The Place
A sense of adventure is needed to find this hotel, perched high on a hill above St Gallen and looking down on Abtwil. From this village, drive uphill, first through seemingly endless suburbia and then fields. Persevere, despite the absence of signs; the reward is a country inn set among farms. These provide horses for riding and the surrounding coutryside has walking, hiking and cycling trails.
Walk through the small bar into the restaurant or on to the terrace where there are weekly barbecues in fine weather. Meals feature veal and venison as well as seafood dishes such as fried perch with saffron and spinach and Mediterranean- style salmon and tiger prawns. From both the restaurant and the terrace the panorama is breath-taking: the entire Säntis region spread out below. This century-old house has been modernized but still has plenty of wood. Bedrooms are not luxurious but have modern comforts.
Although the hotel is simple, with wonderful views, our reporter thought that the prices were a bit expensive for what is on offer. Perhaps you are paying for the view .There have been mixed reports since the new management took over in 2012. Reports welcome.