Grand Hotel Straubinger
Honouring the historical fabric.
The new Hotel Straubinger, named after a prominent local hotelier family, pays homage to the original grand hotel. It was born from the facets of its past, boasting understated elegance and poignant grandeur.
When guests enter the new Grand Hotel Straubinger, they are immediately captivated by the history of this venerable building. In the historical reception area, their room cards are handed to them from a velvet-lined drawer as if they were pieces of jewellery. The grand staircase that leads to the upper floors is straight ahead, while the F&B area is located to the right of it. The double doors of the café, which can seat 40 in total, give onto Straubingerplatz, where the outdoor seating directly on the square can accommodate 12 guests. The bar and the salon directly adjacent to the café provide the perfect setting for the end of day; the salon can be closed off with curtains as needed. In line with the principle of “working with the layers of the past”, all areas feature a contrasting mix of old and new, such as the combination of the existing wainscoting with modern, adapted wall panelling. “Depending on the time of day and how the respective areas are used, the furniture and colour scheme get progressively darker,” says BWM project manager Marlene Gesierich. The predominant colour used in the café is the modern shade “strawberry cream”. In the course of renovations, sage-green layers of paint were discovered beneath the old wall panelling in the salon and bar, inspiring the use of that same colour for the new look. And the Straubinger cake serving trolley is a nostalgic detail …
It is important to us to work with – and not against – the remnants and layers of the past. They give old buildings their charm and their special appeal; it’s what makes them so attractive and unique.Erich Bernard
With a contemporary spin.
The original restaurant entrance, which features stunning rediscovered mural paintings, was transformed into a private dining room for 10 guests. The new entrance to the grand hall is in the new adjacent building with floor-to-ceiling glazing. In the course of restoring the grand hall, gold accents and the original ceiling in the side wings came to light. Historical elements that could not be preserved were given a thoughtful contemporary treatment. With seating for 86 guests, the grand hall features modern, fresh colours such as green, apricot and amber, while abundant greenery, refurbished Lobmeyr wall panels and a new chandelier reinforce the French-inspired atmosphere. Thoughtfully selected colours and patterns, such as the orange used for the pillars and stucco lustro, characterise the 195sqm hall. The heritage-protected solid oak parquet flooring was restored to its original state. An eye-catching, round dining table is positioned in the centre of the room atop a specially designed carpet that mirrors the ceiling rosette. Placed on top of the table is a spectacular chandelier, newly created by Lobmeyr but based on the lost original piece. The two balconies afford a view of the church.
The wine cellar is located in the basement, which – by virtue of the building’s location on the hillside – features a balcony with a view of the church. The wine cellar transitions into an oblong room with a coved vault, where the chef’s table has a direct line of sight with the kitchen. The original wood ceiling needed to be replaced, and after removing the thermally treated dowelled timber beams, they were used to make the chef’s table, which can seat up to 14 guests. The wine & dine area features original, wrought-iron lamps (restored by Lobmeyr) and terracotta tiles on the table surfaces.
Swimming out into nature …
To the left of the entrance, on the west side of the building, is the spa area, which spans the top three floors. Coming from the lobby on the ground floor, guests first enter a courtyard with a chessboard floor (including chess figures), based on the chessboard tile floors in the original treatment rooms. This is a recurring pattern that is also found – albeit in different colours – in the restrooms, corridors and spa reception. On the mezzanine floor are the five new treatment rooms as well as four spa suites, which are spacious rooms featuring free-standing bathtubs, showers installed in converted original basins, and integrated pine saunas. There is a new pool landscape above the original thermal bath tract, where guests can gaze across Gastein Valley and “swim out into nature” to the sound of the nearby waterfall.
The spa area spans a total area of close to 700sqm (350sqm indoors, approx. 330sqm terrace with pool) and seamlessly merges the old building and the newbuild. Guests coming from the reception and fitness area in the old building can cross into the new building with its outdoor infinity pool and indoor pool. The panorama saunas in the sauna area are located on the top floor; the rest area, furnished with a fireplace, wood storage space and wooden slat acoustic ceiling, is on the second floor. The spa’s colour scheme has a maritime feel, with the ceiling above the pool clad with blue tiles. This is complemented by a mix of thermally modified ash wood, exposed concrete, and chrome and wood details.
