Choosing accommodation in Niederau and the Wildschönau

Types of accommodation

A hotel or guesthouse is convenient: breakfast, often half board and no housekeeping of your own. A holiday flat or apartment (Ferienwohnung) gives more space and a kitchen, which helps with children or a longer stay. On a farm holiday, known in German as ‘Urlaub auf dem Bauernhof’, you stay on a working or former farm; children often see animals there, but what is offered differs from farm to farm. A mountain hut is simpler and usually remote. With apartments, check what is included, such as bed linen and final cleaning, and the minimum length of stay: in high season places are often let by the week.

Which village suits you?

Niederau lies at the Markbachjochbahn and the Lanerköpfl, the village’s home mountain. That is practical if you want to reach the slopes in winter without detours, and for walks from the cable car in summer. Oberau is central in the valley and a good base if you want to explore a lot. Auffach, at the head of the valley, lies near the Schatzberg and suits you if skiing or hiking there is your main plan. Thierbach is the quietest village, a fit if you value peace over having amenities close by. All villages are a short drive apart, with the ski bus as an alternative.

Distance to lift and ski bus

In winter, the distance to the lift or a ski bus stop decides much of the comfort. With ski boots, children and a rucksack, a few hundred metres soon feel long, especially uphill. Ask how far the nearest bus stop and the cable car are on foot, and whether the path is cleared in snow. The ski bus runs between the villages and is usually free for guests with the Wildschönau Card; check the timetable and the last departure if you want to go out in the evening. In summer the distance matters less, but a stop nearby still helps.

Guest card and facilities

Guests in the Wildschönau receive a guest card through their accommodation; when booking, ask whether it is included, what it covers and whether a Premium Card is possible (see our guide to the Wildschönau Card). Then look at what matters to you: a sauna or pool in the house, a ski room, wifi, a lift in the building. If you travel with children, ask about cots, a high chair and perhaps a play area. If you bring a dog, enquire in advance: not every accommodation accepts pets, and conditions or a surcharge may apply.

Parking and tourist tax

Coming by car? Ask whether the stay has its own parking space, whether it is free and whether there is covered parking or room for snow chains in winter. If you come by train, check how to get from the station in Wörgl to your accommodation. Austria generally charges a tourist tax; it is often not part of the stay price and is sometimes settled separately on site. When booking, ask whether the tax, final cleaning and any energy costs are included, so the total does not come as a surprise.

High season and cancellation terms

Busy periods are generally the Christmas and New Year weeks, February half-term and carnival holidays, the summer holidays and sometimes the autumn weeks. Then the best places fill up early, prices rise and stays are often let by the week or with a minimum length. If you are flexible, you will find more choice and calm outside those weeks. Before booking, read the cancellation terms: until when can you cancel free of charge, what happens to a deposit, and is cancellation insurance sensible? Keep the confirmation safe.

Booking

A reliable first step is the tourist office Wildschönau Tourismus, which keeps an overview of the accommodation in all four villages and can help with questions. You can search for a stay and make an enquiry there, or contact the host directly once you have chosen. Niederau.nl does not sell stays itself and does not recommend third-party booking platforms. Ask your questions in writing, have agreements on price, extra costs and cancellation confirmed, and check that the confirmation matches what you asked for.

Hotel Wastlhof: partner of Niederau.nl

To be clear: Hotel Wastlhof in Niederau is a partner of Niederau.nl. It is a four-star wellness hotel run by the Brunner family for three generations, with an indoor pool, an outdoor pool heated all year and its own riding stables. It is one of the options in the village and suits those who want a hotel with wellness facilities and animals nearby. Other types of stay, such as apartments or farms, suit better if you want to cook for yourself or prefer something simpler. So compare calmly, including with other providers.

Frequently asked questions