Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway

Everything in this hotel was perfect. They take much care for the little details. A very welcoming and warm hotel. The hotel and the rooms are very clean, beautifully decorated. The food is very good! The hotel view is special, to the bavarian Alps.

I have stayed at Schloss Elmau a number of times since 2020, most often with a very dear friend and sometimes by myself, and each time it has been a wonderful, magical experience. After a recent five night stay in early July I can reaffirm what I wrote in 2020 and what numerous other guests have noted, that Schloss Elmau is a magnificent luxury hotel, spa, nature and yoga retreat, and multifaceted cultural center, with a program every month that includes numerous concerts of outstanding classical and jazz musicians, and talks by well-known writers and thinkers--during my first stay Nobel Economics Laureate Joseph Stiglitz was a guest. Schloss Elmau is located in a magnificent semi-protected natural area with breathtaking mountain scenery, and wonderful hiking, skiing and biking opportunities at its doorstep. It’s all of that but it is much more. At least from my experience it is unique in the world for how it combines all these attributes. I’d like to mention in this review just one of the numerous unique world class aspects of Schloss Elmau in its role as a ‘cultural hideaway’-- its program that attracts some of Germany’s and the world’s best authors to stay and give talks, including Nobel literature prize winners such as 2018 Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk and Booker prize winners Julian Barnes, Zadie Smith, and Ian McEwan. On some occasions on short notice a famous historian or political figure may arrive for an unexpected stay and give a talk—an experience I had in autumn 2022 when on very short notice the renowned British historian Timothy Gordan Ash arrived for a stay and discussion on the fate of Europe and the Ukraine war. One of the highlights of my various stays has always been a chat with the erudite and friendly Dr. Martin Lau, a specialist in German literature and theater who helps coordinate Elmau’s program for literature and arrangements for visiting authors. Martin, who can often be found at the book store, has given me and my partner wonderful recommendations for reads of contemporary German literature, and introduced us both to some of best works of contemporary German authors which we have both appreciated greatly.

I can't say enough nice things about this vacation. The property is beautiful with a backdrop of the Alps; The numerous restaurants and eating options were all fantastic; Our room was perfect; Walks on the trails were spectacular; and the staff, the staff were always smiling and happy to answer any question or accommodate any request. The jazz concert celebrating Christmas music was wonderful and added to the magic of the entire experience. The pools, saunas and yoga were wonderful and perfectly matched to the experience. I have a few more places on my bucket list but I really hope to return here one day to enjoy the wonderful experience (and the elephants, you'll understand when you go!). Many thanks to all of the staff who did so many nice things to make this experience so memorable.

Magnificent location in the Bavarian Alps, in a region of mountains, woodlands, rivers and lakes, and picturesque villages, churches and castles. Spacious well-equipped suites with incredible views, and multiple facilities . . . top quality restaurants, jazz bar, lounges, swimming pools, spas, fitness centres. The Concert Hall regularly hosts notable performances from acclaimed musicians. Wide range of indoor and outdoor activities are on tap. The staff service is exceptional.