Inna reserved four nights at the Hotel Innsbruck from December 26 - 30, 2024. We wanted to explore the Christmas Markets, visit popular local museums, and ski in the area.
I sent an email to the Hotel Innsbruck to inquire about snowboard rentals in the area:
1. Where is the best/closest snowboard/ski rental shop (near the hotel)?
We recommended „Die Boerse“ for rental equipment
https://www.dieboerse.at/en/
2. Are there snowboard storage lockers in the hotel? If not, where do you recommend to store them?
You can store your snowboard in our ski depot anytime you need it.
3. Is there a hotel ski shuttle to Nordkette? If not, how do we get there?
According to your reservation, you will stay four nights in our hotel, therefore we can send you the day of your arrival the ‘welcome card’ with which you will be able to use all the public transport in the city as well as some discounts. Here is the form:
https://www.hotelinnsbruck.com/de/innsbruck-aufenthaltsplaner-vom-innsbruck-team/welcome-card/
Just around the corner from the hotel is the bus stop „Marktplatz“ and there you can take the bus ‘J’ heading to Hungerburg.
4. Which ski resorts can be easily reached by train?
5. Is there any cross-country skiing nearby? (If so, where and how far away?)
We have also information on our website about the ski resorts near the city and how you can reach them:
https://www.hotelinnsbruck.com/en/destination-innsbruck--stay-planner-by-innsbruck-team/skiing/
Thursday, December 26, 2024
On arrival at Innsbruck's train station from St. Anton at 12:11, we boarded a taxi (at the curb) and were quickly dropped off at Hotel Innsbruck. Our driver wasn't sure all 3 of our large suitcases would fit, but somehow squeezed them into the car.
We checked into Hotel Innsbruck and dropped off our bags, as our room #320 was not yet ready. We decided to eat lunch and looked around for nearby restaurants.
At first, we stopped by Altstadt-Schmankerl, but it was closed (December 26 is a significant holiday in Austria), so we continued to another highly rated Greek restaurant, Akropolis.
We sat down at Akropolis and ordered the following items. All the dishes were excellent, but the service was slow and uneven.
- Drinks: Hot Tea x 3
- Soups: Kotosoupa (Chicken Broth)
- Appetizer: Tzatziki with Pita, Octopus
- Alex: Samos Pfanne
- Inna: Juvetsaki
- Boris: Mousaka
The Tzatziki was excellent, and the Chicken Soup was delicious too. My Mousaka was delicious, and Alex loved his lamb (Samos Pfanne). Overall, we ate a tasty lunch! I wished the waiter were better at refilling our hot tea. I had a sore throat and wanted to drink a lot of hot fluids.
After lunch, we explored the downtown area, stopping by the Christmas Markets (sampling hot chocolate and warm Glühwein). We took many photos of the Golden Roof and the many colorful creatures attached to buildings.
We also stopped by Dieborse Ski Rental, but it was closed. Even though we arrived during its regular operating hours (15:00 - 18:00) and there was an "OPEN" sign, the door was locked, and no one was inside. Other ski shops were also closed (the day after Christmas appears to be a significant holiday in Austria).
We returned to the hotel and rested for some time. Alex, then Inna, went to use the saunas and the pool. Since I had a severe cold, I decided to relax in our #320 room.
For dinner, we decided to walk downstairs to the Hotel's Zirbenstube Restaurant. Today, the restaurant had a live pianist playing the following songs:
- Autumn Leaves
- Girl from Ipanema
- Ochi Chyornye
- The Godfather Theme
After looking at the menu, we ordered the following:
- Alex: Lamb Filet, Hot Tea
- Boris: Tomato Soup, Seafood Platter (scallops), Hot Early Grey
- Inna: Beef Soup, Seafood Platter, Radler, Hot Tea
- Dessert: Chocolate Soufflé
The Tomato Soup did not taste half bad, but the Seafood entrees were average.
The Chocolate Soufflé was too dry. I did enjoy the live piano music, and the service was quick and efficient.
Friday, December 27, 2024
I woke at 08:30, showered, and dressed. When both Inna and Alex were ready, we walked downstairs for breakfast at Hotel Innsbruck.
After sitting down, I ordered some a la carte items and others from the self-serve island. Overall, the breakfast selections were of average quality (a bit disappointing for a 4-star hotel):
- Alex: Eggs, Plain Yogurt, Coffee
- Boris: Omelet (with vegetables, ham), Peach Yogurt, Coffee
- Inna: Deli Meats, Latte, Hot Earl Grey Tea
Aside from the basic omelet, nothing else was particularly remarkable in the buffet. I would have preferred better-quality pastries and a greater variety of cold cuts.
After breakfast, we dressed warmly and decided to go for a short one-hour hike recommended by ChatGPT - the Nordkette Panorama Trail.
To reach the trail, we walked from the Innsbruck Hotel to the Altstadt Station (the lower station of the Nordkette Funicular). I purchased 3 adult tickets for Hungerburg (where the trail was supposed to begin) and for the Alpine Zoo (which we also wanted to visit).
