The Rosengarten: Gourmet Getaway in the Heart of Tyrol
The northern Austrian region of Tyrol is full of charming hotels, most of them in the local style of a wooden chalet with flower-covered windows. During my recent visit, however, I spent two nights in a hotel with a more contemporary feel: the Rosengarten. With only 26 rooms and suites, this establishment is perfectly up-to-date, from its interior design to the gourmet cuisine on offer.
26 Rooms and Suites with a Contemporary Ambiance
The rooms and suites, 26 in all, each feature a name that resonates with the world of haute cuisine. I'm staying in the “Safran,” (saffron) a 50 m² suite with a highly contemporary design: white walls, smoked glass, and trendy furniture accentuate the rooms. It continues onto a balcony overlooking the surrounding mountains, truly a treat for us after so many trips to capital cities with only buildings on the horizon!
Gastronomy That Keeps Up with the Times
Gastronomy is clearly one of the Rosengarten's best assets. The gourmet restaurant is headed by Simon Taxacher, who is also the hotel's proprietor (as is commonly the case in establishments under the “Relais & Châteaux” label). His cuisine is an homage to French Mediterranean gastronomy, and his restaurant has received numerous prestigious distinctions over the years, such as “Les grandes tables du monde” and “Gault & Millau.”
The first evening, we discover the bistro, which offers a modern interpretation of cuisine from the Austrian Alps. We look over the menu for half-board guests while sampling smoked ham and pork rillettes and drinking locally-sourced vegetable juice. The choice of appetizers this evening includes either a broccoli and pork tenderloin salad seasoned with yarrow, or a light tomato soup with a smoked fish cannelloni. Both dishes feature light and delicate flavors. We continue with the braised beef with carrots and rosemary gnocchi, which is a generous cuisine (as is common in Austrian cuisine), but with a more modern flair and subtler flavors. We finish with a cheese plate and the dessert, a true delight for my taste buds.
As we're staying in a temple of gastronomy, I'm thrilled to dig in to breakfast the following morning. The weather is beautiful, so we can enjoy it on the terrace. As I review the buffet full of local dishes, I have a hard time choosing what to eat – everything looks delicious! We're spoiled for choice with local cold cuts, breads, brioches, and home-made preserves, often with unusual flavors such as the banana and tropical fruits jam (my personal favorite). We of course can't leave out a soft-boiled egg to complete our tasty meal.
Next Stop, the Mountains: Exploring Our Surroundings
The Rosengarten is only a 15-minute car ride away from Kitzbühel, a posh ski resort. It's the perfect starting point for a walk through the village streets while admiring the little boutiques (which are also pretty swanky). For more nature-based activities, visitors can take a cable car to the mountaintops for hiking, cycling… and of course, skiing during the winter season. We spend a very pleasant day in the area, ending with a swim in the hotel's outdoor pool!
Don't Forget the Spa!
To end our intense visit on a high note, we can't forget to check out the spa! This haven of well-being offers a 15-meter indoor pool, a sauna, a steam room, and a relaxation room. In terms of style, it has the same contemporary look as the hotel. I decide to indulge in a facial, the “Hydramemory,” which provides optimal hydration by alternating chemical peels, manual massage, and a hyaluronic acid mask, all using products from the Italian brand “Comfort Zone.” I leave the spa feeling completely relaxed, with super-soft and revitalized skin.
The Verdict
The 5-star Hotel Rosengarten is the ideal choice for guests who aren't too keen on the Tyrolean style! Here it's all about modernity, from the rooms to the spa and restaurants. But above all, Simon Taxacher's cuisine is the ace in the hole, whether at the fine-dining restaurant or the bistro (which completely stole my heart). Another source of pride for this establishment: the delicious breakfast buffet, full of local dishes!
I loved:
I disliked:
Practical Information
Thank you to the Rosengarten for the invitation to explore their establishment. Of course, the content of this blogpost was left entirely up to me!
