We pulled up in front of the Elizabeth Arthotel just as people were coming down off the mountain from a day of skiing or snowboarding. It felt like the party was in full swing in Ischgl with the people bursting out of the adjoining apres ski bar ‘Shatzi’ complete with Go-Go dancers; we had arrived right in the thick of it. The Elizabeth Arthotel really is well placed right at the foot of the Pardatschgratbahn lift and the red piste ‘1A’ which means ski in, ski out access and apres ski on your doorstep.
With perfect service the moment we arrived, our bags were whisked away to our room and the car driven off to their secure underground car park. We were given a warm welcome and before we knew it we were quaffing Prosecco. Then it was straight up to our Comfort Suite on the 6th floor. As the name suggests ‘The Elizabeth Arthotel’ has 120 works of art by contemporary artists from Austria and neighbouring countries adorn the corridors and walls which can be purchased directly or bid for at the Ischgl art auction at the end of the season. So we took our time to peruse some of the art on the way to our room.
Our Comfort room was rather spacious and very well set out. It was modern but had a comfy feel to it with views of the Pardatschgratbahn lift and the piste. It felt like the designers had really thought about the best use of space, with amazing storage facilities, relaxation area, great working area (if you really have to work) a very luxurious bathroom and of course the most important, a fantastic area for preparing G&Ts. This, we could definitely live in during our stay in Ischgl.
Before long it was time for dinner in the Eliza restaurant. We made our way to the 1st floor where were welcomed in and shown to our table with views out towards the mountain. The staff in the Eliza restaurant looked after our every requirement including our gluten free requests, for which they produced possibly the best GF bread that we have experienced to date! Lisa the restaurant manager made sure that the restaurant ran smoothly, whilst Thomas the head chef only in his 20s produced the most amazing food. He certainly is one to watch, I am sure it will not be long until he wins his first Michelin star. Thomas’ creations are not only taste sensations but beautiful works of art in their own right. He takes simple local ingredients and transforms them into such wonderful dishes as Delicate Veal Carpaccio, Char with Risotto, Lamb with Romanesco broccoli and pea mash, Beef tartare with chives and pepper mayonnaise to Black Tiger organic shrimp from the mangroves and the classic caramelised Kaiserschmarrn with raisins and plumsEros the sommelier from Italy provided not only great wines from local regions and from all over the world, to compliment our courses but also much entertainment each evening; bringing us wines to taste along with him as well as testing Cheeky’s powers of Champagne knowledge with a blind tasting, of course she pretty much achieved top marks. On first impressions it appears that the Eliza restaurant has a very young team, but the quality of the food, the service, the wine are of an extremely high caliber. Breakfast was of equally high quality, with a vast array of breads, pastries, cereals, juices, cooked breakfasts and dutch courage for those who might need it, in the shape of Prosecco.
Outside the Eliza restaurant is the large but rather snug lounge, there seem to be several different intimate seating areas where one can party through the night with friends or cuddle up with a loved one or even a new friend. Cheeky always made a Bee-line for the log fire where we trialled several of the cocktails from the menu, but eventually settled for the usual Espresso Martinis. Sadly people are allowed to smoke in this area, which reminded me of how ow ow bars used to be. The bar has such a lovely atmosphere though, it is quite easy to forget the time and just while away the hours into the night drinking one’s favourite tipple.
At the end of the ski day, one can make one’s way to the top floor to unwind in the spa. Though not huge the spa still provides the core elements that every spa requires, from steam room to an infrared room to fix your ailments. There was also a huge sauna with floor to ceiling glass so one could sit and watch the Piste Bashers going about their business preserving and preparing the piste for the next day. They have also managed to fit in a swimming pool and treatment room where one can choose from several different types of massage or different methods to turn the clocks back and rejuvenate the epidermis. Cheeky experienced a long overdue massage, where the masseuse discovered knots in places where there should never be knots!
The Elizabeth Arthotel really is in a perfect position for getting straight out onto the pistes and for a spot of apres ski in the Shatzi. Ischgl as a resort seems to be a very popular resort with the party goers and revelers, as a five star hotel the Elizabeth Arthotel is very big with the Russians who were attempting to drink the hotel dry of Champagne and generally stay up all night partying in the bar or in the partnering Madlein Club. If you want to relax and contemplate the meaning of life then Ischgl may not be for you. However, if you want to ski hard and party even harder then look no further than the Elizabeth Art Hotel, where skiing and partying are literally on the doorstep, the food and service is divine and drinks are on tap.
Elizabeth Art Hotel
Fimbabahnweg 4,
6561 Ischgl,
Austria
