Hotel & Restaurant Mühltalhof Neufelden, is a riverside boutique hotel and culinary hotspot in Austria

Riverside Slumber

Riverside lounging in Upper Austria at the Hotel & Restaurant Mühltalhof Neufelden, is a riverside boutique hotel and culinary hotspot in Austria
Oak from the Bohemian forest, quarried granite, linens, locally made beds from scented woods, family heirloom antiques, sleek designer pieces and those lovely Mühltalhof gestures of nostalgia convey the soul

Intro

Pastiche in nature, the riverside Mühltalhof Hotel & Restaurant in Neufelden is a humble foodie legend that adopts Austrian heritage married to subtle modern design.  Spanning three family generations, who in turn, have each imparted their gastronomic skills to the table of this famous haunt attracting taste pilgrims from far and near. Under the direction of family member, Philip Rachinger, the restaurant is famed for its propriety style of cuisine which people flock to from across the culinary world.

More restaurant with rooms than your atypical hotel, Mühltalhof touches the senses and is a place that encourages you to slumber, chill and relax without trying too hard: a natural venue of slow-paced wellness in the Granite Highlands of Upper Austria. Restorative refurbishments by Linz architect Klaus Leitner enabled the owners to hold on to their roots and heritage whilst letting modern design sweep through the hotel and restaurant: Mühltalhof is anchored into its long history dating back in parts to 1698 and yet, it is a thoroughly modern, sustainable encounter that borrows the canvas from its forested, idyllic riverside location.

Three combined riverside houses, each with a distinctive DNA from the old thickly plastered gabled façade to the sleek cubic elegance the later builds, one in white and one wrapped in rusted steel: the effect is cleverly dramatic bringing the colours of the forest and river into the dialogue as well as referencing traditional building materials. 

On entering, you’ll be greeted by a homage to natural materials – wood dominates the scene. Forming slats from ceiling to floor, itcreates a soothing, ordered pattern whilst providing functional design intentions – such as the wooden pegs that protrude, holding the room keys. The reception desk is a swathe of blond wood, held in place by a boulder of granite – in honour of the epic stone that graces the lower mountains of Upper Mühlviertel. The dining room is encased by blackened wood, adding drama to the ambience in honour of this hotel’s famed gastronomic legacy. By contrast, the spa is all lightness and buoyancy, with smooth blond slatted wood playing with pattern as daylight falls in shadows on the floor. Rooms and suites use oak from the Bohemian Forest, quarried granite, linens, locally made beds from scented woods, family heirloom antiques, sleek designer pieces and those lovely Mühltalhof gestures of nostalgia convey its artsy, nonchalant soul.

A fabulous foodie haunt and artistic venue, this chillax riverside hotel in Upper Austria is a traditional modernist that plays with heritage, the arts and nature between the Bohemian Forest and the Danube.

Rooms

River and forest views from the light-filled boutique rooms and suites, some with panoramic windows, private lawns, porches and free-standing bathtubs, are exceedingly tranquil decked in the flax-seed tones of the Mühlviertel. 

Oak from the Bohemian Forest, quarried granite, linens, locally made beds from scented woods, family heirloom antiques, sleek designer pieces and those lovely Mühltalhof gestures of nostalgia convey its soul.

“Our cooking is uncomplicated and if it is complication, it mustn’t be obvious. The most important thing is the taste and the flavour combinations. We cook strictly regional and use berries and vinegar for sourness, rather than citrus fruits.”

