Elite Traveler HRS 2025

The 46-ft indoor pool

favorites (including Weissburgunders produced by Georg Prieler on the slopes of the Neusiedlersee and Clemens Strobl, a second-generation family-owned vineyard recognised for its organic wines in the Wagram region). In-house sommelier Patrick Hupf can lead you through a wine tasting. EXPLORE The chalet can arrange heli-skiing, but also set up a ski session with former Olympic and World Champions to really test your mettle. Ski touring, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also available. And when you return, the chalet’s well equipped ski room has plenty of lockers (one will have your name on it); inside, there’s space for all your gear and a heated boot warmer. If you fancy exploring on four wheels instead, there’s a dedicated chau ff eur and a fl eet of cars in the underground garage (which, if you want, can be transformed into a nightclub with DJ decks and Sonos surround systems). By Samantha Coles Chalet 1 from $21,050 per night, Chalet 2 from $8,530 per night, both chalets from $29,580 per

46-ft indoor heated pool, gym, Finnish sauna, bio sauna, infrared cabin, steam bath, two treatment rooms (one for couples) and a Himalayan salt room with two squishy waterbeds. Grab a book (there are absolutely loads within each chalet; the owner of the chalets hired a book curator to assemble the ultimate library) and spend an afternoon relaxing. DINE There are a number of fun places for après in the mountains, and the team at the chalets can sort reservations at the most sought-after spots. But dining at the chalets is an a ff air in itself. You can plan what you’d like to dine on before arrival, but opt for a night sampling Austrian cuisine from käsespätzle (ahearty cheesy pasta) and the beloved wiener schnitzel. Or go for fondue — crispy potatoes, succulent chunks of steak and juicy prawns dipped in melted cheese is heavenly — as well as multi-course fi ne dining. A more casual ‘ fl ying dinner’ can also be arranged — settle in on one of the plush sofas next to the open fi replace, or take a seat at the bar as you’re served mini burgers and sip a few Negronis. There’s also a walk-in wine cellar stocked with international wines (Sassicaia vintages and 2005 Château Haut-Brion) and Austrian

THE ARULA CHALETS LECH, AUSTRIA Arula Chalet 1 sits right on Lech’s Schlosskopf slope (so you can ski in/ski out) and has marvelous views of the Arlberg mountain scenery. The chalet is an exceptional four-level, nine-bedroom abode with outstanding amenities that easily outdo some of the swankiest fi ve-star hotels. And, if nine bedrooms aren’t quite enough, there’s also a second adjoining chalet, Arula Chalet 2, that has four bedrooms, a spa with a 46-ft indoor pool, Finnish sauna and steam bath, gym, cinema room, dining and living area and an alfresco hot tub. The two chalets can be combined by pressing a hidden button on a bookshelf that reveals a secret door — very Bond-esque — and there’s a shared ice rink, too. STAY There will be no fi ghting over rooms in Chalet 1, as each of the nine bedrooms is as unique and thoughtfully designed as the last. Think: bunk beds for the young ’uns, elegant suites for the grown-ups and a family suite for all of the above. Although, if you are goingto fi ght over a room, it might be the gargantuan master suite. Larger than many hotel suites, it has sublime views of the mountains from the fl oor-to ceiling windows, as well as a hidden TV at the foot of the bed that springs up at the push of a button, and a huge bathroom that comes with full-size Augustinus Bader products (all the bathrooms have products from the award-winning skincare brand, so no fi ghting there, either). RELAX Obviously, you’re here to ski. But the spa is so exceptional you might fi nd yourself carving out more time to spend here than carving up powder. There’s a

night. Contact info@thearulachalets.com, +43 664 467 4616, thearulachalets.com

Heli-skiing

The Arula Chalets

Photos Lech Zürs Tourismus, Tiberio-Sorvillo