Nestled in the Austrian Tyrol, Das Central in Sölden stands out as a family-owned ski hotel combining modern wellness with Tyrolean heritage. Run by the Gurschler family for over 50 years, it features a Michelin-starred restaurant and extensive spa facilities. The hotel's location near cinematic peaks enhances its appeal for skiers and relaxation seekers.
Das Central, located in Sölden just an hour from Innsbruck, has been under the ownership of the Gurschler family for more than 50 years. This longevity fosters a sense of warmth evident in the staff, including Director Michael Waschl, who grew up in the hotel, and his mother, who recently managed the reservations team. Another example is the restaurant manager, originally from Sardinia, who settled in the village decades ago and now sees her daughter perform violin for guests during Christmas.
Accommodations like the Wellness Suite offer modern Alpine design, complete with a private sauna and a sunroom facing the Ötztaler Ache River. The hotel's wellness offerings span multiple levels, including an adults-only spa with saunas and steam baths on the lower floors. The Summit Spa on the upper levels provides a textile-friendly space with an outdoor whirlpool and a glass-bottomed Summit Infinity Pool overlooking peaks above 3,000 meters. Sauna events add a sensory element, while a new cryo chamber at -110°C for 150 seconds aids muscle recovery and skin health.
Culinary highlights include the Ötztaler Stube, led by Chef Stefan Speiser, which received its first Michelin star in 2025. The tasting menu starts with a candle melting into beef tallow for dipping bread, followed by dishes such as marinated char tartare with frosted spruce needles and roasted saddle of deer. Desserts feature dried pear ice cream in saffron broth. The hotel's wine cave holds 30,000 bottles, including the house PINO 3000, with stable pricing to encourage enjoyment rather than collection; offers from collectors have been declined.
Sölden, the largest ski area in the Ötztal Valley at 146 km, served as a filming location for the snow chase in the James Bond film Spectre, with the ice Q restaurant at 3,048 meters. Recent additions include the AI-assisted Silberbrünnl lift for real-time safety monitoring and a 1.8 km blue-run linking base stations. Beginners can start at the Giggijoch ski school, progressing from a magic carpet lift to longer runs. Double rooms start at £220 per person per night on a half-board basis.
