1/5

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Schloss Elmau

Krün • Emlau • OVER THE TOP

avg. $956 / night

Includes $50 / night in cash back

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Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

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Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Leading Hotels of the World

Location

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At a glance

A 1914 Jugendstil cultural sanctuary in the Bavarian Alps, rebuilt post-fire and host to the 2015 G7 summit.

Best for: Architects and cultural historians visiting the Alps

Highlights:

  • 1914 Jugendstil sanatorium rebuilt after 2005 fire
  • Hosted G7 summit in 2015 on forested slopes
  • Floor-to-ceiling timber windows frame Wetterstein massif views
Intellectual-alpinecontemplative

PB hotel design editorial

Perched at 1,000 metres above sea level in the Bavarian Alps near Krün, with the Wetterstein massif rising directly behind it, Schloss Elmau was built in 1914–16 as a cultural sanctuary by philosopher Johannes Müller — a retreat for artists, writers, and thinkers rather than a conventional grand hotel. That founding intention has never quite left the building. After a devastating fire in 2005, the Müller family rebuilt and extended the property, adding a second structure, Schloss Elmau Retreat, which opened in 2015 in time for the G7 summit that brought world leaders to these forested slopes. The main building's white-rendered facade, with its horizontal balconies, arched arcade at terrace level, and deeply recessed timber-framed windows, carries the atmosphere of a Jugendstil sanatorium updated for contemporary scale — serious without being severe, monumental without losing warmth. Inside, the design palette runs warm and consistent: honey-toned oak parquet floors, saffron and terracotta wall finishes, upholstered headboards in elephant-print fabric, leather lounge chairs with a clear lineage to mid-century German modernism. The floor-to-ceiling timber-framed windows — visible throughout bedrooms and the Summit Restaurant — dissolve the boundary between interior and the autumn forest beyond. The outdoor infinity pool, tiled in deep teal and lined with crimson parasols, projects over the hillside in a gesture that feels more spa architecture than Alpine tradition, which is precisely the tension Schloss Elmau has always navigated with considerable confidence.

Travel notes

45min drive from Innsbruck airport (INN); 1hr 30min drive from Munich airport (MUC)

About

THE SCHLOSSELMAU EXPERIENCE Experience the soothing sound of SILENCE & RUSHING STREAMS in a magical sanctuary in one of the most beautiful regions of the Alps just 100 km south of Munich. A feeling of PEACE and BELONGING in a LUXURY SPA RETREAT & CULTURAL HIDEAWAY . A liberating sense of CALM & SERENITY in six SPAS for adults & families. Taiji & YOGA RETREATS with exceptional teachers. SPORTS in the empowering Alps. EDUTAINMENT & SOCCER CAMPS for Kids & Teens. FOOD FOR THOUGHT and RESTAURANTS for Cosmopolitans. CONCERTS with the GREAT ARTISTS on the pulse o our time.

Amenities

Pool

Restaurant

Fitness center

Internet

Room service

Free Internet

Wifi

Free Wifi

Suites

Free Parking

Schloss Elmau Reviews

1,247 reviews

"We had high expectations of this hotel from reviews and a TV programme, however the experience fell short. The great parts The location is stunning! We enjoyed the outside space and walking up to the restaurant in the hills. Stunning. The pools and spa facilities are excellent and we enjoyed this. The ‘ok’ parts The food was ok - neither outstanding, nor awful. At the BBQ, they ran out of chicken and steak and we had to ask for parts of the buffet to be replenished. The rooms could do with some modernising, but were comfortable (apart from the heat) Not so good Service lacks the attention and professionalism you expect from a 5 star. Areas of the hotel are often short-staffed. Particular issues in reception and the main bar. Restaurants generally better. There a no air conditioning in rooms. This is a major issue in the summer heat. They will provide fans, but they simply circulate warm air. So, whilst we did enjoy the break and chose not to let the issues affect us, we will not return and will seek alternatives that offer better value and a genuine 5 star experience."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 20, 2026

"Dear Schloss Elmau Team, My wife, our five-month-old son, and I have just returned home after a wonderful four-night stay at Schloss Elmau (July 9th -13th), and I wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude. Before arriving, we had spent several nights at Schloss Fuschl near Salzburg. We had even asked ChatGPT to recommend a destination that would live up to such a memorable experience, and I can honestly say that Schloss Elmau exceeded all of our expectations. We were truly blown away by the setting, the facilities, the exceptional service, and the overall experience. We travel extensively around the world, and Schloss Elmau ranks among the finest hotels we have ever had the pleasure of visiting. From the moment we arrived, every member of staff made us feel genuinely welcome and at home. We particularly enjoyed the pools and spa facilities, which were outstanding and provided the perfect place to relax. The sports concierge was also fantastic, helping us reserve bikes and plan some wonderful rides to Lake Walchensee. Those rides became one of the highlights of our trip. As first-time parents travelling with a young baby, we were especially grateful for the hotel's childcare services. Becky, the nanny who looked after our son Lochie while we were out cycling, was absolutely wonderful, and it gave us complete peace of mind knowing he was in such caring hands. We were also delighted to see how family-oriented the hotel is. Knowing that there are excellent daycare facilities available gives us every reason to return as Lochie gets older, and we very much hope to visit again next year to take full advantage of everything the resort has to offer. Thank you once again for providing such an unforgettable holiday. We left with wonderful memories and are already looking forward to returning to Schloss Elmau in the near future. With our warmest thanks and best wishes."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 14, 2026

