Because we were so positively surprised in March 2009 (see previous review), we opted again for the Alpenrose for a Winter break although the offer was significantly higher than the year before. Unfortunately, this was a very poor decision from our side, not only because every family member ended up in bed for a couple of days during our 2-week stay (gastro-intestinal diseases), but also because of the poor service received.
Examples:
- Meal service to the room is not offered in high season so that the sick can spread the flu even easier in the restaurant.
- Asking for a special type of baby glass (not even a freshly cooked meal) was more than once ignored or we were told that this type is not available (while strangely the child at the neighbor table was getting it).
- Same experience with some of the lower priced wine
- On checkout, our vouchers (sent by the hotel for our birthdays) were no longer valid (after some lengthy discussion partially conceded)
- After a week, we changed the linen of the children bed our self. Needless to say that bathrobes were also not exchanged after a week use.

The Alpenrose seems unfortunately to have been optimized for a maximum return for the owners and industrialized to a maximum at the detriment of the hospitality and cleanliness (as a parting gift our child got chicken pox appearing a couple of days after returning home). As we had the same experience in other of the leading family hotels, we came to the conclusion that the leading mainly related to the pricing and that we will avoid going to these hotels in the future.

We had intended to visit this 'Kinder hotel' for Christmas, had paid our deposit and thought we had specified (in several emails) our dates. But then a letter came through giving different dates. When i called to rectify the mistake I was met with such a barrage intractible rudeness about how the mistake was ALL mine ('WHATEVER' the circumstances) and it could not and WOULD NOT be corrected. When i asked to speak with the boss, Mr Mayer, she ('Bettina') refused to put me through. When i asked what her basis was she claimed she had been working at the hotel for 15 years (as though that made her unimpeachable). She added that my emails (with date alterations) never got through but i had received no 'failure' notices!! I was not allowed to speak with her boss but the arrogance, hardness and unwillingness of this woman to help us (in something so basic) made me decide this was the last place i wanted to take my family for Christmas.

I've already posted my review for Alpenrose for last year's visit (EnterpriseTravel), but wanted to give a brief new review for our 2010 (repeat) visit. We enjoyed the same qualities and amenities that caused us to recommend it last year, so this will add just a bit more. This year we doubled our scheduled stay to 4 nights from last year's 2 night trip. Although our short visit was less than the week or 2 that I found many European families make for Alpenrose, we did encounter more European families that were making visits that were shorter than 1 or 2 weeks. I chalked that up to the fact that our visit was later in the summer this year.

Among the things I noted this year, I found that there were many actitivities in the area around the hotel that we failed to notice or use. On site there are lots of spa amenties for parents. Off site we discovered that outdoor activities of all types are easily accessible. Hiking is popular. Paragliders hover overhead. Toboggan runs and cycling are also popular activities even during the non-winter times. I'm sure this place is even better during the winter.

Last year we had the impression that the inclusive meals were good and plentiful, but this year we got to appreciate that there were many fine dining options in the menu (as well as extensive wine options), which we hadn't really picked up on last year. Meals offer an abundance of riches for foodies, as well as lots of fare that geared towards kids' less sophisticated palates. You won't find a full menu, but each night for dinner you will have the option of several very nice (sometimes special) entrees and courses. The family atmosphere keeps the place from seeming stuffy, but we definitely noticed many more "gastronom" guests enjoying themselves this time around.

My ranking are all 4 and 5 for this hotel. A few items were 4s rather than 5 because I felt I should balance the 5s from last review. Not a change or drop in the level or quality of service or amenities from Alpenrose, just trying to give the most accurate ranking possible with the scale provided. Another hearty recommendation from our family.

This is an excellent example of the great KinderHotels that exist in Austria, as other reviewers say, it does come at a price though! The kids facilities are very good, the spa and pool area lovely, the food in the restaurant very good and wine list extensive! It is a big hotel but manages to hide it well, not really ever feeling over crowded despite being at capacity. The rooms are spread out all over the hotel so do check if a particular location ie nearer the restaurant matters to you. We had one of the newer modern suites which was done beautifully and very comfortable but meant we had to walk through the hotel bar in our dressing gowns to get to the pool!! We had some very good treatments in the relaxing spa while the children had a great time in the kids club. Everyone happy!