Naturhotel Forsthofgut Review | Hotels Above Par

"Perched in the Austrian Alps in Leogang, Salzburgerland, this five-star, family-owned retreat—reborn from a 1617 farm by the Schmuck family—melds luxury, wellness, and unspoiled mountain scenery. The property offers 109 elegantly appointed rooms and suites plus a secluded Alpine Hut, yet never feels overwhelming; its 54-acre estate includes the on-site Mauthof Farm with a children’s farm, riding stables, a kids’ club, playground and petting zoo that make it family-friendly while remaining peaceful for couples. Wellness is central: an award-winning forest-inspired waldSPA and a tranquil Lake House spa (multiple saunas noted for their calming effect) anchor rest and rejuvenation, alongside indoor and outdoor pools and a fully equipped fitness center. Culinary offerings range from Austrian classics at Restaurant 1617 to creative cocktails at the Botanist Bar and a forest-themed weinWALD wine cellar; Mizūmi provides elegant Japanese fare (the miso soup is a comfort on gloomy days), while the intimate 10-seat Silva serves two seasonal tasting menus—Forest (e.g., braised mountain ox, local brook trout) and Meadow (e.g., pickled mushroom stew, hazelnut crêpes)—under Chef Michael Helfrich, who emphasizes fermenting, smoking and waste reduction. Open year-round, summers bring outdoor yoga, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, and winters offer ski-in/ski-out access to the Saalbach‑Hinterglemm‑Leogang‑Fieberbrunn ski area. Sustainability is embedded throughout—initiatives like waldLIEBE capture roughly 500 tons of CO₂ annually and about 70% of vegetables come from nearby organic farms. Nightly rates start at approximately $375, and Salzburg Airport is about 1.5 hours away by car."