Ellmau sits right in the middle of the Wilder Kaiser, with the Hartkaiser lift in the village and the limestone wall of the Kaiser mountains filling the view from almost every hotel balcony.
It’s the biggest of the four Wilder Kaiser villages in Tyrol, Austria, and it has the widest choice of places to stay: a 5-star spa hotel next to the slopes, family hotels with their own water slides and petting zoos, family-run guesthouses and a handful of chalets with their own saunas.
The hotels in Ellmau below are sorted by the kind of trip you’re planning, whether that’s skiing the SkiWelt in winter, hiking the Kaiser in summer, or a few days in a spa doing very little at all. Each one comes with what you need to choose: who it suits, whether it takes children or pets, and how close it is to the lift.
TL;DR
The best hotel in Ellmau is Kaiserhof Superior, a 5-star spa hotel next to the slopes and the Hartkaiser lift. For families, book Familienhotel Christoph, and for the best value right by the lift, Tirol Lodge.
Who Ellmau suits
Families, skiers and hikers first, couples who want a spa second. It’s the village with the most hotels and the most to do, summer and winter.
Where in Ellmau
Stay near the Hartkaiser lift for skiing and hiking straight from the door, or in the village center for restaurants and the Kaiserbad pool. Everything is close.
Book early
The best rooms for Christmas, February and July 2027 go first, so book as soon as you know your dates.
Short on time? The best hotels in Ellmau for each kind of trip
- Best luxury hotel in Ellmau: Kaiserhof Superior, 5-star, with a spa on four floors and a rooftop pool
- Best ski-in ski-out hotel in Ellmau: Tirol Lodge, right next to the Hartkaiser lift, rated 8.8 from nearly 4,000 reviews
- Best family hotel in Ellmau: Familienhotel Christoph, with all-day children’s care and a 40-yard (37 m) water slide
- Best spa hotel in Ellmau: Das Kaiserblick, with an infinity pool, a hammam and ski-to-door access
- Best pet-friendly hotel in Ellmau: Ferienappartements Landhof, apartments with kitchens, a petting zoo and pets allowed
- Best chalet in Ellmau: Wochenbrunner Chalets, wooden chalets with their own sauna, rated 9.3
- Just browsing? Search all hotels in Ellmau, chalets in Ellmau, or next door in Going
Is Ellmau a Good Place to Stay in the Wilder Kaiser?
TL;DR: Yes. Ellmau is the best place to stay in the Wilder Kaiser for families and for anyone who wants the most hotel choice, because it’s the largest of the four villages and has its own lift into the SkiWelt ski area and up to the summer hiking trails.
The Wilder Kaiser region is four villages strung along the valley below the Kaiser mountains: Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll. Ellmau sits in the middle, between Going and Scheffau, which makes it the easiest base for seeing all four.
In winter, the Hartkaiser lift takes you straight from the village into the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, one of the largest ski areas in Austria. In summer, the same lift carries you up to 1,550 m (5,085 ft) on the Hartkaiser, where the hiking trails start and Ellmi’s Zauberwelt, a mountain adventure world for children, waits at the top station.
Down in the village there’s the Kaiserbad pool with its sauna, open all year, two golf courses, and the weekly Ellmau summer night with live music. If you’re still choosing between the villages, our Wilder Kaiser summer guide and our Wilder Kaiser ski guide cover all four.
Where to Stay in Ellmau: By the Lift or in the Village
TL;DR: Stay by the Hartkaiser lift in Ellmau if you’re skiing or hiking every day, or in the village center if you’d rather stroll to dinner and the Kaiserbad pool. The two are a few minutes apart.
Around the Hartkaiser lift is where the ski-to-door hotels are, including the Kaiserhof, Das Kaiserblick and Tirol Lodge. In winter you clip in at the door, and in summer the lift up to the hiking trails is just as close.
The village center, around the church and the main street called Dorf, puts you next to the restaurants, the shops and the bus stops. Hotel Hochfilzer and Sporthotel Ellmau are here, and the Sporthotel is also right next to a lift.
The edges of the village and the hamlets around it are quieter, with more space, more parking and the best views of the Kaiser. Familienhotel Christoph, the Landhof apartments and most of the chalets are out here, and a free ski bus links them with the lift in winter.
