Sölden is a glorious Alpine resort in the the Ötztal Valley, in the Tyrol in Austria. Most people visiting the beautiful glacial resort will be there for the skiing but as someone who is very much a beginner I enjoyed quite a few things off-piste too.
1. Stay at Das Central Hotel
Das Central is renowned as the most luxurious and the only five star hotel in Sölden and we absolutely loved our time there. Staying here is perfect for the skier (Mr S) as the location is minutes away from the high-tech cables cars that will have you to the slopes in double quick speed. It’s also right by the InterSport shop for all all your ski hire needs. 
It’s also perfect for the non-skier or beginner (me) as the hotel is renowned for wellness with a three-storey spa themed around Venice and ten different saunas and steam bathes. The spa treatments are out of this world! It’s also the perfect hotel for food lovers being the location of some of the top restaurants in the area as well as the best wine hotel, even producing their own signature wine. 
2. The Aqua Dome
Part hotel, part thermal spa, the Aqua Dome is not only a luxurious way to spend the day but it’s also quite an out of this world experience. There’s plenty of enjoy inside but the Talfrische outdoor thermal spa is like something out of the future with three pools that appear to float in mid air!
Pure sulphur spring water flows through the basins and each pool has a unique appeal: the first pool has underwater light effects, the second is filled with revitalizing sulphurous water and the third contains saltwater that allows visitors to easily float on the surface.
The entire complex has a total of 12 indoor and outdoor pools with heated to between 34 and 36 degrees.
Located around 15 minutes away from Das Central, it’s the perfect place for the non-skier to spend the day or for the skier to ease tired muscles.
3. 007 Elements
One of Sölden’s claims to fame is the resort was the location for the most recent James Bond film Spectre. The unique mountain top restaurant ice Q in particular played a starring role in the film and was transformed into the Hoffler Klinik where James Bond meets Madeleine Swann.
To celebrate this momentous occasion the exhibition 007 Elements was built just next to ice Q. More than just an exhibition, it’s a interactive experience delving into the history and background of the Bond movies with a particular emphasis on Spectre.
Visitors can get a behind the scenes look into the making of the films and also see some of the real life props that appeared.
4. Party!!
Sölden is known for having a very lively Apres-ski atmosphere with plenty of bars and restaurants for the most dedicated party animals. We loved the bar at Das Central which has a great atmosphere and a great selection of wines and cocktails.
One of the major events held in Sölden is the Electric Mountain Festival which is huge extravaganza bringing some of the most well known Electric Dance artists to the Ötztal Mountains. The whole thing takes place in the Giggijoch’s Funzone at 2,300 meters above sea level!
5. Ski!
Oh yes, you can do that too! Well some people can, I’m still very much a beginner and finding my feet!
Sölden is one of the top rated resorts on Alps with altitudes between 1350 and 3340 meters above sea level and two glacier ski mountains. The mountain lifts / gondolas are some of the technologically advanced in the world. The Giggijoch Gondola can transport the most people per hour in the world. The 134 cabins each hold ten people at once and get them to the top at high speed. Mr S can account for the skiing better than I can and he had the most fantastic time on the slopes!
PIN FOR LATER:
Have you been to Sölden? What did you get up to there?
Mr S and I were hosted by Das Central as part of a press trip that also included all our meals and activities.
