Hotel Edelweiss Reviews

We have just had a wonderful holiday at the above hotel in Kitzbuhel.

The hotel owners were wonderful and their hospitality was first class. Our room (for which we had paid a supplement) was very large and was more than adequate for our needs. Food was also very good and the menu was not repeated during our 11 nights. Always a good choice for your main meal. Absolutely nothing to complain about at the hotel which represented good value for money.

Kitzbuhel, a picturesque quaint town was very expensive for souvenirs and other shops. Lots of designer shops. Lots of very expensive cars driving around the town too!!

Our only disappointment with the holiday was the rep and the transfer to and from the airport which were nightmare journeys.
We arrived at Salzburg airport at 9.50 for a 10.20 flight home!!!

The rep told us on the coach on our way to the hotel, that Kitzbuhel was very expensive. She also told us that it was also very expensive to cash Euro travellers cheques in Kitzbuhel and would cost you 7-8 Euros per cheque!!!
At the welcome meeting, it was repeated about the 7-8 euro charge for cashing TCs. So for 50 euros you would get 42-43 back!! She then went on to say that they (the reps) would cash them for 2 Euros per cheque.
After the welcome meeting we took a walk around the town and found on the main St a bank (just around the corner from the Crystal office) which advertised ";Amex TCs cashed here commission free!! We obviously then cashed our TCs at this bank commssion free!!

We did not go on any of the excursions organised by the rep, instead we did our own thing. We took the train to Innsbruck and had a wonderful day there, train to Zell am See, and the train/bus to other litle villages.
The 2 cable cars in Kitzbuhel, Kitzbuheler horn and Hannenkham are definite musts. Simply breathtaking views from the top.

All in all a wonderful holiday which we would strongly recommend both resort and hotel although not Crystal and sadly we will not be giving them the satisfaction of our business for this year due to their appalling customer service in trying to book our 2005 holiday, but that is another story.

Have just read a couple of reviews of Kitzbuhel, one for the Edelweiss too, so my week will echo other comments made.

Kizbuhel itself is a blend of old and modern. The old town is a great place to sit and while away time at one of the cafes. We chose the Cafe Langer and used it every day. The only problem with that was the Louis Vuitton shop above which in 2 moments of madness my wife accumulated over a £1,000 of purchases. That aside there's plenty to do. Must do's are the 2 gondola rides (both 13.50 euros each)The views and walking from the tops are fantastic. There are restaurants atop both which is an added bonus. We did our own thing on 2 days getting the train to Innsbruck, which is both busy and quaint at the same time (23.50 euros each), and Zell am See wich is similar type of place to Kitzbuhel with the added bonus of the lakeside walks.

We did 2 Excursions with Crystal. The Krimml waterfalls are a sight to see but requires an expert (fit) speedwalker to manage the top and back in the time we had there. Its around a 1,000ft ascent on steep zig zag paths.You can bus up but you miss the spectacular lower and middle falls. The only irksome thing about this trip was the tour guide who rambled on for the full length of the journey in both English AND German to please the few who were on the trip too.

We also went to Salzburg on coach as trains take at least 21/2 hours each way. Theres loads to see in the city from the cathedral to Mirabelle gardens, the fortess to the historic squares and generally busy old world streets and arcades.

Actually We had 3 trips out as on the Thursday crystal took us on a free 1/2 day trip to Kufstein, thowing in a visit to a schnapps factory and a first chance to part with our Euros.

Crystal reps were good Crissy has been there 10 years and knows all there is to know about the area.
THE HOTEL. Generally decent food. Our room was basic but adequate but we did have a balcony. The owners spoke brilliant English and were very friendly the 2 young waitesses were pleasant too.
Having said that,it must have Crystals minds not to mention in their brochure that the busy 24/7 railway line was only 30 yards away!!

I too was disappointed that we only reached the airport with 40 mins to spare on our return, therefore depriving us of a chance to buy ";cheapies"; and gifts.
Still I'd recommend the area 120% and defy any one not to fall in love with Austria. Realistically 7 days wasnt long enough Next time we'll take 10 or 11.
We booked this only 7 weeks prior to departure and paid over £450 (basic price total for 2 was £539) less than brochure price for same holiday.