Unobstructed view.
The structure adjacent to No. 1 Straubingerplatz could not be preserved and was redesigned as a projecting glass structure with a lamella facade mounted in front of the two upper floors. “The expansive glazing opens the building up to the valley, giving guests an unobstructed view of the natural surroundings,” says Markus Kaplan of BWM Designers & Architects. “The wooden lamellas in front of the glass prevent prying eyes from looking in, thereby ensuring the privacy of these rooms.” Incidentally, in the course of this redesign, the original gap between Hotel Straubinger and the house at No. 1 Straubingerplatz, which was closed up in the early 20th century, was opened up again.
Like a painting …
The objective when it comes to Hotel Straubinger’s 46 guest rooms is to preserve the historical fabric, while judiciously complementing it with new elements. Both the old and new elements are informed by the motto of “new luxury”. It is the specific charm and authenticity of the historical fabric that makes this place unique. The patina on the walls, the surviving doors and other original artefacts are priceless vestiges of the old hotel. These were thoughtfully complemented with new elements in order to meet modern standards and requirements. The overall composition of colour and light is inspired by the chiaroscuro of historical oil paintings, resulting in an expressive use of light and dark shades. As much of the historical building as possible was preserved. It gives the appearance of having been dipped in dark oil paint; beyond that “paint line”, it remains untouched.
Curated art concept.
Together with Andrea von Goetz of Schwanenfliess, initiator and mastermind behind the renowned art festivals sommer.frische.kunst and art.bad.gastein, BWM Designers & Architects also developed a specially curated art concept for both hotels: contemporary artists from both Bad Gastein and beyond (for instance, from the US and South Africa) have provided an exclusive selection of works that interact with the town and its tradition and history as well as with the hotels themselves.
Down to the smallest detail …
The art concept is complemented by a greenery and styling concept specially tailored to both hotels and developed by BWM together with Atelier Peter Weisz. The bamboo palms in the grand hall of Hotel Straubinger, for instance, are more than 2m tall and underline the sumptuous French flair. The Badeschloss, on the other hand, features greenery that reinforces the hotel’s retro, bath-inspired look. The décor and styling concept also keeps with the “layers of the past” storytelling. Every single detail – whether a historical found object, a special coffee table book, or a classic or contemporary work of literature – is aligned with the spirit of each individual hotel and has been thoughtfully selected and positioned.
Task
General planning (design contractor services) for the revitalisation of three existing listed hotel buildings (gross floor area approx. 19,000m²) and construction of a new building, as well as development of the corporate design for the hotel ensemble
Status
Completion
08/2023
Client
Straubingerplatz Immobilien GmbH
BWM Team
Erich Bernard, Markus Kaplan, Peter Foschi, Marlene Gesierich, Martina Lehner, Claus Hasslinger, Elisabeth Albenberger, Ismail Berkel, Maximilian Fasslabend, Lena Hainzinger, Tanja Hainzl, Clemens Hörl, Marlies Klauser, Ales Kosak, Sonja Leitgeb, Massimiliano Marian, Elisabeth Morillo-Napetschnig, Fridolin Öhlinger, Tjasa Rus
Image credit
BWM Designers & Architects / Ana Barros
BWM Designers & Architects/Lukas Schaller
BWM Designers & Architects
Hans Schubert
Participants
Generalplaner/Interior Design
BWM Architekten
Markenstrategie und Branding
moodley brand identity
Ausführungsplanung/ PL Generalplanerteam
zweiarchitekten ZT GmbH
ÖBA
edelmueller.architektur.management
Tragwerksplanung
Gschwandtl & Lindlbauer ZT GmbH
TGA
Ingenieurbüro Lothar Mayer GmbH
Bauphysik
TAS Bauphysik GmbHB
randschutz
Norbert Rabl Ziviltechniker GmbH
BauKG
Lackinger BauKO GmbH
Bauhistorisches Gutachten
EIDOS Architektur ZT GmbH
Vermesser
Gernot Fleischmann
Landschaftsplanung
Simma Zimmermann Landschaftsarchitektinnen OG
F&B Beratung
Baysics, Georges Desrues
Lichtplanung
Pokorny Lichtarchitektur
Teppichdesign/Mitarbeit Leitsystem
Gabriele Bruner
Interior Styling Konzept
Atelier Peter Weisz mit BWM Designers & Architects
Kunstkonzept
BWM in Kooperation mit Andrea von Goetz von Schwanenfliess
Awards
17 September 2024
FRAME Shortlist
The Grand Hotel Straubinger has made it onto the FRAME Awards 2024 as one of 6 in the category "Hotel" - congratulations to everyone involved! See the whole shortlist here.
