Schladming, a former mining town in the northwest of the Austrian state of Styria was the winner to the question: Where to find snow in Summer in Europe? My wife being from South-East Asia (Myanmar) and never seeing snow in her live wanted desperately to see snow. And I was looking desperately on the internet, searching many forums and location to find snow in Europe during the summer month. It was not a easy task because snow in Europe can be found in summer only on some glaciers and some of those glaciers are being closed during the summer months to protect them. Close to Schladming and close to Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts there is Dachstein Glacier can be found it was the easiest and affordable solution for us.
Find an accomodation in the area was the next difficult task. From the Google Maps it was a bit difficult to see where to book the hotel in order to have access easily to the Dachstein Glacier and to be in the same time close to the town. First option it was Ramsau am Dachstein but I could not properly locate the guesthouses if there were close the bus station or train station; because we were coming by train from Vienna and then heading by bus with flixbus to Salzburg.
In the end we decided to stay in Schladming and the location choose was Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts, a 4* hotel in Schladming. To be honest I was looking for a typical Austrian guest house or pension with flowers on the balcony but the prices and location were not as I was looking for.
And then I found the summer offer of the Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts – only 35$ night for a Studio Apartment; it was too good to be true! There website was not updated properly and after a talk with them on Facebook Chat they changed it accordingly. Usually I go with booking for my hotel bookings but still on booking the Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts was over 80$/night; price was the same with the one on the hotel a few days later I made the booking with was non-refundable.
Location of @ Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts
The resort is located about 2km away from the Schladming Train Station. It takes 30 min walking to get there by foot. Normally it would take 10 to 15 minutes but there is a catch – call level difference.
This resort is in a great location for hill walking in the area, and there’s a bus stop right outside.
As you can see the level difference is about 100m and plus. While going from the hotel to the train station it’s much easier because you are going downhill the other way is more complicated wif you have baggages as we had one 2 big trollers. At the beginning we wanted to go by foot but after the first 20 meters uphill we decided to find a solution to go to our hotel. Close it us was the Touristic information Center and asked them how to get to our hotel. The only way was to go by bus or by taxi. A taxi fare only for 2km would have cost us around 15 Euro and we decided to take the bus only for 2 stations. The bus number which goes to Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts is 900 and can be taken as well from the train station (I wish I could have known these before) and the fare is 1 Euro per person (with the SommerCard is free but later the details about the card)
Check-in @ Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts
Before booking a hotel I do a comprehensive research; from the room, location and facilities around it to make my stay at the resort more easy. I read on tripadvisor the reviews about the hotel in Schladming. First there were some negative new reviews about the Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts saying it was a bit noise in the past weeks and prior to my arrival (mid June 2018) because of the renovation of some rooms; since the renovation was to happen between 10am and 4pm (previously informed about it) and I would be for sure out in discovering the area it was not a big issue.
*Please be advised that the refurbishment of a privately owned apartment in House II, where the resort restaurant is located, will take place from 7 April to 15 July this year. As a consequence, construction noise will be heard during working hours from 07:00-12:00 and 13:00-18:00. Water may also need to be turned off for short periods during this time. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Please be advised that a programme of refurbishment in House I and on the 4th and 5th floors of the main building will take place from early April to late June 2018. A great deal of noise and dust will be present for the first two weeks which will lessen to a degree as it the project nears completion. Work will take place from 7:00-12:00 and 13:00-18:00. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
The second negative type of reviews was about the check in out. Most of the hotels do have the check in around noon time (11 to 1pm) and some are flexible in terms of check in; if you arrive a bit early if the room is ready. Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts has a very strange check in out – 4pm! And check out is around 10am. That means more than 6 hours in total for the room to be clean; many in peak season during the skiing season the tourist number is at the highest and they don’t have the manpower to finish in time. But on low season during the summer days I was expecting more flexibility.
I arrive around 13.30pm by train from Vienna and after completing the forms and paid for the room and internet I was waiting for the keys to be handled. But I was informed that the check in time is 4pm and when room would be ready I can check in. After 10 minutes of walking around the hotel and no sign of the receptions to handle the key decided to go outside and explore the city. Went back around 4pm and room was ready. Even if the hotel was quite empty (only few tourists) and the room was probably ready (since they knew my arrival time) I was expecting more flexibility. The second reason why I decided to book directly with the hotel beside the price was the opportunity to ask some personalize question as request for a mountain view room; even if requested in the message, a side room was offered and no mentioned about my request.
Rooms @ Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts
All units come with a kitchenette, a dining area and a living area. Further on-site amenities include an on site restaurant, a tennis court, a children’s playground and a games room. Located in a quintessential Austrian village, Alpine Club was built in traditional Alpine-style and features pine-furnished accommodations. Ideal for winter or summer fun, the resort is surrounded by natural beauty. Hike the twisting trails up to the Skywalk Dachstein or challenge yourself on one of the nearby ski slopes. Head to nearby Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, and immerse yourself in Austria’s rich culture. Accommodations are comfortable and spacious.
