Refugium Lunz
Calm, minimalist, Nordic-meets-Alpine. No fuss. Guests come to do very little, very well. The Salonküche open kitchen is the social heart — guests wander in at any hour for coffee, wine, or fresh bread from the oven.
The Salonküche is open all day — wander in between meals for wine or a coffee without feeling like you're intruding
Why It Matters
German Design Award winner 2024. Listed on both Tablet Hotels and the Michelin Guide. Sits in what is recorded as the coldest place in central Europe (-52°C in 1952). Just 23 rooms, each individually designed. The open Salonküche concept — a working kitchen guests can inhabit all day — is genuinely unusual.
A 17th-century townhouse on the church square of Lunz am See — Austria's officially coldest village — turned into a 23-room boutique hotel by a pair of Vienna-based architects who stumbled upon it on a winter night in 2019 and fell in love. The bones of the old house are very much present: exposed stone walls, vaulted archways, wood-beamed ceilings, big fireplaces. But everything around them has been remade in a confident Scandinavian-minimalist style — pale wood floors, crisp white bedding, iron, marble, glass. It won a German Design Award in 2024, and the craft shows.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Balcony Room (Balkonzimmer / Gallery Room)
From EUR255 / nightPrivate balcony with views over the Ybbs river and surrounding mountains. Wake up to the sound of the river. Same price as the Garden and Sun Salutation rooms but with one of the most coveted views in the house.
King
Church Room (Kirchenzimmer)
From EUR205 / nightThe entry-level room and genuinely compact at 19–23 sqm. Church views, king bed, walk-in rainfall shower. No private outdoor space of its own, but guests get access to the shared terrace. Cozy rather than spacious — the trade-off for the lowest price in the house.
King · 21 sqm
Garden Room (Gartenzimmer)
From EUR255 / nightLocated in the newer garden annex rather than the historic main building. Private terrace opening directly to the garden. Some garden rooms can interconnect, which makes them a decent option for families or groups traveling together.
KingGrand Suite "Peter & Maria" (Domizil)
From EUR455 / nightThe top category at 46 sqm — a full apartment with two bedrooms (one king, one with a sofa bed), private sauna, private kitchenette, and a large terrace facing the church and forest. Named Peter & Maria. Sleeps up to four. The hotel will tell you the story behind the names if you ask.
King · 46 sqm
Junior Suite "Fritz & Fred" (Kleines Domizil)
From EUR355 / night40 sqm junior suite that functions like a small apartment. Living area with a four-seater dining table and a daybed (sleeps one, made up on request), kitchenette with fridge, hob, and dishwasher. Private balcony overlooking the church and forest. Sleeps up to three. Named Fritz & Fred.
King · 40 sqmSauna Room (Saunazimmer)
From EUR325 / nightThe step-up room for anyone who wants total privacy with their wellness. Features a private in-room sauna stocked with Saint Charles sauna products, plus a terrace with river views. A genuine upgrade over the shared wellness area.
King
Sun Salutation Room (Sonnengrußzimmer)
From EUR255 / nightNamed for the morning yoga pose, this room faces east to catch the first light. Yoga mat and reading material are stocked in the room. Same price tier as the Garden and Balcony rooms.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Included with every stay — a regional experience card giving access to numerous local nature and cultural attractions across the Mostviertel area.
Complimentary bike loans are available (subject to availability). Spring is particularly good for cycling when the daffodils are out.
Lunz am See is an official 'Mountaineering Village' of the Austrian Alpine Association. The hotel lends hiking poles, water bottles, and packs a regional snack box. The Ötschergräben gorge — Austria's so-called Grand Canyon — is a standout nearby trail.
Morning and evening guided yoga classes offered in small groups, particularly as part of the Freigeist yoga retreat package. Yoga mats and equipment are also available in rooms on request.
The hotel hosts focused seminars, workshops, and leadership retreats for groups up to 50. Private setup with the right technical equipment, seasonal catering from the kitchen, and partner trainer referrals. Can link with Haus der Wildnis for larger groups.
Seasonal winter activity in the mountains around Lunz am See. The hotel can advise on local trails and pistes.
The emerald Lunzer See is a short walk from the hotel. The hotel provides a lending swim bag with bathrobe and sauna towels for all guests.
The Ybbs flows alongside the hotel. Water sports are available seasonally.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Exclusive Saint Charles apothecary product line in all bathrooms, plus sauna products in rooms with private saunas.
Each room comes stocked with a selection of current and curated books.
Hiking poles, water bottles, and a regional snack box available to borrow.
Reserved parking in a garage approximately 50m from the main entrance, included with stay.
Year-round heated outdoor pool with countercurrent system, located in the garden/wellness building.
All guests receive a welcome drink at the Salonküche open kitchen upon arrival.
Complimentary bike lending for guests, subject to availability.
Hotel can arrange pick-up from Scheibbs train station (25-minute drive).
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