170 years ago, there was nothing here but thick, dark primeval forest. Today, things are much different: The hotel on the property feels open, airy and bright, descriptors that also apply to the many rooms and suites as well as to the pavilion.Prior to renovations, the property featured a massive two-storey old building, which had the effect of casting the main building, a typical Bregenzerwald farmhouse with a shingle façad and a strong gable roof, into the background.
“Simply tearing down the main building was not an option, we just wouldn’t have had the heart,” said Juliane Moosbrugger-Jourdain. Along with her husband, Guy, she has run operations here since 1991. In doing so she is continuing the story of her parents and grandparents.But time took it’s toll after 25 years, provoking the big question of whether to close things down or renovate? “The decision wasn’t easy for us,” she remembers. Together with the renowned architect Helmut Dietrich, however, they were able to find an impressive solution. “It was important for the property owners to transition to a more contemporary hotel operation with their own strong identity,” explained Dietrich, who was born in Mellau. “As an architect, it was important for me to demonstrate that traditional buildings in Bregenzerwald have the potential for diverse use without destroying their power and essence.” In addition, Dietrich also has a personal connection to this address: His mother grew up here.
