[BAVARIAN ALPS, GERMANY] — On my last return trip from Verona to Munich, I remember flying over some killer mountains in Germany, just south of Munich. They were stupendous looking from the air as we headed in for final approach.  “Wow, wonder what those are called…”

This year, I was headed back to the Italian Dolomites and realized that they were only a three hour drive from my Denver>Munich direct flight. I could save a day of travel, an extra flight and just drive directly there. Genius. But, passing through Bavaria, I thought I’d stop and see if I could find those mountains I saw before.  I did.

Even better, I found this stunning hotel location. Schloss Elmau.

I was researching cool places to stay in the Garmish-Partenkirchen region. But when I saw this view I was like dingdingding.  So easy to get to, just hop off my easy flight and two hours later and I was rollin’ up to this joint like Flavor Flav…big clock tickin’⏰…

Something seemed vaguely familiar to me about this view, was it a fairytale book cover? Then I read some more and remembered they had the G7 here in Olden Times…way back in 2015… and I remembered all those pictures of he and Angela giggling around in the wildflowers with all the other world leaders.

But I had no idea how towering and impressive the Wetterstein Mountains are. I always pictured Bavaria as densely wooded rolling hills and gentle mountains. Wasn’t expecting these enormous shark teeth sticking out like a Freddy Mercury smile (“..’ees got faaangs now, doesn’t ‘ee?)

Big grand luxe places like these are really not my thing, but in a setting like this, how could you beat it? I pressed .

Just about 20 minutes outside the cute and popular ski town of Garmisch–Partenkirchen, the hotel calls itself a cultural retreat and hosts musicians for free, who then perform in the acoustically perfect musical theater. There are multiple spas, pools, a dozen restaurants — more on that later — and hundred of acres to hike and drink in the mountain views.  The front deskman confidently said “I see your request for a room with a great view… that’s easy because all the rooms have views.”

Had some real issues finding a nice place to eat in this gorgeous setting. Supposedly they have “a dozen or more” restaurants on-site, but perhaps it was because I was there on a Sunday and Monday, but the only options I was told both nights was the buffet-only dining room, loaded with kids and families. They have a Michelin starred restaurant, but it was “I’m sorry, fully booked.”  Is there another restaurant where I can get a la carte menu and not buffet?” ” Oh yes, we have over a dozen restaurants and it areas. But I’m sorry, they are all fully booked.”  Grrrrrrrrrrrr.  Never have faced such a language barrier in Germany.  Soooo, note to self: book restaurants before you arrive.

One night I was there, there was a big concert recital, from a classical musician I’d never heard of, but the place was packed. They bring in classical, jazz and host cultural talks with qualified speakers.

The hotel is also known for its huge spa program — the best luxury spa in Bavaria — and they have one of the biggest hammans west of Istanbul. My stay was short, so didn’t have time to partake.

Take a Hike Around the Grounds

The best part about hotel are the well-marked trails that lead off into all directions of this nature park. Acres and acres of wildflowers that you just want to run through. Which is funny, because when you see commercials with couples running through flowery fields it looks great. But the reality I found is all those flowers attract bees. THOUSANDS OF THEM. And every other stinging insect. And the flowers, loaded with thorns and burrs!

Itching to get hike, I just took off up a trail in search of a hut called Elmauer Alm. I knew little about it, but after about an hour uphill, threading between the rich green trees and farm families all out chopping hay in high meadows, you come across here:

Room With a View

— Last Visited July 2019 —

More Information About Bavaria and Schloss Elmau

Here’s a post I did on where you should go hike in Bavaria, just around the corner from this hotel. Here’s a 9/10 review from The Telegraph. Here is the listing in Tablet Hotels that won me over. And a great review from Forbes. A really good article in the Financial Times How to Spend It magazine. The Hideaway Report.  If you’re overnighting in Munich, here’s a post I did on what to do there.

Just few kilometers away, I drove by this very cool place that looked even cooler than Schloss Elmau, sitting high up on a plateau overlooking the Wetter-stein mountains.