Spa Profile: The Award-Winning waldSPA at Forsthofgut Nature Hotel in Austria Emphasizes the Four Elements in a Scenic Wellness Destination

Forsthofgut Nature Hotel is an award-winning, nature-loving property located at the beginning of Leogang in Austria.

A family-owned property with 400 years of history, Forsthofgut Nature Hotel offers guests a deep connection with nature, combining the power of its unique environment with the comforts of a cosmopolitan luxury hotel. Located in Leogang, Austria, the hotel offers stunning views of the mountains, alpine forests, and lush meadows, in addition to direct access to the Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn ski area.

Accommodations are available in the form of luxurious rooms, lofts, suites, as well as an alpine hut surrounded by nature. The hotel has three à la carte restaurants that are dedicated to culinary indulgence, highlighting the best from the seven Alpine countries. For those seeking additional peace and relaxation, waldSPA is the hotel’s award-winning wellness sanctuary

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Spanning 61,000 square feet, waldSPA offers a holistic wellness experience that emphasizes the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—with amenities such as a lake house and organic bathing lake, onsen-style pool, old-wood saunas, herbal and steam baths, adults-only area, and more. There is also a Family & Kids area with water workshops and pools for the entire family to enjoy.

We spoke with Michaela van Leusen, Spa Manager at Forsthofgut Nature Hotel, to learn more about the spa’s amenities, treatments to try, and more.

The hotel is surrounded by forest and meadows, offering views of the Leogang Rock Mountains.

Why You’ll Love It: For me, the waldSPA is a very special place where we offer a relaxing break from everyday life with a connection to nature. Our guests love our sustainable wellness concept, the combination of luxurious treatments, the immediate proximity to nature, and the warmth of our staff.

Hotel amenities include a lake house, which is an extension of the property’s waldSPA.

Key Features: The waldSPA offers a variety of amenities that provide relaxation and well-being for adults and families alike. It is all about combining wellness with closeness to nature and offers something for everyone, from families to couples. The spa is made up of three separate sections:

  • In our Adults-Only area, the 25-meter sports pool is ideal for swimming with an amazing view of the Leoganger mountains.

  • At our Lake House, the onsen pool and washing area is inspired by Japanese bathhouses, and guests can experience a traditional cleansing ritual, which is a very special amenity. 

  • In our Family & Kids area, we have three slides for kids of all ages to enjoy—a mini slide in the baby pool, a wide slide, and a 70-meter slide. 

The Asitz lift is located nearby and the ski slope passes directly by the hotel.

Insider’s Tip: My insider tip is to experience the Muscle Freedom fascia massage with warm pine tools. This treatment is particularly suitable for guests who suffer from muscle tension and want to increase the flow of energy. 

Another recommendation is the Birch Ritual in our 90°C Seesauna. This sauna experience is based on traditional practices in which birch branches are used to gently massage the skin. It offers a unique opportunity to revitalize body and mind.

waldSPA is Forsthofgut Nature Hotel’s wellness sanctuary that includes an adults-only relaxation area.

Bonus: The waldSPA Skincare line is a special highlight that offers guests an exclusive experience. This is Forsthofgut's very own own cosmetics line that features a variety of natural ingredients and reflects the hotel's philosophy of combining the power of nature with luxury and comfort. Guests can experience these products during their time in the waldSPA and also purchase them to take back home.

The adults-only area has plenty of comfortable loungers for relaxation.

Snacks Served: We serve a variety of refreshing drinks, teas, and healthy snacks in our spa areas. These are perfect for recharging your batteries between sauna sessions and wellness treatments. For a special culinary highlight, I recommend our Japanese restaurant Mizumi, which is located directly by the idyllic natural bathing lake and the Lake House area of the spa. Here, guests can enjoy light Asian cuisine and freshly prepared sushi variations.

The waldSPA Family & Kids area features a with 70-meter slide and an indoor pool.

Splurge Treatment: For a luxurious splurge treatment, I recommend the JetPeel Luxury Treatment. This high-end facial treatment combines the latest technology with highly effective care formulas for immediate freshness, deep regeneration, and a radiant glow. It is highly effective and painless, as the active ingredients are injected deep into the skin without touching it and ensure immediately visible results.

The spa’s amenities include steam baths, an old-wood sauna, swimming pool, whirlpool, and a spacious adults-only area.

Insider’s Favorite: My favorite treatment is the waldSPA Glow Intense Facial. It starts with a professional, digital skin analysis to tailor the treatment to the skin's needs. The specially developed products from our in-house waldSPA Skincare line are used, combining natural ingredients with highly effective anti-aging components. Another highlight is the use of ultrasound, which allows the active ingredients to go deep into the skin. 

The hotel’s large garden includes a lake house and onsen pool.

Most Unique Treatment: Our most unique treatments are our series of waveBALANCE signature treatments, which have developed exclusively for the property. These treatments combine sound and massage to appeal to all of the senses and create a deep sense of well-being.

During each treatment, guests lie on a special, warm water lounger while an integrated sound system transmits music and sounds to the body as gentle vibrations through the water, making the music not only audible but also tangible. The practitioner then combines flowing movements with gentle pressure and stretching. 

Additionally, our Forest and Meadow Treatment is a unique wellness experience that utilizes the natural surroundings of Forsthofgut to offer guests deep relaxation and recuperation. This treatment takes place in the midst of nature, allowing for an intense and authentic experience. 

Guests can relax and enjoy the outdoors while relaxing in the onsen pool and organic bathing lake.

Featured Products: In addition to our in-house waldSPA Skincare line, we also work with the company Alpienne from the Austrian Alps. Inspired by alpine naturopathy, the products are handmade with wild herbs, flowers, and resins according to traditional recipes. 

The products from Team Dr. Joseph from South Tyrol are also available. Both lines complement each other perfectly and offer our guests in the waldSPA individual care, regeneration and well-being.

For more information about Forsthofgut Nature Hotel, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @naturhotelforsthofgut

[Photos courtesy of Forsthofgut Nature Hotel]

Forsthofgut Nature Hotel

Family Schmuck, Hütten 2

5771 Leogang, Salzburger Land,  

Österreich

Austria

(+43) 6583-8561

info@forsthofgut.at