Targa to the Alps: Hotels

We stayed in nine hotels across this trip, not including the two nights on-board ferries.

Usually, we use hotels.com due to their rewards program but recently they had rolled out a much reduced scheme in US, UK and Australia and we felt it was only a matter of time before it reached Ireland. So we had been slowly weening ourselves off of the service and booking with hotels directly.

Hotels.com Totally Guts Rewards Program

Hotels.com Rewards has been discontinued in favor of One Key as of July 2023, and in the process the value of the program has been gutted.

One Mile at a TimeBen Schlappig

However, by this summer, hotels.com had refined the program and restored much of their key benefits and in fact made things even better. It effectively works as a 10% discount by offering one free night for every ten you book through them.

Hotels.com now lets you ‘bank’ your savings for future trips - The Points Guy

Hotels.com has a new feature called Save Your Way that lets members decide when and how they use discounts.

The Points GuyTanner Saunders

But as we secured most of our hotels in late March or early April – when the hotels.com program was looking to be effectively retired, this road trip has us booking an unusual number of hotels directly.

The commentary here on each hotel is from the perspective of someone on a road trip with an automotive focus.

Our hotels

The total hotel costs were €7,334 with an average per night rate of €487 across 15 nights.

Hotel 1: Steigenberger Inselhotel, Konstanz, Germany

Steigenberger Inselhotel - Konstanz | H Rewards

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H Rewards

We stayed one night at this hotel in the centre of Konstanz on the German side of the border with Switzerland that runs through this town.

The Steigenberger Inselhotel occupies a former 13th-century Dominican monastery on its own small island in Lake Constance, just across the bridge from Konstanz’s historic old town.

The monastery has a fascinating history, including connections to the Council of Constance, and its medieval cloister and frescoes are still preserved within the hotel. It has been a hotel since 1875, combining its historic character with a spectacular lakeside setting.

We weren't expecting that much from this hotel and picked it mostly due to location, but it turned out to be a great find. It was easy to navigate to, had ample parking (paid) and more importantly had fantastic views over the lake.

The check-in was frictionless and quick, we were directed to the paid parking which had plenty of spaces and it was only a short distance from the hotel entrance to roll our luggage from the parked car to our room.

Walking around the area in the afternoon after we arrived was lovely, with lots to see in both the old town and the lake shore.

Breakfast the next morning was typical of what you'll find in Europe and was of good quality if not anything remarkable.

Hotel 2: The Omnia, Zermatt, Switzerland

Mountain Lodge THE OMNIA in Zermatt: Time out in peace and harmony

Experience unforgettable moments at THE OMNIA. Enjoy seasonal top products in an alpine setting. Discover our spa!

The Omnia

Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop 45 metres above the centre of Zermatt, THE OMNIA enjoys one of the village’s most spectacular locations, with sweeping views towards the Matterhorn.

Opened in 2006, the hotel was designed by New York architect Ali Tayar as a contemporary interpretation of an American mountain lodge, combining local Valais granite and timber with modernist design.

Guests enter through a tunnel cut into the rock before taking a glass lift up to the lobby, almost 1,650 metres above sea level. With just 30 rooms and suites, the hotel has an intimate, secluded feel despite being right in the heart of Zermatt.

We've been here before so the "entrance process" is less dramatic and surprising but it is still always good fun. The dedicated hotel phone at the terminal down at Täsch was out of order so we rang the hotel while on the train up to the town – so their electric cart would be waiting for us when we arrived.

They drive you right into the rock tunnel and you take the elevator up to reception. Check-in staff are waiting to welcome you and their CRM tells them that you are a returning guest which they acknowledge. The welcome does feel genuine, but it has the potential to be the full annoying five-star process: "welcome drink, luggage handling, showing you to your room".

To their credit, they allowed us to duck out of the welcome drink and the room tour – but they absolutely wouldn't leave us manage our own luggage.

