Hotel Of The Week: Club Hotel Edelweiss, Austria

'A traditional Tyrolean chalet in a postcard-perfect Alpine village'

The couple who greet you at the steps of Club Hotel Edelweiss look like the real thing: mein host in a Tyrolean tunic, his Frau in puff sleeves and traditional mountain dress, but Peter and Alison are from the West Country. They offer a unique postcard-perfect Alpine village experience with an English accent.

It's fancy sounding, but the hotel is a traditional Tyrolean chalet. The club bit comes from its excellent facilities: an impressive open-air swimming pool and all-weather tennis courts. Peter, it turns out, is half-Austrian and skis like a native; in season, if you're lucky, he'll take you on a guided tour of the beautiful linked runs, though at this time of year it will be mountain biking and hiking.

The couple and their two football-crazy young sons organise evening entertainment of the quiz-night and party games variety, including a candlelit treasure hunt around the unspoilt village of Itter (complete with spooky castle owned by a reclusive millionaire). Much better than any kids' club for families with children between the ages of eight and 18. Utterly charming.

The bedroom

The rooms are spacious and an apartment arrangement on the top floor gives those paying a bit extra the option of a sitting room (all the rates are fantastic value for money). Every room has a balcony - a must given the stunning landscape.

Food and drink

Hot and cold and plenty of it. Chalet-holiday favourites, Austrian specialities, comfort food for the tired of limb - in addition to the walking and biking there is paragliding, canyoning and white-water rafting, as well as a 27-hole golf course 10 minutes' away.

Access

At the moment there isn't easy access to the hotel, bar or bedrooms for wheelchair users and pets are not allowed.

The bill

Summer rates from €31 (£20) per person per night including breakfast.

The address

Club Hotel Edelweiss, Liftweg 1, 6305 Itter, Tirol, Austria (00 43 5335 40232; clubhoteledelweiss.com).