Omaela

It’s usually the little things that decide whether we feel really welcome in a place right away. In this cozy domicile in St.Anton am Arlberg, there are plenty of them. Fresh milk and almond milk are available upon arrival in the four vacation apartments; a reassuring message at the “Vino-Take” (the wine and beverage bar in the lounge) proclaims “Vacation calories don’t count” reminding you that from now on, letting go is the order of the day; and a final touch, sweets “for the lift ride” await in candy jars. The result? Having only just put down your suitcase, you’re already considering moving in permanently. The hosts Lisa and Martin Zangerl, who both grew up in the region, have copied this trick from a family member—oma (grandma) Ela. She’s not only a bon vivant, but above all a good hostess who makes everyone feel completely at home. The mountain hideaway is located exactly where the ski slope and the village meet, in other words right next to the Nassereinbahn lift station which leads to the Arlberg ski area. The center of St.Anton is within walking distance, but far enough away to be completely undisturbed by the après-ski hustle and bustle in town. The cozy atmosphere comes not only from grandma’s influence but also from the fact that this really is home. The spacious apartments, which have been welcoming vacationers since December 2020, are located on the first and second floors, with Lisa and Martin living under the gable roof with their two children. The relaxed retreat has a pared-down look from the outside; inside, natural colors, subtle patterns and a small private sauna in each apartment ensure that even bad weather days are well spent here.

What we like:

• The architecture is minimalist and avoids alpine chic.
• The building blends into the landscape as unobtrusively as if it had always stood there—the new build on the slope must have given structural engineers a few sleepless nights, not that guests will notice any of this!
• The modern style of the apartments with lots of attention to detail; each one has its own “color code” and the wooden furniture was all handmade by a local carpenter’s workshop.
• Good views of the local mountains of St. Anton, the Zwölferkopf and the Sattelkopf from the balconies or the terrace (depending on your apartment)
• Sustainability is high on the agenda—instead of disposable cosmetic wipes, for example, there are pads made from recycled fabric scraps that Lisa sews herself in the off-season which can be taken home as a gift, washed and reused.
• The infusion fragrances and cosmetic products from Salzburg’s natural cosmetics line BE MY FRIEND—all vegan and aluminum-, silicone- and paraben-free
• Per capita, you’ll find the highest density of top class restaurants in the world in Arlberg—however, with the superbly equipped kitchens of the apartments you can vacation more reasonably and whip up a treat yourself.
• It’s worth browsing through the “Omaela Stories” web page for tips from the hosts, you’ll find restaurant recommendations and even the secret recipe for Grandma Ela’s Kaiserschmarrn here.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Apartments are from 41 to 93 square meters and can accommodate from 2 to 6 people.
• There is a bread roll service—bread rolls, chocolate croissants and butter croissants are ordered the evening before and hung in a jute sack on the apartment door in the morning.
• Coffee fans will be delighted to find a Nespresso machine complete with capsules in every apartment; the capsules are collected and recycled separately after use.
• The apartments are heated using sustainable geothermal energy so that guests are cozy even on bitterly cold winter nights.
• Located in a car-free zone—guests may arrive by car and park it in the covered parking deck.
• Regio-Box-Arlberg, a kind of farm store in vending machine form, is a five minutes’ walk away—it stocks fresh milk, eggs, jam, honey, red wine, cheese, and fine chocolate made with milk from Tyrolean grey cattle, all from local farms.
• Each vacation apartment has a lockable locker in the ski room—heated and ventilated so that ski boots are dry and slightly warmed ready for the next ski day. 
• If you bring your own skis, you can also book a ski service—from sharpening the edges to a full wax.
• St. Anton is also a beautiful destination out of the ski season—mountaineering, hiking, bike and e-bike tours, archery, swimming, and golf are available for the active among us
• A little bonus for summer vacationers—guests at OMAELA receive the St. Anton Summer Card free of charge from their first overnight stay, which not only gives access to the public transport but also the mountain lifts and the swimming pool.