A Blizzard, a Suite, and Rosé Champagne
We pulled up to Hotel Kristall on Christmas Eve Eve with zero snow on the ground, a Shih Tzu in her carrier bag, and absolutely no idea what we were walking into. I knew we’d booked a dog-friendly hotel in Seefeld-Leutasch, tucked into the Austrian Alps. I didn’t know we were about to have one of the most pet-friendly hotel experiences of our entire trip.
Daisy had been a trooper on the journey. We’d taken the train into Seefeld (from Vienna via Innsbruck), and a quick word on that. If you’re arriving by train, there are actually two Hotel Kristalls in the area. One is a fair distance away, and the other is a short 10 to 15 minute taxi ride from the station. Make sure you know which one you’re heading to. The taxi rank is right across from the station, and the drivers had no issue with Daisy at all. We actually ended up using the same taxi company a few times during our stay, and they were brilliant.
The moment we drove through the area, I got that feeling. You know the one. Mountains everywhere, ski resorts dotting the landscape, proper alpine scenery that makes you exhale and think, yes, this is exactly where I need to be. There wasn’t much snow when we arrived, just a light dusting on the peaks, but the landscape was already gorgeous. And then a blizzard rolled through overnight and turned the whole place into a winter wonderland. Timing couldn’t have been better.
Check-In Experience
Walking into the hotel, the first thing I noticed was that it was very Christmasy. Decorations everywhere, warm lighting, the works. The second thing I noticed was that the reception area was packed. People were sitting around having drinks, chatting, very relaxed. It isn’t a huge space, so it felt quite busy, but the atmosphere was casual and friendly.
Check-in took longer than usual. Not a disaster, just not the quick in-and-out you might expect. Daisy was sitting in her bag on top of the suitcase, people watching. She didn’t get her usual fanfare at reception, but honestly I think that was just down to the reception being fairly busy. Once we got to the desk, the staff were lovely. They were wearing traditional Austrian outfits, which immediately set the tone.
Here’s something I really liked. When they check you in, they register you as a tourist in the area, and you get a QR code that gives you discounts and free travel on local buses. That’s a proper perk, especially if you’re planning to head down into Seefeld village during your stay.
They’d already arranged our dinner table for Christmas Eve, and that table was ours for the duration, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Really well organised. We’d reached out to the hotel before arrival to book our Christmas Eve dinner, and I’d recommend doing the same if you’re visiting over a holiday. They walked us through the spa options, the dining setup, and how the hotel works. And then came the best bit. Prosecco on arrival. We sat down in the reception area with our glasses while Daisy settled in beside us, and that was the moment the trip properly started. Adults-only, Prosecco in hand, dog by my side. Perfect.
One quirky detail. They give you a physical key with a big block on it showing your room number. You leave it at reception every time you go out, and collect it when you come back. Old school, but kind of charming.
The Room
We were upgraded to a suite. Let me tell you, I wasn’t expecting what we walked into.
The layout was a long rectangle. You had a sitting room, a bedroom, a bathroom with a wet room, a separate toilet, and then a balcony that ran the entire length of the suite. You could access the balcony from the bedroom, the sitting room, and the bathroom. Three different entry points to what was probably the most beautiful view I have ever woken up to.
Pure alpine heaven. That’s the only way I can describe looking out from that balcony. Mountains in every direction, fresh snow on the ground, the sun catching the peaks. I’d get up in the morning, step outside in the cold, and just stand there. Even when it was freezing, it was worth it.
The interior was entirely wooden. Walls, ceiling, furniture. Very traditional alpine, very warm. We had welcome amenities waiting for us. Rosé champagne, chocolates, fruits, and a handwritten note from the management. This place blew my mind from the moment we walked in.
Out on the balcony there was a table with chairs and a separate little lounge area. Daisy loved the freedom inside the suite. She was running around, claiming every corner, doing her thing. The floors were wooden with a rug in the living area and tile in the bathroom, so easy for her to get around.
Now, there were no specific dog amenities in the room. No dog bed, no bowls, no treats. And here’s my honest take on that. I don’t care. Daisy doesn’t sleep in any bed that any hotel has ever provided for her. What I care about is whether I can take my dog to breakfast, lunch, and dinner with me. And at Hotel Kristall, the answer was yes to all three. That instantly makes this one of the most dog-friendly hotels I’ve ever stayed in. Give me dining access over a dog biscuit any day.
As far as I could tell, Daisy was the only dog in the hotel during our stay. I don’t remember seeing another dog around the whole time we were there. There were plenty of dogs out and about in the area, and we met lots of dog owners on walks, but inside the hotel Daisy had the spotlight to herself. Which might explain why she got so much attention from the staff.
