Schloss Elmau sits at about 1,000 metres in the Elmau Valley, in Krün, Bavaria, between the Zugspitze massif and the Karwendel range, roughly 100 kilometres south of Munich and about 20 minutes from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is not one hotel with a spa wing. It is two houses, the Hideaway and the Retreat, sharing a valley, a concert hall, a bookstore, and six distinct spa areas, with pools heated through the year. Guests sleep and take breakfast in one house and spend their days moving between both, on foot, across a quiet, forested estate.
Rates below are hedged benchmarks; verify current rates before booking.
A plain-English note first: the spas here run real heat, with saunas, steam rooms, hot pools, and an onsen pool held at 40 degrees, plus cold plunges. None of that is for everyone. If heat or cold is a worry for you, or you are expecting, keep to gentle warm pools and short walks, and leave the coldest dips out.
Key Takeaways
- A valley address, not a town address. Schloss Elmau stands in the Elmau Valley near Krün, at about 1,000 metres, between the Zugspitze and the Karwendel, close to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
- Two houses, one resort. The Hideaway holds about 100 rooms, suites, and family apartments, while the Retreat holds 47 suites and family apartments.
- Six spa areas, not one spa. The Badehaus, the Oriental Hamam, two family spas, the Shantigiri spas, and a seasonal Nature Spa by the Ferchenbach stream each have their own pools and character.
- Culture is part of the rate. Concert tickets are included in the room rate for hotel guests, and the concert hall and bookstore give the stay a second rhythm beside the pools.
- A 9.6 guest score. Travel listings show Schloss Elmau at 9.6 out of 10, in the Exceptional band.
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The Setting: A Valley Between Two Ranges
The valley does most of the work at Schloss Elmau. At about 1,000 metres, the estate has clear mountain air and long views, with a straightforward drive from Munich, about 90 minutes, or from Innsbruck, about 40 kilometres to the south. Forest, meadow, and the Ferchenbach stream frame the buildings, and the Ferchensee lake lies about 3 kilometres away.
The history is part of the setting too. The original castle was built between 1914 and 1916, destroyed by fire in 2005, and rebuilt in 2007 by Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, the grandson of the founder. The Retreat followed between 2013 and 2015, and it served as the residence for heads of state and government during the G7 summits in 2015 and 2022. For packing for a mountain stay in changing weather, see our retreat packing checklist.
Two Houses, One Resort
Choosing between the Hideaway and the Retreat is the first decision. The Hideaway is the rebuilt historic castle building, home to the concert hall, the bookstore, several restaurants, family spaces, and major spa areas. The Retreat is the newer, quieter building on a sunny hillside, with larger suites, its own restaurants, and the Shantigiri spas. Sleep and breakfast stay with the house booked, while most other amenities are shared.
The table below sets out the two houses, drawn from the property's published descriptions and current travel listings.
| House | Keys and sizes | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Hideaway | About 100 rooms, suites, and family apartments, about 25 to 110 sqm | Historic castle building, concert hall, bookstore, Badehaus and Hamam |
| Retreat | 47 junior suites, suites, and family apartments, about 60 to 200 sqm | Newer hillside building, larger suites, Shantigiri spas |
Rooms run from compact doubles to multi-bedroom family apartments and, at the Retreat, a presidential suite formed by connecting suites. Children up to 15 staying in their parents' room are hosted free of charge, and the Hideaway's family restaurant, La Salle, seats 160. Guests comparing a German spa castle with a Black Forest villa may also want our guide to Villa Stéphanie in Baden-Baden.
The Six Spas: One Valley, Six Characters
The spa story at Schloss Elmau is variety, not size alone. Six areas split the bathing day by mood, by age group, and by season, so a guest can spend a morning in a quiet adults-only pool, an afternoon with children in a family spa, and an evening in a domed hamam, without leaving the estate.
The table below sets out the six spa areas, drawn from the property's published spa descriptions.
| Spa area | Who it suits | Signature water |
|---|---|---|
| Hideaway Badehaus Spa | Adults only | Four heated outdoor pools, incl. a 20-metre salt-water pool at 35 degrees |
| Hideaway Oriental Hamam | Adults only | 500 sqm, Jurassic stone, four treatment rooms, dome rooms, steam baths |
| Hideaway Family Spa | Families | Indoor infinity pool at 32 degrees, saunas, sole-steam bath |
| Retreat Shantigiri Spa | Adults only | Outdoor infinity pool at 32 degrees, onsen pool at 40 degrees |
| Retreat Shantigiri Family Spa | Families | Outdoor infinity pool at 32 degrees |
| Nature Spa | Seasonal, June to September | Lap pool at 28 degrees, sauna cabin by the stream |
Illustration by EverHealthSpan
The treatment menus follow the same split. The Badehaus and Hamam lean toward classic European bathing and massage, with shiatsu and Hawaiian lomi-lomi listed among the options, while the Shantigiri side adds Japanese onsen bathing and Chinese herbal and movement practices, including taiji and qigong classes. Guests who want help reading spa menus before booking should see our guide to choosing a wellness retreat. Move slowly between hot pools, saunas, and cold plunges.