We have a strong sense that we've carried our luggage all the way here – we'll manage the final fifty metres !

We do like this hotel, but we're never actually here long enough to avail of its facilities – and the room rate is a little sharp for the short time we're actually in here.

We arrived at 19:30 in the evening, were in the bar by 20:30 until 02:00 in the morning – and then back out of the hotel by 11:30 the next day. That is not the hotel’s fault – maybe we should consider a two-day stay the next time – or pick something a little more suitable for a short overnight.

Breakfast the next morning is in the restaurant and is very good. Plenty of space, large tables, very un-rushed service, amazing breads – among the best we had on this trip.

Hotel 3: Hotel Eden Roc, Ascona, Switzerland

Hotel Eden Roc Ascona | Your 5 Star Hotel at Lake Maggiore

At the front of Lake Maggiore in Ascona, the Hotel Eden Roc offers its own beach and marina, restaurants and a spa & wellness area.

logo eden

The Hotel Eden Roc sits directly on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Ascona, surrounded by a 10,000 m² Mediterranean garden with palms and views across the lake to the mountains. Just a five-minute walk from Ascona’s famous lakeside Piazza, it combines the atmosphere of a Mediterranean resort with Swiss hospitality.

This five-star hotel has its own private beach, marina and water-sports facilities, while the historic La Casetta boathouse in the grounds was the setting for secret Allied–German peace talks in March 1945, part of Operation Sunrise.

One of us had stayed here last year and it is an interesting mix of Italian lakes scenery but with Swiss hotel excellence.

Arrival welcome is handled well regardless of what time you arrive. It is valet parking here – though parking is included in the room rate. They just park your car across the road, but it has a barrier that they control, so you just have to go with it.

We are generally not a fan of valet parking unless the hotel location (for example, on a busy street) needs it. 

It just means that one has to unload oneself very quickly from the car – things like grabbing the dashcam SD card to save off the day’s footage become awkward as the valets wait impatiently for you to disappear. 

Also, our car has Porsche Vehicle Tracking Service (PVTS+) which requires setting valet mode via the phone, and that also causes a brief delay.

In a world of contactless payments, we carry very little cash, and so the awkward tipping process that is expected to move your car from the front door to the parking space you can see from said door – means you need to plan to go to an ATM ahead of arriving at the hotel. It just feels like a shakedown the moment you've arrived.

Breakfast is in a wonderful location with plenty of choice of food. Sitting out in the morning sun by the lake is a great start to any day.

Hotel 4: Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort, Lake Garda, Italy

Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort | ****4-Star-Hotel on Lake Garda

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Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort

Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort is a grand lakeside resort in Riva del Garda, set within an extensive private park at the northern end of Lake Garda. Dating back to the late 19th century, the resort combines historic buildings and elegant gardens with modern hotel facilities, with the dramatic mountains of the Alto Garda rising immediately behind it.

Its waterfront setting, mature parkland and views across the lake give it a distinctly old-world Italian resort character, while Riva’s historic centre is just a short walk away.

This is a large complex with a resort feeling. Check-in was quick and friendly and they asked if we would like help with our luggage. We said we'd be fine and quickly found a space in one of the free underground car parks available under the resort. Excellently handled by the hotel.

It was a quick roll of the luggage from the garage to our room. We had arrived late into this hotel but the kitchen was still open so we headed down the gardens to an open dining area and had some freshly made Italian pizza.

The breakfast was remarkably extensive, offering abundant food and variety—particularly considering the large number of guests the resort accommodates. We anticipated some chaos, yet the experience was quite the opposite.

Hotel 5: Hotel Granbaita Dolomites, Val Gardena, Italy

5 star Hotel Granbaita Dolomites - Selva Val Gardena

Hotel Granbaita *****

Hotel Granbaita Dolomites is a long-established luxury hotel in the heart of Selva di Val Gardena, surrounded by the dramatic peaks and wooded slopes of the Dolomites.

