Encompassed in the steaming waters of Schloss Elmau’s Japanese Onsen (a traditional Oriental Hamam) heated to an exact 40c (104F), with a background of the snow -capped Bavarian Alps, I think to whom the first was here.
David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Barack Obama and Joe Biden Enjoyed the best of this unique spa and cultural resort, but I did not rush to add to the Onsen. It would have been strange.
They and other world leaders visited the resort over two G7 Summits, in 2015 and 2022.
“Nobody ever offered it twice,” says owner and CEO Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, “but we have.”
Boris swam in the lake, Barack hit the gym, and Joe had a massage. Dave undoubtedly took chillaxing to a new level in the six separate spa areas surrounding six pools.
The resort was founded by Dietmar’s grandfather, the influential theologian and philosopher, Dr Johannes Muller, in 1916 for guests to debate and enjoy classic concerts in the untouched environment.
The site has been changed a lot, but the music and grandeur of the Elmau Valley remains.
The resort consists of two main buildings-the more modern haven, with 47 suites, and the original building of 115 rooms, Hideaway, reflecting the architecture of a traditional Bavarian Castle on the outside and a luxurious five-star hotel to the inside.
Ian Walker looks at Schloss Elmau, a jaw resort in the Bavarian Alps. Pictured is the heated outdoor pool at the ‘Hideaway’, the original part of the hotel
And relax … After a dive in one of the outdoor, guests can warm up in the relaxation room, in the photo
A room overlooking the haven, with wall-to-wall glass walls and balconies
The refuge, on the other hand, is a tribute to modern design and engineering.
Slick suites have balconies and there are double-high walls of glass in the public areas, which offer unlimited views of the sugar-meaning pine forest and the Wetterstein Mountains beyond.
The vast living room, painted in rich colors of Russet Red and Gold, sees that guests are sinking into the soft embrace of well -filled armchairs and sofas.
A large, central, open facial logger creates a focal point, but nothing can compete with the view.
Large, increased terraces with tasty chairs and fleeces encourage guests to stay, drink in the Alps and the never -ending flow of the mountain stream that cuts through the ice and snow.
There is a fantastic sense of space indoors and outside, especially striking in the many spa areas -the glass -walled sauna in the retreat makes the best of the snow landscape.
The spas and recreation areas have the same light limestone floors in wet areas, with oak boards for dry areas, and a Russet Red-and-Gold palette for walls and lounges, creating a synergy running through the resort.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chanman Chanman Olaf Scholz at Schloss Elmau during the G7 Summit in 2022
Curl up in one of the cozy corners in the library where Ian says that you ‘rarely will encounter a fellow guests’
There are two libraries and tea rooms with cozy fireballs that you never want to leave, and where you rarely see a fellow gas, something that appeals to Dietmar.
He says, ‘I prefer to be one on one. I don’t like these big gatherings.
‘Most hotels have limited public space. I have an abundance of it, much more than needed, but I never want to sit in a pool with 20 others. ‘
He admits he has never tried one of them.
“We have nature and music and culture,” he says, “but it’s another generation, and everyone likes the spa. The politicians and the artists who come here – and it is very difficult to please. ‘
Steam baths, only spas for ladies, an outside sowuna where you can bathe in the icy stream, and yoga classes and fitness programs are available, as well as more specialist treatments, oversee the director of medical spa, Dr Imke Konig.
Ian says the ‘cosmopolitan’ away rooms have uninterrupted views of the Bavarian Alps
Medical Spa Director Dr Imke Konig
She is an expert in acupuncture, Tai Chi and, no doubt, many other things, she gives me an excellent introductory class in Qigong (a Chinese practice that combines breathing, movement and meditation), which has attached me.
The cultural program is also a large part of the identity of the resort.
More than 200 concerts and literary events are held here annually, and artists in the past have included Benjamin Britten, Yehudi Menuhin, Ian McEwan and Julian Barnes.
During my visit, Grammy-winning pianist Chilly Gonzales produces an unforgettable performance.
