An alternative to day-tripping, AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa offers a more leisurely and luxurious way to experience a storybook Bavarian village with two castles, one of which appears as a Disney confection come to life.

by Bridget Williams / Photos of AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa by Wolfgang Stahr

Nestled into an alpine valley with complementary castles perched atop Lake Alpsee on opposing hillsides, it's hard to imagine a more storybook setting than the Bavarian town of Schwangau near Füssen in Allgäu. Annually, nearly two million visitors queue up to peek at the ornately furnished state rooms of Hohenschwangau Castle (hohenschwangau.de/en) and a small portion of Neuschwanstein Castle (neuschwanstein.de/englisch/tourist), built by the famously eccentric King Ludwig II of Bavaria between the years of 1869 and 1884. Most visitors make a quick in-and-out stop in the village, which is a shame as they miss the opportunity to experience the beauty of this little hamlet after the castles close and the crowds disperse.

In the shadow of the castles and enveloped by the Allgäu Alps on the banks of Lake Alpsee, the 4-star AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa (ameroncollection.com/en/neuschwanstein-alpsee-resort-spa), part of the Althoff Hotels family, is a full-service resort opened in 2019. The sprawling property represents a masterclass in seamlessly integrating old and new. A trio of listed historic buildings — Alpenrose, Jägerhaus, and Schlosshotel Lisl—are joined by the newly built Galeria and Seehaus wings to comprise 136 rooms and junior suites, conference and event facilities, an extensive spa and fitness center overlooking the lake, several restaurants, and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings (the former site of a grand hotel). The rhythm of the disparate elements comes together in an aesthetic harmony that the Europeans know how to intuitively orchestrate flawlessly.

The contemporary lobby's stone floors recall the surrounding mountaintops' exposed granite peaks. At the center of the sprawling space, a seating area with plush velvet upholstery welcomes guests to relax in front of the fireplace. In keeping with the AMERON brand's commitment to uniqueness, guest rooms in each building present distinct personalities. Guests lodged in the listed historic buildings experience romantic, fairy-tale interiors complete with canopied beds, period-correct antiques, print-on-print wallpaper, and ornate drapery.

The transition from old to new takes place via underground passageways and glass-covered pathways, AMERON's interpretation of a wormhole. In contrast to the fussiness of a bygone era, the clean lines of the new resort buildings would undoubtedly appease the aesthetics of legendary avant-garde German architects Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius. Here, the guest rooms bend towards the tenets of Bauhaus interior design: functionality, simplicity, and craftsmanship.

Continuity of contrasts extends to the culinary offerings with a host of unique gastronomic concepts. Seasonally inspired contemporary Bavarian alpine cuisine procured from local producers is available at Lisl Restaurant, serving a buffet-style breakfast and fine dining in the evening.

Schloss Bräustüber delivers an authentic German beer garden experience with meats, sausages, and cheeses originating from regional butchers and cheesemakers. Go all-in on authenticity by washing down your brezel with a freshly tapped pilsner from the town's King Ludwig Brewery. Fun fact: The first Oktoberfest in Munich on October 12, 1810, commemorated the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I, the grandfather of Ludwig II) to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

Open seasonally, the terrace of Alpenrose am Se is the ideal place to enjoy a cocktail or a signature "King Ludwig Glace Royale" sweet treat while surveying the glassy waters of Lake Alpsee. Ludwig Bar is a comfortable gathering place for a regionally inspired craft cocktail or light meal that combines international influence with regional ingredients and specialties.

After a day of exploring castles or hiking the trails accessed via cable car atop Tegelberg mountain (tegelbergbahn.de/en), the resort's 4 Elements spa complex, encompassing an indoor pool, Finnish and bio-saunas, experiential showers, ice fountain, quiet lounge areas, and a well-equipped fitness center, is an ideal place to unwind. Face and body treatments incorporate proprietary ARAMO ELIXIR anti-aging products.

4 elements spa pool with waterfall and view of the Alpsee.

An ideal visual representation of words like "idyllic" and "picturesque," it's easy to see why the region was the chosen home of Bavarian kings. While Hohenschwangau Castle was merely the summer residence of Maximillian II (and much smaller inside that it appears from its hilltop perch), his son Ludwig II, whose known eccentricities are still fascinating today, created his fantasy vision of an impenetrable year-round fortress based on Christian kingship in the Middle Ages as his power and relevance as a monarch crumbled beneath him. History lovers will relish in the luxury of time afforded by a stay at AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa to do a deep dive into the short but fascinating history of the Kingdom of Bavaria and the House of Wittelsbach, one of the oldest dynasties in Europe.

Storming the Castles