mama thresl

“Urban soul meets the Alps” is the motto here — the conspicuously lower-case mama thresl hotel aims, above all, to make modern city dwellers feel at home in nature. They get the interior finishes absolutely right with all the knotted pine you could ask for; as Alpine hotels go, more is more. Every room comes with a waterfall shower, stone vessel sinks, complimentary wi-fi, a flatscreen, a docking station, a balcony, and access to gear storage and equipment dryer in the basement. And if you upgrade beyond the most basic rooms, you’ll find some real indulgences: private hot tubs, rooftop terraces with a view of Pinzgauer mountains, freestanding tubs, even a private sauna.

Facilities in and around the hotel go beyond wellness into extreme sports territory (maybe that’s the urban soul). Besides the mountain gondola station right outside, there’s the ski area and bike park as well as the extravagantly named Flying Fox XXL Mega Zipline. Tamer folk and adrenaline junkies alike will appreciate the dedicated relaxation areas — the expected Finnish sauna, of course, but also “rest coves,” a calming rooftop lounge, and an “empty room” for the sole purpose of drinking in nature’s panorama in the company of a suspended vintage stove.

The character of Ms. thresl herself emerges most clearly at mealtime. She’s a generous, outspoken character with a taste for the hard stuff, and she’ll have seconds ready before you’ve polished off your first plate. The range of eateries is definitely a strong point: breakfast spreads, a bakery, a lobby bar, a proper restaurant, and a cheeky private table accessible by indoor rock climbing. Knowing why you’re here, though, we won’t blame you for scarfing down roast whole chickens on a spit at mama thresl’s Top, a quaint little snack shack right there in the Asitz ski area.