We travelled in half term week with 4 families and associated children ranging in age from 19 months to 8 years on a package through Crystal.
Pros:
We received great service in the restaurant and bar(s), the rooms were a very good size and had stunning views over the valley. Food was great (and abundant) and wine well priced. (Lunch for family of 4 was €40-€55). The spa and pool were also excellent and the golf simulators a refreshing post ski family/group alternative activity.
Cons:
For a family hotel this just didn't work for our group. The crèche facilities were poor (in comparison to previous Austrian hotels) and consisted of 2 "nannies" in a small poorly equipped room who supervised the non-skiing children but provided little entertainment for them; result, bored toddlers who would not stay and parents who had to give up skiiing time to look after children....
For the skiing children there was an additional charge of €18 per child to take them to ski school (100m from hotel), collect them at 12 for lunch and return them to ski school at 2. Previous hotels in Austria have provided this service as standard. We also had a serious incident when our children were left alone at the bottom of the lift without being handed over to their ski instructor resulting in the ever eager 7 and 8 year olds thinking it OK to go up the mountain on their own.....
As a family hotel the lack of acceptable child care facilities is simply unacceptable and a major flaw in what was otherwise a very nice hotel.
- Riml Hotel Hochgurgl
