Vaya Resorts Austria Review 2026: Redefining the Modern Alpine Experience

The Vaya Concept: Hotel Flexibility Meets Apartment Freedom

Vaya Resorts occupies a deliberately designed niche in the alpine accommodation market. Rather than choosing between a hotel (services but small rooms) and an apartment (space but no services), Vaya gives you both. Their properties consist of large suites and penthouse apartments — often 60–120m² — that include full kitchen facilities, but are surrounded by hotel-grade amenities: daily housekeeping, concierge, spa access, and on-site restaurants.

For families and groups, this model is transformative. You can cook a breakfast together in a properly equipped kitchen, then leave your children with the in-house kids' club and spend the morning on the slopes, return for a restaurant lunch, and retreat to your own private terrace for an afternoon in the mountain air. No compromise, no scheduling conflicts.

Properties Overview: Where to Stay

Vaya Sölden — Winter Alpine Benchmark

Sölden is one of Austria's premier glacier ski destinations — 144km of groomed pistes, three glacier ski areas above 3,000m, and the longest skiing season in the Ötztal (October to May on the glaciers). Vaya's Sölden property sits in the heart of the village, a 5-minute walk from the main Giggijoch lift — not ski-in/ski-out, but closer than the vast majority of accommodations in the resort.

The property's 45 suites and penthouses are finished in Vaya's signature "Old Wood and Black Steel" aesthetic — warm larch timber walls, concrete accents, floor-to-ceiling alpine views, and minimalist furniture that never feels cold. Our penthouse featured a private sauna and terrace hot tub with an unobstructed view of the Rettenbachferner glacier. It is difficult to overstate how good this felt at 18:00 after a full day on skis.

Vaya Zell am See — Summer Mountain Perfection

Zell am See is at its most spectacular in summer. The turquoise Zeller See lake, the Schmittenhöhe mountain panorama, and 230km of marked hiking trails create an environment that needs no improvement — Vaya's property simply gives you the best possible base from which to experience it. Their lakeside location means that paddle boarding, swimming, and sailing are available 200 metres from reception.

Summer at Vaya Zell am See is deliberately different from the winter product. The spa extends outdoors with a heated infinity pool that appears to float above the lake. The restaurant's summer menu leans into lighter, fresher preparations — carpaccio of local Pinzgau beef, lake fish ceviche, and Austria's finest cheese board with Bergkäse from nearby Pinzgau farms.

Additional Properties

Beyond Sölden and Zell am See, Vaya operates properties in Ischgl (the Ibiza of the Alps — legendary aprés-ski), Saalbach-Hinterglemm (interconnected with Leogang for 270km of ski terrain), and Obergurgl (Vaya's only true ski-in/ski-out property, at Austria's highest ski village). Each property is architecturally consistent but tuned to its specific destination's character.

Room Types: What You Actually Get

Comfort Suite (60–75m²)

Entry-level Vaya accommodation that feels anything but. Open-plan living/sleeping area, kitchenette with Nespresso, induction hob, and full-size refrigerator, rainfall shower, and private balcony with mountain or village views. Sleeps 2 adults comfortably, 2+1 with the sofa bed. Price range: €250–450/night depending on season and property.

Premium Suite (80–100m²)

Separate bedroom, full kitchen (not kitchenette), double shower + bathtub, and significantly larger terrace. The upgrade from Comfort is noticeable and worth it for stays of 5+ nights. Some premium suites include an in-room steam cabin.

Penthouse (100–150m²+)

Vaya's flagship offering. Private rooftop terrace, private sauna or hot tub, master bedroom plus additional sleeping area, and full chef's kitchen. At Sölden and Ischgl, several penthouses include dedicated garage parking and private ski storage with heated boot dryers. Price range: €600–1,200/night in peak season — expensive in absolute terms, but exceptional value per square metre compared to comparable luxury hotels in the same resorts.

Vaya Spa: A Genuine Wellness Destination

Every Vaya property features an extensive spa and wellness facility, and this is not the token "pool and two treatment rooms" that padded-rate hotels claim as a spa. The minimum Vaya spa includes:

• 25m heated indoor pool
• Finnish sauna, bio sauna, and infrared cabin
• Steam room and ice fountain
• Relaxation lounge with mountain views
• Full treatment menu (massages, body treatments, facials)
• Outdoor whirlpool (heated to 38°C year-round)

The spa at Vaya Zell am See adds an outdoor infinity pool. The Ischgl property — Vaya's newest — features a rooftop spa deck at 1,400m altitude with panoramic views of the Silvretta mountain group. Spa access is included for all guests regardless of room type — no additional charge.

Skiing & Summer Activities

For winter guests, Vaya's ski concierge service is particularly valuable. They arrange ski rental at preferential rates (15–25% below ski shop walk-in prices), pre-book ski school places with certified instructors, and provide lift pass booking through their portal. The Vaya ski storage rooms are heated and include individual boot warmers — a small detail that makes an enormous difference after a cold day.

For summer, properties in Zell am See and Saalbach offer e-bike rental directly from the hotel, guided mountain bike tours, hiking transfers to trailheads, and summer lift pass booking. The "Vaya Active" program runs Monday–Friday with complimentary guided hikes led by local guides — an excellent addition for solo travellers and couples who want to explore with local knowledge.

Dining: Vaya Bar & Grill

Every Vaya property includes at least one restaurant operating under the "Vaya Bar & Grill" concept — a refined casual format that pairs Austrian alpine produce with modern, international preparation techniques. The menu changes seasonally. In winter, expect hearty but elevated dishes: venison ragù with spätzle, locally smoked char, and their signature Kaiserschmarrn (a dessert worth the mountain trip alone). In summer, the menu lightens considerably.

Breakfast is a Vaya highlight. The buffet extends over 40 items including local charcuterie, 6 varieties of house-baked bread, Austrian cheeses, fresh-pressed juices, and a live egg station. It is included in most rate types and is consistently one of the best mountain breakfasts we've experienced in any European ski resort.

Technical Details & Services

Locations	Sölden, Zell am See, Ischgl, Saalbach, Obergurgl + more
Room Types	Comfort Suite, Premium Suite, Penthouse Apartment
Room Size Range	60m² – 150m²+
Ski Access	Ski-in/ski-out (Obergurgl) or <10 min walk/shuttle
Spa Included	Yes — all room types, all properties
Breakfast Included	Yes — most rate types
Kitchen in Room	Yes — kitchenette or full kitchen in all rooms
Best Price Guarantee	Yes — book direct for best rate
Cancellation	Free cancellation up to 14 days before arrival (direct booking)

Pros & Cons

Frequently Asked Questions