Leogang's Naturhotel Forsthofgut Embraces The Power Of Plants

Turn your room green and enjoy the benefits of enhanced sleep, improved physical and mental wellbeing and a more fulfilling holiday at Naturhotel Forsthofgut (www.forsthofgut.at.en) in the gorgeous Austrian mountain village of Leogang. The team at the family-run resort will fill the room with health-giving plants and tend them every day. Forsthofgut’s Green Room Package is offered in 7 room categories, and priced at €89 (£80) per room per stay. Reservations: www.forsthofgut.at/en. 

With sub-zero temperatures outside, and bedroom windows closed, dehydration is a common problem in winter. Forsthofgut’s Green Room concept is the ecological way to do the job of a humidifier. The natural powers of green house plants such as yucca, drazena and peace lily are proven to reduce the concentration of CO² and restore more than 90% of moisture to the atmosphere of a closed room. The improved humidity also keeps nasal passages moist – one way to combat the cold virus. In warmer weather, the plants bring serenity and a coolness to the space, inspiring a calm, harmonious equilibrium for a happy, healthy holiday escape.

Only an hour from Salzburg Airport, the enchanting ski-in/ski-out Forsthofgut sits between meadows and forest at the foot of the Asitz Mountain pistes in Leogang, Salzburgerland:

• Ski-out to explore 408km of piste across the linked Skicircus (Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn) and Zell am See-Kaprun resorts. Head into the forest for snow-shoeing in a wonderful powder playground, guided by the hotel owner Christoph Schmuck.
• Ski-in to unwind in Europe’s original waldSPA (forest spa) where the décor and treatments are inspired by the surrounding nature and woodland. Couples relax in the tranquillity of the adults-only section, while kids use up surplus energy in the separate family zone, with or without the parents.

Forsthofgut puts the environment, sustainability and green living at the top of the agenda. Having evolved over 400 years from a forestry station to Austria’s premier 5* nature and family hotel, it promises exquisite dining with organic and vegan menu options. Guests enjoy wine tastings in the cellar, a speciality cocktail bar for bespoke creations, childcare from 9am to 9pm and a weekly programme of activities for young and old.

The history of the Forsthofgut dates back 400 years: in 1617, of course, the Forsthof was not a hotel, but a simple forestry business and farm. With a lot of finesse, vision and creativity, we have succeeded in transforming this simple house into one of the leading hotels in the Salzburger Land. However, our rural roots always accompany us: "Only those who know their roots can create a future in the present," says host Christoph Schmuck.

In 1960 the foundation stone was laid for the hotel in its current form: At that time, the parents of senior boss Rupert Schmuck rented two rooms at the Forsthof for the first time. In 1980, Rupert Schmuck and his wife Rosmarie took over the farm, continued renting out rooms and expanded the house. Meanwhile, son Christoph, the fifth generation of the Schmucks at the Forsthof, has taken over the hotel.

Hotel director and hostess Bianka Bitter has been supporting Christoph and his wife Christina in all operative tasks since the beginning of 2020 and acts as a link between the Schmuck family and the Forsthofgut guests. Together with the Schmuck family with their two daughters, Charlotte and Lena, and the entire Forsthofgut team, Mrs. Bitter strives every day to make the Forsthofgut a special holiday resort.

With fresh snow on the trees and the pistes combed and inviting, Forsthofgut is ready to welcome UK guests in 2021 for a memorable ski holiday: equipment hire, ski school, kindergarten and lift passes can be arranged on site. Advance reservation for spa treatments is recommended.