One of my favourite encounters from the trip happened on the way to the bus. A guy staying in a hotel around the corner stopped us and asked where Daisy got her outfit. I told him I’d got it from Temu. He’d never heard of Temu. Then he starts showing me photos of his own dog, who wasn’t with him but was back at his hotel. Lovely dog, apparently loves to fly. Great, I said. Turns out the dog has its own private jet. We are not in those leagues with Daisy. He was laughing, and I can only imagine what he thought when he went home and looked up where I was ordering Daisy’s wardrobe from.
Dining
This is where Hotel Kristall really stands out. Breakfast and lunch are included in your stay. I knew about breakfast before we arrived, but lunch was a surprise, and a very welcome one.
Breakfast
The breakfast buffet was impressive. You could make your own omelets, boil your own eggs, and choose from all the usual breakfast meats, multiple types of bread, and options for allergies, all included. There were easily ten different types of juice, a pancake maker, and you could even make your own fresh orange juice and carrot juice. Really high-end and thoughtfully done.
Daisy sat right beside me the whole time. Nobody batted an eye. She had her own bits while I worked through what was honestly one of the best hotel breakfast spreads I’ve come across.
Lunch
Lunch was a lighter setup but still generous. Salads, breads, different oils, and plenty of variety. Because we arrived around lunchtime on our first day, we were able to go straight in and grab some cheese and salad before even unpacking properly. I wasn’t even aware lunch was included until we got there, so that was a very nice surprise on day one.
Christmas Eve Eve: Skipping the Hotel
Our first evening, Christmas Eve Eve, the hotel offered us a set menu dinner. We decided to skip it and head down into village instead to explore on our own. Best decision we made. That’s when we found the family restaurant – Weidachstube Neuner.
The Restaurant in Town – Weidachstube Neuner
By far the best food I’ve had in a long, long time. Family owned, super welcoming, and they absolutely loved Daisy. I don’t want to oversell it, but we loved it so much we went back on Christmas Day. The food was incredible both times, and the service and the family running it just made you feel at home. I can’t recommend it enough. View more here.
Christmas Eve Dinner at the Hotel
In Austria, the big celebration happens on Christmas Eve, and the hotel put on a seven-course dinner for the occasion. It was beautifully presented, and the atmosphere was really special. The staff were lovely, and they gave us a gorgeous ornament of a hot chocolate to take home as a keepsake.
Let me be honest though. The food looked better than it tasted. The wine was fantastic, our hosts were fantastic, and we had a cinnamon apple hot soup that was probably the highlight of the meal, really different and warming. The homemade butter with the bread was also something I loved. But overall, the dinner wasn’t our favourite. Daisy didn’t seem to mind either way.
What Makes This a Truly Dog-Friendly Hotel in Seefeld
Where Daisy Could Go
Everywhere. And I mean that almost literally. Technically, dogs aren’t allowed in the main restaurant area, but there’s an extended section that is basically the same room, and Daisy was welcome there for every meal. In practice, she was with us for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day.
Throughout the rest of the hotel, Daisy was acknowledged and adored. The staff would come over to say hello, guests would stop to pet her. She became a bit of a star during our stay. The cleaning lady who looked after our room couldn’t speak English, but she and Daisy had the most beautiful connection. Every day she’d light up when she saw Daisy, and when we were leaving she was blowing kisses and giving Daisy hugs. That’s the kind of thing you can’t manufacture. It comes from a hotel that truly welcomes dogs, not just tolerates them.
The only time I left Daisy in the room was when I went to the spa. We made sure she had a good long walk beforehand, and she was perfectly fine. She was sleeping when we got back, and then started barking the moment she heard us at the door. Protecting the suite, obviously.
The Wellness Spa
The hotel has a rooftop area with a heated outdoor pool, a sauna, and a rest area with mountain views. Downstairs in the basement there is a more extensive spa with a steam room, different types of saunas, an indoor pool, and a jacuzzi.
A heads up for anyone from the UK or Ireland. It’s a nude spa. The outdoor rooftop pool isn’t nude, but everything indoors, the saunas, jacuzzi, indoor pool, all of it. This is completely normal in Austria and across much of Europe, but it took some getting used to for us. It’s an adults-only hotel, so it makes sense in context.
They have massage treatments available, though only one treatment slot runs at a time. Daisy’s auntie Cheryl went first while Daisy and I explored the village, and then we swapped. The whole spa visit took about two hours, and Daisy handled the alone time like a champion.
One note. The rooftop pool could have been a touch warmer. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but on a cold December day, I was hoping for a bit more heat. The views from up there, though, made up for it completely.
The Standout Moment
There were several, but one thing kept coming back to me throughout the stay. It was the intimacy of this place. By the second day, the bar staff knew our names. One evening, a staff member actually apologised to us for not knowing our name when putting a charge on our room, and we had to tell her we hadn’t even met her yet. That’s how personal the service was. Everyone knew everyone. It felt less like a hotel and more like being a guest in someone’s very beautiful alpine home.