Hotels in Ellmau Compared
TL;DR: Of the 13 places to stay in Ellmau here, eight welcome pets in some form, all of them welcome children, and eight have a swimming pool.
| Hotel | Best for | Guest rating | Children | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiserhof Superior | Luxury, spa, fine dining | 9.7 | Yes | On request, charges may apply |
| Das Kaiserblick | Spa, ski-to-door | 9.1 | Yes | On request, charges may apply |
| Hotel Der Bär | Couples, gourmet food | 9.2 | Yes | No |
| Tirol Lodge | Skiing, value | 8.8 | Yes | Yes, charges may apply |
| Sporthotel Ellmau | Skiing, golf, saunas | 8.7 | Yes | On request, charges may apply |
| Familienhotel Christoph | Families with young children | 8.9 | Yes, children’s care | No |
| Ferienappartements Landhof | Families, pets, self-catering | 9.2 | Yes, playground and petting zoo | Yes, charges may apply |
| Hotel Hochfilzer | The village center | 9.1 | Yes | On request, charges may apply |
| Landhaus Kaiserblick | Family-run value | 9.2 | Yes | No |
| Hotel Garni Bavaria | Bed and breakfast | 9.2 | Yes | No |
| Wochenbrunner Chalets | A chalet with a sauna | 9.3 | Yes | Yes, charges may apply |
| Chalet Grizzly | A ski-to-door chalet | 8.1 | Yes | No |
| Das gemütliche Chalet im Bergdoktordorf | A family chalet | 8.7 | Yes | On request, charges may apply |
Luxury and Spa Hotels in Ellmau
Three hotels for a trip where the spa matters as much as the mountains.
Kaiserhof Superior in Ellmau
A 5-star superior hotel right next to the ski slopes and the Hartkaiser lift, with a spa spread over four floors, a rooftop mountain pool with views high above Ellmau, saunas, a steam bath, Ayurveda and massage treatments, and a natural swimming pond in summer.
The restaurants hold three toques from Gault&Millau in 2026, and owner Günter Lampert was named Austria’s Chef of the Year in 2011, so dinner is half the reason to come. Guests rate it 9.7 out of 10. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets are allowed on request, charges may apply. If you want the one hotel in Ellmau that does everything at the highest level, this is the one we’d book first.
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Das Kaiserblick in Ellmau
A 4-star superior hotel with ski-to-door access and three pools, including an infinity pool facing the Kaiser, plus a sauna, a hammam, a hot tub and a fitness center. The family rooms have balconies with mountain views.
The restaurant serves Austrian, Italian and French dishes with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and breakfast comes with champagne, which sets a certain tone for the day. It holds 9.1 out of 10 across nearly 500 reviews. Children of all ages are welcome, pets are allowed on request, charges may apply. For a spa hotel in Ellmau that’s also on the slopes, it’s the best of both.
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Hotel Der Bär in Ellmau
A country-style hotel spread across several buildings like a small village of its own, with a heated indoor and outdoor infinity pool open all year, a sauna, a steam bath and a relaxation room looking straight at the Wilder Kaiser.
The restaurant holds three forks from Falstaff, and in summer there’s a garden restaurant with show cooking. The suites mix alpine and modern style. Rated 9.2 out of 10. Children are welcome, pets are not. If you’re a couple who wants to swim outside in the snow and then eat very well, this is the hotel in Ellmau for you.
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Ski-In Ski-Out Hotels in Ellmau
Two hotels next to the lifts, for skiers in winter and hikers in summer.
Tirol Lodge in Ellmau
Right next to the Hartkaiser lift and the Hausberg lift, with ski-to-door access, a panoramic sauna, a relaxation room with a mountain view and a heated outdoor pool that’s open all year. There’s free underground parking, an in-house ski depot, and a lobby lounge with a fireplace for the end of the day.
It’s rated 8.8 out of 10 across nearly 4,000 reviews, the most of any hotel in Ellmau by a long way. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets are allowed, charges may apply. If you want to be first on the lift without paying for a spa you won’t use, book this one.
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Sporthotel Ellmau in Ellmau
A 4-star hotel in the center of Ellmau, right next to a lift into the SkiWelt, with indoor and outdoor pools, seven different saunas, a hot tub, and massage and beauty treatments. Every room has a balcony.