We did not find the exact trail and instead walked along Hungerburgweg to Aussichtsplatz Steigerruhe and turned around (when the trail got steep). There was a lot of snow and a steep drop-off (and we did not want to take unnecessary risks).
Although we saw a few skiers and snowboarders at Nordkette, there were only a couple of open trails, and the snow was melting.
We explore the Alpine Zoo next, about which I write in a separate blog post here:
We returned to the Innsbruck Hotel (Alex decided to use the hotel's sauna), while Inna and I strolled through the old town, taking photos.
I had made a reservation for dinner at Restaurant Zum Wohl Tirol for 19:30. When Inna returned from shopping, she rested briefly before going to dinner.
We met Alex at Restaurant Zum Wohl Tirol, but the wrong one! There are two identical Restaurants, Zum Wohl Tirol, near each other. I had made reservations at the other one, and we walked over. After sitting down, we ordered the following items (see menu.com for the menu):
- Soups: 3 x Tom Kha Gai
- Boris: Radler (30cl), Chicken Tschakka
- Inna: Hot Tea, Oklahoma Onion Smash Burger - Innsbruck Edition
- Alex: Hot Tea, Pulled Pork Cheese Fries
The drinks were brought out quickly, but the Tom Kha Gai soups and the entrees took some time (20+ minutes). They were all delicious!
The old town was mostly deserted at 22:00, and I thought there would be more life on Friday night.
Saturday, December 28, 2024
I woke at 08:15, showered, shaved, and dressed. When both Inna and Alex were ready, we walked downstairs for breakfast at Hotel Innsbruck.
I ordered the omelet and coffee from the waitress and picked up the others from the self-serve island. Overall, the food was of average quality, and we selected the following items:
- Alex: Scrambled Eggs, Plain Yogurt, Coffee
- Boris: Omelet (with vegetables, ham), Plain Yogurt, Coffee
- Inna: Omelet (with vegetables, ham), Latte, Hot Earl Grey Tea
After breakfast, Inna and I decided to walk to Schloss Ambras in Innsbruck (a 4.2 km/1-hour walk through downtown Innsbruck).
I write about Schloss Ambras (Ambras Castle) in a separate blog post here:
On the way back from Schloss Ambras, we decided to stop for lunch at Das Schindler (on the 2nd floor), and Alex met us a few minutes later. We ordered the following items:
- Soups: 2 x Beef Boullion
- Boris: Radler, Large Wiener Salad
- Inna: Small Wiener Schnitzel, Hot Tea
- Alex: Large Wiener Schnitzel, Hot Tea
- Dessert: Apple Strudel
The Beef Soup was excellent, and my salad was tasty. Inna and Alex liked their Wiener Schnitzel. The Apple Strudel was small but delicious.
We strolled a bit around downtown and near the Inn River.
For dinner, Inna made a reservation for 19:30 at Il Convento (a nearby Italian restaurant we had visited many years ago). After walking there for 5 minutes, we waited to be seated (about 10 minutes while our table was being prepared) and were then led downstairs. After looking at the menu, we ordered the following items:
- Drinks: San Pellegrino x 2
- Alex: Filetto di Manzo (Beef)
- Boris: Insalata Mista, Ravioli Ricotta
- Inna: Insalata Ricola, Tagliatelle Tartufo
- Dessert: Chocolate Tort with Pistachio Ice Cream
While table service was spotty, the entrees were excellent. My Insalata Misto didn't have any dressing, and it tasted fine (once I added olive oil and balsamic vinegar). The Ravioli Ricotta was excellent (I could tell the pasta was freshly made). Inna raved about her Tagliatelle Tartufo. Alex's beef (Filetto di Manzo) was also exceptional.
After dinner, we strolled around downtown for a bit, taking photos (until we felt a bit too cold).
Sunday, December 29, 2024
I woke at 08:15, showered, and dressed. When both Inna and Alex were ready, we walked downstairs for breakfast at Hotel Innsbruck.
After sitting down for breakfast, the waiter kept ignoring us. Inna finally managed to get hold of a waiter, who fetched us coffee (Inna made the hot tea herself). I selected the following items from the breakfast island:
- Alex: Scrambled Eggs, Plain Yogurt, Coffee
- Boris: Plain Yogurt, Coffee
- Inna: Poached Egg, Latte, Hot Earl Grey Tea
After breakfast, we decided to stroll around the Inn River (which flows through the city) for a few hours. It was nice to see various houses and other people strolling. We saw many dog walkers and bicyclists.
Around 12:30, we stopped by Der Bäcker Ruetz - Mariahilfpark (a local bakery chain) to warm up. We ordered the following items:
- Boris: Espresso, pastry with poppy seeds
- Inna: Latte, pastry with cream, water
While eating, we thought that Alex might want to join us (for lunch) and messaged him. He came over, and we also ordered an additional Wiener-Schnitzel sandwich. The pastries were good, but the schnitzel was just average.
