Hotel Herzog Heinrich

WARNING FOR CELIAC/ ZÖLIAKIE Despite calling the hotel before our arrival, speaking directly with reception and the cook upon arrival, writing details on the daily menu card, regarding my need for gluten free food, the competence of the entire staff is clearly lackadaisical and uneducated about gluten free foods and the dangers of cross contamination. I became violently ill after breakfast from gluten contaminated food. I called reception to ask to speak to management, to send housekeeping to my room, and please bring me a bottle of water. Their response demonstrates complete and utter disdain toward the guests and my situation. Housekeeping arrived and was great, I never got the water I requested, my husband went to REWE for drinks. And most importantly, I NEVER GOT A RESPONSE FROM MANAGEMENT/OWNERS after 2 requests. That in itself says the most. Regarding the hotel itself : Beds are extremely hard, the dining area is loud like a train station, there is no clear map and it’s very difficult to navigate, the pool areas are extremely small for the size of the hotel, I was told there would be 3€ charge for gluten free food, I travel extensively and never in my life saw this, this borders discrimination against the handicap of Celiac, when also in fact I ate LESS than the normal guest. There is no shampoo in the rooms, only a tiny soap dispenser. I was unable to use the sauna, but apparently they do not even open until 12:00 ! this is a wellness hotel ! The rooms are far away from everything, it's like navigating a rat maze. Also we passed by the dog hall, it reeked of dog smell ! Even if you allow dogs it still should not stink! First time I ever saw this in my life. Another first, is check out at 10:00. They cut corners on everything and it shows. By the way this was for my birthday and wedding anniversary. But that doesn’t matter, they don’t care anyway. NEVER AGAIN

The website was a bit deceptive (as many hotels in Germany are) with photos of the pool and spa that make them appear much larger than reality. The dining room at supper reminded us of the food we ate when visiting elderly parents in a long-term care facility. Skip the half-board. The good news is that the staff is extremely friendly and worked hard at keeping place clean. Beer (Osser) is excellent and breakfast good.

When I arrived at the Herzog Heinrich Hotel I was quite disappointed having just come from a 3star Hotel on the Kochelsee as it somehow reminded me of an upper class Butlins. Considering that this was a 4star hotel I found it rather characterless and nondescript with a soulless cafeteria style self service restaurant which clearly was designed for mass catering. There was the option of paying a surcharge to eat in the ‘Charivari’ restaurant but I do object to this having a half board option included in the price, especially when they include this restaurant in their special offers which I found out afterwards. The room (Rosengarten) was newly refurbished and functional but was quite small with a patio door to a small terrace which had two sunbeds, two chairs and a table. On the positive side is the heated outdoor swimming pool which, in comparison to the indoor pool was pleasantly warm and never too busy. The hotel consists of several blocks built in a square and caters for quite a large number of guests which can lead to queues for the self-service dinner at peak times and, as I found out later, specialises in coach tours which may explain the buffet style mass catering. I have stayed in several 3 & 4star hotels in the area over the last few years and, regretfully have to place the Herzog Heinrich on the bottom of my list and would not stay again. Arrach itself has not got much to offer apart from the ‘Seepark’ which is a small park with a ‘lake’ (or pond) and a newly built pub but you can use the railway (station right outside the hotel) and the local buses free of charge during your stay to explore the area.

Sehr schön zum erholen, gut essen, wohlfühlen und die Umgebung zu erkunden. Der Wellnessbereich ist sehr angenehm, vor allem viele Ruhemöglichkeiten. Der Service ist sehr freundlich. Das Essen entspannt im Restaurant Charivari mit wunderbaren 5-Gänge Menüs. Winterurlaub ist gut machbar. Verschiedene Abfahrten und Loipencenter sind in 15-20 min. mit Auto erreichbar.

Ein ruhiges Hotel mit schönem Wintergarten, mit fünf Saunen, ausreichend Ruheräumen mit Liegen, die es sonst nirgends gibt. Von einfachen Liegen, über Schaukelstühlen bis hin zu schwebenden Liegen kann man super entspannen.