3 September 2024
Finalist – stimme für uns!
We're delighted to share that we have been selected as finalists in this year's SBID International Design Awards® for our work on Hotel Badeschloss ("Hotel Public Space Design" and "Hotel Bedroom & Suites Design") and Grand Hotel Straubinger ("Hotel Public Space Design") in Bad Gastein. Congratulations to everybody involved! The winners will be chosen also by the public, please cast your vote here by 11 September!
12 August 2024
Nominated!
The hotel ensemble on Straubingerplatz in Bad Gastein is nominated for the Architecture Prize of the Province of Salzburg 2024 - we are delighted, congratulations to everyone involved! The winners will be announced on 26 September at the award ceremony in the Architekturhaus Salzburg.
18 July 2024
Reopening of the year!
We are delighted to share, that hotel ensemble on Straubingerplatz in Bad Gastein has won the Tophotel Newcomer Award 2024 in the "Hotel Reopening Leisure" category! Congratulations to everyone involved! The jury recognised the revitalisation of the historic hotel buildings, including a new building - a major project that has brought Straubingerplatz back to life after years of stagnation.
11 July 2024
Tophotel Newcomer Award 2024
The Grand Hotel Straubinger and the Hotel Badeschloss are listed as finalists for the Top Hotel Newcomer Awards 2024! Congratulations to all involved! The winners will be announced at the Tophotel Day on 16 July.
19 June 2024
London Design Awards
Our project at Straubingerplatz in Bad Gastein was honoured with Platinum at the London Design Awards! The Grand Hotel Straubinger in the category ‘Interior Design - Historic Restoration’, the hotel Badeschloss in the category ‘Interior Design - Hotels&Resorts’. Congratulations to everybody involved!
9 April 2024
Winner!
We are delighted to announce that our projects in Bad Gastein were recognized as winners in the "Interior Design - Living Space" category at the LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2023 – Hotel Badeschloss in the "Hotel - Midscale Lifestyle" category and Grand Hotel Straubinger in "Historic & Heritage".
12 March 2024
Nominiert!
We are delighted that the Grand Hotel Straubinger has been nominated for the Hotel Design Award! A recognition for everyone involved - thank you very much! Keeping our fingers crossed for the award ceremony in April at the 196+ Forum in Milan ...
Press
3 October 2024
National Geographic
We searched the planet for the world’s best hotels. Here are our picks.
Link31 August 2024
ELLE italia
Le piscine più scenografiche al mondo firmate da designer e archistar
Link26 January 2024
WALLPAPER
Take a dip at Badeschloss Hotel, a storied bathing sanctuary in Austria
Link PDF14 December 2023
AGHZ
HIRMER HOSPITALITY Straubinger und Badeschloss in Bad Gastein eröffnet
Link PDF11 December 2023
Hogapage
Glanzvolle Eröffnungsfeier für das Straubinger Grand Hotel und das Badeschloss
Link PDF18 October 2023
Salzburger Nachrichten
Lisa Loferer: "In Bad Gastein startet eine Renaissance"
Link PDF21 September 2023
Salzburger Nachrichten
Tag des Denkmals in Salzburg: Alte Schönheit ist frisch herausgeputzt
Link PDF4 September 2023
reiseaktuell.at
Das Straubinger Grand Hotel: Arbeiten mit den Schichten der Vergangenheit
Link PDF31 August 2023
Tourexpi
Das Straubinger Grand Hotel: Arbeiten mit den Schichten der Vergangenheit
Link11 August 2023
Salzburger Land
Renaissance in Bad Gastein. Die Wiedereröffnung von Hotel Straubinger und des Badeschlosses
Link PDF10 August 2023
rolling pin
Legendäre Hotels erwachen aus Dornröschenschlaf, Norman Beitz wird Executive Chef
Link PDF8 August 2023
Tageskarte