Gut Steinbach

Gut Steinbach: A Michelin Two-Key Retreat in the Bavarian Alps

Gut Steinbach, nestled in the picturesque Reit im Winkl, Germany, stands out as a highly-regarded hotel, earning a prestigious Michelin Two-Key rating for an exceptional stay. This Relais & Châteaux property, born from a German count's passion project in 2011, offers a stylish mountain retreat amidst the stunning Chiemgau region of the Bavarian Alps.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Gut Steinbach is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "super luxury," "beautiful," and "perfect." It consistently receives high scores for location (9.5), cleanliness (9.5), comfort (9.6), and staff (9.6) on various booking platforms. Many guests express a strong desire to return, highlighting it as an ideal place for relaxation and enjoyment.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Gut Steinbach. The "gorgeous location" with impressive mountain views is a recurring highlight, offering a quiet and peaceful ambiance. The wellness and spa area, including a large indoor pool, various saunas (including a panorama sauna), a steam bath, and relaxation rooms with panoramic views, is frequently mentioned as a standout feature not to be missed. The hotel's design, blending rustic-chic with native wood and large glass panels, creates a cozy hunting-inspired aesthetic. The certified organic farm on the scenic grounds, where animals roam, also contributes to the unique charm and sustainable ethos, reflected in the restaurant's farm-to-fork cuisine. The staff's warmth and helpfulness are also frequently commended.

Room Quality

Gut Steinbach offers 60 rooms, suites, and chalets, each individually furnished. Rooms and suites in the main building feature warm wooden details, generous layouts, fine fabrics, and comfortable beds, aiming to provide a welcoming atmosphere. Many rooms and suites boast balconies with views of the Kaiser Mountains or the game reserve. Standard amenities include a desk, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, minibar, safe, and Nespresso machine, with complimentary Wi-Fi available throughout the property. Chalets offer a more traditional and nature-oriented experience, with some featuring private spas. While generally well-received, some guests have noted that certain room interiors might appear "a bit dated" and a few mentioned "uncomfortable beds" or suggested that "cleanliness of the bathroom/shower could be better."

Dining Experience

The dining experience at Gut Steinbach is centered around the "HEIMAT" restaurant, led by Head Chef Achim Hack, who has received the Green Star from the Michelin Guide 2024 for his sustainable, regional cuisine. The restaurant emphasizes sourcing local ingredients from the Chiemgau region. Guests consistently rate the food quality in the restaurant as "very high" and "delicious." A superb quality and choice of breakfast, often a continental or buffet style, is also a highlight. The restaurant offers à la carte dinner with daily menus including meat, fish, or vegan options. There is also a cozy fireplace bar and a large terrace. However, some guests have reported "extremely poor" service in the restaurant, citing issues like incorrect orders and long waiting times. Coffee for breakfast has also received criticism for its taste.

Service & Staff

The staff at Gut Steinbach are largely described as "very kind and helpful," "extremely nice," and "welcoming and friendly." Many guests appreciate the personalized touches, such as birthday congratulations. The service quality has reportedly "improved significantly" in recent times, with staff consistently friendly. However, isolated instances of inattentive service, such as staff rearranging tables while guests were dining or forgetting drink orders, have been mentioned in the restaurant.

Location & Accessibility

Gut Steinbach boasts an "amazing," "very good and quiet location" on a sunny plateau with impressive views of the mountains, including the Bavarian Alps. It offers a peaceful retreat while being conveniently located for various activities. The hotel is close to ski lifts (6 minutes drive to Winklemoos Gondola, Benz-Eck Ski Lift is 1000m away) and serves as an excellent starting point for hiking and biking. Other nearby attractions include Gletschermuhlenfeld and Marienkapelle. The region also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and a fitness trail in the hotel's private forest. For transportation, a bus stop (Gut Steinbach bus stop) is a short distance from the hotel. Munich Airport is approximately 150 km away. While there is no direct public transport to Munich, a combination of bus and train takes around 2 hours and 25 minutes, or a drive takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Free private parking is available on-site, and EV charging stations are offered at an extra cost.

Value & Pricing

Gut Steinbach is considered a luxury property, and pricing reflects its Michelin Two-Key status and extensive amenities. Room rates for a classic double room start from around US$221, while a superior double room begins at approximately US$262. Country Style Chalets with a garden can be found starting from US$721 for six travelers. Many guests feel the "price-performance ratio is right" given the superb quality of the spa, food, and overall experience. Amenities such as a free breakfast buffet, access to the Heimat & Natur SPA (with pool, sauna, fitness, and relaxation areas), free Wi-Fi, and parking are typically included. For families, children up to 5 years old can stay for free using an available cot, while those 6 and over incur an extra charge per night for an additional bed.

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Restaurant Service: Several guests reported slow service, incorrect orders, and long waiting times in the restaurant.
• Breakfast Coffee: The quality of the breakfast coffee has been a point of minor dissatisfaction for some.
• Room Condition: A few reviews mentioned that some room interiors might be "a bit dated" or that the beds were "uncomfortable" (though this was often qualified as "complaining at a high level").
• Bathroom Cleanliness: Occasional comments noted that the cleanliness of the bathroom/shower could be improved.
• Sauna Opening Hours: One guest mentioned the sauna only opening from 2 PM.
• Reception Location: The reception being in a separate building was noted as not ideal by one guest.

Sources

1. michelin.com
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10. bavariahotels24.com
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13. reitimwinkl.de
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16. rome2rio.com
17. michelin.com