More on The Alps
What better place to go in Spring and early Summer than at the most Spring of them all? Add complete chalet privacy and a picturesque screen saver backdrop and you're close to Eden…
Lech in Spring
Promising signs of Spring are popping through grass fields just about everywhere at this time. With that I wanted to share the perfect spring summer destination. It’s no secret that I am quite fond of The Alps, (more on this in The Grass is Greener in South Tyrol and Sud Tyrol Road Trip, Yolo). During a trip to a gorgeous chalet in Austria’s Lech summer 2024, I took note of one herbalists statement, “there’s no better time to visit here than Spring, the herbs are just incredible at this time, fresher than fresh as is the mountain air”.
You know that sun you feel in your cheeks during snowy/ski-breaks in The Alps, it’s even more rejuvenating when hiking in vivid green grass or slaloming on e-bikes between bell-ringing grazing cows and golden brown horses, so picturesque perfect, they might as well been casted for a Bruce Weber Ralph Lauren ad campaign — it doesn’t get more authentic than this. Pair that with a private chalet complete with a spa, terrace, yoga on the deck, mountain fresh produce prepared by the in-house chef, just above the endearing Alp town Lech, where the flourishing river runs through, and the pedestrian street is lined with cute little shops, among these the iconic department store Strolz (Princess D shopped here) filled with everything from remarkable local brands and a curated selection of global luxury glitz, counting sporty Missoni perfect for the occasion. The area is a well known ski destination but with climate changes The Alps are becoming a significant year-round destination. One might imply it’s even more magical during spring and summer with endless hiking and biking routes, not to mention wild swimming for the kindred spirits.
Where to stay
While Lech have a handful of lovely hotels in the city, it’s something else with complete privacy — perched above with undisrupted mountain views (the direct ski-in/ski-out access kind in winter) — and in spring hiking trails right at your door step.
Arula Chalet are two independent fully serviced sophisticated chalets in the Arlberg mountains. Chalet one accommodates up to 22 guest, in the 1800m2 of chic mid century modern living, with a total of 9 bedrooms including the most adorable kids room, with wide wooden bunk beds, scooters, cute teddies, toys and books not to mention the mountain backdrop views that would have any adult equally loving playtime. The common space features a bar with a lounge communal space with endless games and books, a large dining and living space complete with an open fire pit for cooler evenings. The chalet overlooks the mountains, with floor to ceiling glass doors, gliding to the splendid terrace where a huge solid cedar wood dining table compliments the wooden structure and invites for al fresco luncheons.
The deck is furnished with sun beds and a northern style hot basin revealing the spring-summer serenity. Sanctuary continues indoors below grounds, with a splendid (14m) lap pool and full spa. Here’s absolutely everything you would dream of, from steam room to Finnish, bio and infrared saunas, a relaxation zone with waterbeds and a salt stone wall, a vital bar, gym and treatment room — a state of the art spa, equivalent of a mountain spa resort with the luxury add on of complete privacy. Chalet two is kept in the same style modern interiors.
Smaller in scale, the Arula Chalet two accommodates 8 guests, on the 800 m2 which holds a master bedroom, 3 doubles, a living and dining area with fireplace and breathtaking mountain views from the floor to ceiling doors, leading to Chalet two’s private terrace. Although Chalet two is “only” 800m2 guests aren’t deprived for a fine spa — at the lower grounds awaits a spa with an 8m indoor pool, sauna and steam, as well as a gym and treatment room, nor is the smaller chalet cheating guests for entertainment, with a party and entertainment room filled with games, a bar and a cinema. If Chalet one is too small or you’re traveling as a big party, the two chalet conveniently interconnect with a very sleek Bond-worthy feature, as the grand bookshelf in Chalet one’s living space slides to the side with a simple press on a controller that opens up to a hidden passageway between the two chalets.
E-biking and Foraging walks
Landscape and speed continues to be worthy of a Bond scenery, as pedals spins and wheels glides down gravel ground hills and steep upward (with electric assistance) adrenaline and memories of that significant kid feeling of playfulness and complete freedom is bubbling in the body while roads twist and turns, slaloming between free grazing cows and off road horses, life is as simple as this having fun in spectacular nature.
Off bike mornings starts with outdoor yoga, followed by an inspiring foraging walk with a local herbalist, whom picks up roots, plants and herbs explaining their natural healing effects and benefits, back at the chalet a lesson follows with hands-on preparations of natural remedies, tinctures and creams from the foraged finds, an Al fresco lunch bowl of greens is served on the terrace before some lap swimming and afternoons of reading.
Hiking and wild swimming
Rucksacks are packed, water bottles filled for days of hiking and wild swimming. The temperatures in spring, early and late summers are just right for climbing steep elevations on foot, getting warmed up, but just enough so that a wild swim in a lake of melted snow seems tempting, with the reward of refreshment and rejuvenation.
Sore muscles are massaged by the on-call therapist before casual dinners await with a line up of friends who are equally satisfied and grounded by nature (and a similar sense of that relaxed body tiredness from skiing) however high on spring summer mountain air.
Souvenirs
The endearing town of Lech is just below the Arula Chalets, with the charming, not to be missed Strolz, a smaller department store with a curated selection of both renown and local fine clothing and accessories. Fell head over heels in Vienna based designer Lena Hoschek’s gorgeous traditional Austrian dirndl dresses, shirts and skirts with patterned ribbons, lovely colors and embroidery. And a Missoni sweater (I would have grabbed if my carry-on had space) now filed in the one that got away.
Speaking of the one that got away, The Alps is one of the destinations I am most frequently asked about in my dm, repeatedly if I recommend as a summer destination, I one hundred percent do! Go grazing, hiking, biking, swimming or just unwind in this picturesque landscape during summer, I promise you’ll feel more grounded than ever! As always feel free to shoot me questions in comments.