Spent 2 nights at the Apartment Bruckberg in Zell am See for a ski weekend at the Schmittenhoehe and Kitzsteinhorn. We booked last minute and there was not much available, so we were a little nervous about our choice. The Bruckberg offers one double room (2 people) or one apartment (2-4 people).
Positives:
-- Fantastic hospitality. The Piberger family was very friendly and accommodating. Frau Piberger speaks English.
-- Great location for skiing-- about 200 meters from the Areitbahn I gondola to the Schmittenhoehe. Intersport rental and ski pass sales at the base, and ski bus to the other ski locations in Zell am See and Kaprun. Ski lockers available for a fee at Intersport, or storage in the celler of the Bruckberg.
-- Continental breakfast (bread, meats, cheese, cereal, yoghurt) and (small) parking space included.
-- House is immaculate, room was small but adequate (we didn't spend much time there). They request you leave your shoes by the door (snow/mud) so houseshoes/slippers would be good to have. There are 2 resident cats, but they must not ever go into the guest rooms, because they thankfully did not trigger my husband's cat allergy.
-- Large bathroom with shower and bathtub, good hot water and water pressure.
-- Room had a balcony and view of the mountains (although over a building-supply store behind the house). Offers laptop Internet access for a fee (we did not use).
-- Very quiet, despite the fact that it is located on a busy street (it is behind a privacy fence)
-- Easy to book online through Zell am See tourist website.
Negatives:
-- Booked online using credit card, then Fr. Piberger contacted us for our credit card # to secure the room against a no-show (had to send it via email, which I do not like for security reasons). I sent the number again, then when we checked out, they required payment in cash. This was not a big deal because we only stayed 2 nights, but it would have been a problem for a longer stay.
-- Room was advertised as en suite, but the bathroom was actually across the hall. It was for our use only, but was an inconvenience and we prefer to have our en suite bathroom actually en suite!
-- Location is NOT great for apres-ski. There are several restaurants/pubs in walking distance, but you are removed from the heart of Zell am See. Train stops running at 7 p.m., so you have to drive into town.
Overall we enjoyed our stay. We would not be likely to stay there again, mostly because we preferred the skiing at Kitzsteinhorn, and would stay in Kaprun next trip. I would recommend it if you enjoy a quiet, family pension, and plan to do a lot of skiing at the Schmittenhoehe and don't care as much about apres-ski.
