Peak of Perfection
Written by Robert Leleux | Photographed by Patrick Cline | Art Directed by Michelle Adams
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At the Wachtelhof, Peter Hütter and Michele Bönan have created a traditional Austrian ski lodge with the spirit of a private home.
The concept of this hotel is thorough,” says Peter Hütter, co-owner of the Wachtelhof, an Austrian ski lodge in the scenic mountain community of Hinterthal, just an hour outside Salzburg. “We didn’t design just this part or that part. Everything here represents our vision.” Hütter achieved that goal with the help of his partners: his sister, Christine Hütter-Bönan, and her husband, famed Florentine architect and interior designer Michele Bönan. Together, the family’s design and hospitality firm, Hütter Bönan—responsible for such cosmopolitan destinations as Heidelberg Suites—purchased and refurbished this small gem, located at the foot of High King Mountain.
The firm sought to infuse the chalet with the kind of personal touches one might expect to find in a luxurious private home. At the Wachtelhof, guests are warmly welcomed and ushered into interiors decorated in a style of easygoing grace. With just 22 guest rooms (most of which boast fireplaces), the lodge treats each visitor with the kind of personal attention difficult to imagine in a less intimate setting, while also offering amenities associated with larger resorts, including a gourmet restaurant and an array of beauty treatments and spa services.
Into each of Hütter Bönan’s projects, the firm attempts to incorporate aspects of the local culture. At the Wachtelhof, traditional Austrian decor is given its due, but it’s also been updated with distinct Bönan touches. The boldly striped carpets, the unexpected glimpses of modern art and vintage lighting, and the smooth, uncontrived sensibility of the place all denote his unmistakable style. Surrounded by the stunning alpine views, guests may settle into an atmosphere of casual elegance and lounge about in the complimentary velvet slippers Hütter provides to make his guests feel at ease. “We want visitors to feel that this is your home,” he says, “and we want to present it to you.”
In addition to skiing on High King Mountain, visitors to the Wachtelhof may enjoy such activities as snowshoeing, sledding, and, during the Christmas season, sleigh rides.
The lodge’s rustic decor is accented by such modern elements as contemporary photography and a vintage-inspired floor lamp.
The Wachtelhof provides everything the winter traveler desires, including hearth-side dining, jams made from local berries, and a selection of spirits from the in-house distillery.
In addition to skiing on High King Mountain, visitors to the Wachtelhof may enjoy such activities as snowshoeing, sledding, and, during the Christmas season, sleigh rides.
Picturesque seating provides guests with a sense of Austrian warmth and charm.
A delicately carved bookcase houses a collection of contemporary art books.
Throughout the lodge, accents of red add warmth and cheer to the decor.
In the entry, a cozy seating area and warm fire greet guests.
Bright red piping and fringed pillows embroidered with the Hütter Bönan logo provide the ample upholstered furnishings with homey touches. The artwork above the sofa is by Massimo Listri, whose photographs may be found throughout the Wachtelhof.
Hand-carved moldings add drama to the dining room’s entrance.
Bönan takes the notion of nooks and crannies to the nines, outfitting each corner with an intimate space for communal exchange.
In the parlor, vibrant green walls and a striped carpet provide a whimsical take on Austrian decor.
A collection of antlers wittily juxtaposes a sober oil portrait.
The Wachtelhof’s pool, which is heated year-round, offers staggering views of the natural surroundings.
Rough-hewn paneling and beams provide a cabin-like appeal to the spa.
The Stüberl’s cozy dining area, which features carefully restored paneling dating to 1750, revels in old-world charm.
The Wachtelhof provides everything the winter traveler desires, including hearth-side dining, jams made from local berries, and a selection of spirits from the in-house distillery.
The paneling in the Stüberl is made of Swiss pine, a type of wood that’s believed by locals to possess healing properties.