Family-run since the 1960s, the hotel combines traditional South Tyrolean character with contemporary Alpine elegance, with extensive wellness facilities, refined dining and a strong emphasis on local hospitality.

Its position in Val Gardena makes it an ideal base for exploring the spectacular mountain scenery, hiking trails and ski area of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites.

This hotel is located in a quiet area of Val Gardena that is still a short walk to the main street.

Unfortunately, it is a valet parking situation again, where all our luggage is grabbed (even if we want to leave it in the car!) as they impatiently wait for the keys trying to coax the security tracker to go into valet mode or risk an alarm event. We hadn't expected valet at this hotel, so weren't ready for it.

Before arriving at a hotel with valet, we need to stop within 1.5 km of the hotel before arriving and make sure we: (a) have our luggage reasonably prepared so we know what is needed or not, (b) have the security tracker prepped for valet (that's the 1.5 km restriction) and (c) make sure we have cash for tips.

We were offered a welcome drink at check-in that was easy to decline but we had to accept both the "tour to the room" and the luggage being brought to the room for associated tips.

The architecture of this hotel is really great, with a modern design reflecting the alpine region we're in. The hotel claims the bar is open 24 hours – something we're not going to put to the test – but is not something we've seen on this trip yet!

Breakfast is a typical affair for the region, but in a lovely location with views of the nearby forested mountains.

Hotel 6: Naturhotel Outside, Tirol, Austria

Hotel in East Tyrol | Hiking & skiing holidays Matrei

Book your time out at the Hotel Outside in Matrei. Enjoy a wonderful skiing holiday, hiking holiday, wellness holiday. Versatile and close to nature.?

Hiking & skiing holidays Matrei

Naturhotel Outside is a contemporary Alpine retreat in the small mountain town of Matrei in East Tyrol, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of Hohe Tauern National Park.

The hotel has a strong focus on nature and sustainability, blending modern Tyrolean design with traditional materials, excellent regional cuisine and an extensive spa and wellness offering.

Its location makes it an ideal base for exploring the spectacular landscapes of East Tyrol, with hiking and mountain routes directly accessible from the hotel.

This is the first hotel on this trip that we booked via hotels.com. We chose it due to its proximity to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road.

A very genuine feeling hotel, with a warm local welcome that was unfussy and helpful. They suggested we use the paid car park under the hotel which cost €10/night – a lot less than hotels typically charge.

From there we could bring our luggage up to our room via the elevator without any difficulty.

This is located in a relatively small town, so we ate dinner here our first night and had typical regional breakfast each morning. They do something here which we've not seen too frequently: they put your name tag against a table, and it is yours for dinner/breakfasts for the duration of your stay. Soon, we're sitting beside people that always look familiar.

Hotel 7: Gentle Hide Designhotel, Salzburg, Austria

Design Hotel in Salzburg’s Old Town - Gentle Hide Hotel Salzburg

A design hotel hidden in Salzburg’s historic old town – perfect for a city trip, romantic getaway or during Salzburger Festspiele.

GoogleGülseren C.

Gentle Hide Designhotel is a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Salzburg, housed in a beautifully restored historic building close to the city’s old town.

The hotel combines original architectural details with contemporary minimalist design, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels distinctly different from a traditional grand hotel.

Its central location makes it a convenient base for exploring Salzburg’s historic streets, museums and landmarks, while still offering a quiet retreat away from the busiest parts of the city.

Salzburg is a very special city for us – having got married here over twenty years ago. We've been here many times and are very familiar with the place, but have never settled on a hotel – usually picking somewhere new each time.

Before we left for this hotel –knowing it is in a busy city – we took a look on Apple Maps Look Around to see what the unloading situation would be. Glad we did, as it looks like it is going to be tricky.

