NOTE: This Blog is a compact version of my original article published in Hilton Grand Vacation Gateway Guide. Visit the full article here for details including other HGV articles and resources.
Introduction & Planning The Trip
In the summer of 2024 my wife and I were planning a summer vacation to Europe with 2 of our kids – Zak, a high school teenager, and Simone, who just turned 21. We knew hotels can get pretty expensive for a party of 4 traveling across Europe for a week or longer trip. Flying in from Atlanta, USA, we wanted to enjoy a scenic vacation away from the buzzing cities filled with summer tourists. So we naturally turned to our HGV website, exploring through the map for suitable resort accommodation.
Hilton’s Alpine Club resort (AlpineWeg) is located in the scenic town of Schladming, Austria. We noticed it was almost centrally located in the region of Upper Austria within a few hours of driving distance from Munich, Graz, Salzburg and even Vienna. It is also near the Austrian Alps which suited our plan for some mountain exploration. So booking the resort just seemed like a natural choice!
Arriving at Schladming with some Sightseeing on the Way
The drive from Frankfurt to Schladming through scenic Bavaria was charming and relaxing. You can also opt for a shorter drive by arriving into Munich via train or plane and renting a car there. While it’s also possible to just use trains to travel to our resort from any major cities via Salzburg, we found the flexibility of driving and exploring nearby towns quite useful with a rental car, which becomes even more cost effective when considering our travel party of 4.
On our way to Schladming we were able to make short stops at Neuschwanstein castle in Germany and Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg in Austria.
The Alpine Club Resort and surroundings
The resort was very welcoming and sits on a hill above the picturesque town. The 2-bedroom family suite also offered plenty of room for the four of us and the location seemed pretty close to the world famous lakeside village of Hallstatt. The master bedroom balcony gives a wide view of the Dachstein mountain which surrounds the Lake Region of Upper Austria.
There is a small restaurant on the facility but we found a lot of good eateries just a couple of miles away in the town. With ample space in the kitchen and dining area my wife also preferred to do some grocery shopping at the nearby Hoffer (known as ALDI in the U.S.) and make us some hearty breakfast and dinners on some days!
Visiting Dachstein Mountain Region
Exploring the nearby attractions around Schladming was easy with a car. The Dachstein mountain itself is a big attraction with cable car services directly taking visitors at a height above 8000 feet to exciting trails, caves and mountain exhibits. The key towns that surround the mountain include Bad Ischl, Bad Aussie and Schladming. These towns connect to the villages and Lake Hallstatter at the foothill of the mountain via roads and train connection. You can travel between the villages via the local train, by road around the lake or taking the hourly ferry boats popular with tourists. Some key villages here include Hallstatt, Obertraun and Grundslee. The scenic viewing spots near Obertraun with a view of Hallstatt across the lake are popular with tourists.
Visiting Hallstatt
Hallstatt, tucked in Upper Austria’s stunning Salzkammergut region, is a picture-perfect lakeside village that achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997. Its enchanting beauty often draws comparisons to something out of a fairy tale and is popularly known as the “most Instagrammable” village in Europe.
Our drive from Hilton Alpine Club to a nearby parking lot took about 1.5 hours. The village lies between the southwestern shore of Lake Hallstatter and the steep slopes of the Dachstein massif. It is connected to nearby villages like Grundslee and Obertraun via boat and ferry service.
Two major attractions of Hallstatt are the historic salt mine and Skywalk platform, both accessible via the funicular rail. Once visitors reach the upper level cable car station, they can access the path to the salt mine tour or take the lift to the sky walk and scenic view point. A bridge from the elevator connects to a restaurant and the SkyView walking path to the platform overlooking the scenic lake. Down in the village, a scenic lakeside trail leads visitors to the village shops, restaurants and water activities.
Tips for visiting Hallstatt: The small village isn’t designed for massive numbers of visitors, especially during peak season of summer and weekends when the total population swells from 800 to 15000! Consider visiting in the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) or arriving early in the day to beat the rush.
Be prepared for limited parking options. The main parking lot can fill up quickly. Research public transport alternatives (train + ferry) for a potentially smoother experience. You can also park across the lake near OberTraun and take the boat or a lazy stroll of a mile via well marked trails to reach the village. Many restaurants and shops may not accept credit/debit cards. Carry sufficient cash (Euros) to avoid any issues.
Other Attractions near Schladming and Upper Austria
Graz, about 2-hours drive from Schladming resort, is the second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. Known as a college and university city, its historic centre (Altstadt) is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe and is a UNESCO Heritage site. Some of the notable attractions in Graz include – the Eggenberg Palace, The historic Uhrturm clock tower, Schlossberg palace and garden, the largest armory in Europe from the Hapsburg Empire and the famous Kuntzhaus Graz art museum.
Spielberg is home to the famous Red Bull Ring Formula 1 Race Track. The location is just 20 mins drive from Graz. The museum of world champion cars, drivers’ Hall of Fame and the Formula 1 Track itself are a must see on your visit. THey also have a nice restaurant right above the track where you can dine and enjoy a race!
Salzburg is a city in Western Austria near the German border and famous for Salt Mines and being the birthplace of great composers like Mozart and Hayden. The city is little over an hour drive north of the Alpine cub resort. Notable attractions in Salzburg include the Mirabell palace and garden, Mozartplatz, a square in the historic centre (Altstadt) of Salzburg with a statue in memory of Mozart, HohensalzburgFortress, a large medieval fortress and Mozart’s residence which is now also a museum.
Final Thoughts
We found the Hilton Alpine Club resort at Schladming to be a perfect base for exploring the Austrian Alps and even venture into Germany and Italy for short day trips. The scenic view, serene atmosphere and family friendly vibe make this location in Schladming an ideal choice for a summer vacation with family.