Where We Stayed: Oberndorf in Tirol, Austria

The Gartenhotel Rosenhof is a family-run hotel just outside of the village of Oberndof in Tirol, Austria. Kitzbuhel is a couple of miles (4 km) away. Based on the license plates in the parking lot, the Rosenhof serves a primarily German clientele. We were the only Americans there during our stay, but the hotel staff speaks English, so we had no trouble communicating.

We really enjoyed our time here. We stayed in one of the comfortable "loggia" rooms, which was spacious by European standards and about average size by US standards. It had a separate seating area and an beautiful view of the mountains.

The Gartenhotel Rosenhof is a fantastic place for families. The playground, pool, and bikes available for borrowing provide opportunities for outdoor fun.

Inside, there is a playroom full of toys where my daughter enjoyed herself thoroughly. Spending time there helped keep her from getting bored with the few toys we had brought along on the trip.

There is also a game hall with a piano, foosball, and pool table, and there are board games and cards in the lobby. In all, kids will have something to do regardless of their age or the weather.

The hotel staff do a great job of helping families through their events, recommendations, and overall attentiveness. Guests can opt in to their Monday night barbecues (about 15 Euro per adult, kids pay less), which we were a little sad to miss (we arrived on a Tuesday). Later on in the week, Alexia hosted a bonfire and sausage roast for the school-aged set. Anna and Alexia really know the area and have good suggestions for sightseeing and restaurants. They were super-hospitable throughout our stay. The evening we arrived, Alexia helped organize a restaurant delivery for us and some of the other guests so we wouldn't have to leave the hotel for dinner. When my daughter fell down (nothing serious, she just scared herself), Anna heard it: she came out to see if everything was OK and then came back with a balloon. Gestures like these definitely made us feel welcome and want to return someday.

For families with a car, the Gartenhotel Rosenhof's location is great: you're removed enough to feel like you're getting away from it all, but are within easy driving distance of lots of sights. The location might be a downside for families traveling without a car, though. The nearest train station is a couple of miles away in Kitzbuhel. Although the hotel can arrange pickups, options for getting around may be limited. It's probably about a 15-minute walk from the hotel to the restaurants and supermarket in Oberndorf. Getting to sights may require some coordination and planning. That said, avid hikers may not miss a car because they would be quite content with the nearby trails.

Air conditioning: no, but the weather while we were there in late July was such that we didn't really need it. Our room had 3 windows that opened. When our room was stuffy, it was because 2 of them had closed on their own (the other was a transom that stayed open). Maybe it was just the direction of the winds during our stay, but it would have been nice if there was something in the window mechanism to help it stay open.
Bathroom: shower with detachable head and handle, no tub. Some of the other room types have tubs.
Blow dryer: yes
Breakfast: included with the room. It was a good spread, with bacon, eggs, fruit, breads and jams, yogurt, and granola/muesli. There were also items that aren't associated with breakfast in the US, like cold cuts, cucumbers, and tomatoes. We especially liked the homemade jams! There is a high chair available in the dining room.
Crib: yes, pack'n'play type
Elevator: yes
Internet: free wifi in the lobby from 9 AM to noon and 6 PM to 9 PM. In-room, 24-hour access available for 15 euro/week.
Nearest playground: on the premises

Recommend to friends with young kids: definitely
Recommend to childless friends: yes--they may not use the playroom or playground, but they will appreciate everything else
Website (in English): http://www.rosenhof-tirol.at/index.php/welcome-summer.html