Alpenloge

Each of the two suites, six junior suites and a double are painted a different colour - from earth red, ballet-slipper pink to fern green. Owner, Anja, is a self-confessed colour addict and she has turned her competent eye to the styling of the bedrooms, and each one has come out a little differently.

All have high ceilings and are light-flooded from windows flanked by a swish of taupe-coloured linen curtains. King-size Schramm Werkstätte beds feature in every room, often with a splash of designer wallpaper above - perhaps a Wall and Deco heritage swirl or a nature-inspired Little Green floral print, or a framed vintage botanical artwork. A nice touch by the beds is 1930s light switches, a simple antidote to multi-switch frustration! Wooden floors are warmed by neutral cowhide rugs, the furniture comes as a mix of classic and modern - lounge chairs take inspiration from the 50s with lambskin finishes and reconditioned armchairs come from the schoolhouse loft in mid-century designs. Some of the suites open out onto bedecked balconies, with carefully placed sun loungers that make the most of the warming mountain sun and uplifting Alpine views.

Bathrooms are stylish nests wrapped in charcoal-hued metro tiles with reflective silver tubs and rain showers. Double sinks come with brass taps and large hessian laundry bags adds to the scene of pared-back style.

Continuing the concept narrative of bringing the surrounding doorstep nature that prevails into the hotel is at the heart of the Alpenloge, non-less so than its bon vivant philosophy of fabulous, slow-sourced food, a culinary feast enjoyed exclusively for hotel guests. A long-time ex-pat, British Chef Mark Beastall is at the helm of the house kitchen - a man who gets excited by humble produce, the stark changing seasons found in this altitudinous part of the Bavarian Alps and spending time harvesting from his own vegetable gardens. 

Food is presented with a fervour for texture, colour and taste; you feel the connection when you glance through the large gallery windows.

Breakfast includes the usual Bavarian heroes of rural Alpine goodness – traditional rye loaves of bread, farmhouse butter, thick creamy yoghurts and pastries crafted from mountain recipes. Ham, cheese and salamis come beautifully arranged on a tiered stand.

Dinner is a more epicurean affair with Chef Beastall's hallmark three and four-course menus celebrating the humble daily heroes he passionately turns into culinary magic.

Downstairs there’s a cosy, light-filled wellness area, where wood meets natural stone, accents of green take inspiration from nature and a vast cinematic view pans out from floor-to-ceiling-to-wall-to-glass. There’s usually a crackling fire - this is the place to concede to the panorama.

After a day of hiking the little spa is an appealing option for unwinding with its brine steam bath and a sauna-with-a-view. A massage room is a scene of relaxing herbal compress treatments, with fresh herbs gathered from the mountains.

The Alpenloge is located in the four-country corner and is accessible from Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria. You’ll find the hotel situated in the Alpine village of Scheffau and the sparkling waters of Lake Constance are just a 20-minute drive away. The mountains are within easy reach, enjoy hiking and skiing at Hochgrat, which at 1.834m is the highest mountain of the western Allgäu.