We have just returned from a short skiing break at the Panorama Royal. First of all, do not be put off by the fact that the hotel is not in a ski resort. The hotel shuttle bus drops you in only 7 minutes RIGHT at the gondola station - so you will be in the gondola within 30 seconds - which is probably more convenient than walking in ski boots across a resort village. We ordered the bus for 0825 each morning for our party. If you do not order a specific time then the shuttle leaves from 0845 on the half hour. The advantage of being out of a ski resort is in the price of this hotel which is roughly two thirds of the cost of a similar hotel actually in a resort village. For young people looking for night life this would be a problem as the hotel is blissfully quiet in the evening; for us this was a bonus!

Rooms are large, housekeeping very thorough. One small negative is that there are none of the usual toiletries you expect in a hotel of this class, just a `press` container of shampoo/shower gel on the wall of the shower. In a box by the wash basin were cotton buds and a shower cap but, please Panorama Royal, supply some body lotion, shampoo and conditioner for us ladies!

Breakfast was varied and excellent. 5* standard. Dinner was fine and some meals were very good but service was on occasion exceptionally slow and several staff, although helpful and friendly, appeared harrassed and overworked. In our party of 7 people our main meals were served over a period of 5 - 10 minutes which is not ideal.

The spa area is a delight. The indoor pool is warm and the indoor/outdoor pool even warmer. I swam every morning at around 7am and the views from the pool over the wonderful mountains was the best possible start to the day. After skiing the pool area (as with all pools in all hotels) is full of children and so not much fun unless you have small children! When my children were small I would have found it perfect for them as the water is warm, the pool clean and a constant depth of around 1.35m.

The saunas were very clean as were the steam rooms - there are two of each. The cold/ice grotto was being refurbished whilst we were there and, once it is back in use, will make the saunas even better. Plenty of comfortable relaxation areas - although one relaxation area is very close to the pool so the noise of the children playing in the pool after skiing is audible. The other two relaxation areas are very quiet.

The main reception rooms are imressive and very well maintained.

If you are flying into Munich airport, this hotel is literally only 5 mins from the A12 motorway. Journey time in a (fairly slow) hire car is 1hr 20 mins from the airport. There is plenty of free outside parking at the hotel and some indoor spaces which you have to pay for if you prefer.

Altogether a super hotel and their liftpass inclusive deals are excellent value for money.