The crowd was a mix of older couples and families with grown-up kids, people in their twenties travelling with their parents, that kind of thing. Guests came from all over Europe, and the vibe was relaxed and social without being loud. It suited us perfectly.
And then there was Austria itself. Daisy was welcome everywhere. Every restaurant, every shop, every bus. Never once were we told the dog wasn’t allowed. If you’re used to the anxiety of travelling with your dog and wondering whether you’ll be turned away, Austria will feel like a different world. It has my heart for that reason alone.
If you’re considering other dog-friendly destinations across Europe, the way Austria treats dogs is similar to what we experienced in Greece with Daisy, where the culture is warm and welcoming rather than just policy-compliant.
Practical Details
We arrived by train into Seefeld station. From there, grab a taxi from the rank directly across the road. The journey to Hotel Kristall is about 10 to 15 minutes and isn’t walkable, so don’t plan on dragging your suitcase on foot. Remember, there are two Hotel Kristalls, so confirm with the driver which one you need.
Getting There
If you’re flying into Austria, you’ll likely be coming through Innsbruck or Munich. We took the OBB train through the Austrian Alps, which was an experience in itself. Check our airline reviews if you’re looking for the best way to get your dog to Austria. Our flight search engine can help you compare pet-friendly options across European airlines.
Walking and Outdoor Access
The location is perfect for dogs. There are walkways right around the hotel, and a lake about ten minutes away on foot with trails leading up into the mountains. We did a gorgeous loop walk through the alpine scenery, and even found ourselves crossing paths with professional ski trails. The sun was shining, the snow was fresh, and Daisy was in her element trotting along beside us.
If you’re visiting in winter, get booties for your dog. There’s a lot of salt on the ground for the ice, and while Daisy’s paws seemed fine, it isn’t worth the risk. Between the salt, the snow, and the occasional icy patch, booties will give you peace of mind.
Seefeld Village
Seefeld village is where everything happens. Christmas markets, open fires, wine by the fireplace. It was exactly the kind of cosy, festive atmosphere we were looking for. We’d been to Gstaad the year before and wanted something similar, and Seefeld delivered. The bus into the village is free with your tourist QR code, and Daisy was welcome on board without any fuss.
Booking Details
We booked through Booking.com and stayed four nights. The average rate was around 400 to 500 euros per night. With the suite upgrade, the included meals, and the overall quality of the experience, it felt like excellent value. The fact that there is no pet fee is a bonus on top.
Who This Hotel Is Best For
Hotel Kristall is ideal for couples, friend groups, families with grown up kids and dog parents who want an adults-only retreat in the Austrian Alps. If you’re looking for a hotel where your dog is truly part of the experience, not just grudgingly permitted, this is it. The combination of included meals, a proper spa, mountain views, and genuine warmth from the staff makes it something special.
It’s particularly great for a Christmas or winter holiday. The alpine setting with snow, the proximity to Seefeld’s Christmas markets, and the cosy, intimate atmosphere of the hotel itself create exactly the kind of festive escape that’s hard to find.
If you have kids, this isn’t the spot, as it’s strictly adults only. And if you’re someone who needs a gym or a big resort-style pool, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you want character, warmth, and a dog-friendly hotel that actually means it, Hotel Kristall is hard to beat.
For more dog-friendly hotel options across Europe, take our trip planning quiz or browse our hotel reviews for tried-and-tested recommendations.
Quick Facts
Location: Leutasch, Austria (short taxi ride from Seefeld train station)
Pet Policy: Dogs welcome throughout the hotel, including the dining area. Daisy joined us for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Pet Fees: None
Best Rooms for Dogs: Suite with balcony. Wooden floors, plenty of space to move, and balcony access from three rooms. R
ating: 9 out of 10
Best For: Couples and dog parents looking for an adults-only alpine retreat with real pet-friendly dining, included meals, and easy access to mountain walks.
Final Verdict
Rating: 9 out of 10
Hotel Kristall in Seefeld is one of those places that gets the important things right. Daisy was welcome everywhere that mattered. The suite was beautiful. The mountains took my breath away every single morning. The staff treated us, and Daisy, like family.
Was everything perfect? No. The Christmas dinner food was more style than substance. The rooftop pool could use a few more degrees. And check-in was slower than I’d have liked. But none of that changes the fact that this hotel gave us one of our best trips together. The intimacy, the alpine setting, the freedom of having Daisy by my side for every meal. That’s what stays with you.
We would absolutely stay again.
Have you stayed at Hotel Kristall with your dog? I’d love to hear about your experience. And if you’re planning a trip to Austria with your pup, check out our dog-friendly flight search engine to find the best way to get there.
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