Wander- & Wellnesshotel Gassner is a charming four-star superior hotel nestled in the village of Neukirchen am Großvenediger, on the edge of Hohe Tauern National Park. For over 3 generations, the Gassner family has transformed this once-humble forest inn into a nature-loving resort that invites guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Austrian Alps without sacrificing comfort. Surrounded by dense woods, rolling hills, and looming 3,000 m peaks, the setting is idyllic – and the hotel itself feels like an extension of its landscape, with Alpine-style architecture of timber and stone that compliments the mountain scenery. What sets Hotel Gassner apart is its warm, “home-away-from-home” atmosphere combined with top-notch amenities. The Gassners often describe their team as a “rope team” – just as climbers support each other on a mountain rope, their staff of long-time employees work together seamlessly to ensure every guest feels cared for. Many staff hail from the local valleys, and their genuine warmth infuses the hotel. You might be greeted in traditional dirndl dress at reception, or find that the bartender knows your favorite drink by the second evening. Guests consistently praise the personal touches and the sense of being welcomed “like family.” The accommodations range from cozy double rooms to spacious modern suites and a few rustic-chic apartments ideal for families. All are decorated in a contemporary Alpine style – think pine wood furniture, soft loden fabrics, and nature-inspired artwork – and many feature panoramic balconies looking out to the forest or the mighty Großvenediger glacier. But perhaps the most unique lodging is the hotel’s treehouse suite, a standalone luxury treehouse built among the pines, offering couples a romantic hideaway with all the comforts of the main hotel (like plumbing and heating) but an extra dose of seclusion and fairy-tale charm. Wellness and relaxation are at the core of Gassner’s offerings. Their 1,200 m² “Crystal Spa & Garden” is a delight after a day in the mountains. It features an indoor pool illuminated by colored lights (meant to evoke the sparkle of crystals), an outdoor natural swimming pond called the “Bergsee” (mountain lake) for cooling off in summer, and a host of saunas and steam baths. There’s a panoramic outdoor log sauna with views of the peaks, a salt stone sauna, an herbal bio-sauna with the scent of spruce, an infrared cabin, and even a unique “dress-on” family sauna so parents and kids can enjoy a gentle sauna together. Families especially love the separate family relaxation room with waterbeds – a place where kids are welcome to lounge and quiet play. Meanwhile, adults can retreat to more serene zones like the “Forest Silence” relaxation area, where floor-to-ceiling windows look into the woods. Professional therapists offer massages (from hot stone to herbal compress) and organic beauty treatments – many using local Alpine products like arnica, marmot oil, or alpine hay. Hotel Gassner shines as a family-friendly destination, seamlessly balancing adult relaxation with kid-approved fun. There’s a new nature-themed outdoor playground set in the on-site forest – complete with a mini zip-line, climbing structures, and a little creek for splashing – which keeps children entertained for hours. The hotel also runs a supervised kids’ program during holidays, from craft afternoons to short nature walks (so parents can slip off to the spa). At meal times, children have their own buffet section and earlier dining option, featuring healthy takes on favorites plus fun desserts (like build-your-own ice cream sundaes). Despite these family amenities, the hotel manages to stay peaceful and is equally popular with couples and active adults, thanks to its clever layout and abundant space for everyone. Outdoor adventure is at the heart of the Gassner experience – indeed, it’s a certified “Wanderhotel” (hiking hotel) and they make sure you get out into nature. Each week, Monika, the hotel’s expert hiking guide, and Hans-Peter Gassner (who is not only the owner but also an enthusiastic certified hiking guide) lead at least five guided hikes for guests. In summer, they’ll take you rambling through wildflower meadows, to secret waterfalls, or up to alpine huts where you can sample fresh milk and cheese. In winter, they offer guided snowshoe treks to serene snowfield clearings, sometimes ending with a convivial toboggan ride back down – laugh-filled and memorable. The hotel provides all the gear you might need free of charge: backpacks, hiking poles, snowshoes, sleds, even mountain bikes and e-bikes. And because it’s all about that personal touch, Hans-Peter might surprise the group by pulling out a flask of homemade herbal schnapps at a mountain summit to toast the view. The location is unbeatable for independent explorations too. The hotel is near the base station of the Wildkogel cable car, which opens up a vast ski and hike area. You can ski right back close to the hotel in winter (there’s a free shuttle for the last 300m to save your legs), and in summer, lift-assisted hikes make alpine lakes and ridges accessible to all. The Hohe Tauern National Park also offers guided wildlife watching (spot ibex or golden eagles) and hosts the world’s longest illuminated toboggan run – 14 km of pure fun that the hotel will help arrange for you. Sustainability is approached in a practical, genuine way at Gassner – it’s “living in our region responsibly,” as the family puts it. They take many small steps that add up: The hotel uses 100% renewable energy (some from its own solar panels). A new wood-chip heating system, fed by local biomass, keeps the entire property warm and drastically cuts carbon emissions. They serve predominantly regional food to reduce “food miles” and support local farmers – you’ll taste Pinzgau beef, Tauern lamb, and herbs from their own garden on the menu. Speaking of food, Gassner’s cuisine deserves applause. It’s a proud member of the “Green Bonnet” initiative for natural cooking. Chef Hans-Peter Gassner (Senior), who has led the kitchen for decades, and his son (the junior chef) make sure that from breakfast to dinner, quality and local sourcing are paramount. The day starts with an ample buffet: organic yogurts, farm-fresh butter, homemade jams, a juice bar with freshly pressed veggie-fruit blends, and breads from the village bakery. In the afternoon, hikers relish the complimentary “Marende” (Tyrolean snack) – think hearty goulash soup, salads, and strudel. Dinner is a multi-course feast melding Austrian classics and modern wellness cuisine. One night might feature baked trout from a nearby stream, the next a vegan beetroot carpaccio or a traditional roast with organic veggies. The chefs happily accommodate dietary needs, offering gluten-free and lactose-free choices seamlessly. Notably, the hotel’s bar and wine cellar are stocked with Austrian organic wines and local beers, and even the schnapps selection highlights local distillers. Everything at Gassner is done with a sense of place and pride – they want you to “feel the region” whether you’re hiking, dining, or relaxing in the spa. As evening falls, the hotel’s ambiance is wonderfully gemütlich (cozy). Guests gather in the stube (traditional lounge) or on the panoramic terrace to watch the sunset gild the peaks. Sometimes there’s live zither music or an accordion player adding Alpine melodies to the air. Many families play board games by the fire, while couples sip herbal cocktails from the bar. The combination of fresh mountain air and the spa’s relaxation means most nights you’ll retire early, sinking into your soft bed with the balcony door cracked open to let in the cool forest breeze. When you depart Hotel Gassner, likely greeted with warm hugs from the staff, you carry with you not just photos of breathtaking hikes or memories of that blissful herbal steam bath, but an appreciation for how a hotel can feel both luxuriously pampering and down-to-earth sustainable. The Gassner family’s motto is “Together we are Gassner” – and indeed they make you feel part of that togetherness, part of their extended family in the mountains, refreshed in body and spirit by your stay in their slice of paradise.