Austria’s Wellness Haven

An Austrian Alpine Wellness Haven Rooted in Centuries of Tradition

Tucked into a storybook valley beneath the Wilder Kaiser mountains near Kitzbühel, Austria, Stanglwirt has grown from a humble 17th-century farmstead into one of Europe’s most beloved wellness resorts. Because the various evolutions of the farmstead have been overseen by the same family for eleven generations, the spirit of the place—its genus loci—is imbued by an atmosphere of homeiness, genial genuineness, and ecological harmony. Maria Hauser is one of the current-generation siblings who run the day-to -day hotel operations. She encapsulates the ethos of the hotel by noting, “Stanglwirt is not just a hotel. It is a philosophy and a way of life.”

Stanglwirt’s hospitality origins date back to the 1600s, when a tavern was opened on the farmstead. Over the centuries, it evolved into a popular carriage stop, and then an established restaurant so popular that it attracted Hollywood legends like Clark Gable and Bing Crosby.

The modern Stanglwirt era took root in the 1960s, when Balthasar Hauser—father of Maria and her siblings—took the helm, adding lodging in the process. He expanded the property with an eco-minded vision decades ahead of its time. Salvaged farmhouse wood, local materials, and sustainable systems such as biomass heating became hallmarks of the design. A tennis facility established in 1970 spurred the construction of hotel rooms, and the whimsical sight of sheep grazing atop the indoor tennis center’s roof still delights guests today.

You will also see those sheep wandering on the green roof of the resort’s massive biospa.  Spanning nearly 130,000 square feet, the wellness center contains Europe’s largest hotel saltwater pool, panoramic event saunas, and a labyrinth of steam baths, kneipping pools, waterfalls, indoor/outdoor pools and secluded grottoes.  Adults seeking solitude can find it in relaxation nooks outfitted with hammock lounges and aquariums, or in cozy corners where the sound of waterfalls sets the mood for pure calm.

There’s also a separate area for families. Water Adventure World has several pools suitable for kids of various ages; a giant water slide; an underwater aquarium; and a pool cinema perfect for watching water-themed flicks like The Little Mermaid.

Stanglwirt’s spa menu is extensive, ranging from classic massages to advanced therapies like the TGC Oxygen High-End Facial and Japanese S.I. Therapy—a gentle treatment targeting blockages in the sacroiliac joint to ease pain and restore natural balance. A signature indulgence is the Stangl whey bath—using the resort’s own whey, fresh from Stanglwirt cows, to nourish stressed or dehydrated skin.

Wellness abounds, though, well beyond the spa. Stanglwirt remains a thriving organic Alpine farm. The reminders are everywhere. There’s an on-site cheese dairy, and seasonal ingredients for the property’s restaurants are sourced from the farm. Just past the lobby, instead of a signature scent, the smell of fresh hay wafts in from the nearby stables. Those stables house 24 purebred Lipizanner horses. And yes, guests can ride the stunning steeds, taking lessons in the indoor arena visible from a panoramic window in the lobby bar, or for experienced riders, on a trail ride through Alpine meadows.

During the winter, those meadows transform Stanglwirt into a snowy playground. Outdoor activities include ice bathing with breathwork, meditation floats, snow hikes, horse-drawn carriage rides, and lessons through the Stanglwirt Ski School for all ages and skill levels. Indoors, there’s nothing better than cozying up in a comfy chair near the lobby fireplace with a good book or a good friend and a toasty hot toddy. Sure, you can scroll through your phone, too. But honestly, you’ll be better off not doing so. After all, Stanglwirt is the perfect place to disconnect from the digital world, reconnect with nature, and, as Maria Hauser noted, “remember what it’s like to be human.”