Seehaus Winkler

We loved our long weekend at Seehaus Winkler. We travelled from Vienna by train, and pre-booked the shuttle bus/taxi service from Greifenburg Weissensee station (see Weissensee tourism website for info). The driver was waiting for us when we disembarked the train, so we were already at Techendorf within 10-15 minutes. The welcome at Seehaus Winkler was very friendly - there is no hotel-style reception desk - instead there are always staff in the kitchen, ready to assist you! Our host spoke to us in English, and we were given an English-language guidebook with everything you need to know about the area. We stayed in a "Family Apartment" with 2 bedrooms (one double, one with bunk beds), bathroom, additional toilet, living area with decent-sized kitchen and dining area. There was a large TV and free Wifi connection. The apartment was very well-equipped, beautifully and tastefully decorated, and perfectly clean. We couldn't fault it. We had asked for a cot and baby bath for our 2 year old as the bathroom only had a shower. Both were a good, large size, perfect for our toddler, and were set up ready for our arrival. We enjoyed the plentiful and varied breakfast buffet (10 Euros each, free for our daughter) and also took advantage of the "bun service" - you can order bread rolls the the night before, and then they are delivered by the local bakery and hung in a cloth bag on your door ready for breakfast in the morning! The facilities are great at the Seehaus - large gardens running down to the lake shore (no road in between like some properties on the other side of the lake), volleyball and mini-football pitch, children's play area with slides, swings, sandpit etc, and even a Sauna House (which we didn't use). We were able to borrow bikes for free, including one with a child-trailer, which was perfect for our daughter. There were also scooters, tricycle, and other ride-on toys for young children. The location was excellent. There are a couple of restaurants, one with crazy golf and kids playground, a couple of minutes walk away. Spar supermarket only 5 mins walk, over the bridge, and in the other direction there is open countryside. A narrow road/track follows the shore-line and is perfect for cycling and walking, with easy access up onto the hillside and higher ground. You can also catch a boat trip up the lake, which was a great option for a rainy afternoon! What else can I say? I would definitely recommend Seehaus Winkler and the Weissensee area to anyone for a relaxing holiday or short break, with beautiful surroundings and plenty of outdoor activities. Even though the weather was unseasonable wet and chilly during our stay, we still had a wonderful time! It was also perfect for a car-free holiday - very easy by train (5 hours direct from Wien Meidling) and everything on the doorstop once you are there. The accommodation is not cheap, but we were so impressed by the apartment, the warm hospitality and the facilities, that we were very satisfied with the value for money. I felt that the cot/infant bed should have been included in the price of the room (5 Euro extra per night seems unwarranted) but, on the other hand, I was pleased that the breakfast was free for young children. Overall, we really loved both the Weissensee and Seehaus Winkler, and would love to return one day.