cuisine.
The restaurant, the bar and the terrace are open also to non-house guests, whereas the hotel‘s dining rooms is reserved for house guest for breakfasts and dinners. Don’t forget to try the hotel’s extensive wine list, managed by ‘Sommelier of the Year’, Josef Neulinger, who was also noted for his excellent selection of sparkling wine in Fallstaff’s 2023 bar guide. Wander with him though the impressive wine cellar, or have a drink at the beautiful smokers‘ lounge on the ground floor.
instagram | maps, in the hotel
RESTAURANT KLÖSTERLE
Klösterle has evolved into an awarded culinary star on the Arlberg. Chefs Jakob Zeller and Ethel Hoon met at Magnus Nielsson’s renowned Fäviken Magasinet restaurant, where they both worked as sous-chefs.
Their dishes focus on a local and sustainable approach in preparing the culinary riches of the Austrian Alps. Expect fun and nourishing dishes to share in a family style fine dining experience, supplemented with some of the finest wines the Alps have to offer.
RESTAURANT FUXBAU
A changing menu of game-focused food, prepared in an exceedingly creative manner. Chef Tobias Schöpf grew up in the Alps, which becomes evident from the way he uses locally sourced and seasonal food like veal, ibex, cranberries and wild chives.
instagram | maps, in Stuben, 17 min by car from Almhof Schneider
SKIHÜTTE SCHNEGGAREI
Contemporary design with Austrian gemütlichkeit. A few steps away from the Almhof and sitting at the ground station of the lift from Lech town, the Schneggarei is a marvelous example of modern Alpine architecture and atmosphere. The airy yet rustic design comes from Gerold and Katia Schneider and has won its share of architecture prizes.
Spacious benches and tables ideal for the ski-boot wearing visitor, and incredible attention to detail in the wooden interiors and exteriors. This is a place where design and accessible atmosphere come together. The food is delicious but unpretentious with reasonable pricing, a rarity in this world-class ski resort.
Though legendary for the wood-oven pizza’s in Lech, they also offer delicious steaks, schnitzels and even fondue and raclette for those who order in advance.
CHEF’S TABLE AT ROTE WAND
Experience a meal of 16 or 19 courses cooked right before your eyes by Max Natmessnig, Gault Millau Chef of the year 2022.
The 4 toques Gault&Millau restaurant is located in a 18th century old schoolhouse. The Alpine-influenced cuisine with subtly integrated international influences - although usually with locally sourced ingredients - is a true pleasure to taste and behold, especially when combined with the excellent wine tasting menu.
FUX RESTAURANT / WINE BAR
A surprise of Asian-Austrian fusion. Chef Benjamin-Alexander Burger and his team present the best of two worlds and - in some cases - merge them effortlessly. A great selection of sushi, maki and sashimi as well as excellent steak and venison is available.
Even more stunning is the wine cellar: it holds close to 50,000 bottles of select vintages, supporting over 4,500 origins. Don’t be intimidated though: the staff will gladly guide you through a selection of wine and dishes to suit your taste.
maps, 8 min walk from Almhof Schneider
SKIHÜTTE WOLF
Designed by architect Bernardo Bader, this is a deeply modern interpretation of the skihut. Exquisitely detailed wood panelling and spacious, open design with absolutely breathtaking views.
Located 2000 meter above sea level, expect to be stunned by the mountain range opening itself to you in this contemporary shelter. Expect simple yet delicious food, great cocktails and some good music.
What to do
ALMHOF SPA & AESOP BOUTIQUE
A serene and spacious zone for treatments, exercise, and utter relaxation, located in Hotel Almhof Schneider and exclusively accessible for guests of the hotel. Filled with natural light and fascinating views of the garden and the old church. Space is optimized for a feeling of calm and materials are carefully selected: bush-hammered and sanded Austrian limestone provide textural, relaxing wet surfaced, while the dry floors, ceilings, and walls are made of oak.
There is great attention to ritual processes, which reflect bathing practices of ancient times and various cultures. Modern radiant heating in the walls and floors allow for a gentle heat without extreme steam and condensation, providing a pleasant climate.
In addition to the classic bathing facilities, the spa is equipped with a fitness room and a room for yoga, Pilates and much more.
After bathing, unwind in the relaxation room or fireplace salon, where you can curl up on a pillowy couch as crackling flames emit enveloping warmth. The treatment rooms, in which everything from reflexology to Tibetan massage and hot stone therapy are offered, have been placed apart from the bustling cosmetic room to ensure utter peace.
In the cosmetic room Biologique Recherche facial methods and detoxifying body care treatments are offered, as well as goodies from Nectarome and Royal Fern. Famous quality Aesop products are used throughout the spa.
ALLMEINDE
About 330m upslope from the Almhof is one of Gerold and Katia Schneider projects, the Allmeinde common grounds.
Based on the idea of sharing culture in a “commons”, inspired by Gerold’s background in philosophy and does Katia’s architecture thesis project on Alpine culture-institutional architecture. Through their architectural and cultural expertise, this mountain barn has evolved from a cowshed to an arts residency and cultural venue.
A weathered barn outside and a modern, airy loft inside. It’s a brilliant example of how Alpine design can blend with hospitality and high culture. The Allmeinde hosts exhibitions and performative evenings, and features the likes of British sculptor Antony Gormley or photographers like Axel Hütte and Walter Niedermayr.
In the lower level of the barn is a library of around 2,000 books on art, music, philosophy, Alpine life and travel, which visitors are welcome to read if they ask; there’s also a kitchen and guest bedroom, open to visiting artists and friends. Anyone can come by to talk with whomever’s there and to read, think, look and transcend the everyday.
maps, 330 meters from Almhof Schneider
SKYSPACE LECH
Designed by the world-famous artist James Turrell, a skyspace is an architectural artwork that uses a neutral interior combined with a ceiling opening directly into the sky to provide a uniquely perspective.
Observers get a change to to look at the sky in such a way as though it were framed, activating a heightened sensory awareness that promotes a state of introspection in which one can consciously see.
Located high in the mountains of Lech, yet easily reachable both through hiking and from the ski-slopes, this skyspace also integrates a shifting coloured light that - when experienced during sunset - gives the spectator the feeling as if the sky and room is merging and drifting apart again.
KUNSTRAUM ZUG
A wonderful exhibition space, which Katia and Gerold Schneider have established in the Zug part of Lech.
The Kunstraum’s next exhibition opens on the 18th of December and runs through to the 9th of April, and can be visited Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays between 3 and 6 PM.
Centred around Vorarlberg-born artists Christoph and Markus Getzner, the exhibition showcases their new work dealing with the scope of human action and the long-term consequences of our actions for humans, animals, and nature. Encouraging to act with a sense of intergenerational responsibility.
maps, 40 min walk from Almhof Schneider
ZUG VALLEY
Walk through the beautiful Zug valley, with its luminous majestic peaks all around. It is recommended to start at restaurant Klösterle and moving upwards from there.
OFF-PISTE SKIING
Lech has one of the most luxurious and beautiful connected system of slopes, yet nothing beats the thrill and connection to the Alpine that off-piste skiing can bring. The area is especially good for this, with high quality snow and gentle mountains. It is absolutely essential to get a guide though.
instagram | ask the reception in Almhof Schneider
Gallery Hotel Almhof Schneider
