Nestled against the dramatic backdrop of the Kitzbühel Alps at 900 meters, the Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol is an alpine paradise combining traditional charm with modern décor and very sophisticated service levels. Located at the entrance to the charming town of Jochberg, in the middle of the Tyrolean Alps, it rests just 8 km from the allure of Kitzbühel. It’s also easily reachable in an hour from Salzburg and an hour and forty minutes from Munich. But this five-star property, under the seasoned leadership of General Manager Axel Bethke, offers guests an experience that transcends even elevated mountain hospitality. Since joining the prestigious Kempinski brand portfolio in 2011, the hotel has established itself as the region’s only ski-in, ski-out luxury property.
Accommodations That Redefine Alpine Luxury
The hotel’s 155 rooms and suites feature contemporary design integrated with modern Tyrolean aesthetics. Each features expansive balconies offering unobstructed mountain vistas that change with the seasons like an Attenborough documentary, impressive and breathtaking. The design philosophy embraces warm pale woods, rich leathers, and natural stone, creating interiors that feel both supremely comfortable and wholly rooted in the region’s heritage.
Penthouse Panoramas
The property’s crown jewel is undoubtedly The Penthouse Suite, encompassing an extraordinary 520 m², the entirety of the hotel’s 7th floor, boasting five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a full kitchen, and three terraces totaling 500 square meters—making it one of the most luxurious in Austria, and certainly the country’s largest suite. This spectacular residence features Tyrolean wood furnishings paired with contemporary design elements, creating an refined atmosphere of mountain elegance. The terraces alone are larger than most hotel suites, offering panoramic views that encompass snow-capped peaks reaching 3,500 m. These outdoor spaces become private alpine sanctuaries where guests can experience the majesty of the Alps in complete seclusion.
Chalet Suites: Family Luxury Redefined
The signature Chalet Suites span 220 m² and feature three bedrooms with king beds, a spacious living and dining room, and a full kitchen. These accommodations represent the ideal synthesis of chalet authenticity and five-star luxury, featuring modern Tyrolean design with wood and stone details that create an intimate yet sophisticated atmosphere. The suites accommodate up to six guests, making them ideal for families or groups when both privacy and communal spaces are a necessity.
The Spa: Alpine Sanctuary
This is Austria, a country famed for its bads and kurhauses. One exceptional highlight of this hotel is its spa. The Kempinski Alpine Spa represents one of Austria’s most comprehensive wellness destinations, spanning 3,600 m² across three floors. This sprawling alpine wellness sanctuary boasts an indoor and outdoor pool, several saunas, steam rooms and endless relaxation areas, the ultimate in relaxation with these abundant features.
The Spa’s philosophy is based on “mountain wellness,” an entirely alpine experience harnessing the healing power of nature. Here a heated brine therapy area with pool and sauna, a lava sauna with ice fog corridor, aroma showers, and a relaxation area complete with waterbeds and relaxing cubes connect guests with the natural environment just beyond the windows.
The centerpiece of the aquatic facilities includes both indoor and outdoor pools, with the outdoor pool featuring 20 m lanes for serious swimmers, while heated brine pools provide therapeutic benefits using mountain water enhanced with natural minerals. These facilities are thoughtfully designed to remain comfortable year-round, allowing guests to swim outdoors even during winter months, surrounded by snow-covered peaks.
The spa menu features treatments that incorporate local ingredients and traditional Alpine wellness practices. Just recently added are two touchless treatment therapies, the HydroWave, an ultra-quiet water massage pod that offers uninterrupted relaxation and, getting in on the red light therapy ride, the RedWave that delivers deep relaxation and revitalization benefits lasting well after the treatment.
For the ultimate in privacy and personalized service, guests can select from three private wellness sanctuaries: the Crystal Spa Suite, Pearl Suite, and Kitz Suite. Each private spa suite features its own unique décor and atmosphere, providing an intimate setting for couples or individuals seeking complete seclusion. These exclusive retreats include personalized massage services, private saunas, steam rooms, and exclusive hydrobaths, creating an experience that few facilities can match. And, for those who practice, a full fitness center with updated equipment is available, too
Culinary Excellence in the Alps
The hotel’s dining options reflect the same commitment to excellence found in its accommodations and spa. Restaurant Steinberg showcases modern Tyrolean cuisine with modern touches under Chef Karl Schmid. The menus emphasize regional and seasonal ingredients which are carefully presented against an elegant mountain setting. The restaurant promises a unique five-course menu each evening, allowing guests to experience different culinary themes throughout their stay while enjoying magnificent mountain views.
Sra Bua, the pan-Asian restaurant, offers an intriguing contrast, serving Euro-Asian fusion cuisine using local ingredients in a unique “Asia-meets-Tirol” culinary experience, honoring local traditions while embracing sophisticated global flavors.
We thoroughly enjoyed their tasting menu. From the consommé with beef, leek and rice pasta to the caviar and veal entrecote with teriyaki and som tam, the gastronomic meal emphasized unity and the pleasure of taste, and was served by very professional staff. The waiters were very knowledgeable about each dish, and even the wines.
The food was innovative and quite exceptional.
A Year-Round Alpine Retreat
The Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol features world-class experiences to entertain and engage throughout the year. Winter transforms the property into a premier ski-in, ski-out destination, with direct access to 170 km of slopes in the Kitzbühel area, consistently voted the best ski resort in the world. In summer, the surrounding landscape offers more than 1,000 km of hiking trails in various difficulty levels as well as access to four championship golf courses within the immediate area. The hotel provides specialized concierge services to help guests access over 30 additional golf courses within a 100-km radius. Both child and pet-friendly, with eminently accommodating staff, this is an exceptional retreat, offering privacy and serenity, within easy access to a wealth of options to enjoy.
Under the leadership of General Manager Axel Bethke, the hotel exemplifies the Kempinski brand’s to personalized luxury service. Bethke’s extensive international experience with the brand, from China to Abu Dhabi to Spain, combined with his culinary training under renowned chef Harald Wohlfahrt, ensures that every aspect of the guest experience meets exacting standards. Like all luxury properties, it commands premium pricing reflecting its exceptional quality and comprehensive offerings.
Alpine Luxury Without Compromise
The Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol remains a gateway to Austrian alpine culture at its most refined. From the architectural grandeur of Austria’s most spectacular penthouse suite to the comprehensive wellness journey within its world-class spa, every element has been crafted to exceed expectations. Whether seeking the adrenaline of world-class skiing, the tranquility of alpine hiking, or the rejuvenation of comprehensive spa treatments, the Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol delivers experiences that both remain in guests’ memories and quietly demand a return.
Photos: Kempinski Media | Words: Janine Devine