All artists work on a ‘play to stay’ and experience the rejuvenating mountain air and resort facilities in exchange for their services.
Schloss Elmau’s Elmauer Alm Lunches -A ‘Picture -Prect Alpine Lodge’ that serves ‘delicious traditional rate’
The Schloss Elmau Concert Hall (in the photo) offers more than 200 performances annually, and all artists act on a ‘play to stay’ basis
As if the wide variety of activities on the site are not enough, there are programs offered all year, including football, archery, tennis and e-bike.
During my winter accommodation, activities include sled, cross country, off-pist and downhill ski and snow bike (ride bikes with nails).
A shuttle travels several trips daily to the beautiful Austrian ski resort Seefeld, just a 25-minute drive away.
With an excellent ski school, 17 lifts and 19 pistes, it’s good for beginners and intermediate products.
The charming guide of our group, Hermann Glatz, ensures that we do not get lost, and if my ski legs give up, it finds a beautiful restaurant on the side of the pistes, which serves a delicious goulash and excellent Austrian beer.
While skiing takes a toll on my knees, I walk along the snow trails around Schloss Elmau in an unexpected highlight for me.
The resort was founded by CEO Dietmar Mueller-Elmau’s grandfather, the influential theologian and philosopher, Dr Johannes Muller, in 1916 for guests to debate and enjoy classic concerts in the pristine environment
“There is a wonderful sense of space indoors and outside, especially striking in the many spa areas,” Ian writes
A shuttle travels several trips daily to the beautiful Austrian ski resort Seefeld, just a 25-minute drive away. Above – the Schloss Elmau -Valley
Ian enjoys walking in the area and declaring that ‘it is impossible to remain uninhabited by the timeless majesty of the environment’
If you have five inches of fresh snow, bordering the tower of pine trees, the silence is broken only by the gurgel of a mountain stream, it is impossible to remain uninhabited by the timeless majesty of the environment.
I also take the shorter, but much steeper, walk to the popular lunch of the hotel, Elmauer ALM.
The picture-perfect alpine lodge, complete with sunshine, fire pits and checkered tablecloths, serves delicious traditional rates.
The local beer is excellent, but after seeing one visitor an embarrassment on the way, and not wanting to be the entertainment on the way off, I ration myself to a pint – or two – and make it back in one piece .
Dinner choices involve six restaurants, including two-Michelin star Luce d’Oro.
The Tutto Mondo Summit of The Retreat serves a small menu with nicely exported dishes, with well -chosen wine pairings, using products as locally as possible.
Enchanting: This photo shows a fairytale chapel in the Schloss Elmau Valley
Ian says the Tutto Mondo Summit of the Retreat serves ‘a small menu with beautifully executed dishes’
LEFT: Steak is on the menu at Schloss Elmau. RIGHT: Michelin-star dining room at the French-Japanese Luce d’Oro
Pictured is the Al Camino Lounge and Piano Bar, located at Schloss Elmau’s Hideaway
The intimate kaminstuberl, which should not be missed, is the bubbling tyrol cheese fondue, with a creative variety of things to immerse in it, from breads and potatoes to slices of ham and pickles.
Breakfast, which is regularly skipped at home, is a pleasure at the haven that offers everything from avocado and poached eggs on roasted, dark and nutty Bavarian bread to dollar, fizz, smoked salmon and traditional German sausage.
The enthusiastic, young staff provide a wonderful unpredictable service, and their tranquil efficiency helps to maintain an atmosphere of tranquility. Many spa resorts strive for it, but little reaches it.
Dietmar is not a spa fan, but he appreciates the inspiring natural environment his grandfather chose for Schloss Elmau, and does his best to lightly step on the landscape.
He built two wood disk plants to supplement the resort – two so that the infrastructure remains small and less visible – and also a hydroelectric aptitude.
Dietmar says Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘I live in the possibility’ describes Schloss Elmau ‘better than anything else’.
He certainly used the most from the possibilities his grandfather left him.
Only the time will see if he’s done.
