Everything but ordinary

THE PAST MONTHS have been a great challenge for everyone. Unsurprisingly also economically. Nevertheless, many hoteliers have decided to really get down to business and carry out planned renovations and extensions in their establishments – including the Mayer family. As owners of the Familux resorts in Lermoos, Oberjoch, Gosau and the resort under construction in Oberhof, they took the lockdown as an opportunity to renovate, repair and expand in all their houses. Alpenrose – Familux Resort in Lermoos received the biggest makeover.

Alpenrose in Lermoos has its origins in a farmhouse built in 1930 by the Petz family. In the 1950s, with five guest rooms, the foundation stone was laid for what is today Europe’s leading group of children’s hotels in the luxury segment. Over the years, the family continues to invest in the comfort and recreational value of the hotel for its guests. The eldest daughter Andrea married Ernst Mayer in the late 1980s. Together they took over the guesthouse, which has since grown to 20 guest rooms. Ernst Mayer has a vision: he wants to combine family holidays with wellness. In view of these plans, however, many shake their heads; only a few give his idea a chance of success. The growing list of regular guests and the increasing demand, however, prove that he is on the right track.

THE BIGGEST CONVERSION IN THE HOTEL’S HISTORY 

In 1994, the Mayers joined the Kinderhotels Europa cooperation and expanded the hotel to include a wellness area, Kids Club, underground car park and several family suites. The dining room is transformed into a cosy restaurant. Alpenrose continues to grow successively. In order not to disturb the ongoing business and not to bother the guests with construction noise during their holidays, the following decades see a gradual expansion – until the lockdown finally brings about a radical caesura. To look at these months of imposed closure from the positive side: in 2020 and 2021, the largest renovation in the hotel’s history took place. A total of 20 million euros was invested.

This resulted in ten new family suites and a pool area with a water surface of 360 square metres that will captivate water rats big and small by every trick in the book. The total pool area has now grown to 700 square metres. The kids’ pool area with its pirate ship has been relocated and expanded to include a triple slide, two tube slides and a grotto. A separate “underwater world” was created for babies. The sauna zones are now also equipped with family saunas, family steam bath, event sauna and infrared cabin.

The brand-new Baby and Kids Club with family play area has grown by 800 square metres: the Multiball facility, Boulder Park, Virtual Reality room and new Teen Club guarantee fun for all ages. With an epic view of the Zugspitze, the Panorama Fitness Room was created in the new suite wing on 175 square metres. On the roof of this wing, you will now find an adventure playground with plenty of opportunities to let off steam.

Some rooms were renovated, the underground car park was extended, the bar was given a makeover and the restaurant was enlarged. The 24-hour tasting bar has been stocked with fine wines – thanks to the automated wine dispenser, fine wines are available at any time.

A new, generously designed lounge with buffet was created for the staff.

So, the structural changes are great. But one constant remains: Above all, it is the people who fill a hotel with life – all guests, of course, but also those who embellish their holidays with small and large gestures and live their craft day after day with passion, commitment and cordiality. Nothing stands in the way of a luxury holiday for all generations. However, it would not be the Mayer family if they were to sit back and relax now. This much is certain: the next ideas are already ripening, and they will continue to tirelessly improve and perfect the hotel resort for their guests.

Original German translated to English by Familux.