I book the Two bedroom apartment room for 2 person; Two bedroom apartments feature a kitchenette and a living room including sofa bed, TV and a DVD player. My apartment had a balcony and the total size of the apartment was 55 m². For 2 person it was a huge place.
The reason why I decided to book an apartment instead of the hotel or a pension in Schladming was the fully complete kitchen in order for us to cook rather than having the lunch or dinner outside.
Booking directly on the official website made us received a small bottle of wine free of charge.
The living room which was connected with the kitchen via an open space had a sofa as well where you can spend the evening watching the TV. The chair in the living room area did show some wear on the arms but otherwise was in good condition. A flat screen TV was in both the master bedroom and the living room. There were many channels available and several were English language
I did not use the TV in the living room since I did not spend too much time in there.
The bedroom was smaller than the living room (should have been the other way); the bed was comfortable with the pillows a bit soft.
Lighting was generally good in the bathroom and other rooms. There was an abundance of storage space for clothing and other items.
The Bathroom
The bath towels, hand towels, and, yes, even wash cloths were of good quality. The shower, handicap accessible, was a walk in type, separate from the bathtub.
The Kitchen
The kitchen was rather small, featured microwave, stove top, small refrigerator, and adequate dishes and cooking utensils. There was no regular oven. There was a kettler as well plus a coffee machine. 2 types of coffee had been provided – normal and decaf and tea as well. Even if we stayed for 3 days, the coffee was not refilled or cleaning was made in the room which is a bit strange for a 4* hotel in Schladming.
There was no garbage been or even garbage bags in the apartment; we had to ask the receptionist to bring us some.
The SummerCard
The biggest problem with this resort is that they don’t do the Summercard. This is HUGE. A Summercard gives you free travel on buses and cable cars, and reduced entry charges to various events and facilities. Not having one must have cost us over 150 euros (over a 5 day stay) and limited what we could do. Going buy bus around Ramsau and in Schladming and up to the glacier can be costly; without the summercard we will have to spend from your pocket and don’t have the various discounts. If you are staying 1-2 days it would be OK without the Summercard; but for longer stay try to consider a hotel with SummerCard in Schladming.
From the end of May until 26 October the Summercard can only be used at participating hotels. Please note that Alpine Club is NOT a participating hotel.
The Laundry
To be honest I was expecting the washing machine to be in the room being an apartment but it was not the case of Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts.
The laundry required special tokens which had to be purchased at the desk or picked up at the desk after ordering online. There are two washers and dryers in the basement of building 2. Both washers and dryers are operated by tokens that must be purchased either online or at the registration desk and picked up at the registration desk.
SPA & Fitness
Same room price have already included free access to the SPA and the Swimming Pool; If not the extra price which has to be paid is 25 Euro per day.
Accommodation towels must not be used in the pool and wellness area. As such pool towels may be rented for the term of your stay from reception (€4 for non-members per towel per week – if not returned €20 will be charged. Daily change €1).
There is a government tourist tax payable at resort which is currently €1.50 per person per night payable at the resort. There is no charge for children under the age of 15.
The INTERNET
Living the in 21th century we expect for the internet to be free of charge; in Europe having a local SIM card and a pre-paid monthly usage intailest you to use the date free of charge in Europe. Some towns and cities have implemented free of charge areas. But Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts requires to pay 5 Euro per day for the use of the internet! Wow..i did not except that for a 4* hotel.
Where to Book Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts & Prices
During low season and summer days the room prices starts from 35 to 40 Euro per night. But in the price is not included the internet (+5 Euro), access to the SPA ( 25 Euro) or breakfast ( 10$) and the most important the SummerCard. The rooms can be booked online on Hotels.com or Booking.com for the best rates & availability.
Final Thoughts of Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts
Based on the amenities I would consider a 3,5* Aparthotel rather than a 4* hotel. Would I stay again at Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts? Depends – for 1/2 nights maybe. For longer stays in Schladming I would look for a guesthouse, hotel or pension which offers a SummerCard.
How to Get to Alpine Club By Diamond Resorts
– Airport Name: Salzburg Airport
– Directions to Resort: (From Salzburg airport) Take the A10 motorway towards Graz/Villach. Leave the A10 at exit 63 (after 57) marked Radstadt/Altenmarkt/Graz, B 320. Continue until Radstadt and turn right for Graz. After about 20 km turn right for Schladming West. At the roundabout, turn right heading towards Rohrmoos. Alpine Club is 1km up the hill on the left hand side. The travel time should not take more than 60 minutes depending on traffic flow. In winter, winter tyres and possibly snow chains will be necessary. When driving on the motorway in Austria you must display a Vignette. These are provided with Austrian hire cars but are available from petrol stations.
The local train station is called “Bahnhof Schladming“. Timetables, further information and prices can be found under www.oebb.at.
Bus transfers can be booked online via Flixbus, please see further information under www.flixbus.at.
– Taxi Fare (one way): €130.00 up to 2 persons, €140.00 for 3-5 persons, €160.00 (for 6-8 persons), if booked via the resort. Please contact the resort for the taxi booking form. If not booked via the resort €140.00 – €180.00.
