“Why is it we always rush to relax?” asks travel buddy Sarah Lee, indulgent luxury traveller from England. Afloat in a serious double bathtub offered by the LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort Styria (complete with grapes steeped in melted chocolate, exquisite wines & wellness music), every sense of time – or indeed rush – evaporates. Of course, the fact that beloved husband Terry bubbles up next to her in this wellness wonderland is of some help, too.
“Austrophiles” & “vinophiles”, the LOISIUM hotel in Southern Styria, known as one of the leading “wine & spa resorts” in Europe, has welcomed German traveller Janett of Teilzeitreisender.de, “Bloggi auf Reisen”, Sarah & Terry Lee of LiveShareTravel and me located in an idyllic spot amidst the Styrian winelands.
“Wine & Spa 2.0”: More than Wine & Wellness
Even upon entering the spa area at the LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort in Styria, one thing becomes clear: Architects, wine lovers & creative directors really thought this out. I am happy to “re-discover” beauty care products made from local Styrian company Vinoble after being here on my first visit in the summer of 2012. Vinoble run a series of skin care products that are based on Styrian grape essential oils and are therefore a natural match to my sensitive skin. Wonderful.
Because it is based on pure plant essences (no chemical additives), my skin has decided to continue a friendship started last summer when I first visited the hotel and its spa: Quite happily, I buy again.
A wealth of treatments to choose from à la carte: The “spa menu” of the LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort Südsteiermark
All the spa treatment rooms are named after typical Styrian grape varieties, the outdoor pool takes us out almost straight into the vineyards and in the evening, “icy plums pair with nuts” while “liquid duck” is being served with spicy pear chutney during the “wine growers’ exchange” event. Está claro?!
Well. As you know, a picture (or many) say more than a thousand words. And this is exactly why I would now like to take you out on my personal walk around LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort in Styria.
Spa room “Sauvignon”, also known as “Morillon” here in Southern Styria: My hydro-memory facial massage is true heaven on Earth and worth € 79,- for 50 minutes – definitely recommendable.
The Yin & Yan bathtub experience at the LOISIUM deserves to be called “Private Spa Deluxe”. It might very well be that Sarah’s & Terry’s dreams come true here … or during a one-hour partner massage following the bath in the same room.
To create the peferct “Spa Deluxe Moment”, grapes covered in chocolate are served together with excellent local wine from Styrian wine growers, whose outstanding taste help support the philosophy of the hotel & spa of luxury gourmet travel.
Tis’ the bathtub “to die for”: Who would you fancy taking a bath with in here at the LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort?
The large inner deck area just outside the spa is peaceful and welcoming thanks to its glass roof and walls. Just be careful you are not laughing too hard (difficult with the likes of our English friends) for disturbing the peace of others – better to literally “roll off in the snow” after a visit to the sauna, or two .. !
From the steaming outdoor pool, you get this magnificent view of the surroundings with the hotel being situated in a pretty spot atop a hill in the middle of the South Styrian winelands.
Having shared one eventful evening at the “Steirische Weinkuchl” restaurant, we have quickly made friends with this lovely couple from Croatia: The LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort in Styria is especially popular among young couples looking for a weekend getaway in style.
Food: You can’t have enough of all the delights, small or large, that are being served here. We recommend a sumptuous breakfast / brunch as well as sweet & savoury nibbles, such as bread, nuts, cake or fruit from the spa bar which is well stocked all day, before heading to the hotel restaurant for your evening meal. It’s a hard life 😀
Modern iPads melt with old wine barrels in the reception area of the LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort Südsteiermark …
Of course, a “wine & spa resort” needs to have its own wine shop. Here, you can taste yourself through the best of the best in Styrian wine growers, as well as joining guided seminars and wine tastings.
Terry’s rise to fame …
… a feast for the senses at the LOISIUM wine & spa wine shop, built right by the hotel.
All the food we are being served here can be described with one word: Excellent. During the “Wine & Dine” tasting menu, we are spoilt to wines from Austrian partner hotel LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort Langenlois in Lower Austria, including carefully selected meals to go with each wine course. Wonderful !
It’s time to have a toast … among five glasses per person for wine, sparkling wine and a cup of water, it’s sometimes hard to choose which one is which. Cheers!
Exquisite taste: The LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort in Styria really caters to our expectations. Definitely recommend you come here once and / or more often!
Around LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort in Styria: Erikas Buschenschank and the Vinofaktur / Styrian Gourmet Factory
The region along the South Styrian Wine Route is perfect for short trips from the hotel. Right in the middle of these vineyards, a secret tip lies hidden: Erikas Buschenschank. A “Buschenschank” is a typical Austrian wine bar, often found in a local hut or wine cellar serving excellent food from the area. Erika, the lady of the house, has created her own “fan buttons” which she readily distributes and serves us wine, schnapps and brandies as well as many many stories – much to the liking of Terry: “Oh I love Erika. She’s a real force of nature.”
It takes us about half an hour to “crack the ice” and dare take anything else from the food but photographs … being welcomed in a typical, Styrian Buschenschank is a truly special, local experience everyone should have.
A little later, stories unwind, friendships are forged and Erika talks of her many years as a true Styrian host: Her English as well as her appetite for life stories are impeccable, and she “parties”, sings and dances with us till well after midnight. Again (still) much to the liking of Terry!
Erikas Buschenschank opens 365 days a year on request and is located only five minutes drive from the LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort in Gamlitz along the South Styrian Wine Route.
Another local attraction not to be missed when staying in the “deep south” of Austria is the local Styrian Gourmet Factory “Genussregal“, whose aim is to offer a tasting experience of Styrian chocolate, pumpkin seed oil, juices, wine, Vulcano ham, chutneys, honey and a lot more – all according to the SLOW food movement, of course. Entrance is only € 9,50 per person including all tastings. What else could you be wishing for?!
“On our way” through the Vinofaktur / Genussregal Gourmet Factory, Sarah takes a motorbike “along the Styrian wine roads” visiting wine growers, producers and vineyards! Careful when going up and down – It’s really steep here!
In the meantime, we are tasting & learning all there is to know about “Styrian oil”, or pumpkin seed oil which in Austria has risen to fame thanks to its delicious nutty flavour and many health benefits.
Meat lover? Try local instead of mass production: As with everything in growth, SLOW is the way to go for freshness and taste – I have hardly ever tasted a ham as good as this “Vulcano” ham from local, healthy Styrian pigs.
Oooh … the chocolate fountain. I have about four or five pictures just like this, simply because my tongue miraculously stuck to the tasting spoon … mh. 😉
Dear readers, thank you for your attention and for joining us on this trip with gourmet, wine & wellness pleasures in Southern Styria. Hopefully, this has inspired you for your own holiday planning!