Foodie

chef Philip Rachinger Hotel & Restaurant Mühltalhof Neufelden, is a riverside boutique hotel and culinary hotspot in Austria Trout cheek & Belly by chef Philip Rachinger Hotel & Restaurant Mühltalhof Neufelden, is a riverside boutique hotel and culinary hotspot in Austria

Mühltalhof is simply all about food and the flavours couldn’t be better sourced than from the bountiful fertile lands, the water-rich pastures, verdant hilltops and dense forests filled with rare produce from berries to wild herbs – all on the doorstep in upper Austria’s Mühlviertel region. Pair this natural bounty with a family of original talented chefs and you get to sense why the Mühltalhof is a foodie legend. In 2014, son protégé Philip Rachinger took the reigns alongside his father, Helmut –himself a celebrated chef and the driving force with his sister Johanna in establishing this little hotel and restaurant as one of the best. Philip had been out in the world nurturing his creative skills learning from the best kitchens: Steirereck in Vienna, Döllerer’s, Pfefferschiff and Tantris in Munich, before working with Sven Chartier at the Saturne in Paris, Sketch London and Isaac McHale in London, at the Clove Club and the Ten Bells. 

His passion for food was ignited by his grandmother who taught him the basics of good food and was, his strongest mentor and critic, alongside his father of course.

Wellness

Mühl River at the Hotel & Restaurant Mühltalhof Neufelden, is a riverside boutique hotel and culinary hotspot in Austria

Dip your toes directly into the river Mühl, laze on the porch or dive in for a refreshing swim. There is something holistic about listening and watching the flow of a river – a trail you can follow for a 12km walk from the hotel. The natural surrounds of the hotel, the textile craftworks and beer brewing using traditional centuries-old techniques permit for a restful escape for the mind, body and soul out in nature.

Location

North of Linz in the heartlands of Upper Austria in the historic market town of Neufelden, the hotel is located on the banks of the river Mühl.

Neufelden makes a good basecamp from which to explore the natural beauty of upper Austria and Mühlviertel set between the backdrop of the ancient Bohemian Forest and the Danube River. Activity enthusiasts can opt for hitting the rocks for climbing, hiking, biking, ski in winter, fly-fishing and golfing.

Lovers of the crafted industries can spend time touring the various family-owned linen mills and weavers or hit the beer trail exploring the countless craft-beer breweries famed in this region.

Owners

Father & Son Chef Helmut and Philip Rachinger - co owners and host at Hotel & Restaurant Mühltalhof Neufelden, is a riverside boutique hotel and culinary hotspot in Austria Johanna Eckl-Rachinger - co owner and host at Hotel & Restaurant Mühltalhof Neufelden, is a riverside boutique hotel and culinary hotspot in Austria

A family Rachinger affair, Hotel & Restaurant Mühltalhof is in the fifth-generation with Helmut, sister Johanna Eckl-Rachinger and Philip as the next generation taking the hotel through a new chapter without over complicating things.

 

editors PICK


the award winning Restaurant and Hotel, Taubenkobel in Neusiedler See, Burgenland Austria. the award winning Restaurant and Hotel, Taubenkobel in Neusiedler See, Burgenland Austria.
Hotel - Neusiedler See, Austria

Taubenkobel


Nothing short of a foodie legend, Restaurant & Hotel Taubenkobel’s quirky 19th-century Austrian country cottage is the iconic culinary destination of Austria - and beyond. Serious pilgrims of food flock from far reaches of the globe to this tiny gourmet hub of creative flavour.

read more
Haven Mountain Resort | St. Johann im Pongau, Austria | The Aficionados Haven Mountain Resort | St. Johann im Pongau, Austria | The Aficionados
APARTMENT - St. Johann, Austria

Haven Mountain Retreat


Doorstep slopes, bold architecture and an ethos of family living flood this hotel-apartment basecamp with rooftop restaurant, infinity pool and sunshine decks steps from 220km of ski pistes and mountain hikes.

read more
Farmhouse Fabulous | The Design Farmers | The Aficionados Magazine Farmhouse Fabulous | The Design Farmers | The Aficionados Magazine
MAGAZINE

Farmhouse Fabulous


Once considered the ‘rough-it’ option, down on the farm has over the past couple of years radically shifted style gear. A rural design magazine which neatly pulls together your escape-to-the-country.

read more
JOURNAL

From Port to Wine: Five Winemaker Innovators in Porto


From Port to Wine - a new generation of winemakers is working with old vines and native grapes on the region’s dramatic slopes to craft a new wave of wines that speak of this unique region.

read more

RELATED


view more