Do you like taking part in competitions on Facebook? I do – and luck was on my side, because by commenting on a post of 1000 Things to do in Austria I won a 3-day stay for two in Leogang in the hotel mama thresl – including access to the sauna and two dinners! 🥳 The process was super easy – I received a message from 1000 Things saying that I had won and that the hotel would be informed. Within a very short time, mama thresl contacted me and sent me the voucher. Then I simply booked a weekend for two people as usual. Here I would like to tell you about my experience at this cool hotel.
Hotel mama thresl – where coolness is at home
You may remember that I have previously stayed at Hotel mama thresl. I visited for coffee and cocktails at the beginning of September during my rainy weekend in Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer . I was thoroughly impressed at the time, and my anticipation for my prize weekend was even greater.
The hotel's location is really good, as the Asitzbahn cable car is right opposite. In winter, it's just a few steps to the ski lift, and in summer, you're right in the middle of the hiking area. That's why we brought our hiking gear with us, but it was completely unnecessary, as it rained again. There are plenty of (free) parking spaces in front of and behind the hotel, and there is also a charging station for electric car drivers.
A staircase and terrace lead to the hotel lobby – reception, chill-out area, bar, souvenir shop and restaurant/café all in one. The hotel's motto, ‘Urban Soul meets the Alps’, couldn't be better expressed. Lots of wood, industrial style and pure coolness, such as the climbing wall that leads from the lobby to the relaxation area on the third floor, come together here. It is never really bright here – lounge feeling does not come with bright lighting.
At the reception desk, everyone is immediately on first-name terms, and it is immediately apparent that all employees seem to be selected for their visual appeal. Dressed in Luis Trenker, the density of beautiful people is exceptionally high. Then you pass the bar and go through a door to the rooms.
The rooms – lots of wood and imagination
Unser Zimmer gehörte zur kleinsten Kategorie des Hotels – Typ Woodenstyle. Upon entering the room, one immediately encounters the rock washbasin. Initial irritation – we actually appreciate the privacy of a bathroom door. The shower is very large with a rain showerhead on the ceiling, but completely open. Therefore, one should know each other very well to share a room.
On the left-hand side is the door to the toilet, above which is a mirror and a chalkboard with a personal welcome message: full marks! A double door then leads to the spacious wall cupboard with a safe.
Overall, the room is not large, but thanks to the clever design, there is enough space for two people. There is a bench (cot) by the window with a table, on which there are two glasses and a bottle of fresh water. The television is hidden in the wooden sliding door to the terrace under a fold-up board – a great idea! And our doubts about the lack of a bathroom door quickly disappeared, as there are wooden wings at the head of the bed that can be folded out to the side. This gives you a little more privacy in the shower, even if it's not complete.
Every room has a balcony (the suites even have a terrace). There are two chairs, a small table and – how cool – a hanging chair. If it hadn't been a rainy 8°C, this would have been my favourite spot.
Our balcony was at the back of the hotel, so there was no street noise. However, the railway line runs along this side. Thanks to the excellent glazing, trains were only faintly audible, even at night.
The restaurant at Hotel mama thresl
First things first: you can't do anything without booking a table in advance. Our table for dinner was already reserved when we booked the room. There are two seating times: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Since Friday was our arrival day and we didn't want any stress, I opted for the later seating time.
Luckily for us, it was BBQ night! A grill master prepares the meat on the grill smoker outside the door (brisket – amazing, paprika sausages – greasy and not so great). A wide variety of starters and side dishes are available at the buffet in the restaurant itself. There is also delicious flatbread and various sauces served directly at the table. The starters were excellent, especially the wonderful grilled goat's cheese with mango chutney. Accompanied by a bottle of wine from the very good wine list – what more could you want!
Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. And, of course, good-looking, like everyone at mama thresl. 
The place to be: the Island Bar
Located in the middle of the room and prominently displayed, the Island Bar is impossible to miss. And you shouldn't miss it, because the drinks are excellent. My favourite and recommendation: the ‘Liesl’ spritz with mango and dried flowers. Incidentally, the prices are normal, as you would expect from any bar.
Our bartender was handsome, but as the only exception in the entire Hotel Mama Thresl, he wasn't exactly the most entertaining. However, the F&B manager helped out from time to time and was all the nicer for it.
You can also be served on the terrace. If it's too cold, simply switch on the heat lamps at the touch of a button.
My bar highlight: the swings. At the back of the bar, there are four swings instead of the usual bar stools. How cool is that! My companion immediately started thinking about how he could replace the dining room chairs at home with swings (not). Behind them is a long tree trunk bar, a huge communal table and a bench with comfortable cushions. In this area, you can also be entertained by the huge video wall, sponsored by GoPro. I think you can even watch your own GoPro videos there.