Half board means a big breakfast buffet and a 4-course dinner, and there’s a free fitness program with morning gymnastics and aqua gym. The 27-hole Wilder Kaiser golf course is directly opposite, with discounted green fees for guests. Rated 8.7 out of 10. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets are allowed on request, charges may apply. For a ski hotel in Ellmau that turns into a golf hotel in summer, this is it.
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Family Hotels in Ellmau
Ellmau is a family village, and these two are built around children.
Familienhotel Christoph in Ellmau
Children’s care all day, a kids’ indoor pool with a 40-yard (37 m) water slide, squash and tennis courts, a hot tub, a steam bath and a sauna for the grown-ups, and panoramic views over Ellmau.
Breakfast has an organic corner, dinner is four courses with a gala evening, and drinks with dinner and the evening entertainment are included. Rated 8.9 out of 10. Children of all ages are welcome, pets are not. If you want a family hotel in Ellmau where the children are busy and happy all day, this is the one.
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Ferienappartements Landhof in Ellmau
Apartments with full kitchens and a balcony or terrace, 800 m (2,625 ft) from the Hartkaiser lift, with a free ski bus several times a day in winter. There’s a sauna, a steam bath and a heated outdoor pool you reach from a winter garden indoors.
In summer, the children get an adventure playground, a children’s pool, a petting zoo and pony rides, and the grown-ups get a natural pond, a barbecue and table tennis. Rated 9.2 out of 10. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets are allowed, charges may apply. For a family with a dog, it’s the easiest place to stay in Ellmau.
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Small and Family-Run Hotels in Ellmau
Three family-run places, all rated 9.1 or higher, for when you want a warm welcome more than a big resort.
Hotel Hochfilzer in Ellmau
In the middle of the village on the main street, with an indoor pool with a view, a spa, a sauna, a hot tub, a garden and a sun terrace. The rooms have balconies, and there are family rooms too.
The restaurant serves Austrian food with vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options, with themed dinner nights and evening entertainment. Rated 9.1 out of 10 across more than 300 reviews. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets are allowed on request, charges may apply. If you want a hotel in Ellmau village where you can stroll to everything, this is it.
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Landhaus Kaiserblick in Ellmau
A country-style hotel run by the same family for three generations, with a sauna, a steam bath, a games room and a terrace. Every room has a balcony, and some rooms in the two buildings next door add a living room and a fridge.
Rated 9.2 out of 10, with a big buffet breakfast every morning and free parking. Children of all ages are welcome, pets are not. For a friendly, good-value hotel in Ellmau, it’s the one we’d recommend.
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Hotel Garni Bavaria in Ellmau
A garni, which in Austria means a hotel that serves breakfast and leaves dinner to you. Here, that breakfast is rated exceptional. There’s a sauna, a garden and a lounge, and the rooms have balconies and bathrobes.
Rated 9.2 out of 10, with free parking. Children of all ages are welcome, pets are not. If you’d rather try a different restaurant in Ellmau every night, this is the bed and breakfast to book.
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Chalets in Ellmau
Three chalets in Ellmau for when you want your own front door, your own kitchen and, in two of them, your own sauna.
Wochenbrunner Chalets in Ellmau
Wooden chalets above the village with kitchenettes, terraces and mountain views, and every one has its own sauna. There’s a restaurant serving Austrian food, breakfast can be delivered to your chalet, and there are free bicycles and a children’s playground.
Chalets range from one bedroom to four. Rated 9.3 out of 10 across 130 reviews. Children are welcome, and pets are allowed, charges may apply. For a chalet in Ellmau where you can sauna, then have breakfast brought to your door, this is the pick.
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Chalet Grizzly in Ellmau
Apartments with ski-to-door access, a sauna, a terrace, a balcony, a kitchenette and ski storage, in a spot guests rate 9.4 for location.
Rated 8.1 out of 10 overall, with family rooms. Children of all ages are welcome, pets are not. If skiing is the whole point of the trip, Chalet Grizzly puts you on the snow faster than any other chalet in Ellmau.
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Das gemütliche Chalet im Bergdoktordorf in Ellmau
The name means the cozy chalet in the Bergdoktor village, a nod to the German TV series that made Ellmau famous. It has three bedrooms, a living room, a garden, a sun terrace, barbecue facilities and a children’s playground, with ski storage and free parking.
