Charismatic Alpine Hotel
LOCATION
Saalfelden Leogang is situated at the heart of the Austrian Alps and is home to the largest skiing resort in Austria, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang, with 270 kilometres of ski slopes and views to die for. Hotel Mama Thresl sits right next to the bottom gondola station Asitzbah, which takes skiers to the very heart of this skiing paradise. In the last couple of years, the area has also become popular with bikers and hikers. Saalfelden Leogang has over 720 km of mountain bike routes and 480 km of valley cycle paths. Adding to the classical offer are numerous creative incentive stories that can be tried and tested all year-round. In Leogang, being bored is something they haven’t heard of. This becomes clear when you look at the vast range of programmes they offer, from crazy adrenaline experiences to top-notch culinary journeys.
ACCESSIBILITY
It takes an hour and a half to get to the nearest airport in Salzburg. Munich Airport is two hours away, which could be considered as a big downside, but the scenery on your way to this incentive paradise is so picturesque that you won’t even think about the long drive. We recommend using their excellent railway network and the nearest station is only 15 minutes away from the hotel. Guests arriving by car are also taken care of, as there is a large car park. There is even a storage area where you can clean and lock your bike or store everything you might need for incentive experiences the next morning.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
The hotel is a reflection of how local culture and urban guests connect. It’s where alpine architecture meets modern trends, creating an exceptional story with the mighty Steinernen Meer mountains as the backdrop. Mama Thresl is not your typical Austrian alpine hotel, something that can be experienced right off the gate. You can enter the hotel via a climbing wall if you don’t feel like going through the regular entrance. The foyer is full of architectural installations like a giant tree trunk, a bucket that you winch down to the bar and order drinks or a classy stone table with hi-tech screens. It’s a place where you could easily spend the entire day, simply hanging out or dancing to good music. The positive atmosphere is carried on through to the rest of the hotel, especially in their small wellness centre. There you will find The Empty Room, a place of complete zen, where you will do nothing, but stare nature in the eye. Breathtaking.
WARM APPETIZER - Staff and catering
The staff will be smiling from check-in to check-out. With an authentic smile that is. The team functions well and it seems that they really enjoy what they do. Their casual uniforms have some traditional Austrian touches, a funky combination that we really liked. Their culinary offer stretches out all the way to Asia and successfully attracts outside guests as well. The breakfast is also excellent. It’s a modern kitchen closely tied to tradition and strictly local ingredients. The dishes are refined and creative, yet simple and immensely tasty.
MAIN DISH - Conference hotel service
How can one describe a hotel room that is way more than just a hotel room? Where do I start…The hotel room is an ethnographic experience of a typical Alpine hut with wood giving it incredible warmth. A giant rock serves as a barrier between the shower and the room, there’s a beautiful stone sink and contact with nature is omnipresent. The retro architectural details are inspiring. You won’t even see the TV at first, as its inventively hidden behind a stone wall. The hangers are made out of hazel branches and the wardrobe is all wooden. Amazing, unbelievable and without competition is how I would describe the room. You simply have to spend a night there to experience it.
Meetings centre
A smaller Think Tank hall has space for up to 120 participants and natural light, despite being in the basement. The main theme of the hall is also wood, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.
DESSERT – The extras
Sustainability and the use of natural materials played a key role in designing the hotel, which is almost entirely made out of wood.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
The hotel sits right next to the main road, which can be quite noisy during certain hours, but doesn’t really affect the overall great impression.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
An exceptional story with details like the daily menu printed every day with information about different activities and a birthday message to a guest who had just celebrated her birthday. A personalised message awaits every guest in their room and there are plenty of more details like this scattered throughout the hotel.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Mother Theresia is certainly proud of her son Hubert and his wife Renata Oberlader, who came up with this hotel story. The hotel is incredible in many ways and it quickly became the highlight of Leogang’s offer. It’s completely in tune with the town’s spirit, which thrives with the help of their famous mountain biking resort. It’s also the first choice for incentive programme organisers. As their slogan says, Mama Thresl is where an urban soul meets the Alps. It breathes a modern, active lifestyle while carrying a signature from its owners. It’s exciting and fun, perfect for incentive groups. As it is so far from what hotel guests expect, it will definitely get under your skin.
FINAL GRADE: 4.94 GOLD BOUTIQUE MEETING HOTEL
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
