‘A family-friendly design hotel which feels like a home away from home.’

THE NECTAR

 

About: Having heard a great many good things about it, Haus Hirt has been at the top of our to-visit list for a while. Living in Berlin now, with our two children (aged three and one) and missing the mountains and fresh alpine air, it seemed like the perfect moment for a week in Bad Gastein. Haus Hirt calls itself a ‘family-friendly design hotel’ – and that’s pretty much what we found. In one week we met so many inspiring and lovely families here. Jonathan, our three-year-old son, made heaps of friends, some of which we’re definitely going to meet again. The hotel is wonderfully hidden away in the heart of the Alps and is an ongoing, ever-changing project by the free-spirited Ike and Evelyn Ikrath, who are well known in Bad Gastein for also running the Miramonte and the Alpenlofts. Evelyn herself grew up in the Haus Hirt, which once belonged to her parents. Together with her husband Ike, a talented architect, they’ve managed to create a place which attracts modern freethinkers and people looking for something personal, intimate, and beautiful. Something bursting with positive energy. A home away from home. We, as very sensitive people immediately, felt a connection to the house and the hosts. They share our view on aesthetics and the beautiful things in life and have a natural knowledge on what hospitality should be. Evelyn has a certain knack for making you want things you didn’t know you wanted before. Like tasting the ‘Apfelstrudel’ or having an Ayurveda massage which will warm you from the inside out. They are passionate hosts from the bottom of their hearts.

 

The Arrival:
When we arrived on a Sunday, the spaces felt very ‘clean’. When so many people are coming and going in a hotel, it brings together all kind of (good and bad) energies. Every Sunday they let Pedro come by, who ‘cleans’ the whole house with his very own incense materials. 

The Design:
Bright and daring colours, from orange to pink. A creative mix of modern and classic design – from the 30s to the future. It feels like a large private country house, welcoming you the minute you step in. It was once a hideaway of famous artists and writers like Thomas Mann and Stefan Zweig. 

The Food:
Mostly local, organic, fresh and carefully selected. Delicious Austrian wines. Sweet surprises. 

The SPA:
Don’t expect a huge, highly modern SPA area. It's small and simple (which we often prefer). Sauna, bathing in the snow, yoga and a good read. The pool is mainly for the kids, not really for swimming. Tanja enjoyed an Ayurveda Abhyanga oil massage by Bruni, which was fantastic. 

 

 

THE PULSE

 

Bad Gastein, a picturesque village, pure mythology. A feast for the senses. The mysterious power of water, where dreams are deep, and come true. Bad Gastein is special… we’ll show you what it’s all about. Bizarre Belle Époque architecture and venerable Grand Hotels harmonise with examples of the Zeitgeist. Wonderful hot springs with thermal water and an intoxicating landscape.

Check out the Bad Gastein travel guide by our Local Soulmate Nadin Brendel. 

 

MUST DO

 

Morning yoga session

*

A walk to the Bad Gastein waterfall along the Kaiser-Wilhelm Promenade so you can see all the pretty Belle Époque buildings and the beautiful mountain range

*

Walk the other direction into the Kötschachtal

*

A ski-guide tour

*

Do all the things from our Bad Gastein travel guide

 

 

  • Where?

  • Bad Gastein
  • How many rooms?

  • 30
  • Best of?

  • Great vibe, family-friendly, thoughtful design.
  • Pricerange?

  • €€

Bad Gastein – bizarre, mysterious, healing, glamorous and full of history.

Ready to explore some hidden gems. Photo: Patrick Langwallner

Fuelling up for a long day of skiing.

Jonathan

Victor

 

Bad Gastein, a picturesque village, pure mythology. A feast for the senses. The mysterious power of water, where dreams are deep, and come true. Bad Gastein is special… we’ll show you what it’s all about. Bizarre Belle Époque architecture and venerable Grand Hotels harmonise with examples of the Zeitgeist. Wonderful hot springs with thermal water and an intoxicating landscape.

 

I want to show...

the world to my children.

Well curated.

Good morning, dear world!

Hello paradise!

Pedro, our free-ride guide.

With my new friend: Alex.

pow pow

Time for sauna, massages and yoga.

Brigitte – a wonderful person and yoga teacher.

This view!

Inhaling the crisp mountain air.

The woods will clear your mind.

Hello, little friend.

Collecting precious childhood memories.

The Skywalk on top of Stubnerkogel.

The sky...

is not the limit.

When a talented photographer captures your son’s personality.

by Patrick Langwallner (click for link)

Sweet childhood.

So happy in the mountains.

Good talks and lovely dinner with the soul of HAUS HIRT: Evelyn Ikrath.

We love passionate people.

Cocktail creation with algea and red pepper.

Howling for you, oh you crazy town.

2017-04-Haus-Hirt photo

Goodbye, Haus Hirt. Thank you for an amazing week! We will be back for sure.

© All photos by NECTAR & PULSE and the talented Mr. Patrick Langwallner from BOL  – Thank you!

Where to find us

Address

Kaiserhofstraße 14, Bad Gastein, Österreich


Nearest Airport

Salzburg Airport
1h 15min by car

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ABOUT HOTELS WITH SOUL

Hotels with Soul by NECTAR & PULSE is a personal collection of our favourite hotels around the globe. They have two things in common: soul and passion. Some serve the best coffee we’ve ever tasted. Some the comfiest beds and linen. Some have a sauna in the woods and delicious home-made jams. Others have a butler available 24/7 or a hunter ready to take you on a hunt. One has a library where you’ll want to while away the hours, another one a kitchen stocked with the best midnight snacks.

What they all have in common is great design, friendly people, and authenticity. We call it the NECTAR & PULSE vibe. It’s that feeling where it’s so comfortable, it almost feels home, but you feel like there’s so much to learn, see, and do. These are the places that make you think to yourself, “there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” Hotels with Soul are the ultimate destination for curious travellers with a good taste. Discover their story. Experience their soul.

WANT TO JOIN OUR COLLECTION OF SOULFUL HOTELS?

We love to discover new places and to add more beautiful places to our collection. If you think that your hotel reflects our philosophy, please get in touch with us at hello@nectarandpulse.com. We are happy to give you further information, our media kit and our terms. We are looking forward to get to know you and eventually to work together.

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