The winter season is just around the corner, and with it the magic of snow-covered landscapes, glistening peaks and cosy hours in front of crackling fires. When snowflakes transform the landscape into a winter wonderland, the air smells of log fires and spices and the day on the piste comes to an end in the spa or in front of the fireplace, it becomes clear: it’s the perfect time for a little time out. From rustic mountain huts to modern design hotels that combine luxury with Alpine cosiness, each place has its own unique charm – we have the most beautiful winter destinations for you in our App Guides (Tyrol, South Tyrol, Salzburger Land, Bavarian Alpine foothills). Whether it’s skiing fun, wellness in the snow or simply a few relaxing days in a winter wonderland – we would like to give you a little preview here to help you find your personal winter hideaway.
Renate and Huwi, the owners of the Priestegg, are a power couple who have created something unique here with a great deal of passion. The Priesteregg is a small mountain world in itself. On a high plateau below the Leoganger Steinberge mountains, 15 newly built chalets have been combined to form a unique mountain village. In these chalets, they have realised all dreams of romantic huts down to the smallest detail – without sacrificing the blessings of modernity. Here, the traditional wooden chalet construction dominates as one would wish, really cosy, but with the matching twist of ultra-modern equipment with sauna, hot tub and underfloor heating, which is not really visible. The open bathtub in the central living room reveals a lot about the philosophy that Renate and Huwi share: To immerse themselves in a completely different world for a few days and completely relax and get away. Once a week, they bake bread or Kaiserschmarren together on the ‘village square’ – otherwise you don’t get to see much of the ‘neighbours’. Everyone just wants to relax with their loved ones in this beautiful natural setting with a phenomenal view of the valley. Below the village there is also a very nice, cosy restaurant with traditional cuisine, local food with a twist.
The Seebichl is a wonderful jewel in the Kitzbühel mountains, with a view of the Schwarzsee. When you think of Kitzbühel, you usually have a certain cliché in mind. But the Seebichl shows that things can be different – unpretentious, with plenty of character and a lot of attention to detail. This is mainly thanks to the two likeable brothers Sebastian and Max. They both grew up in the historic house and have brilliantly transferred it into their generation and zeitgeist. Their passion for design plays a major role in this. Each of the 26 rooms is an individual piece of jewellery, with self-made furniture, art and selected pieces from their own design collection consisting of treasures from the 50s, 60s and 70s. A day at the Seebichl starts with the bar breakfast – homemade jam, eggs from the Unterleitenhof farm in Kitzbühel and a cosy atmosphere. At the bar, where a delicious homemade tonic is mixed in the evening and radically regional cuisine is served. During the day, the ski slopes are usually calling in winter. There is also an in-house lift shuttle for guests. Those who simply want to unwind can also do so, as the Seebichl has a wonderful sauna. In short, the Seebichl is a feel-good oasis, a charming home away from home where you can escape from everyday life into an unspoilt world in the mountains.
the cōmodo – Bad Gastein, Salzburger Land
The cōmodo is also one of the new kids on the block in Bad Gastein. A design hotel that transforms the mid-century vibe into a modern mountain hotel – with 70 rooms, spa area, skate park, basketball court, fitness and yoga studio as well as a small cinema. The motto of the cōmodo is ‘luxury without showing off’. Incidentally, the Berlin architect Barbara Elwardt and designer Piotr Wisniewski are behind the chic design. Anyone who has ever been to Bad Gastein knows that wellness is deeply rooted in Bad Gastein’s DNA, so of course the wellness component could not be missing at the cōmodo. The cōmodo Spa offers the wonderful products from Saint Charles and you can look forward to treatments with the healing properties of Gastein’s thermal water.
Haus Hirt – Bad Gastein, Salzburger Land
There is no better place in the Gastein mountains to enjoy the winter freshness. Evelyn and Ike Ikrath are passionate owners, and their Haus Hirt combines the perfect blend of modern zeitgeist and tradition. It is wonderfully secluded and offers a breathtakingly beautiful view that even Stefan Zweig and Thomas Mann appreciated. Here you can not only enjoy stylish and individualised accommodation, but also indulge in all-round pampering. In the small, fine Aveda spa or in front of the crackling open fire in the lounge, during morning yoga or on a hike with your own guide. And the cuisine offers everything the modern city dweller loves, from millet porridge and farmhouse butter to a creative 4-course menu in the evening. A happy all-round carefree package that also works wonderfully with the family.
Townhouse Weisses Kreuz – Salzburg
The Weisses Kreuz townhouse has skilfully combined old elements of the recently renovated building with modern-minimalist style elements. The existing building fabric was retained as far as possible and supplemented with stone and reclaimed wood where necessary. For example, old ceilings were carefully exposed and concrete ceilings were installed above them to improve sound insulation and fire protection. The result is a completely successful, contemporary luxury ambience in the heart of Salzburg. A visit to the Weisses Kreuz is particularly recommended for architecture enthusiasts.
Das Kranzbach – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavarian Alps
Die britische Adelige Mary Isabel Portman hat 1913 mit einem einzigen Blick beschlossen, dass sie genau hier ihr Schloss bauen will. Der britische Geist hält sich bis heute, weil die Londoner Designerin Ilse Crawford das Wellnesshotel eingerichtet hat. Dabei erinnert das ganze mit seinem Humor und Schick an die „Soho-Houses“ mit den überdimensionalen Stehlampen, Arne Jacobsens Schwan-Sesseln, den Tischen von Eero Saarinen und Bubble Lamps von George Nelson eingerahmt von Wänden mit satten Farben. Nach einem Tag im Wellness Bereich bieten sich einem viele Möglichkeiten zu entspannen: Im Spielezimmer, in den Kaminzimmern oder an der Bar. Überall dort kann man wunderschöne Ausblicke auf die Gebirgsmassive Wetterstein, Karwendel und die Zugspitze, auf Wälder und Blumenwiesen genießen. Das Kranzbach ist eine ganz eigene Welt mitten im Naturschutzgebiet. Die geschmackssicheren neuen, modernen und lichtdurchfluteten Anbauten fügen sich perfekt in die Landschaft ein. Wer es aber eigenwilliger haben will, wählt ein Zimmer im „Mary Portman House“ mit hohen Decken, verspielten Tapeten und Wolkenbetten.
