Amanda Statham predicts that Feuerstein Nature Family Resort in the South Tyrol mountains will be the blueprint for family hotels of the future. What do you think?
The resort boasts a stunning mountain backdrop
Feuerstein Nature Family Resort looks exactly as it sounds
A low-built wood and stone resort barely visible above the tree line in the jaw-droppingly beautiful Pflersch Valley, lined with mountains, waterfalls and meadows, it couldn’t be more natural.
To reach this paradise for kids, we flew to Innsbruck from where it was a 35-minute transfer, meaning the whole journey took less than four hours.
Owner Peter Mader dreamt of creating a hotel immersed in nature that’s fun for children as well as parents, and boy, did he deliver.
Scandi-sleek interiors make it feel sophisticated, yet there are plenty of child-friendly touches all around. In particular, the play area in reception is a godsend if you arrive with tired, cranky kids who would rather lie down on the floor than queue to check-in.
Days are happily spent basking in the natural surroundings
We visited in summer, with mornings spent hiking to nearby waterfalls, reached via pretty Alpine villages and hopping across fast-flowing streams, and afternoons spent playing in the hotel’s natural swimming lake, catching frogs and making endless trips to an island on a raft pulled by ropes.
In wintertime, the resort is blanketed in snow and morphs into a winter playground, with practice ski slopes accessible straight from the hotel, or hop on the free shuttle bus for a five-minute ride to Ladurns resort, with its 15km runs and excellent Fichti Kinderland Ski School.
Feuerstein has four heated swimming pools
Year-round fun comes in the form of Feuerstein’s four heated swimming pools, including a gorgeous infinity pool reached by swimming through automatic sliding doors (a source of constant amazement for kids) and an activity pool with enormous enclosed slide complete with a timer on the wall to see how fast you descend.
At night, five-course meals (think regional, seasonal dishes like spinach-filled ravioli and wiener schnitzel with wild berry sauce), are served in a modern restaurant, yet are a true family affair.
A wine tasting area and help-yourself ice-cream station caused much excitement to different generations and even babies are well catered for here, with a menu of blended food on offer for diners yet to grow teeth.
The resort offers up to 70 hours of childcare per week
Up to 70 hours of childcare (up to the age of 16) per week means parents get the chance to relax on a lounger or book a massage in the Mountain Spa, safe in the knowledge their kids are enjoying treasure hunts, hikes to rivers and toasting marshmallows around a fire pit.
A painting studio, indoor sandpit and play barn complete with dressing up area and hayloft for jumping into provide fun on bad weather days.
Teens can get involved in football tournaments, climbing, rafting and even overnight camping trips.
Our long weekend passed by in a blur as we enjoyed a family climbing session and a woodcraft workshop, emerging with basic hand-made guitars and proud faces.
Time ran out for e-biking and using the painting studio, but a refreshing lack of screen time for all ages meant we departed feeling healthier and happier than we had in a long time.
Plan a stay at Feuerstein Resort
How to get there
Direct UK flights to Innsbruck, from 1 hour 50 minutes
Where to stay
Feuerstein Nature Family Resort features family rooms for 2 to 5 guests
Find out more about Feuerstein and book