Where
Thanks to the unique topography of the surrounding Bavarian landscape, Schloss Elmau is held in a geographical hug between two mountain ranges on the Austria/German border, effectively blocking out the outside world. Indeed no other building, car nor any other distraction can be seen across the Elmau valley, making it feel even more like the ultimate in real-life escapism.
What
Originally built by philosopher Dr. Johannes Müller in 1914 as a family ‘Schloss’ (a Bavarian manor constructed specifically as a country retreat), ‘The Hideaway' was destroyed by a major fire in 2005 before being painstakingly rebuilt by his grandson, Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, in 2007. The complex was further expanded with the addition of ‘The Retreat’ in 2015, where the G7 summit has been held twice. Styled as a ‘sanctuary for the soul’, the hotel has won a cabinet of awards, and been named amongst the ‘100 Hotels of a Lifetime’ (National Geographic) and ‘The World’s Best Spas 2025’ (Condé Nast Spa Guide). Indeed, checking in you don’t just hand over your car keys, but rather prepare to surrender your whole self to be soothed, enlivened, nurtured and restored through a comprehensive roster of cultural, wellbeing and culinary offerings.
The Welcome
Rounding the corner of the winding forest-lined drive, the copper roofed Schloss comes into view as a welcoming beacon with a jaw-dropping mountain range backdrop and rolling Alpine meadows to the fore. Stepping through the front door, the team immediately helps to settle guests into ‘Elmau mode’ – a which is to say, they induct you into a world where your only concerns for the duration of your stay are picking your preference from the pillow menu and deciding which of the extensive daily activities you want to take part in. Will it be wild swimming or Qigong? Cross-country skiing or a wildlife walk?
The Rooms
After three visits, I have cultivated a soft spot for the homely, historic feel of The Hideaway rooms. A mix of organic woods and stones with warm Asian touches, do splash out on a room with a mountain view – there you can curl up in one of Schloss’ famous elephant motif chaise-longues where, I guarantee, your brain will immediately feel 110% emptier.
The Vibe
In a nutshell: ‘high-brow, luxury wellness’. Traditional, fad-free, outdoorsy soul-nourishing escapism.
Food & Drink
You could stay for a week at Schloss and never dine in the same restaurant twice. Choose from the two-starred sushi restaurant, Ikigai, or the relaxed family-friendly Tutto Mondo or, indeed, the Pan Asian offering at Fidelio. Imbibe a cocktail as you soak in live jazz in the lounge, or detox in the Badehaus’ Ananda spa cafe. The key is to find a balance between all that Schloss has to offer to nourish mind and body.
Don’t Miss
The mind-boggling array of wellness opportunities, which includes three luxury spas, four outdoor infinity pools, an Oriental Hamam and a Japanese Onsen for the adults, as well as three separate spacious family spas for the kids. In summer, the nature spa meadow comes into its own, with its mountain stream. sauna cabin, sports pitches and outdoor pool.
There can’t be many hotels that come complete with a concert hall, but since its inception Schloss Elmau has attracted cultural greats to perform, recite and talk within its walls – all included as a wonderful bonus to your room rate.
The Verdict
Every visit to Schloss Elmau has had such a profound effect on me and my sense of wellbeing that even looking at photos on my phone months later it can trigger the same deep sense of peace. The benefits of a three-night stay can, then, be relived all year.
Book a stay here.
Lydia was a paying guest at Schloss Elmau in March 2025.
