Picture-perfect Design: Hotel Wiesergut, Saalbach-Hinterglemm

The story: What was once a family-run guesthouse hidden in a simple building has three years ago been transformed into one of the most talked about design hotels in the Alps. Standing in front of Hotel Wiesergut it seems almost inconceivable that a 14^th century building is hidden inside the tightly modern architecture. It’s also hard to believe that the stylish owners, Martina and Sepp Kröll, were once farmers, and actually still are. Sepp still has his cows alongside the alm high up on the mountain.

This forty-something couple don’t look like archetypal Austrian peasants in their stylish outfits, a mix of Austrian tradition and contemporary fashion. A couple of years ago, Sepp thought it was about time the old family guesthouse his grandmother Gertrude started many years ago was transformed into something completely new and until now unseen in Austria.

The location: In Saalbach-Hinterlemm, two valleys come together at an altitude of 1,061 metres. In winter there is of course skiing. In the summer, this is walking and mountain biking paradise. Hotel Wiesergut lies at the foot of the Zwölfkogler lift station and ski slopes, perfect for those loving direct ski-in/ski-out access.

The Design: The Krölls commissioned Austrian architect Monika Gogl from Gogl & Partner to convert the old structure into something pure, new and surprising. What is most striking is the attention to detail: from the enormous custom-made steel door and window frames to the warm cosiness created by using lots of indirect lighting, wood and natural fabrics. Much of the furniture and lighting were tailor made for the hotel. The brief: create a real design hotel albeit one that does not feel cold but radiates organic warmth.

Sepp Kröll wanted to use only natural materials. Timeless and indestructible. Felt, linen, concrete, wood, granite, steel… The passages from one building to the next are made of metres-high insulated glass, the stainless steel swimming pool overlooks the ski slopes, and the suites on the ground floor, with their own fireplaces and hot tubs, are the kind you almost never want to leave.

For who: Hotel Wiesergut appeals to an architecture and design-minded public. However, those afraid of that all too often arrogant “design hotel” atmosphere, fear not. The service is warm and easy-going. The general mood is relaxed, from the immaculate breakfast with local cheeses, charcuterie, and freshly baked bread (by Sepp’s mother in a traditional oven) to evenings in the bar or in the old-fashioned stubbe where both innovative and more traditional dishes are served.

Via Culinaria: Sepp and his wife also own the Wieseralm restaurant and bar alongside the Reiterkogel ski slope. In a relaxed ambiance you can sample “hausmännische Kost”: pleasant homely dishes, beautifully presented.

The allure: We are a big fan of the private hot tubs on the outside terrace of the suites. They are custom-made in stainless steel and filled with natural spring water. It’s yet another fine example of the rigorous eye for detail in this design hotel, and without compromising on service or comfort.

Intergenerational delight: Haus Hirt, Badgastein

The story: Several years ago, an old spa hotel dating from 1924 was converted into one of the cosiest and most unique family hotels in the Alps. Famous names once stayed here: Thomas Mann, Lady Churchill, the Shah of Iran… nowadays it is the graceful and ever-present Evelyn Ikrath who looks after her international clientèle with unending gentilesse.

Evelyn has selected a décor boasting a mixture of retro chic and 1920s glamour with fresh modern accents. Haus Hirt is not a traditional family hotel, you know the kind that is best avoided by couples. Evelyn’s concept works: it’s a place where young families feel at home, but where other guests like young couples or even grannies can relax too. There are few family hotels in the Alps that manage to combine such a perfect sense of warmth and cosiness with a dash of eccentricity.

The location: The Gastein valley lies a few feet away from the terrace of Haus Hirt. Towering mountains encircle the tranquil, rural valley while a ski slope or winter sport resort lies behind nearly every peak. Bad Gastein is a compact town in Belle Époque style best known for its hot springs, gigantic waterfalls and numerous spa hotels. Besides boasting more than 220 kilometres of ski slopes, Gastein is famous for cross-country skiing or langlaufen and in the summer for hiking in the Hohe Tauern National Park. We loved the outing with Haus Hirt into the mountains to feed the deer. Hundreds of wild bambi, big and small, came surprisingly close to us during an almost zen-like feeding session. It took the organiser almost 20 years before these deer became less shy and acquainted to people.

The design: Haus Hirt Hotel & Aveda Spa was built in the last century as an imposing and elegant Alpine lodge. It served for many years as one of many “spa” hotels until it was assigned its present role as an intimate “privat haus” focusing more on enjoyment and relaxation. Throughout the hotel you find elements of the arts and crafts movement in symbiosis with specially commissioned modern artworks.

We love the numerous loungers and sofas everywhere, striking (art) books are scattered around, and the playfully eccentric colour schemes popping up in the décor don’t compromise the cinematic views over the Gastein valley. The 29 rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, often with balconies looking out on the Alpine landscape. Creaky wooden floors, white as the signature colour, Tolomeo lamps…

For who: Haus Hirt is a meeting place for likeminded people with the same tastes and life philosophy. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the children or young parents who get to know each other during their stay. Even grandparents are in their element. The only risk is that after staying here, you are guaranteed to want to return. Be warned, the hotel is often fully booked in winter.

