From the regional special "Tennis vacation in Carinthia": Interview - Roland Heitzeneder from Thermenhotel Karawankenhof

We were able to another interview Roland Heitzeneder regional special “Tennis vacation in Carinthia” . Roland is the tourist manager at the Warmbad-Villach thermal resort , which also includes the beautiful Karawankenhof thermal hotel . A tennis hotel where you can combine a tennis holiday all year round in combination with the amenities of a thermal spa. Tennis & wellness and a huge range of sporting leisure activities away from the tennis courts. Just lovely! You can find out what you can experience around the Karawankenhof, what you absolutely have to see and what is typically “Carinthian” in our interview with Roland.

Briefly introduce yourself, the location of your hotel in Carinthia and your role in the hotel

I'm Roland Heitzeneder. I am the tourism director at the ThermenResort Warmbad-Villach. The Thermenhotel Karawankenhof **** is located in Warmbad-Villach, a place with a wonderful location in the heart of the border triangle - Austria, Italy and Slovenia. The hotel itself is embedded in the 20 hectare Warmbad spa park with lots of untouched nature, surrounded by mountains and lakes. But the old town center of Villach is also only 3 km away from our thermal hotel Karawankenhof. So it is the perfect starting point for many activities. This southern location in the Alpine Adriatic region also results in milder temperatures. Due to the favorable climate and the warm soil due to thermal water, playing tennis outdoors is usually possible from mid-March until well into October. Just 500m from the hotel is the Warmbad Sports Park, where 10 outdoor sand courts and 3 indoor sand courts are available to professionals, amateurs and beginners. A special plus of the hotel is the direct connection to the KärntenTherme Warmbad-Villach. The thermal baths are Austria's most modern adventure world - covering 11,000 m². Our guests have unrestricted access to the thermal spa with giant slides, indoor and outdoor thermal pools, a 25m sports pool and a fitness area with a varied program. A large lawn exclusively for hotel guests and a 2,000 m² wellness area with various saunas, steam baths and a spacious hammam complete the offer.

What do you think is “typical” for a Carinthian?

Carinthians are very proud of their country, and rightly so. Many people envy us for the beautiful lakes with drinking water quality, but also for our proximity to Italy and Slovenia. The typical Carinthian is very hospitable and has a sociable mentality.

A must-see when visiting your hotel... 

The old town in Villach is best explored by taking a walk through the old town. And the eagle arena at Landskron Castle.

What “active tips” are there away from the tennis court? What must a TennisTraveller “experience” in Carinthia?

Cycling on the Drau cycle path, hike up the Dobratsch, walk in the Warmbad-Villach spa park followed by a visit to the award-winning Cafe Konditorei and swimming in the beautiful Faak Lake.

Tell us 2-3 typical Carinthian delicacies that you can also try in your hotel. 

Carinthian Kasnudel and Carinthian Reindling
TennisTraveller note : the Reindling is a typical traditional pastry made from yeast dough, which cannot be missed at Easter in the sweet version with sugar, cinnamon and raisins.)

Where exactly is your absolute favorite place in Carinthia and why do you think it is so beautiful there?

The Maibachl is a special place. The Maibachl is a thermal spring at the foot of the Dobratsch, a 10-minute walk from Thermenhotel Karawankenfof. The Maibachl springs form a natural overflow of the Warmbad thermal springs and only flow when the snow melts on the Dobratsch or after prolonged, intense rainfall. Over time, two spring pools have formed near the main springs, which were additionally dammed by bathers using stones and are now approx. 1 m to 1.2 m deep, inviting you to relax in the 28°C warm thermal water.

TO THE THERMAL HOTEL KARAWANKENHOF