Directly outside the hotel is a busy bus lane that we can't drive or stop on. In a little island there is two public "set down" spots but they are for anyone to use and not dedicated to the hotel – despite the hotel alluding to that when we contacted them via email to confirm.

Parking was about 1 km away with plenty of cobblestones between the garage and hotel that are not very roller luggage friendly.

Despite our general dislike of Valet Parking, this is one situation where it could be helpful. The hotel offers it but you have to get into the public set down spots for it anyways – which doesn't solve very much.

When we arrived to the hotel at 20:30 in the evening, as feared the road was very busy with backed up traffic and extensive road works closing off a lane wasn't helping either.

However, after driving in a loop once, one of the set down spots did free up and we managed to dive into it! We unloaded luggage, checked-in – with the slowest receptionist we've ever experienced – despite us explaining to him that we are on a timer – and drove the short distance to the public parking.

It was too uncertain on check-out if we'd be able to get the spots in the morning so we just dragged our luggage the kilometre to the parking which worked out fine.

This hotel was fine, in general more into their "design decor" than actually being good. The search for good Salzburg hotels continues.

Exceptional Service - Gentle Hide Hotel Salzburg

Our exceptional service is unique in salzburg and enables you to enjoy a luxurious stay in the centre of the old town of Salzburg.

Gentle Hide Hotel

Hotel 8: b'mine Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany

b'mine Frankfurt Airport is a modern, design-led hotel right beside Frankfurt Airport, known for its distinctive architecture and the private “carloft” that allow guests to park their cars directly beside their rooms on dedicated balconies.

The hotel has a contemporary, industrial-inspired feel, with spacious rooms, rooftop dining and views across the airport and surrounding skyline. Its location makes it particularly convenient for travellers passing through Frankfurt, while the unusual car-access concept gives it a character that sets it apart from a conventional airport hotel.

When it comes to a hotel for a trip with an automotive feel – this really is up there as one of the most convenient ways of parking and loading/unloading a car into your hotel room.

Considering the novelty, it is also reasonably priced and the bar on the top floor has amazing views of both planes landing at the airport and the financial capital of Europe on the horizon.

Check-in was a little busy but the bar is serving food late which was good.

The breakfast in the morning is a fairly standard affair and reminiscent of the airport hotel that this place is.

We'd probably stay here if we didn't have a car with us – but the whole carloft concept just elevates this hotel to its own thing. It is an absolutely perfect transit hotel conveniently located off the autobahn in a great location.

Hotel 9: Bedford Swan Hotel & Thermal Spa, Bedford, United Kingdom

The Bedford Swan Hotel & Thermal Spa | Luxurious Hotel in Bedfordshire

Luxurious and individually designed rooms and suites with beautiful riverside views and thermal spa at Bedford Swan Hotel in the heart of Bedford, Bedfordshire.

The Bedford Swan Hotel & Thermal Spa

Bedford Swan Hotel & Thermal Spa is a historic riverside hotel in the centre of Bedford, occupying a handsome collection of Georgian and Victorian buildings overlooking the River Great Ouse.

With origins stretching back several centuries, the hotel combines traditional English character with modern comforts, including its extensive thermal spa facilities.

Its central location makes it a convenient base for exploring Bedford, while the riverside setting gives the hotel a particularly pleasant and tranquil atmosphere.

We're normally racing across the United Kingdom to make our next ferry to Ireland but on this trip we have a two day stop off in Bedford. Locals describe this hotel as being the best in the town and the decor inside is very nicely done.

The hotel layout itself is very confusing and even with one working elevator a lot of flights of stairs still have to be navigated with your luggage.

Breakfast during the weekend tends to be a busy and chaotic event, whereas on weekdays it feels quiet and relaxed.

There was free parking on the hotel grounds but it was at a premium – we managed to get a spot and didn't move our car again until it was time to check out. The car park is open to the public and we could see active parking attendants issuing fines when we were arriving early on Sunday morning.

We'd use this hotel again when in Bedford.