Via Culinaria: You eat well in Haus Hirt thanks to full board, but for those who want to venture out to taste or drink something local, then the Alpine restaurant Valeriehaus is a must. This mountain inn opened in 1889 and has a beautiful, sunny terrace offering views over the langlauf slopes of Sportgastein.

The allure: We love the quaint atmosphere! Everyone feels at home in Haus Hirt, especially in the evenings when the children are asleep and parents can sit in the cosy bar to enjoy a good glass of Austrian wine or a Spritz. Evelyn even consulted a DJ friend in Vienna on the choice of music played during the day and evening. Everything, down to the tiniest detail, is well thought out.

Authentic Cosiness: Bergdorf Priesteregg, Leogang

The story: Bergdorf Priesteregg is the charming concept of a couple of young ex-farmers who wanted to do something different with their exceptional piece of land at an altitude of 1,100 metres. It all began with a small, cosy restaurant in a wooden chalet. You know, the sort of mountain eatery where you enjoy steaming plates of hearty food while it’s snowing and freezing cold outside. The owners Renate and Huwi Oberlader were successful with their stubbe and quickly noticed that their (often) international clientèle also wanted to stay overnight on their mountain. On a visit to the Maldives the couple discovered the concept of compact, individual luxury bungalows. Instead of the azure blue waters, you’ll find here mesmerising views  towards the Leoganger Steinbergen mountain range.

Bergdorf Priesteregg is a fairytale mountain village with individual wooden chalets offering much more space and privacy than an ordinary hotel room. A generous, home-made and organic breakfast is brought to your chalet, served whenever you want and set up while you are still sound asleep in the next door bed room. The deep sleep comes from the Austrian pine interior, or who knows, from the apres-dinner schnapps the night before! After breakfast you can have a massage in your room or hop in the open-air baths hidden in the woods and with views over the valley. It would be a shame not to use your own private wooden sauna and steaming hot tub on your terrace! Huwi explains the couple’s concept is so successful he has almost 100% occupancy since Day 1. They’ve even developed a special iPhone app so future or returning guests can see which days of the year are still available.

The location: Leogang in the Saalfelden-Leogang region is a quiet, unspoilt village surrounded by lots of skiing and mountaineering possibilities. The hotel offers a free shuttle to the local ski station where you can store ski equipment for free in a locked room and dry your ski boots.

The design: Bergdorf Priesteregg looks like a small and quiet Alpine hamlet. The luxurious chalets surround a central point with a pond, benches and sheepskin loungers. Once a week, bread is baked in the special outdoor oven and given as a present to the guests. The Dorpf has a total of 16 chalets, some with two rooms, others more luxurious such as the Luis Trenker and Willy Bogner chalets, with own heated swimming pool.

For who: If you’re fed up with regular hotels, this is the ideal place. You have more privacy and space, and you get the feeling that you are living in your own luxury chalet on a mountain, without sacrificing on that good old fashion Austrian hospitality. It’s clear: Couples like coming here, but families love the larger chalets too.

Via Culinaria: Go for high altitude eating on a sun-drenched terrace, at a height of 2,300 metres in the Alte Schmiede. In this restaurant you’ll find Austrian classics plus lots of local produce on the menu.

The allure: We fell in love with the intimacy and tranquillity of the chalets. You can hide away from the world but still have the option to walk for 10 minutes (or hop on the golf cart) down the mountain in the evening to enjoy dinner in one of Priesteregg’s vibrant and cosy restaurants. There is the old and Stube-like Huwi’s Alm or the newer and more airy Restaurant Brugg with a fabulous terrace towards the valley.

GOOD TO KNOW

HOTEL WIESERGUT From 230 euro per night for a double room. Hotel Wiesergut is a two-hour drive from Salzburg.

WWW.DESIGNHOTELS.COM/WIESERGUT
WWW.SAALBACH.COM

HAUSHIRT One-week full board from 912 euro per adult, including the Haus Hirt-XL service. This comprises an extremely generous breakfast buffet (Austrian-style), a light lunch with plenty of salads, soup, a hot dish and even a fruit mash for the youngest guests (until 17:00), a gourmet dinner for the adults or an early “kids dinner” for the children, a welcome cocktail, a weekly programme of activities, access to the swimming pool, sauna and steam bath, Kneipp hydrotherapy…

WWW.HAUS-HIRT.COM
WWW.GASTEINERTAL.COM/VALERIEHAUS/
WWW.GASTEIN.COM/EN

THE COST OF PRIESTEREGG From 193 euro per person, per night including breakfast. The price includes extras such as the BMW ski shuttle, mountain bikes, felt slippers, daily supply of wood for the open fire in your bedroom… Children under 6 stay free.