Rated 8.7 out of 10. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets are allowed on request, charges may apply. For a family chalet in Ellmau with room for everyone, this is the one.
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Hotels in Going, Next Door to Ellmau
TL;DR: Going is the small village just east of Ellmau, a few minutes by car or bus, with the Astberg lift and two of the best wellness hotels in the Wilder Kaiser.
If Ellmau is booked up, or you want somewhere even quieter, Going is the obvious next place to look. It shares the same ski area and the same hiking trails, and fans of Der Bergdoktor will want to see it.
Wellnessresort Seiwald in Going
A 4-star superior wellness resort with large indoor and outdoor pools, the indoor one kept at 30°C (86°F) all year, plus a sauna, a light therapy room, a fitness area and a library. Breakfast moves out to the terrace in summer, and there’s an afternoon snack with warm and cold dishes.
Rated 9.2 out of 10. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets are allowed on request, charges may apply. For a wellness hotel near Ellmau with one of the warmest pools in the valley, book this one.
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Vitalhotel Sonnenhof in Going
A few minutes on foot from the Astberg chairlift, with an indoor pool, several saunas, a fitness room and a garden with a playground and a trampoline. Most rooms have a balcony.
Half board adds an afternoon buffet with cake and warm dishes. Rated 8.6 out of 10, with breakfast rated exceptional. Children of all ages are welcome, and pets are allowed, charges may apply. For a family with a dog who wants to ski from Going, it’s a good fit.
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How to Get to Ellmau
TL;DR: Ellmau is about 72 km (45 miles) from Salzburg Airport. The closest main-line train stations are St. Johann in Tirol, Wörgl and Kufstein, with local buses on to the village.
Most visitors drive or take a transfer from Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich. If you’re coming by train, ride to St. Johann in Tirol, Wörgl or Kufstein, then take the regional bus along the valley to Ellmau. Check the bus timetable for your dates before you travel, because services change with the season.
Once you’re here, you won’t need a car much. A ski bus runs between the villages and the lifts in winter, and in summer the villages are linked by flat paths you can hike or cycle between.
What to Do From Your Ellmau Hotel
TL;DR: From a hotel in Ellmau you can ski the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental in winter, and in summer hike from the Hartkaiser, take the children to Ellmi’s Zauberwelt, play golf, or swim at the Kaiserbad.
In winter, the Hartkaiser lift takes you straight into the SkiWelt, with snowshoe hikes, torchlit evening hikes and mountain huts serving Tyrolean food between runs. Our Wilder Kaiser ski guide covers the whole ski area, and our guide to skiing in Austria compares it with the country’s other big resorts.
In summer, ride the Hartkaiser up to 1,550 m (5,085 ft) and hike out along the ridge with the Kaiser in front of you, or hike from village to village on the trails that link all four. The Hintersteiner See lake, the Spatlahner Gorge and the Bergdoktor farm are all close. Our Wilder Kaiser summer guide has the details, and our guide to the best places in the Austrian Alps has more ideas for your trip.
With children, Ellmi’s Zauberwelt at the top of the Hartkaiser is the big one, and the Kaiserbad pool in the village is open all year for rainy days. The local tourism board’s guide to holidays in Ellmau lists the weekly summer events.
When to Book a Hotel in Ellmau for 2027
TL;DR: Book a hotel in Ellmau for 2027 as early as you can, especially for Christmas, February and July to August, when the best rooms near the lift go first.
Winter brings the skiers, with the busiest weeks over Christmas and New Year and in February, when school holidays in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands overlap. January and March are quieter, with long days on the slopes.
Summer runs from May into October, when the hiking trails open and Ellmi’s Zauberwelt welcomes families at the top of the Hartkaiser. June and September are the sweet spots, with warm days, open trails and more rooms to choose from.
Hotels in Ellmau: Your Questions Answered
What is the best hotel in Ellmau?
The best hotel in Ellmau is Kaiserhof Superior, a 5-star superior hotel right next to the ski slopes and the Hartkaiser lift, with a spa over four floors, a rooftop pool and restaurants holding three Gault&Millau toques in 2026. It’s rated 9.7 out of 10. For the best value next to the lift, Tirol Lodge is rated 8.8 across nearly 4,000 reviews.
