Bon Alpina

We stayed at this hotel for 4 nights and had a lovely time. The room (room 306) was big, lots of wardrobe/storage space and had a balcony which I wasn’t expecting, it was lovely to be able to sit outside. We were all inclusive, at breakfast you are asked to let them know if you are coming back for lunch or would like a picnic. We got a picnic 1 day and it was lovely, 2 sandwiches, some fruit, water and a chocolate bar. You also pick your evening meal at breakfast time, it’s a varied menu with meat, fish and veggie choices. There is a choice of soup and salad that you help yourself to. I had read some reviews about finding your table. When you go to the restaurant for the first time they give you a table and that is the one you use for the rest of your stay. There isn’t a sign saying that though so I can understand the confusion if you walk in and just sit at a table without realising. We found the staff lovely and friendly. The area is gorgeous, it was our first time to Austria, and the Welcome card with the free public transport was great, and the bus outside the hotel so regular, even runs through the night. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, with loungers, and a sauna area (sauna, steam room and thermal room). There is a gym, it has 3 cardio machines and no weights. So….the bells…. The hotel is next to a beautiful church, the bells on that church are possibly the loudest bells I’ve ever heard. Our room was perhaps the closest room to the church and it was quite unbelievable! The bells start at 7am and randomly seem to go off all day and ding at different times with no real pattern. If you like to sleep in in a morning, this may not be the hotel for you. It’s hard to criticise as it’s a beautiful church that was probably there for hundreds of years before the hotel was, but seriously, prepare yourself!!! We also happened to be there for the Sacred Heart Procession (I think this is an annual thing), this was extra special as it started at 6am and went on until nearly 11. Not only did the bells ring from 6am, but they also had guns as well for extra noise! I am being glib here as the procession was really beautiful with a brass band and singing but the volume at times was unbelievable. Even saying that I would stay here again, I would just make sure I brought earplugs.

Preliminary: We were at a (similar) hotel in Pitztal last year (even in terms of the name ;-)). And we have inevitably drawn comparisons now… Let's start with the food. We had all-inclusive. This means breakfast from 7 to 10 AM, cake from 4 to 5 PM, and dinner from 6 to 8:30 PM. At breakfast (the same standard breakfast every day), one decides whether to choose a lunch from a small but sufficient lunch menu between 12 and 1 PM or if one wants a lunch package. This includes one cheese and one ham or salami roll (white water roll) per adult, a muesli or chocolate bar, 0.5 liters of mineral water, and some fruit (in our case, always oranges or mandarins). Very practical when hiking *irony*). For kids, the same applies, but instead of two water rolls, there is one, but with double the toppings (meat and cheese on one). For dinner, we had an "Italian buffet" on one of the seven evenings. Italian was only in the name... Otherwise, in the morning, one chooses between three main dishes and one children's dish. It was noticeable here that the portions varied significantly in size. And there are ALWAYS potatoes in some form as side dishes. The salad and soup buffet was also the same for lunch and dinner over the seven evenings, with only a few deviations; additionally, on the first days, the green salad was inedible, simply black and "slimy." All drinks must be obtained at a single bar, behind which there is only one employee at a time. Who simultaneously clears tables and somehow manages a mysteriously integrated but almost invisible economy within the hotel. Cola is, contrary to the "advertising," not included, only Coke Zero or Zero Zero, depending on the bartender's preference. At meals, one sometimes receives juice and water from a self-service dispenser. But one must be lucky. Latte macchiato, espresso, etc. are only included at breakfast; otherwise, there is (inedible) filter coffee. One has assigned tables, but on the third evening, we were simply moved without warning from the airy large hall to the cramped, noisy small hall in favor of a travel group. With no chance of return. So, during meals, everyone who is lying by the pool and wants to get drinks or is setting out for a hike / returning or whatever passes by you... Where travel groups are also a topic in this hotel: They arrive at noon when you are just returning from hiking and longing for relaxation, coming by bus and blocking everything from the parking lot to the entrances. And in the morning, when one wants to set off, the same goes in the other direction. Not to mention the breakfast buffet... Service: Every, truly EVERY, day there are shards during meals (not from guests...). The staff also openly discusses other staff members. And the one who acts as if he is the best has the least to offer... Nicolas & Jenny, you are unobtrusively excellent! The children's playroom is, sorry, a joke. The entire hotel grounds are open and accessible via public paths/roads. The outdoor pool is great, however, the indoor pool is very small and completely loud. The wellness area is excellent, with a hot sauna, steam bath, and infrared cabin. The rooms have carpet, but at least they are sufficiently large. All in all, we would probably return due to the location. Public transport is available both to the city and for hiking right at the doorstep. We were also satisfied, although the variety was limited. However, we would clearly prefer the Pitztal. And the local tax here is €56 for two adults / 1 child for a week, which is quite steep. Especially considering that a few weeks ago concerts and events were announced at the tourist information for the Whitsun holidays. Which ultimately will only take place starting July 1st...

The Bon Alpina Hotel in Innsbruck is a bit of a contradiction. The physical hotel is very large, modern and aesthetically pleasing. It has a very large restaurant, again very aesthetically pleasing, but with too many table settings making access difficult at high volume breakfast time. The bar and lounge areas are very comfortable and inviting. The individual bedrooms and bathrooms are modern, clean, comfortable and reasonably spacious. The only mistake the architects made with the physical hotel design was the minuscule lifts, which only have capacity for one couple and their luggage. Such a large hotel on the outskirts of the city were guaranteed to attract coach loads of tourists, so you can image the problems that arise when 40-50 people with luggage are all trying to access two small lifts at the same point in time. So the physical hotel building and its facilities would rate 4+ stars.