Another Wonderful Stay at the Wittelsbach!

Part of the joy of Christmas is expectation--and when these expectations are surpassed with kindness, comfort, and welcome, memories are created that will live for years.

We returned to the Wittelsbach for a second visit with family and friends (seven in our party) after a wonderful stay the previous winter.

Part of reason for returning over Christmas was the Wittelsbach Christmas Gala. This beautiful event draws on the Bavarian traditions that are brought to life and made real in a way you thought was no longer possible. Hotel guests participate in the celebration with song and Christmas readings while the owners and their family provide there superb talents by way of piano, flute and violin. Seeing and hearing their 10 year old daughter on the violin while father (Marcus) plays the piano and the eldest daughter the flute, with mother (Anja) passing around gifts and nativity figures, brings to life the absolute best of Christmas traditions.

Now, this is not to in any way take away from the Michelin star quality meal we were served (the service by way of Simo Nicole, and Verada is equally good). Yet, to touch on the gala dinner, think fish course (trout and fish pate), followed by a delightful light soup, presented next, the main course of essentially a beef Wellington or a perfectly seared salmon, with a pistachio laced bavarian cream (think more souffle), and you now know it simply can't get any better. One little thing I forgot--they served the best Gluhwein I've ever tasted during the Christmas caroling.

As for the room and super mod Vilroy and Bosch bathrooms, comfort, taste, and convenience at every turn.

As for the village of Ruhpolding, charming, welcoming and lots of fun. Zero snootiness plus the above equals maximum elegance.

As for the breakfast every morning, with Marcus's perfectly brewed loose-leaf tea, it's hard to find a better way to start the day--especially when the previous evening brought a nice snowfall.

By the way, when you look at the above and the value presented by the Wittelsbach, you simply can't find a better place to stay.

Now, just a few last things--when we arrived, our entire party was met and greeted with a glass of champagne and waiting in the room, home-made Christmas cookies made right at the hotel. Marcus and Anja's recommendations for everything from ski rental to directions were perfect. But perhaps the one thing that stands out on this trip was Marcus and my wife practicing a Bach-Gounod Ave Maria piece on 23 Dec (sung at the Christmas Gala--afterwards, Marcus and Anja opened a Gruner Veltliner and spent a lovely (now early morning) hour with us. This is the stuff you can't buy--it's not for sale--it's given with the spirit of the entire place.

Will be back next year!

Sir Michael and Lady Wendy Massa, EOHS
p.s. A great place for family and friends, and they treated our daughter like a princess!

We had a really wonderful stay. It was top notch all the way. Marcus, Anja and all the staff made us feel very welcome.
The location is perfect, so much to do on the door step and not far to many other locations. We would gladly move here, we loved it.
A car is a must to take advantage of everything on offer.
Kirsten and Di.

Just spent three nights at this lovely homely hotel - we were two couples doing our annual short Xmas break. Marcus and Anja gave us a very warm welcome on arrival which continued throughout our stay, making it one of our favourite Xmas break stays. Upon arriving at the train station, we only had a very short walk to the hotel, certainly no taxi necessary, right in the centre of the village, which is fairyly spread out. The village is very pretty and one of the cleanest places we have visited, with quaint little shops. We would love to return in the summer months with a car and explore the countryside .

Pleasant breakfast and delicious evening meals in the hotel. Jim, Anita, Martyn & Jane

We just spent three nights at the Alpenhotel Wittelsbach and are already dreaming of our next trip back because we had such a lovely time. We arrived in the early afternoon and had lunch in the hotel restaurant as our room was not quite ready. What a treat! The food was delicious and though neither my husband or I speak German, the staff was all willing to help us work our way through the menu and to make suggestions. Additionally, the entire staff spoke excellent English, which was much apprerciated. We also ate dinner at the hotel two of the three nights and had delicious meals each time. Each day there were different delicious sounding specials. We also had drinks in the hotel in the evening, and the schnapps that was invented by Marcus's grandfather is not to be missed!

Our room was lovely with a view of the mountains surrounding the town. The decor was modern and comfortable, with extra blankets if you were cold, or to use in the reading nook our room had. The room was spotlessly clean, and the bathroom was very modern and updated with a lovely rain shower head. A nice treat of holiday cookies was waiting in our room when we arrived. We appreciated the washer/dryer for guest use, though at 1 euro per 15 minutes (even washing!), the cost adds up quickly!

Marcus and Anje, the owners, were kind and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and had a good time. We will definitely be back to the Alpenhotel Wittelsbach on our next trip to the area.