With kids in Kleinwalsertal: Holiday in the most beautiful cul-de-sac in the world

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Rescue comes in the form of a small golf cart. We fell into the classic difficult “hiking with children” situation: the little ones refuse to go further, while the adults want to finally reach the hotel. “You live in Rosenhof,” the driver, who turns out to be a guard, calls out. “Forehead!” Put up with a two-seater for four people? “It will be fine,” he says. We returned to our holiday home with a short drive, including some fresh air. As the guard says goodbye, he explains that he noticed his mood changed and thought he could help. It’s one of those little loving gestures that make your stay at the Rosenhof so unique.

Austrian enclave in Germany

This 4-star house is located in Kleinwalsertal. Before Zurich, you have to screw your car through the Bregenzerwald to the Riedberg Pass, then head back up the valley up a 16 percent incline until you reach Germany’s Oberstdorf (Allgäu). From here the road curves towards Kleinwalsertal. The region is part of Vorarlberg, Austria. However, mountains separate the valley from the rest of the country. It can only be reached by car from Germany, a sort of Austrian enclave in Germany. The valley was settled around 1270 by the Walsers, an ethnic group who migrated from the upper Valais. Today, 5,000 residents scattered across the villages of Riezlern, Hirschegg, Mittelberg and Baad defiantly and proudly describe the area as “the most beautiful cul-de-sac in the world”. Approximately 1.7 million tourists use this route every year.

Sincerity is a good form

The Kleinwalsertaler Rosenhof is located in quiet Mittelberg, almost at the end of a cul-de-sac. The family hotel is located at a sunny altitude of 1200 meters on the southern slope of the Walmendinger Horn. Rosenhof is located in the middle of a 10,000 m2 land with its six houses.² Mountain meadows like a small village. Sincerity is good form. Even though we arrived early on the day of arrival and lunch snacks were not yet part of the holiday package we booked, we were able to help ourselves and fill our stomachs – there’s also Stängeli ice cream. The only thing on this summer day is that the children are happy. The sun shines from the sky; It is obvious that the little ones have dipped their hands, hair and other limbs into the water of the chattering fountain on the restaurant’s terrace. Just as you were about to warn the other guests to avoid splashing, you realized: treats are actually welcome. “Do you want to cool off a little? We recommend taking a refreshing foot bath in the fountain,” he says at the edge of the fountain. And towels are ready for drying. It quickly becomes clear: The important thing here is for everyone to feel comfortable.

All together and each on their own

This is important to hosts Patricia Wachter and Suzanne Hugger. “We see ourselves as a family hotel, not a children’s hotel,” they emphasize. “It’s important to us that guests have a good time together but that everyone has their own space.” This works well, for example, when little ones are playing in child care; This gives adults time for a walk, a warm-up at the gym or a healthy lifestyle. But what you don’t want in the Rosenhof are parents who “park” their kids in the mini club all day. “We want parents, children and grandparents to share their experiences too,” says Suzanne Hugger. For example, the Rosenhof team regularly organizes an Alpine mountain breakfast with the whole family, joint “nature expeditions”, campfires by the stream and much more. “Ideally, children will later remember that they had a great time with their parents,” explains Suzanne Hugger. This seems to have worked. Many of the guests are regulars and have holidayed at the Rosenhof with their parents as children. Why is the rate of returnees so high? This is partly due to one little Swiss guy.

Little Swiss star

Zwärg Bartli, originally from the canton of Glarus, rules in Rosenhof. It happened like this: the father of Rosenhof founder Suzanne Hugger was visiting Braunwald GL, where he met the boss of the fairy-tale hotel and told him about Bartli’s successes around Glarus. Zack – today the Swiss Bartli has a twin at Kleinwalsertal: Zwärg Bartli, an educational hand puppet with a folding mouth. It is the hidden star of the hotel. “The children say they are going on holiday to Zwärg Bartli, not Rosenhof,” says Patricia Wachter, who lends her voice to Bartli. Zwärg Bartlis Reich 350 m² Large upper floor of the main building; It includes a climbing wall and a real tree to climb, as well as a cooking studio, children’s playground, library and a magic kingdom where people can make crafts. The little ones love it there so much they want to stay in childcare full time.

Ride the mountain railway for free

It’s almost a shame, because we are in a “dead end” – but many interesting paths lead from here: The local mountain Walmendinger Horn, at an altitude of 2000 meters, beckons with a breathtaking all-round view at the corner of 2 Swiss peaks. You can use the Zaferna cable car, which is a short walk from the hotel, as a convenient climbing aid with your children. Once you get to the top, Sonna-Alp tempts you with cakes and delicacies. Or you can walk along the valley via Max Hut and lie down on the sun loungers for a while. The Kanzelwandbahn at the mountain station in Riezlern is dedicated to the elements of water, stone and wood. On the “Burmiwasser” adventure trail, children can experiment with pools, water wheels and locks. Söllereck has proven itself as a family mountain, where you can descend into the valley on the summer toboggan run or relax in the adventure playground. Ideal: With the Allgäu-Walser Card you can travel free on the mountain railway and bus. The guest card is included in almost all accommodations.

Of course, you can also spend the whole day at Rosenhof. There’s no room for boredom with the wide open playground with suspension bridge, water playground with mud pit, treehouse and suspension bridge. Then the ice cream truck arrives and sweetens the day with delicious scoops made from local cow’s milk. The infinity pool with mountain views encourages young and old to “hang out” at the hotel for endless amounts of time.

In the evenings, everyone relaxes from the eventful day. But there’s another highlight: When the Sandman parades through the dining room, all the kids sing a bedtime song together. Zwärg Bartli told them a story beforehand. If you’re still not ready for bed, roast some marshmallows around the fire pit. A child says, “Mom, I want to stay here forever.” At the end of the impasse, brand new worlds open up.

This article was created as part of a press tour.

Source : Blick