Culture After the Spa: Concerts, Books, and Talks
At Schloss Elmau, culture is a second pillar, equal in weight to the pools. The concert hall hosts recitals, jazz, and chamber music through the year, the bookstore anchors the Hideaway, and talks with authors sit in the same calendar as yoga and hiking. Concert tickets are included in the room rate, with advance registration recommended.
The practical effect is a different shape to the day: bathe in the morning, walk in the afternoon, and sit in the concert hall in the evening, without leaving the estate. Families get a parallel track, with a kids club, creativity labs, and soccer camps.
The Food: From Ikigai to the Family Table
Dining at Schloss Elmau spans several venues across the two houses. Ikigai, in the Hideaway, holds two Michelin stars and 28 seats, serving Japanese-French cooking. The Ananda spa restaurant, with 20 seats, serves breakfast and light lunch above the spa for adults, while the Thai restaurant and the family restaurant, La Salle, cover the everyday meals. The Retreat adds four restaurants.
Book Ikigai early, eat most meals in the house where you sleep, and treat the other house's restaurants as a change of scene. Breakfast stays with the booked house.
Outside: Trails, Snow, and Lakes
The outdoor program follows the Bavarian seasons closely. Summer brings hiking, mountain biking, tennis, golf on three courses nearby, archery, stand-up paddling on Lake Eibsee, and swimming in the Ferchensee. Winter brings cross-country ski trails, downhill skiing near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the sunset pool held at 35 degrees in winter against 28 degrees in summer.
The sports center covers the in-between days, with two gyms and guided classes from yoga to qigong and dance. Ice bathing in the Ferchenbach stream is listed as a guided activity, and the Nature Spa's sauna runs June to September only. For heat and cold routines at home, see our sauna benefits evidence review.
What to Budget
Schloss Elmau sits in the upper tier of European spa stays. The room rate includes breakfast, spa access, classes, and concert tickets for hotel guests, so comparisons with room-only hotels should account for what is bundled. Travel listings typically show stays from around $630 a night, with Retreat suites priced above Hideaway rooms. Treat those figures as rough benchmarks from listings, and verify current rates before booking.
Beyond the rate, allow for treatments, Ikigai and other fine dining beyond the included breakfast, private excursions, and peak-season supplements. Children up to 15 hosted free in their parents' room change the math for families. Shoulder months tend to offer more room choice. See our retreat costs benchmark for a tier comparison.
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Is It Right for You?
Schloss Elmau suits travelers who want a mountain castle where bathing, music, and books share the day: guests who like six spas to rotate through, a concert in the evening, and trails from the door, in a house that welcomes families without giving up adults-only quiet.
Skip this one if a beach, a walkable town, or a compact single-spa hotel is the priority: this is a large, spread-out estate in a quiet valley, reached by car from Munich or Innsbruck, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a drive away. Guests who prefer a small, single-building retreat may prefer Villa Stéphanie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Schloss Elmau, and how do I get there?
Schloss Elmau stands at In Elmau 2, Krün, in Bavaria, at about 1,000 metres between the Zugspitze and the Karwendel, roughly 100 kilometres south of Munich and about 20 minutes from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Most guests arrive by car from Munich, about 90 minutes, or from Innsbruck.
Should I stay in the Hideaway or the Retreat at Schloss Elmau?
The Hideaway, with about 100 rooms, suites, and family apartments from about 25 to 110 sqm, suits guests who want the historic castle building, the concert hall, and the Badehaus and Hamam close at hand. The Retreat, with 47 suites from about 60 to 200 sqm, suits guests who want larger, quieter suites and the Shantigiri spas.
How many spas does Schloss Elmau have, and which is adults only?
Schloss Elmau lists six spa areas: the Hideaway Badehaus Spa, the Oriental Hamam, and the Retreat Shantigiri Spa are adults only, while the two family spas and the seasonal Nature Spa welcome families. The Badehaus holds four heated outdoor pools, the Hamam covers 500 sqm in Jurassic stone, and the Shantigiri onsen pool is held at 40 degrees.
What does a stay at Schloss Elmau cost?
Travel listings typically show stays from around $630 a night, with Retreat suites priced above Hideaway rooms. The room rate includes breakfast, spa access, yoga and classes, and concert tickets for hotel guests, so comparisons with room-only hotels should account for what is bundled. Treat those figures as approximate benchmarks, and verify current rates before booking. See current rates and availability for Schloss Elmau.
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How many nights should I stay at Schloss Elmau?
Four or five nights lets this format breathe: an arrival day, full days split between the six spas, the concert hall, and the trails, and unhurried time in the house where you sleep. Two or three nights still gives a taste, with a couple of pools, one treatment, and a concert.
When is the best time to visit Schloss Elmau?
Summer brings hiking, lake swimming in the Ferchensee, and the seasonal Nature Spa from June to September, while winter brings cross-country trails, nearby downhill skiing, and the heated outdoor pools at their most striking, with the sunset pool at 35 degrees. Shoulder months tend to offer more room choice, though some seasonal venues close.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice or guaranteed outcomes.
