HOTEL DER ENGEL || Where Tyrolean Heritage Meets a Philosophy of Purposeful Luxury
Why choose between the hush of snow-draped peaks and the bloom of summer meadows when you can have both?
In Austria’s Tannheimer Tal, Hotel Der Engel, a member of The Aficionados, invites guests to experience the Alps in every season, each visit a different chapter in the same story of luxury, heritage, and nature.
In the summer months, guests can enjoy the sight of fresh blooms and over 300 km of hiking and cycling trails.
Established in 1748 and now in its seventh generation of family stewardship, Der Engel has long been a fixture of Grän’s village life. Today, under the guidance of siblings Elke and Gerold Mattersberger, it has transformed into a sanctuary of The New Orgänic, a design philosophy rooted in restraint, tactility, and purpose.
The transformation is tangible from the moment you arrive. Natural clay walls breathe with the mountain air, reclaimed timbers hold the warmth of past centuries, and salvaged driftwood carries stories of Alpine rivers. Every detail is intentional, every material chosen for its ecological integrity, grounding the architecture in both sustainability and a sense of place.
The newly unveiled Kräuter Suites extend this ethos with compact kitchens, private saunas, and balconies that open toward forested slopes. Inside, organic tones of mushroom, oat, and honey echo the surrounding landscape, while soft bouclé fabrics, Tyrolean wools, and sculpted furnishings invite a slower rhythm. Timber, stone, hemp, and glass layer textures in a way that feels both contemporary and deeply Alpine.
Kräuter Suites bring the serenity of Alpine meadows into your private retreat.
At the heart of the property lies the 8,150 m² spa, a biophilic retreat shaped from 43,000 pieces of driftwood into cocoon-like nests for rest and reset. Two storeys of wellness spaces immerse guests in nature’s patterns, with local stone, toxin-free paints, and cut-out lighting reminiscent of a forest canopy. Reclaimed spruce frames the thermal zones, while innovative technology ensures a low ecological footprint.
A stone-clad sauna that feels as much a part of the mountain as the peaks outside.
Enjoy a view of the surrounding wintery landscape while soaking up the heat in the sauna.
Dining at Der Engel is an intimate, multi-sensory journey. In place of a singular restaurant, 15 distinct Stuben, each with its own character, offer menus shaped by the Alpine terroir. Gerold’s expertise as a trained hunter and forager is evident in dishes that feature seasonal produce, wild herbs, and game from the surrounding valleys. Awarded the AMA Gastrosiegel for regional authenticity, the cuisine balances rustic tradition with contemporary refinement.
The bar and dining area at Der Engel—where Alpine craft meets contemporary design.
Der Engel’s location at 1,100 metres offers two distinct worlds. In summer, the valley unfurls into wildflower meadows, glacial lakes, and over 300 km of hiking and cycling trails. Winter transforms the hotel into a ski-in, ski-out base, with cross-country routes and snowshoe trails radiating from its doorstep. The changing seasons do not just alter the view; they redefine the experience.
More than a hotel, Der Engel is an Alpine philosophy in motion. Here, history is honoured, nature is respected, and the careful interplay of design, craft, and care shapes wellness. Whether wrapped in a robe after the sauna, gliding through fresh powder, or swimming in a sunlit mountain lake, guests find themselves part of a landscape that changes yet remains timeless.
The perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine before retiring to bed.
Photography by Hannes Niederkofler
