It will come as no surprise to the well-travelled families amongst us that Austria excels at family-friendly hotels and recently I discovered one that takes it to a whole new level. (Well 10 metres off the ground at least!)
Austria is the birthplace of the so-called ‘Kinderhotel’, a concept created in the eighties by a group of Austrian hoteliers who aimed to redefine family holidays by focusing on the needs and desires of both parents and children. The idea was to create hotels where families could spend quality time together, surrounded by beautiful scenery, whilst also enjoying child-friendly yet sophisticated facilities.
On a recent trip to Upper Austria I got to have a little taste of an Austrian family-friendly hotel in action at Baumhotel Kopfing.
Whilst not a traditional kinderhotel*, this forest-dwelling adventure park, with an iconic treetop walk and stylish treehouse accommodation hidden in the treetops, certainly meets the needs of the whole family.
*Note: A typical kinderhotel has childcare included but there is no kids club here.
If you’re looking for unique, child-friendly accommodation for your next European family holiday, here’s everything you need to know about Baumhotel Kopfing.
Disclaimer: I travelled in partnership with Linz Tourism and Upper Austria Tourism as part of a campaign by Captivate. All opinions are my own.
What it’s like to stay in the treehouses at Baumkronenweg Nature Adventure Park
The rooms
Reached via an elevated wooden walkway, the 21 treehouses at Baumhotel Kopfing accommodate between 2 to 6 people.
I stayed in a Forest Loft, which is perfect for smaller families as it sleeps up to 3 people on a double bed and sofa bed. Decorated in a modern, minimalist style with lots of fresh-smelling pine, what struck me immediately was how spacious the loft was and how luxurious it felt with the unexpected addition of a freestanding bathtub.
This hotel is incredibly popular for winter breaks (their Forest Christmas Market is famed throughout the region) and I could tell that winter clothing had been taking into account when designing the storage! The hallway had a cloakroom area that’s perfect for coats and boots and the wardrobe is large enough for the whole family.
Above the wardrobe was a really cute ‘cuddle corner’ accessed via a ladder that my 6-year-old would have loved to turn into his own personal den if he was here with me. I did go up to take a look but it was higher than I expected so I didn’t hang around for too long! I was much more comfortable soaking in the bath or sitting on the balcony with a hot cup of tea, a book and the sound of birdsong in the background.
The food
My stay at Baumhotel Kopfing was inclusive of a half board meal package and I was really impressed with the quality of dinner.* I know from my experience at the likes of Feuerstein Nature Resort and Aki Family Resort in South Tyrol that Kinderhotels with meals included usually offer a little more than sausages and chips on a buffet and Baumhotel is no exception.
*I also had free use of a sauna which I didn’t have time for but appreciated how that is considered a must in this part of Europe!
At dinnertime I was led to a private dining area that had wonderful views and a relaxed but elevated mood. Day guests were dining in the main part of the restaurant and it was quite busy so it felt like a treat as an overnight guest to be led to a private section and offered table service.
For starters, I could help myself from the buffet or opt for a platter of regional specialities bought to the table. I actually did both (for research purposes!) and, whilst I couldn’t identify everything on my plate, it looked and tasted delicious.
For mains, there was a choice of 3 dishes and I opted for the duck, which was incredible. Dessert was a strawberry tiramisu, which was also to die for.
I will say there was a little bit of a language barrier so I couldn’t ascertain what drinks were included in my package, if any. The staff were very accommodating though and I’m sure if I was staying longer than one night things would have become a lot clearer.
Breakfast the next morning was also wonderful with lots of fresh bread, yoghurts, meats, cheeses, salad and delicate pastries. The younger guests were going wild for the waffle maker and its various toppings. I was really impressed with the food overall, as well as how much of it was included.
The treetop walk
A stay at Baumhotel also includes free access to the Baumkronenweg Nature Adventure Park, which is famed for its treetop path.
At a length of more than 1,000 meters the treetop path at Baumkronenweg is one of the longest in the world. (Some say it was the first of its kind too!) Dotted along it are 18 interactive adventure stations & info boards where you can learn more about the flora and fauna of the forest as well as climb, swing and slide your way through the forest.
I took an early morning walk along the treetop path before anyone else had arrived and it was such a good way to start the day. My highlight was the 40 m high observation tower, which has an incredible view over the border triangle of Austria, Germany & the Czech Republic. On clear days you can see as far as the Alps.
On the way back I bumped into a few multi-generational family groups and it was lovely to see the grandparents having as much fun as the children. I feel like this is the perfect family activity because everyone can find something to enjoy about it, no matter what your age is.
More activities
The treetop walk ends at an adventure playground that you can literally slide into should you be brave enough. (I was not!) There’s lots of different play equipment dotted throughout the forest, including a trampoline shed, and a café with outdoor seating so the grownups can enjoy a cold drink while the children play.
As I was travelling without my son I didn’t participate in the full gamut of activities on offer but I did take a walk and discover a labyrinth, llamas, bee hive and archery.
The observation tower is also home to an escape room (called YouExit) that can be played by 2-7 people and has been designed to be understood by all nationalities.
Overall, what I liked was that the adventure park wasn’t too huge or overwhelming. It’s the kind of place that would work well for our family because we could spend all morning having fun enjoying the free facilities at the hotel and then get out and explore the local area in the afternoon.
The local area
There is lots for families to enjoy within a short drive from Baumhotel Kopfing. Depending on the time of year and what your family enjoys, there is everything from outdoor swimming pools, to baroque towns as well as hiking and cycling adventures along the Danube River.
Read also: Weekend guide to Linz & Upper Austria
Baumhotel is also just a 15-minute drive from IKUNA Nature Resort, which is a must-do for families visiting Upper Austria.
Sprawled over 200,000 square metres, IKUNA Nature Resort boasts an unbelievable 90 play areas, ranging from giant sand pits to pirate playgrounds, go karts, roaring dinosaurs and tube slides. I spent an afternoon here and every time I thought I had seen it all I stumbled across another play area or jumping pillow hidden between the trees.
Because everything is so spread out and surrounded by rolling hills, it didn’t feel at all hectic compared, for example, to a UK theme park.
There are cafes, a pizzeria and bbq area dotted around the park where you can stop to grab lunch. I ate at the Miraculux Restaurant near the entrance and loved their family-friendly menu of diner favourites including burgers and milkshakes.
You can also stay overnight at IKUNA in really cool tipi suites, some of which have private saunas or a jetty onto a bathing lake. They are also just about to launch brand-new, 3-storey night sky chalets that are perfect for self-catering holidays with a side of star-gazing. Find more information on all room types here.
How to get there
Baumhotel Kopfing is approximately 1 hour drive from Linz Airport. RyanAir offers twice weekly flights from London Stansted to Linz at really reasonable prices.
I do recommend hiring a car to get around. The roads are very quiet and flat so it’s an easy region to self-drive as a family. They have e-bikes available to hire at the hotel.
I loved my stay at Baumhotel Kopfing and highly recommend it for families who are looking for an off-the-beaten-path woodland adventure with home comforts included.
Visit the Baumkronenweg website for more information.
Read next:
Weekend guide to Linz & Upper Austria
A dreamy stay in the Dolomites – AKI Family Resort Review
Feuerstein Review: Magical 5-star family hotel & spa in South Tyrol