Is Ellmau a good place to stay?
Yes, Ellmau is a very good place to stay in the Wilder Kaiser, especially for families, skiers and hikers. It’s the largest of the four Wilder Kaiser villages, it sits in the middle of the region between Going and Scheffau, and the Hartkaiser lift goes straight from the village into the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area in winter and up to the hiking trails in summer.
Is it better to stay in Ellmau or Söll?
It’s better to stay in Ellmau if you want the most hotel choice, spa hotels and a family focus, and in Söll if you want a livelier village with more après-ski and the Hexenwasser family trail on Hohe Salve. Both have lifts into the same SkiWelt ski area and are about 15 minutes apart by car, so whichever you choose, you can ski and hike from the other.
What is the most romantic hotel in Ellmau?
The most romantic hotel in Ellmau is Hotel Der Bär, with a heated indoor and outdoor infinity pool open all year, a relaxation room facing the Wilder Kaiser and a restaurant holding three forks from Falstaff. Kaiserhof Superior is the choice for a 5-star spa weekend with a rooftop pool.
Which hotels in Ellmau are pet-friendly?
The pet-friendly hotels in Ellmau are Tirol Lodge, Ferienappartements Landhof and Wochenbrunner Chalets, where pets are allowed and charges may apply, and Kaiserhof Superior, Das Kaiserblick, Sporthotel Ellmau, Hotel Hochfilzer and Das gemütliche Chalet im Bergdoktordorf, where pets are allowed on request and charges may apply. Hotel Der Bär, Familienhotel Christoph, Landhaus Kaiserblick, Hotel Garni Bavaria and Chalet Grizzly do not allow pets.
What is the most family-friendly hotel in Ellmau?
The most family-friendly hotel in Ellmau is Familienhotel Christoph, which offers children’s care all day, a kids’ indoor pool with a 40-yard (37 m) water slide, and free drinks with dinner and evening entertainment. Ferienappartements Landhof has apartments with kitchens, an adventure playground, a petting zoo and pony rides.
What is the best spa hotel in Ellmau?
The best spa hotel in Ellmau is Kaiserhof Superior, with a spa over four floors, a rooftop mountain pool, saunas, a steam bath and Ayurveda treatments. Das Kaiserblick has three pools including an infinity pool, a hammam and a hot tub, and Sporthotel Ellmau has seven different saunas.
Which hotels in Ellmau are ski-in ski-out?
The ski-in ski-out hotels in Ellmau are Tirol Lodge, next to the Hartkaiser and Hausberg lifts, Das Kaiserblick and Kaiserhof Superior, both with direct access to the slopes, and Sporthotel Ellmau, next to a lift in the village center. Chalet Grizzly is the ski-to-door chalet.
Are there chalets in Ellmau?
Yes, there are chalets in Ellmau. Wochenbrunner Chalets have their own sauna in every chalet and breakfast delivered to the door, Chalet Grizzly has ski-to-door access, and Das gemütliche Chalet im Bergdoktordorf sleeps a family in three bedrooms with a garden and playground.
How do you get to Ellmau?
To get to Ellmau, fly into Salzburg, about 72 km (45 miles) away, or Innsbruck or Munich, then drive or take a transfer. By train, the closest main-line stations are St. Johann in Tirol, Wörgl and Kufstein, with local buses on to Ellmau. Check the bus timetable for your dates, because it changes with the season.
When should I book a hotel in Ellmau for 2027?
Book a hotel in Ellmau for 2027 as early as you can, especially for Christmas and New Year, February and July to August. Those are the busiest weeks for skiing and summer holidays, and the rooms closest to the Hartkaiser lift go first. June, September, January and March are quieter.
Search All Hotels in Ellmau on a Map
Zoom in to see every hotel in Ellmau, or drag along the valley to compare Going, Scheffau and Söll.
Pick Your Hotel in Ellmau and Head for the Kaiser
The Kaiserhof for a spa and a dinner you’ll talk about, Tirol Lodge for first lift of the day, Familienhotel Christoph for a family, and Wochenbrunner Chalets for a sauna of your own. Whichever you choose, the Wilder Kaiser will be right there outside the window. Book early for 2027, and save a day for the Hartkaiser.