Unique traditional house on the Arlberg: Post Lech

700394

[Translate to en:] Post Lech

700394

[Translate to en:] Post Lech

700394

[Translate to en:] Post Lech

700394

[Translate to en:] Post Lech

700394

[Translate to en:] Post Lech

700394

[Translate to en:] Post Lech

700394

[Translate to en:] Post Lech

700394

[Translate to en:] Post Lech

Mountain-style design hotels are great: simple, straightforward, contemporary. I like these cool new buildings that are sprouting up from barren alpine pastures all over the Alps. It's just a shame that in view of the global boom in Alpine style, you sometimes forget which mountains you're actually in on a ski vacation. That's how interchangeable many mountain hotels seem in the modern alpine lifestyle. The Post in Lech is completely different.

The traditional hotel on the Arlberg is unique - because of its historic parlors and rooms, its history closely linked to the Dutch royal family, its charming hotelier family and its consistency. The world around Lech may change. Sometimes rapidly and not always for the better. At the Post, much remains as it has always been in this hotel under the almost 2173 meter high Kriegerhorn, which of course is not named after me - even though I like to say that it is.

The Post has been owned by the Moosbrugger family for more than 80 years. And some things still look almost as they did in the early years. The historic rooms in the front building of the Post have an almost museum-like character due to their low ceilings and antique furniture. However, many guests love these old rooms because they can't be found anywhere else.

And it's not just older generations who don't want to let go. Younger guests also explicitly ask for the historic rooms and suites, which have nothing to do with their often minimalist interiors at home. Some may even secretly shake their heads at the huge number of statues of saints, alpine landscapes and antlers in the corridors. But somehow even the youngsters find this conscious adherence to old traditions cool. Especially as it is authentic. Host Florian Moosbrugger loves the mountains around Lech and is a passionate hunter.

In a world where so much has become interchangeable and uniform, a hotel like the Post in Lech is wonderfully unique. The five-star hotel on the Arlberg is very conscious of tradition and has not stood still. The Moosbruggers have modernized the house very carefully. In 2010, a wing with new suites and an impressive spa was added behind the hotel. The large outdoor pool is a dream, especially in winter. Thanks to large windows, the spa's relaxation rooms merge with the mountain world. The children have their own pool one floor below, so that they can romp around carefree and the adults can enjoy some peace and quiet.

After a long day of skiing on the Arlberg, which offers endless kilometers of pistes as well as a huge selection of secured freeride options, there is nothing better than a dip in the warm pool. Especially when the snow piles up on the meadow around the stainless steel pool sunk into the ground, which fortunately still happens frequently on the Arlberg. The only thing you could perhaps wish for is a really hot outdoor whirlpool for relaxing under the starry sky.

In contrast, Michael Rieser's cuisine at the Post, which has been a member of the Relais & Châteaux association for more than 40 years and is known to place great value on culinary delights, makes you perfectly happy. Food is served in the rustic Kutscherstube next to the bar, in the fine Jägerstube, in the Emo fondue parlor and, most recently, in the Postblick panorama restaurant. In the latter, a floor-to-ceiling window front now provides a wonderful view of the ski slopes of Lech. Despite its modern façade, the panorama restaurant, which was opened to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Post, blends in perfectly with the historic image of the inn with its traditional murals.

Chef Rieser's menu also reflects the successful mix of traditional and modern in the panorama restaurant. And the wine list really has nothing to hide either. You should definitely try the wines from Schloss Gobelsburg. Not because they are made by Moosbrugger's brother, Michael, but because they are among the best in Austria.

The Post is also one of the best in the Alps. At the Post, you feel cared for, welcome and simply at home - almost like royalty. It's no wonder that the Dutch royal family has regularly stayed at the Post for their winter vacations since the 1960s.



Text:
Bernhard Krieger