Blog — Hirschen, fine hotel in the Bregenzerwald

Bathhouse and Spa with Pool at the Hirschen
Bathhouse and Spa with Pool at the Hirschen
Bathhouse and Spa with Pool at the Hirschen

A new era

by Peter Fetz, Hotelier


In November 2017, I took over the Hirschen in Schwarzenberg from my father, Franz Fetz. Since then, a lot has happened.


It all started in the mind. The hardest task was to find a new vision for a house you've known since birth. It doesn't happen at the push of a button. You have to get to know the house, understand the people who inhabit it, perceive the surroundings, and then, with a very gentle touch, gradually guide it to where you'd like it to be.


The culture that has emerged from this makes Hirschen a special place for all of us. That was the most crucial step—the software, so to speak. Now, we're building the corresponding hardware.



New Era


A new era will begin at the Hirschen in May 2024.


In March 2023, after five years of development, we started the "major" work. What happened up until then and what it's like to build in a heritage-protected village, you can read here.


In this first stage, we renovated the remaining rooms in the main building and prepared the Hirschen's cellar spaces so that our fermentation products, wines, and prosciuttos could have a decent home. Concurrently, we prepared the construction site for our new bathhouse.



Since September 2023, the major construction project has been underway. In the process, we completely renovated the Wälderhaus, originally built as a seminar center. From the original 21 rooms, we've developed 12 Hirschen Homes. These are spacious suites with the advantages of an apartment, if you will. All are equipped with kitchens, and some have two bedrooms. It's quite easy to spend a whole week here.






In the former Hirschenau – some may know it from our art exhibitions – we have now built our bathhouse. It's an architecturally beautiful building that will offer two spacious relaxation rooms, saunas, an underground connection, and above all, a very good sense of space in the future. It is framed by a garden and a new pool, which, at 15 x 4 meters, will also satisfy swimmers.






The underground connection to the Wälderhaus leads to our new bathrobe bar. The name leaves little room for speculation: a bar where entry in a bathrobe is welcomed. It's going to be quite delightful.


Here, you'll also find our new treatment rooms. With plenty of light, up to date. In the future, we'll offer massages, physiotherapy, Thai Yoga, and more.


I mustn't forget the new gym (Yoga & Sports). Likewise, the quiet room. A kind of home office space, which can also be rented by the hour exclusively for meetings



Dependability


Of course, all this comes with the usual quality of food, drink, and hospitality. We're convinced that this mix will continue to enable us to operate a hotel of international caliber in Schwarzenberg. Just with a lot more character, and without the corporate monotony.


Oh, there's so much to tell. But it's best if you see it for yourself. Why not drop by? From May 6, 2024, you can take a look in person.


See you soon in Schwarzenberg,


Peter Fetz & the Hirschen Team


P.S.: Some say when you do something big, you should write a manifesto. You can read it here.

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