Haus Gurgl hotel, Obergurgl, Austria

· 6 minutes' walk to the resort centre · 5 minutes' walk to the Festkoglbahn gondola · Wiesenlift drag lift, nursery slopes and ski kindergarten are directly behind the hotel · ski bus stop outside · 2 minutes' walk to the ski school meeting point

Haus Gurgl takes all the best bits of a traditional Austrian stay – think fantastic food and personal service – and adds a contemporary twist. The location couldn’t be better either. The nursery slopes, ski school meeting point and nearest lift are moments from the boot room door.

Things are bright and modern from the moment you step inside. There’s lots of light-coloured wood and stone throughout, with little touches, like a feature wall with flame effects in the lounge, to add that up-to-date flare. Head upstairs, and the theme continues in the bedrooms – picture white walls, coloured carpets and bold prints on the cushions and curtains.

After a big day on the mountain, the hotel spa is just the ticket. Warm up in the Finnish and herbal saunas, or splash out on a massage for some extra after ski indulgence. Once you’re feeling refreshed, pop down to the bar and sip an aperitif before heading in for dinner. As for the food, the chefs set the bar high with varied dishes that mix regional flavours and international cuisines, with everything from tender stews to pan-seared scallops seasoned with local herbs on the menu.

· limited free WiFi · dining room · bar and lounge · 300m² Verwall Glacier Spa with Finnish sauna, herbal sauna, steam bath, infrared cabin, Kniepp showers and relaxation room · extra charge for massages and beauty treatments · ski room with heated boot rack · sports and ski hire shop · 23 rooms · lift to 4th floor

All rooms have a flatscreen cable TV, hairdryer and safe.

Twin room (original wing - 25m²)- sleeps 2: Austrian twin beds, private shower, WC and balcony.

Twin room (original wing - 28m²)- sleeps 2-3: north-facing room with Austrian twin beds, single sofa bed, private shower and WC.

Family room (original wing - 30m²)- sleeps 2-4 (max 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children up to 11 years): north-facing room with Austrian twin beds, double sofa bed, private shower, WC and balcony.

Superior twin room (new wing - 42m²)- sleeps 2-4 (max 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children up to 11 years ): Austrian twin beds, single bed, single roll-out bed (suitable for a child only) private shower, bath, WC, and balcony.

Type D apartment (55m²) - sleeps 1-5 (max 4 adults or 4 adults and 1 child up to 11 years): 2 pairs of Austrian twin beds, single sofa bed, private shower, bath, WC and balcony.

Type E apartment (65m²) - sleeps 1-6 (max 5 adults or 5 adults and 1 child up to 11 years): 2 pairs of Austrian twin beds, double sofa bed, private shower, bath, WC and balcony.

Austrian twin beds
Austrian twin beds are very common in Central Europe. They’re simply one large bed frame containing two single mattresses, both with separate duvets and linen sets, that cannot be separated. Separate twin beds are less common and can often be head to head beds, rather than side by side, if they are available.

Half Board

· hot and cold buffet breakfast · afternoon cake · 4-course evening meal with a choice of main course, and daily salad buffet · Christmas Day and New Year's Eve gala dinners included

Many Austrian hotels do not serve free tap water with meals.