After lunch, Alex decided to head to the local Starbucks to work on the program, while Inna and I decided to visit the Hofburg Palace & Museum. We purchased 2 adult tickets (10 euros/person) and walked on the 1st and 2nd floors. We learned a bit about the Hofburg Palace and Maximilian. According to Wikipedia:
Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519) was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until he died in 1519. He was never crowned by the Pope, as the journey to Rome was blocked by the Venetians.[2] He proclaimed himself elected emperor in 1508 at Trent, with Pope Julius II later recognizing it.[3][4][5] This broke the tradition of requiring a papal coronation for the adoption of the Imperial title. Maximilian was the only surviving son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor, and Eleanor of Portugal. Since his coronation as King of the Romans in 1486, he ran a double government, or Doppelregierung, with his father until Frederick died in 1493.[6][7]
Maximilian expanded the influence of the House of Habsburg through war and his marriage in 1477 to Mary, Duchess of Burgundy. However, he also lost his family's lands in Switzerland to the Swiss Confederacy. Through the marriage of his son Philip the Handsome to eventual queen Joanna of Castile in 1496, Maximilian helped to establish the Habsburg dynasty in Spain, which allowed his grandson Charles to hold the thrones of both Castile and Aragon.[8] Historian Thomas A. Brady Jr. describes him as "the first Holy Roman Emperor in 250 years who ruled as well as reigned" and the "ablest royal warlord of his generation".
After the museum, we stopped by the Golden Roof area to try the local Sauerkraut vendor and ordered a hot dog with sauerkraut. It was delicious (and much better than any hot dog in California)!
We walked a bit farther along the Inn River, then returned to see the Lumagica Christmas Light show.
I have a separate blog post about it here:
For dinner, our hotel concierge made reservations at Ottorburg for 20:00. After about 10 minutes of waiting to be seated, we looked at the menu and ordered the following items (our waitress brought out the bread rolls quickly, but hot tea was slow to arrive).
- Alex: Hot Tea, Chicken Breast Toscana (Huhnebrust)
- Boris: Radler, Tafelspitz, Salat der Saison
- Inna: Grüner Veltliner, Hot Tea, Wilderpfand (Deer)
- Dessert: Fluffy Chocolate Mousse
My Tafelspitz (Boiled Beef with potatoes) was delicious, though not on par with Plachutta in Vienna.
Inna's Wildpfand (Deer) was not bad. Alex liked his Chicken Bread Toscana. Ottorburg was reasonably priced and well-run (though the service was a bit slow in bringing our hot tea).
Monday, December 30, 2024
After our usual tasteless breakfast, we ordered a taxi for 10:25 and checked out of our room (packing all of our belongings in the 3 large suitcases). After the cab dropped us off at the Innsbruck Train Station, we found platform #31 and waited for our train to Otztal/Langenfeld. I had pre-purchased 3 train/bus tickets using the OBB app on my iPhone (the day before).
We almost missed our train because it was parked much farther ahead, and we didn't realize it was the right train for Otztal. Luckily, we managed to board the train right before it departed.
After getting off in Otztal, we boarded bus #320 for Langenfeld (where Aquadome is located). Once we reached the Langenfeld Gemeindeamt Bus stop, we got off. It was a walk to Aquadome (I was surprised there was no closer stop). (It turned out that there was a closer stop, but Google Maps was not aware of it.
Innsbruck Trip Report
Highlights
- Viewing the amazing Lumagica Christmas Light show (a major highlight!)
- Walking around the old town and marveling at the cute decorations
- Seeing alpine birds and mammals at the Alpine Zoo
- Dining on fresh Italian pasta at Il Convento
- Dining on excellent Greek Food at the Akropolis restaurant
- Dining on delicious burgers at Restaurant Zum Wohl Tirol
- Visiting the amory at the Schloss Ambras Innsbruck (far away, need to ride the bus)
- Visiting the Hofburg Palace to see paintings and beautifully furnished rooms (no photos allowed)
Lowlights
- Catching a cold (sore throat and runny nose) for both Inna, Alex, and me
- Poor snow conditions for snowboarding at Nordkette and other nearby resorts
- Poor response from Dieborse Ski Rental
- The shop eventually responded to my emails, but it was too late to rent skis.
- Mediocre Hotel Innsbruck
- Check-in / check-out usually had only one person working, so lines were long.
- When I shattered a wine glass, I sent out an email and got no response
- Unimpressive breakfast buffet with slow service
- Uninspiring dinner (slow service, mediocre food)
Links
- Restaurants
- Akropolis (Greek)
- Das Schindler (Austrian)
- Il Convento (Italian)
- Ottorburg (Austrian)
- Restaurant Zum Wohl Tirol (burgers)
- Der Bäcker Ruetz - Mariahilfpark (café & bakery)
- Hotel Innsbruck (hotel, spa, restaurant)
- Nordkette (ski resort and funicular)
- Alpine Zoo (zoo)
- Schloss Ambras Innsbruck (castle)
- Lumagica (Christmas Light Show)
- Hofburg Palace (palace and museum)
