The Best Hotels in Lech, Austria

The Schwärzler family runs Hotel Haldenhof and has been involved in not only the running of hotels in Lech but the growth of the village itself, for over 50 years. Hubert and Isolde Schwärzler laid the foundation stone of the Haldenhof back in October 1968, and the family is in its third generation of hoteliers now. Today, the hotel mixes the style of an English country house with warm, spacious and luxurious bedrooms and superb hospitality.

The Almhof is a luxury ski hotel whose attention to detail and refined grandeur don’t sacrifice the personal touch. Run by the Schneider family, who can trace its history in Lech back to 1451, the Almhof has grown into a five-star offering with one of Austria’s best wine lists and a mouth-watering gastronomy (the kaiserschmarrn here is hard to beat), while maintaining the feel that you’re staying with a family friend.

Arrive at Haus Schrofenstein, and you’ll find the pretty white B&B weighed down by a thick layer of snow covering the roof and the wooden cladding of the terrace. Inside, it’s old-fashioned but incredibly homely, and rooms don’t lack for space or comfort. One big plus is the location – the B&B is only 400 metres (1,312ft) from the Oberlechbahn cable car. Start your day with breakfast at Haus Schrofenstein, and end it relaxing back in the sauna.

The Kristiania was originally opened by Olympic gold medalist Othmar Schneider and is now run by Othmar’s daughter Gertrud. It’s one of the more flamboyant spots in Lech. There are no standardised rooms or dimensions. Each of the 29 bedrooms is inspired by the “Grand Tour” – a trip around Europe undertaken by young travellers in the 17th century. The bars, lounges and restaurants are equally individual, culminating in an artistic, curated space that you can truly call “boutique”.

Alexandra Lassnig has been running the Arlberg Stuben for over two decades. It’s a spot where tradition meets modern innovation. The hotel is actually in Stuben rather than Lech, on a scenic, exposed little spot on the mountain. There are an outdoor Jacuzzi and a natural swimming pond used for curling in winter. To ski in Lech, grab the ski bus to Zürs. The Albonabahn cable car will get you directly to St Anton, which is connected to the Lech ski area.

Back in the centre of Lech, the Prodinger family runs the 28-room Hotel Sandhof. The smaller rooms are cosy, with wooden furnishings and warm lighting. The larger suites are incredibly stylish, in a traditional Austrian sense. There’s a family-friendly feel, and the hotel will organise babysitters if parents fancy a romantic dinner. Speaking of food, in the kitchen, chef Florian Grill is an expert in Vorarlberg specialities and vegetarian delicacies.

Just before the main hub of Lech, you’ll find Alpina Lech, a stunning, traditional wooden house with six double rooms, one suite and three apartments. The guest living room is as cosy as it gets, with a roaring open fireplace and comfy couches. However, the heart of Alpina is the 250-year old Stube restaurant, where Frau Milka serves up yoghurt from Lech farms, cheese from the Bregenzerwald, bread from Lech bakeries and fish caught and smoked in nearby Zug. A true home from home.

An old house drawn, quartered and renovated, you can book one of the four chalets that make up the five-star Bentleys House and range from 87sqm (936sqf) to 145sqm (1,561sqf) – or the whole thing. Each chalet has style in spades. Some have their own sauna, others a panoramic balcony and fireplace. All have a kitchen and access to the spa and pool area. Breakfast is served each morning, and fridges can be filled with wine or champagne before arrival on request.

Up above the town of Lech, you’ll find the car-free resort of Oberlech. Here, you’ll find Skilodge Oberlech at 1,650m (5,413ft), a ski-in, ski-out mountain hut. The ten stylish bedrooms use wood, stone and berry tones to create a cosy alpine aesthetic. All have a balcony and views of the mountains. Breakfast is served on the panoramic top floor, a delightful spot, where wooden walls and a slanting roof are met with simple, stylish furniture.

Alexandra and Ingo Strolz run the Auriga, a hotel in the centre of Lech, with the largest spa in the area that measures 1,125 sqm (12,109sqf). The Strolz family has been running the hotel for over 20 years now and put a focus on sound design, considered lighting, an exclusive wine cellar and heartfelt hospitality. The Rüfikopf cable car is a 3-minute walk away, and, once your day on the slopes is done, the pool, sauna, steam bath and more await.