Located just a 25-minute drive from the airport in the idyllic Austrian city of Innsbruck, the Lanserhof Lans health retreat in Tyrol has unobstructed views of the Nordkette Alps. The monumental mountains towering above the dense fairy-tale forest beckon you to explore and just sitting gazing out is a treatment within itself.
For the adventurous, you can go on bike rides, hikes or when in season, ski. If you have free time, it’s worth exploring nearby Innsbruck as well as the village of Seefeld, for the handmade crafts, traditional cowbell decorations and pretty architecture.
The rooms are minimalist but have a sense of homely comfort
The accommodation
When you’re making significant changes in your routine, you naturally may feel weak, making your surrounding imperative – the rooms and suites at Lanserhof do not disappoint. The calming grey upholstery, crisp white linen and use of grounding natural wood on the flooring and statement walls, not to mention impressive Tyrolean views from the expansive windows, induce a clear, calm, uncluttered mind.
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While minimalist, a sense of homely comfort comes from feather-down pillows, cosy blankets and soft chairs to curl up in. Staying in the spa suite meant I had easy access to the pool and spa downstairs, which was a welcome plus. I also had a bath which I enjoyed watching the sunset from, as well as a balcony to sit on, while daydreaming looking over the immediate meadow.
You can swim from the indoor pool to the outdoor pool
The facilities
As you enter Lanserhof Lans you see a wall of taps which dispense a plethora of herbal teas throughout the day. In the rooms you’ll find bottled water which is constantly replenished. Luxurious plant-based shampoo, conditioner and shower gel as well as reusable cotton face pads and a host of other eco-friendly amenities are there for your convenience and comfort.
You truly feel no ask is too much with 24-hour medical and reception staff on call. If you’re having a sleepless night say, then someone will be hand with a herbal remedy. As each meal plan is bespoke, you’ll receive a menu for the day, found on your table – you have the continuity of your own table throughout your stay.
The indoor pool leads to the outdoor pool via an automatic door, so you can breathe in the pine-infused air, looking out to the mountainous landscape. There is an amazing sauna blessed by beautiful vistas, a steam room, an infrared chair, a fireplace to relax in front of and many loungers to relax on.
Relax on the loungers and take in the views
Treatments and experiences
Everyday there is a timetable of activities to choose from. Mornings start with energising “active awakening in nature” whereby as a group you undergo gentle exercises cocooned by trees and birdsong. Depending on your energy levels you can choose activities such as Zumba, Nordic walking, circuit training or calmer mobilisation and stretching, Qi Gong or yoga. There are cooking classes to replicate the highly nutritious cuisine, seminars and even musical concerts in the communal areas.
Treatments are just as diverse, your doctor may suggest which ones to go for, but ultimately the decision is yours. They range from cutting-edge cryotherapy chambers and Cellgym, the latter of which I loved – in lay terms pure oxygen is given through a mask in various quantities, which renew cells and promote energy, to traditional reflexology and massage. Kneipp therapy is available in the spa, which boosts immunity by immersing your feet in differing water temperatures, you can also bathe your feet in mineral salts for detoxification.
For the open minded you can book alternative therapies such as energetic craniosacral therapy and for those that are science and test-result led, you can undergo a bioelectrical impedance analysis to discover your body fat, muscle and water content measurements. You can even monitor the quality of sleep by wearing a machine at night – they’ve got everything covered.
The restaurant at Lanserhof Lans
The food
The first noticeable thing about the food at Lanserhof is that it’s beautifully presented, which helps if you’re on a restricted diet. With the Lanserhof Energy Cuisine Concept, breakfasts tend to be filling for most, regardless of your tailored meal plan. For breakfast, I alternated between my favourites, two symmetrical rounds of organic goat cheese with a sprig of fresh basil and glug of olive oil and local fish tartar spruced with a sprig fresh dill, both accompanied by two slices of hearty homemade buckwheat toast. While real coffee is out of the question, we were treated to herbal teas or chicory coffee.
Lunches are delightful and include a protein such as local smoked trout fillet, or lean venison with a colourful pile of vegetables served with a creamy, from potato not cream, vegetable sauce. I was never hungry post lunch. For me dinner was initially tough, as my main aim was to purge some pounds. I was offered either clear, mineral rich vegetable broth or herbal tea, both served in a porcelain teapot. Not everyone is dieting, however. Some guests, such as cancer patients, would receive a nutritionally balanced energising diet.
The outdoor pool looks out to the mountainous landscape
The verdict
The best takeaway for me was the tools I gained to sustain a positive change. There’s good reason as to why the pioneering “Lanserhof Cure” is so highly regarded in the world of wellbeing and guests return year after year, whether for an overall health check, to slim down, re-energise or take time out to reassess.
They have mastered the balance of credibility from professional, approachable medical staff in a clean, streamlined non-sterile setting, blended with importance placed on immersing oneself in healing nature with forest walks and eating organic produce. The knowledge gained, if put into practice on the “outside”, is invaluable. From informative nutrition seminars to bespoke medical feedback post tests and consultations, to the constant reminder of health hacks, such as counting your chews to make your food more digestible and easier on the gut.
I achieved my goal of shedding a few kilos, but more importantly attained peace of mind from time out in a safe and empowered environment, where I could do as much or as little as I wanted. Something that I didn’t predict was meeting so many like-minded people, and Lanserhof is set up to cultivate a community with sun loungers outside and ample seating to congregate inside, whether a conversation cupping a lemon balm tea or silent unity while watching local musicians after dinner.
The time there enabled me to look at how I’ve been living, then with the advice from doctors and tests to verify, I was able to make some simple tweaks. I would highly recommend the investment in Lanserhof and yourself.
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