Incidentally, light is in short supply. Dim lighting accompanies us throughout the hotel (except in the corridors and stairwells). The music ranges from lounge to electro, with a DJ playing live on Fridays and Saturdays. The atmosphere is good, the drinks are excellent, and the crowd is mostly young (between 25 and 40), with a few exceptions. Everyone is in a good mood and well dressed. You won't fit in here wearing sweatpants and a hoodie.
‘A cheerful good morning!’
Breakfast! I love hotel breakfasts. There's such a wide selection, and I don't have to prepare anything myself. mama thresl has a wonderful breakfast buffet. You can get everything you want. The Island Bar offers muesli, nuts and dried fruit, as well as raw milk from the neighbouring farm. There are many different types of bread and rolls available. Various juices help quench your thirst after an evening of drinking, and you can also squeeze fresh orange juice from a machine. Eggs, bacon and sausages, ham, cold cuts, spreads, butter and a large selection of cheeses, as well as cakes and croissants complete the huge buffet. On Saturday, hotel manager Lisa prepared fresh smoothies, and on Sunday there were white sausages with mustard and pretzels. Come hungry, everyone!
If you like peace and quiet at breakfast, you should drag yourself out of bed early and be in the restaurant by 8:30 at the latest. From 9:30 onwards, all hell breaks loose, and as everything is quite cramped, there is a lack of space. In addition, a few guests had to wait for a table. On Saturday we were late, but on Sunday we were all the earlier. However, the staff weren't really motivated at 8:00 a.m. – clearing away used plates took four times as long as the day before (but there were empty neighbouring tables to use if there was no room at your own table).
The welcome was warm and cheerful. I think the friendly waitress greeted me a total of five times during breakfast on Saturday.
By the way, be sure to read your placemat. It contains information about the origin of the food, useful tips for the hotel and the current weather forecast for the day. Yoga classes are also held free of charge at the hotel on a regular basis – this is also mentioned on the placemat.
Huwi's Alm and the famous Hutessen
Our second dinner took place at Huwi’s Alm , a beautifully restored alpine hut a few kilometres from the Hotel mama thresl. The décor is a little more rustic, but just as casual as at the Hotel mama thresl. Overall, the restaurant is more dignified and quieter than the party hotel. We had pre-ordered the classic dish on the menu: the Hutessen. The hat functions like a hot stone on which meat and vegetables are grilled, while hot soup is poured into the brim, which can be spooned out as a second course. Together with meat, baked potatoes, excellent (homemade) sauces and salad, it was a sumptuous and very good dinner. We also had an aperitif and ordered a bottle of wine. I also couldn't resist the dessert (two kinds of chocolate mousse, heavenly!).
Unfortunately, there is no shuttle service from mama thresl to Huwi's Alm. Since a taxi costs around €20 each way and it is simply too far to walk, there is no alternative to driving.
Any negative aspects of the Hotel mama thresl experience?
Yes, there are some of those too. However, they can be described as ‘high-level complaining’.
It is understandable that the lighting conditions in the bar area are rather dark. However, the lighting in the rooms could be improved. We ladies in particular have a real problem with lighting when applying make-up.
No dogs allowed. Based on my experience with this hotel, I understand why; the beautiful furnishings don't really go well with dogs that are wet and dirty from hiking. But especially in a hiking region, I like to take my dog with me on hikes. They are allowed on the terrace, but after that it's ‘no more here, please’.
When I made my room reservation, the reservations for the restaurant and Huwi's Alm were also clarified with me. However, I was never asked if I was a vegetarian. And that was despite the BBQ evening at mama thresl and the hat dinner at Huwi's Alm. (No, I'm not a vegetarian anyway, but if I were, I would have expected to be asked).
Our bartender was a bit too cool. A little more friendliness would be good here – and it would also help sell more drinks.
Not a criticism on my part, but overheard next to the reception desk from a couple (in their mid-30s): ‘The DJ live music the night before was too loud. We could hear it in our room and couldn't sleep.’
I understand that, but this hotel is really more of a party hotel. The music is loud, and there are plenty of other hotels for those seeking peace and quiet.
And what exactly is a Snörkel?
The Snörkel is mama thresl's ultimate trademark. The curly line can be found everywhere in the hotel, and you can even buy Snörkel stickers to use as tattoos. And if you take photos with it and post them under the hashtags #mamathresl and #thesnörkel, you might win one of two main prizes: a stay at mama thresl or a real Snörkel tattoo 😁 (but I want an unlimited stay for that!).