"We have just had the most amazingly delightful stay at this Resort, we only wish we had booked for longer than 5 nights! The entire Team of Staff are truly Professional and always ready to be of assistance for whatever you may require. The food was fantastic, there were many Restaurants to choose from each night for dinner..every day they put out a spread of cakes from 2pm for you to enjoy..we were so spoiled and we have already decided to come back again next year and stay for longer- it was well worth the flying time to get there..my best recommendation would be to rent a car and drive yourself there as Transfers are very expensive and it is a good location from which to explore everything beautiful Bavaria has to offer! This is possibly the best Resort we have ever stayed in! I cannot sing their praises enough."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 11, 2026

"We are a family with a few children from Asia and have stayed at many family resorts across Europe and Asia. While the scenery and architecture are undeniably excellent, the overall service was extremely disappointing and felt closer to a three‑star experience. **Kids Facilities & Activities** - During our stay, there was **no kids club available for children aged 6 and above**, despite this being clearly communicated to us both during booking and at check‑in. We were introduced to various kids activities that simply did not exist. - The kids club room for ages 6+ was closed. Only after we complained were our children invited to join the 2–5 year‑old club, but the toys and activities were not suitable for older children, and there were **no outings or structured activities** for ages 6+. - As a result, we had to take care of our children throughout the entire stay, which defeated the purpose of choosing a family‑friendly resort. - Staff repeatedly suggested that we use the sports facilities with our children, but there was **no staff supervision or guidance**, meaning parents had to accompany them at all times. This prevented us from enjoying adult activities and facilities as planned. - The kids’ menu never changed, there were **no kids’ cutlery options**, and the buffet had **no kids’ corner**. **Staff & Service Issues** - Staff frequently provided incorrect information, especially regarding the kids club. At check‑in, our children were told there would be daily outings—none existed. There was not even a dedicated staff member for the kids club during our stay. - We informed the hotel in advance that our daughter’s birthday fell on our check‑out day. Staff promised balloons for her, but nothing was prepared—not even a note. This was very disappointing for a young child. - One of our children had a biking accident. While the biking team helped clean the wound, the service afterward was unacceptable. When we contacted reception via WhatsApp at night asking for hospital information, we were only sent a Google link. As we do not speak German, we asked the hotel to call the hospital to check if it was open and how long the wait might be. The manager was unresponsive. When we went to reception in person, the two staff members on duty refused to call the hospital and insisted we wait for the manager. Only after repeated requests did the manager finally make the call. When we later passed reception carrying our injured child to the car, no one checked on us or offered assistance. - A simple request for a toothpick turned into an unnecessarily complicated process. Restaurant staff told us to ask reception; reception told us to ask the restaurant; eventually, a staff member walked us to a cupboard near the restaurant to retrieve one. - At the natural spa pool—advertised as a family‑friendly pool requiring swimwear—a woman was swimming completely naked in front of several children. Staff walked past but did nothing. - When we first entered our room at night, the comforter under the bed linen was dirty. Housekeeping responded quickly but only removed the comforter instead of replacing it, even though we clearly requested a replacement. - Throughout our stay, **no staff member or manager greeted us**, which is highly unusual for a top‑tier resort. At most luxury properties, a manager introduces themselves at check‑in or during meals. **Food & Dining** - All restaurants except the main buffet restaurant (La Salle) were fully booked for 3 out of our 4 nights. Yet we saw empty tables at Tutto Mondo, a family‑friendly restaurant, while being told it was full. We do not understand why it was so difficult to dine at other venues, especially since we stayed on weekdays and were flexible with dining times. - The food quality at La Salle was mediocre despite being the most expensive family‑friendly option (€85 per person). - Because breakfast, free kids’ lunch, and most dinners ended up being at La Salle, our children became very bored with the repetitive experience—especially since the kids’ menu never changed. - No fruit or snacks were provided during routine room cleaning. Only on the first day did we receive a small box of nuts and gummies, which were never replenished. **Final Thoughts** To be fair, there were some positives: Ikigai, the two‑Michelin‑star restaurant, was outstanding; the facilities were clean and well maintained; the architecture and design were beautiful; and most staff were polite and able to communicate in English. However, the overall service quality did not match the price point of the resort, nor did it reflect the “family‑friendly” experience advertised. Unfortunately, this meant we were unable to enjoy our stay as we had hoped."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jun 26, 2026

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