For a special birthday weekend, my family and another, each with our two children two-and-under, ventured to Geislerhof Farm Resort in Gerlos, Zillertal. The birthday girl wished for a cozy mountain retreat with a fireplace, and this high-end yet charming chalet resort delivered just that and more. With breathtaking views of a Toblerone-shaped mountain and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, our weekend was filled with small-scale luxury, family-friendly comfort, and mountain sunshine.

Accommodation

We stayed in the Chalet XL, a two-story, three bedroom accommodation, which featured:

• Two queen beds and a bunkroom (sleeps four)

• Two water closets & three full bathrooms

• One en-suite bathroom; the other two rooms shared a bathroom on the stair landing

• Large terrace with a picnic table, outdoor tub, and access to private sauna

The beds were incredibly comfortable, which I rarely say in Europe, providing restful sleep after active days. While the resort did not offer daily cleaning, they had a simple system for exchanging linens and emptying trash cans by simply placing the respective bin outside the front door for exchange — an efficient and eco-friendly touch.

Standout Amenities

• Large terrace with stunning mountain views

• Wood burning fireplace with unlimited wood refills

• Outdoor bathtub for a luxurious soak

• Private sauna and spa bathroom

• Diaper bin exchange service—a convenient perk for families with babies

• Baby-friendly provisions: four high chairs and two baby beds were already in the chalet for us upon arrival

• Storage room: a large, dry, lockable storage room at the entrance of the chalets to keep gear from skis to strollers

One small oversight on our part was not inquiring about stair gates, which would have been helpful with our toddlers who loved crawling up and down the stairs. However, given the level of service, the resort may have provided them had we asked, so I can’t say whether or not this would have been a possibility.

Family-Friendly Activities & Services

The Geislerhof Farm Resort is tailored for families with young children, offering hands-on farm experiences and outdoor fun. Some highlights included:

• Farm animals: alpacas, donkeys, rabbits, cats, chickens, and cows

• Daily cow feeding sessions at 16:30

• Outdoor trampoline and playgrounds for warmer months

Our toddlers loved interacting with the animals and bouncing on the trampoline. Although in pure toddler form, my two year-old was most amused by the three cats.

Dining Experience

Dining at Geislerhof was a cozy and family-friendly experience. We booked the half-board rate package, which included breakfast and a three-course dinner with our stay.

On the first night (a Thursday), we dined in the small, intimate restaurant, Erbhof, which had various seating rooms. We wanted to make sure we had the opportunity to try the restaurant this night, since it was booked for a private event the remainder of the weekend. We enjoyed a prolonged dinner over the Tartarenhütte (traditional hot stone grilling), everything was delicious and I still think about the side salad. Our waitress intuitively prioritized speedy food service, knowing we had small, impatient diners.

The remainder of our onsite meals were eaten in our chalet. I loved the breakfast system, which included morning delivery of a basket of farm-fresh goodies, eggs, milk, cheese, cold cuts, jams, cereals, and more. There was always a list of what products you wished to be restocked for the following morning.

With the breakfast basket delivery also came the dinner menu, where you could select a meal for each person and a delivery time. There were special meal options offered for the children, usually a schnitzel or pasta dish. We opted for the fondue option one night for the adults, which felt idyllic in enjoying with some wine in our alpine chalet. The meal delivery times were early, which helped with the different dinner schedules for the children and adults. We would just reheat ours in the oven when we were ready.

Resort Amenities

While Geislerhof does not have a pool, the large bathtub in the spa bathroom was a hit with our young kids. I can also imagine in summer they would have loved the stone tub on the outdoor terrace.

Every minute in the chalet we spent enjoying the wood burning fireplace. We went through a basket of wood per day, which was always promptly refilled by the Geislerhof staff when emptied.

The adults also did not manage to use the spa bathroom or sauna, although we loved the idea and option to unwind after a long day.

For winter activities, we ventured down the road to Michi’s Ski School, where our toddlers enjoyed a 50-minute private ski lesson (2:1) each day. When they were tired of skiing, the ski school offered other fun opportunities for the toddlers to enjoy the snow like a snow tube carousel and snow balance bikes. It was the first time on skis for our two year olds and the instructor was so sweet and ensured it was a positive first experience for the children - and we know it was as they were happy to return the following day. I also underestimated as a parent what a joy it would be to see my child take on a new challenge and truly enjoy being in the mountains.

The resort also provided free backpack carriers, which were a lifesaver for transporting the babies on the snowy slopes. The resort also offered sleds to use, though we didn’t get a chance to use them this time.

Location & Accessibility

• Under 2-hour drive from Munich with an easy but winding final 15-minute ascent

• Free and convenient parking directly at the resort

• Local ski shuttle available nearby, though the uphill return walk could be challenging after a long day on the slopes. We drove to the ski lift and had no problem with parking at the Isskogelbahn of the Zillertal Arena,

Customer Service & Overall Hospitality

Service at Geislerhof was exceptional, with staff going above and beyond to accommodate families:

• All baby-related requests (high chairs, baby beds) were fulfilled before arrival

• Firewood resupply and linen exchange was seamless: we simply placed the basket outside, and it was refilled

• Personalized dining service: Our meals were delivered when the restaurant was booked for a wedding, making dining even easier with kids

The overall atmosphere was welcoming and family-oriented, with small touches like outdoor playgrounds, a working tractor driving around (a highlight for our toddler!), and adorable farm animals.

Cost & Value for Money

• Great value when shared: Splitting the chalet between two families made the price reasonable for enjo

• Half-board package was ideal, removing the hassle of cooking while allowing us to enjoy relaxed, post-bedtime meals

If paying as a single family, it might feel a bit pricey, but the convenience and quality of the experience justified the cost.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

Best Aspects:

• The fireplace created a magical ambiance as snow fell outside

• Well-equipped dining space allowed our group of eight to eat together comfortably

• Excellent service and family-friendly atmosphere made us feel right at home

Areas for Improvement:

• A larger living area would be ideal as children grow; the current couch only fits 2-3 people

Would We Return?

100% yes! We can easily see ourselves returning every year, both in winter and summer. In fact, my husband is now obsessed with the idea of spending Christmas there!

For families seeking a cozy, luxurious, and family-friendly mountain escape, Geislerhof Farm Resort is a perfect choice.

Would you visit? Let us know your favorite mountain retreats!