Inside A Five-Star ‘Biohotel’ In Austria
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2 days ago
Welcome to Stanglwirt
Stanglwirt is a hotel where responsibility and joy combine to create a holistic experience like no other, says Julietta Dexter.
Hotel Review: Stanglwirt, Kitzbühel, Austria
Few hotels achieve ‘responsible joy’ – places that knit the needs of people, planet, profit and purpose into one single offering with the utmost care, charm and playfulness. Stanglwirt, the Hauser family’s cherished home, organic farm and bio-hotel (somewhere that prioritises sustainable practices), might just be rightfully crowned.
For over 300 years, the Hausers have been delivering their particular brand of warmth and hospitality in Kitzbühel, Austria. Stanglwirt is helmed by Balthazar Hauser, the patriarch and visionary who has meticulously safeguarded every facet of his 140-room alpine sanctuary for future generations – and his children will see that future secured. Maria, Elisabeth and Johannes each oversee different aspects of the hotel, which will soon be completely off-grid, self-sustaining and emission-free.
Its pristine location – with the Alps as its backdrop, it’s either blanketed in winter snow or glittering in summer greens – it invites guests to partake in traditional Austrian culture, organic food, folk music, and family traditions. All create an experience that feels both homely and immersive.
Wellness is a huge attraction here. As well as lungfuls of blissful mountain air (exert yourself with Nordic walking, ebiking, skiing, fishing, hiking – all on offer), the resort offers a multitude of saunas, wraps, massages, detoxes, and even Ayurveda. The daily sauna rituals in the private adult spa, guided by the brilliant sauna master Andrea, are a must. Her expertise transforms the experience into a celebration of vitality, leaving you tingling with health and energy. Water is a key element too, with rockpools, natural swimming lakes, and even a grotto.
Children are welcomed warmly; from tiny tots to teenagers, there are activities aplenty. The children’s farm lets them cuddle rabbits, tack up for pony rides, and even milk the goats. And, if that’s not enough, they even get their own spa for facials, massages and manis.
Beyond that, there are some serious sporting facilities which take the resort to another league. From a state-of-the-art golf training centre and a top-class tennis academy to training pools and a gym attracting professional athletes, the icing on this cake is Austria’s first private Lipizzaner stud, which happens to be on site. There are 24 of these staggering equine beauties either displaying their formidable talents for you to watch through floor-to-ceiling glass walls while sipping an Almdoodler cocktail in front of a crackling fire – or perhaps you’re game enough to take them for a ride (surely a highlight).
Come evening, the cosy main bar transforms into a lively hub for drinks, music and dancing, where the Stanglwirt ethos of holistic wellness – not through punishing diets or deprivation but through a joyous celebration of life – is wonderfully embodied. The Austrian wine outclasses its French neighbours; the food, made with local organic produce, is memorable; the dancing, well, that’s entirely up to you…
Every detail at Stanglwirt is carefully curated, from the generously spacious rooms to the comfiest of beds. This thoughtful balance encourages moderation; indulgence here feels intentional, not excessive. And in a world where we need to curb the excess, yet keep the joy, Stanglwirt is a rare and remarkable experience.
