Hotel Harfenwirt

I'm just back from a week away with my 3 kids skiing and I did read the reviews before I went and so I was open minded when we arrived, it was a last minute booking so very little choice left to book. We booked 2 rooms and didn't upgrade as I was on a budget and we had room 301 and 304 so either side of the hotel but only across the corridor from each other which was great. I had read there were no tea making facilities so i bought a cheap kettle from wilkos for £6 which was lighter than the travel ones and I'm so glad I did. I took plastic camping cups too and uht soya milk for me(don't provide in the hotel) and bought fresh milk at the shop for the kids. We had no fridge but it was cold enough to leave milk on balcony, but good we coukd make a brew when ever. Breakfast was basic but had cereals, fruit, rolls etc and cold meats and cheeses, bacon and scrambled eggs.. Enough for us! Evening meals were hit and miss~ some lovely and others were quite grim. Grilled veg were lovely but the other veg was tinned or seemed like it.. Soups were OK although I had to forfeit some nights as they had cream in but then I hit the salad bar. Which was OK but a different variety would of been nice at times . They catered for vegetarians and gluten free diets too. Drinks are not cheap and you have to pay for water which was annoying as I'm happy with tap water with my meal but nowhere gives you tap water! Rooms were OK.. spacious enough and for the old part I felt they were fine for us. My sons had a lovely modern shower at the back of the hotel, we had a lovely view of the piste but had a bath with shower nozzle in it which I found was easier to sit in the bath and use as it was set low down, it was lovely and hot and good pressure. Fab location for the piste and only short walk to the centre and ski school. Bus stop right outside too. We found it easier crossing the road and skiing to the first button lift then up there skiing right which rakes you down to the meeting place for lessons or gondala. Herbert owner of the hotel was amazing on the Harp so if you hear he is playing at the guest house up the road it's worth a visit. We also went to a crystal ski austrian themed night on the Monday.. 7 euros a head.. It was good fun and kids got drawn into playing cowbells etc with Peter the yodeller! Spar and the other supermarket 2 stops on the bus or 15 min walk through the centre, both well stocked.. I bought some fruit from the spar and was not over priced. The church graveyard is fascinating when walking into the centre too. The dancing cave is a good bar/club if you have young adults in your group and they had some chap who had auditioned on the voice singing Thursday nights(can't remember his name) .its Free entry so another option for something to do. I enjoyed my week but wouldn't go back there but more so because there is a big world to explore. We had a great week but I was glad to get home for some fresh veg!!

Just came back after a weeklong trip to Niederau. This was third year in a row to this place for my ski vacation. The place is amazing for skiers. Hotel Harfenwirt is an old 3 *** hotel. Despite of so many negative reviews I still choose this hotel assuming things would have changed. However it didn’t. First the positive thing. The owner is an old guy and kept running all the time. Felt like he was the only decision maker for each and every request. Not sure why he could not hire someone to run the show. The room size was small. Please be aware that new extension of this hotel is called Harmony and the rooms in this part are of descent size. Always book and confirm this. The food was good and served by part timers employees but mostly they did a good job. The pool and other spa facilities were ok. Then comes the problem(s). -We were cheated as we booked for harmony but they put us in old building room. - We had an uninvited big spider in the room. - The bathroom was small and congested with poor exhaust. -The breakfast was poor I felt with not much option. - We were denied a request of warm water to drink in the morning and were asked to wait until the restaurant is open at 8:00 AM. - The booking and all the room management is done on paper leading to big confusion and chaos sometime. - Between 10:00 PM - 7:30 AM there is no one at reception to help you in case of emergency. - most of the staff could hardly speak English. Overall it felt like these guys have no idea what’s going on in hospitality industry these days. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Please avoid if you can.