My family of four, kids 6 and 8, stayed at the Hotel Gmachl in June 2011. We had a great experience. Our "family room" included a small room off the main area that had two twin beds for our kids. The main room was spacious, and the bathroom very generous by European standards. What our kids enjoyed the most were the playground where they played while my husband and I had breakfast or lunch on the terrace, the trampoline, and the indoor and outdoor pools. After a day of sightseeing we all looked forward to going "home" to the Gmachl. The staff were terrific; friendly and helpful with tours. The breakfast was generous and healthy, a great way to start off a day in Salzburgerland. Americans note that this is a very Austrian place; most of the staff spoke little to no English (with the exception of the staff at the front desk, who were fluent English speakers). The property is also very quiet. We often felt like our kids were the loudest ones in the place, and I don't normally consider them to be boisterous by American standards!

This hotel has ruined any future stays anywhere else! It is so warm and inviting and the staff is so friendly and accommodating! The rooms were spacious and the beds were SOOOO comfortable. This is a great deal for the price- free use of hotel facilities (pools, hot tub, saunas, etc). Tennis courts, basket ball courts, an outdoor pond to swim in with a little dock. The list goes on. There is so much to do on the property I never left! The breakfast (also included in the price of the room) was excellent! Great omelets, fresh squeezed orange juice, fruit and pastries… The management has spared no expense for the comfort and satisfaction of the guests. I cannot say enough to describe how perfect, clean, and comfortable this beautiful stay was. I am already planning our next trip to Salzburg (maybe this time I will actually explore the city!). I could go on about this wonderful place for days. I Love Gmachl Hotel- my new favorite place to be!

On a recent trip to Europe, we decided to take a spa break in Austria, and were so lucky to have chosen the classy Hotel Gmachl! This hotel is only 3 miles from historic Salzburg in Bergheim. My friend and I are pretty particular, but WE LOVE THE GMACHL!! I travel to Europe several times a year, and this is one of my absolute favorite hotels, which is why I am taking the time to write this review! It is a hidden gem to Americans, as it took a lot of internet searching to even find this hotel. It is not on the hotel "broker" websites-which in my opinion is a good thing, because it prevents the hotel from being "touristy". Most of their clientele seems to be European. Those in the area obviously know where to go to relax and rejuvenate themselves! The staff spoke English, and although not all of the literature is in English, they were more than happy to help us with any information or assistance we needed. They also have English menus in their restaurants.

This spa hotel is amazing! The highlight for us was the spa, but the entire hotel and its staff is incredible. Run by the ever helpful and hard working Gmachl family (Mr. Gmachl was always there to make sure everyone was being well taken care of, and his son was ever attentive to our wants and needs). Our room was modern, comfortable and very clean. (In fact, everything in this hotel is clean!) Our junior suite had free internet in the room, flat screen TV, fabulous long bathtub, separate enclosure for the toilet, nice decor with balcony with view, fireplace, comfy sitting area and desk area. Bathrobes, slippers and Gmachl spa bag await you when you arrive, as well as welcome chocolates and water.

The food we had at the restaurant was excellent, and the servers are very friendly and attentive. The included breakfast buffet was good, and had a large variety of items to choose from: meats, cheeses, breads, cereals, yogurt, fruits, eggs, bacon, veggies and much more. Several juices to choose from as well, including an orange juice machine-you throw the oranges in, and the machine does the rest. Out comes fresh squeezed orange juice. Wonderful! Champagne is also on hand, and of course coffee, tea, cappuccino, etc. There are several juice, water and tea making stations throughout the hotel, available 24 hours a day. There are many different areas of the hotel to relax. A small library with books and games; a quiet room with waterbed lounges and earphones with relaxing music; a relax room with fireplace and comfy chairs, lounges and couches; and of course, the amazing spa! There is also a modern workout gym on the second floor.

THE WELLNESS SPA! Where do I begin? This spa is heaven! We love water facilities, and this one has many to choose from! All done in style and impeccably clean. INDOOR SPA AREA: The warm indoor pool has a bubbling whirlpool set inside, with lovely twinkling lights overhead that change colors every few minutes. So relaxing and wonderful. This pool is large enough to swim laps. Floor to ceiling windows give a wonderful view outside with the mountains in the distance. There is an amazing salt water grotto in a cave-like room with periodic bubbling jets. So relaaaaxing! The crystal steam bath is a dream, with lots of mist and a different scent every day; and a "dryer" herb steam bath, the sauna, and the radiant heat laconium rooms are also very nice. All of these rooms have fabulous warm tile seats, with cool off mist and hoses. There are also a variety of spa treatments (massages, beauty treatments, etc.) available by appointment for an additional charge. Complimentary juices, water, tea and a large bowl of trail mix (nuts and dried fruits) is available throughout the day and evening in the spa.

OUTDOOR FACILITIES: The outdoor pool is warm and has in indoor entrance tunnel (in case you don't want to enter from the outside if it's cold). Lots of lounges and tables outside, and poolside food & drink service is available. However, people do smoke outside, so we did not spend a lot of time in the outdoor pool area, being sensitive to smoke. When I did use the outdoor pool, it was fabulous. They also have the most amazing outdoor whirlpool. This very large whirlpool is set on a hillside amongst trees and shrubs and has three different types of water jets. Push one button and strong massaging jets come out all around the pool. Push another button and thousands of tiny bubble jets float up from below (awesome), and push a third button and an amazing strong waterfall pulsates down, massaging your back or neck. Incredible! If this whirlpool sits idle for any length of time, it automatically drains. Then when you arrive, you just push a button and it fills up instantly, so it's always really clean! There is also an outdoor sauna in a wood cabin with cold plunge and waterfalls to cool off. There is a large bathing pond with lovely surroundings, however it was a bit too cold for us to go in. The park-like grounds are lush and extensive with a lot of things to do. Table tennis, trampoline, a small playground, nature walks, a fitness course, a "court" that looks like it could be used for a variety of sports including tennis.

There isn't much around the hotel once you leave the grounds, but who wants to leave?? Other than a few trips into Salzburg, which should not be missed, we were content to revel in the relaxation and charm of Gmachl life. (A short walk to the train takes you into Salzburg, or a taxi ride from the hotel is fairly inexpensive.)

I now dream of the day I am able to return! BRAVO, GMACHL FAMILY and THANK YOU!

I would highly recommend Hotel GMACHL Bergheim as the best place to stay in Salzburg.

We booked this hotel to spend New Year Eve for 1 week. This is a family hotel with perfect rooms (everything looks brand new), very good food, superb service and lovely spa. This is only 15 minutes by car from the center of Salzburg and taxi costs nothing: 10-12 euros.

Through this review I would like to say Thank you to the Gmachl family and the hotel staff for the best family vacation we have spent.

www.gmachl.at