A five-minute bike ride from the eastern shore of Lake Wolfgangsee is the idyllic Bergrose Hideaway. A family-run hotel, it emanates the delights of a slower pace of life. Amidst our busy lifestyles, Bergrose Hideaway offers an oasis of calm, an opportunity to escape from the modern-day humdrum and embrace a more tranquil, authentic way of life for a few days.
As the base for our Austrian Lakes Activities holiday, the 4-star Bergrose Hideaway provides the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate after a day’s adventure in the Austrian Alps. We speak to Bettina Edlinger, the hotel’s owner, to discover more about this haven in the hills and how it seeks to create unforgettable memories for its visitors during their time here.
To appreciate the philosophy behind the Bergrose Hideaway, you need to uncover its history. Bettina explains that it all began with her grandmother Franziska’s dream of owning a small restaurant, “Stüberl”, here in Weißenbach forty years ago. It was a difficult time back then, but, as Bettina shares, “Franziska has always followed her own path in a passionate but powerful way.”
It’s this determination that led to the dream blossoming into the stunning hotel you’ll find today. It’s also thanks to the tireless work of Johann, grandfather and senior boss. As a skilled and diligent craftsman, he has committed his whole life to the development and advancement of Bergrose Hideaway.
Now, forty years later, the third generation of the family continues running Bergrose Hideaway with the same passion and faithfulness as their grandparents before them. The hotel has been renovated, but it has been done in keeping with the traditional style while ensuring guests enjoy a modern approach to its facilities. Viktoria, the granddaughter of Franziska, service manager and creative head, takes care of the final touches at the Bergrose Hideaway. “She has a clear vision of what is special,” Bettina describes, “gentle, inventive and with a keen eye for design.”
The Bergrose Hideaway is found about a mile outside the local town of Strobl. Initially, this location proved to be a challenge for the family business, but now it is a huge advantage. Bettina remarks, “We are your hideaway at the Wolfgangsee, your idyllic escape! We are a small, fine hotel in the midst of nature, a cosmopolitan family business with vision and a sense of tradition. That is who we are. Nothing more and nothing less awaits you at Bergrose Hideaway.”
You can’t help but feel at one with nature and your surroundings when visiting the area on our Austrian Lakes holiday. This glorious Alpine panorama, where spectacular mountains drop down to sparkling sapphire lakes and postcard-pretty villages, invites you to enjoy a closer encounter.
Bettina suggests hiking up Mount Schafberg or using the cog railway to experience the breathtaking views. On our Austrian Lakes Activities holiday, alongside our wide selection of fully researched self-guided walking and cycling routes, you’ll also have the opportunity to try out a new water sport or take a trip on one of the many hop-on, hop-off lake cruisers. Yet, whether you choose to follow one of the spectacular undulating hiking paths, cycle beside the picturesque lakes or swim in their calm waters, the pace is easy and less frenzied, with time to soak up these shared experiences.
Bergrose Hideaway adopts a similar philosophy in its ‘thoughtful dining culture’. Bettina explains, “For us, attentiveness is strongly connected to appreciation for good food and conscious consumption. Eating needs time in order to feel, smell and taste. It also needs time to sit around a table together and talk.” To help achieve this goal, the hotel sources fine ingredients from regional producers, creating taste experiences with an international flair that are ‘exciting, real and precious.’
At the Hideaway Kitchen, you can sample the unmistakable signature of Paul and Domink Edlinger in four courses. It’s sustainable and contemporary, not intrusive, but surprisingly different. The hotel also offers SeeSushi, a take on Japanese Izakaya. It’s a style combining Japanese influence but with a regional touch. Bettina reassures us, “We know that this sounds like a lot. But you will see, it just feels right. Just harmonious.”
Of course, on an active holiday like our Austrian Lakes trip, as well as the delicious dining, another crucial aspect of your experience is your downtime. At Bergrose Hideaway, they’ve got your relaxation needs wrapped up in comfort, too. During your stay here, you’ll have access to an indoor pool, a hot tub kept at 35 degrees, a Kneipp treading pool and massage showers. In the BachSpa, you can also enjoy a range of therapeutic massages and treatments. Exit directly to the wild garden, and you’ll discover a place of tranquillity where the only thing interrupting the silence is the gently babbling stream.
Bettina says, “It’s easy to relax, recover and lose yourself at our Hideaway. It’s wellness in nature for inner abundance and harmonious balance.” She tells us about a comment from an American guest many years ago, “He said, ‘You guys live in paradise, and you don’t even know!’ It is by far the most beautiful quote, which always stays in our heads.”
When it’s time to rest at the end of the day, Bergrose Hideaway has 18 rooms, a small number that allows them to provide an individual touch. Offering a warm atmosphere, in keeping with the rest of the hotel, everything has been chosen with care, considering your needs and with respect for nature.
When visiting Bergrose Hideaway, you may be fortunate that your visit coincides with one of their special events held throughout the year. For example, last year, they had ‘Backyard Sessions’, hosting young artists from the region. Bettina shared, “It was a vibrant and chilled summer evening with good food and cool drinks in our beautiful garden next to the Weißenbach River.”
Exploring the stunning Austrian Alps with the Bergrose Hideaway as your base is a holiday that will leave you utterly revitalised. The family’s philosophy of creating a sense of peace in harmony with nature is the ultimate antidote to any busy, modern lifestyle and one which you cannot fail to absorb when spending time here.
Please visit our Austrian Lakes Activities page if you’d like to know more about this trip and staying in the Bergrose Hideaway.