WWW.PRIESTEREGG.AT
WWW.ALTESCHMIEDE-LEOGANG.COM
WWW.SAALFELDEN-LEOGANG.COM

HOW TO GET TO SALZBURGERLAND – AUSTRIA To get there, take a direct flight to Vienna with a wide range of international airlines. This is great especially when you want to combine a city visit with the pure air of the Salzburgerland mountains. Our favourite hotel in the city is the Kempinski Palais Hansen, starting from 255 euro a night. We loved the elegant rooms and the voluptuous breakfast. 
Once in Vienna, there are several options to get to Salzburgerland  :
Or hop on a train from Vienna to Badgastein, it will take around 4,5 hours.
Or take a domestic flight from Vienna to Salzburg with Austrian Airlines (Star Alliance member) and then rent a car or take a train to for example Badgastein. The flight itself takes 50 minutes and driving from Salzburg to Badgastein is less than an hour, same for hopping on a train. Renting a car from Salzburg or Vienna, completely all-inclusive, will cost 282 euro a week with Sunny Cars.

WWW.SUNNYCARS.COM

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Amangiri is an ode to the mysterious rock formations of southern Utah and the ancient Navajo culture. An enclave of luxury and style in America’s most dramatic desert landscape. Take one of the world’s most influential and eccentric hoteliers, bring him together with several prominent American architects and drop them into the magical moonscape of immense rock formations, mesas and rolling hills somewhere deep in southern Utah. The location is Canyon Point, a stone’s throw from the famous Lake Powell and spot on the invisible border between Arizona and Utah. Finding Amangiri in this desert landscape is not easy. A mini signpost indicates left, towards a dusty road that disappears into endless oblivion. After a long drive between looming rock formations with characteristic flowing lines etched in the sandstone, you at last spot Amangiri in the distance. A mirage in the form of a razor-sharp, rectangular pavilion made of polished concrete. Amangiri nestles alongside a huge sandstone escarpment. The architecture does not impose itself on the landscape. The only unnatural note in this desert setting is the sharply contrasting blue of the swimming pool. Out of respect for the rugged Utah terrain and its typical Entrada sandstone, the hotel was designed as a massive block that seems to have emerged from the earth through natural erosion by the elements. The three architects used a mixture of local sand and cement to closely match the colour and density of the surrounding geological formations. Because of its remoteness, a special concrete casting plant had to be built on-site and colossal moulds were used to achieve the resulting monolithic forms. And light is undoubtedly one of the most important protagonists here. Amangiri is so remote that there’s literally nothing else to see here except nature and the exceptional play of light that changes at every moment of the day. Zechia and I-10 Studio have designed Amangiri in such a way that light constantly manifests itself in different ways. The angular minimalism of the building’s design is enhanced by an equally jagged play of light, from the fine sunrays sketching patterns on the sand-coloured walls, to the views through glassless windows that give the impression that the landscape is a painting. The architecture grabs the extreme environment, together with the light, and pulls them inside.

Every aspect of the architecture refers back to the immediate surroundings. Like two eagle’s wings, the 34 rooms and suites sweep out from the main building towards the desert. Each room overlooks this harsh scenery and wide panoramic views are even visible from the bath or bed. The idea is to step immediately out of your room into the desert. A large folding window opens completely onto a private terrace with a fire pit. Perfect for admiring the intense pitch-black nights and starry skies of southern Utah. In the main pavilion there is a bar, a restaurant, a library and a shop. In true Asian tradition, Zechia has also included a posh spa, where you find cool, enclosed spaces that hark back to traditional Navajo hogan buildings and for less sweltering moments of the day, small open-air treatment pavilions. The spa’s small swimming pool also provides relief from the dry desert heat. Wherever you look, all you see is water, rock or sky, nothing else. Amangiri is dominated by a purity of design and an absence of over-decoration. It’s a bit like camping in ultra-luxurious surroundings. Imagine: no noise, not even music beside the swimming pool, and shifting, hallucinatory landscapes with no light pollution because the civilized world is so far away. Perhaps these elements give Amangiri its extraordinary character and explain why those who visit, always wish to return.

The verdict

We were blown away by the location and the design. This is truly one of the most remarkable resorts in the US. We would go back immediately to sit on the terrace of our room, admiring the views over the desert or to watch the sunset on the terrace of the main building with a glass of good wine offered by the house. However we were not impressed by The spa therapist. And please feed me some real bread for breakfast!

How to get there

Amangiri (opened in October 2009) is approximately 5 hours driving from Las Vegas (the biggest close by city). Renting a Ford Mustang convertible to explore the area around Amangiri is a big adventure and a real must-do. Sunny Cars offers convertibles starting around 50 dollars per day, all extras and taxes included. Try to explore Glen Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and the famous Horse Shoe Bend plus Antilope Canyon.

The closest airport is Page from where Amangiri organises free transfers.

Room rates start as of 1050 $ + taxes.

WWW.AMANRESORTS.COM

WWW.SUNNYCARS.COM

What to do

Try to explore Glen Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and the famous Horse Shoe Bend plus Antilope Canyon. These highlights of nature are all in easy reach and the drive towards them are already worth the effort. Even a day-trip to Monument Valley is an option.

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Room 606 at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel does come with a price tag: DKK 4900 (650 euro) per night, based upon two sharing, and includes breakfast.

WWW.RADISSONBLU.COM/ROYALHOTEL-COPENHAGEN

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