Der Engel

Rooted in Austria’s Alpine village of Grän in the heartlands of the Tannheimer Valley, Tyrolean heritage, adrenaline ski culture and a kindred respect for nature have been the stalwarts of Hotel Der Engel since 1748. A tapestry of history and a fifth-generation family legacy, the eco-conscious hotel is shaped by biophilic design, grounded luxury and a fierce, loving connection to the boundless beauty found in this corner of the Austrian Alps.

Der Engel flows with intent – raw, refined and resolutely an ethical outpost that carries the thumbprint of craft, considered design and nurtured architecture. The hallmark of the Neu Engel is the fabulous spa wonderland, a new two-storey biotope housing the hotel’s 8,150 m² organic wellness world.

Inside, holistic principles reign with clay walls that breathe, salvaged driftwood, natural stone, replanting initiatives and reclaimed timbers ensure that biophilia isn’t background; it’s the architectural essence.

Indulgence, comfort and quiet luxury come in the tones of nature: mushroom, mocha, honey and oat. There’s no noise, only layers.

43,000 Pieces of Driftwood & Herbie Suites

Siblings Elke and her brother Gerold lead the next generation at Der Engel. The duo has nudged the old hotel bones into a more contemporary feel; one that is both ethical and forward-thinking under the mantra of The New Orgänic.

Descend into the spa and you’re immediately immersed in a world that feels inherently calm. Trees flourish beneath clever cut-out lighting vestibules, while natural, toxin-free paints and local materials set the tone. A community of ‘nests’ made from 43,000 pieces of salvaged driftwood sourced from the River Lech completes this imaginative wellness landscape.

Design unfolds with restraint and rhythm. Reclaimed spruce shingles, planking, stone cladding and traditional boxed balconies hold to a familiar local vernacular. Inside, the design narrative borrows from the surrounding Alpine nature as its style cue. Timbers, hemp linens, bespoke carved furnishings, knotted lighting, soft designer accents and bouclé fabrics let the forested Alps speak – cocooning guests in a neutral palette.

The newly created Kräuter Suites mimic the wild meadows and offer ample space for families, complete with compact kitchenettes. Retrofitted rather than rebuilt, the structure champions circular thinking – district heating, thermal insulation and rooftop solar tech included. Inside, reclaimed spruce, Tyrolean wool, steel and stone meet in quiet, tactile contrast. Each suite features a private sauna, balcony lounge and the kind of independence that feels grounded, not detached.

Alpine Terroir, Stuben and Flavour

The cuisine at Hotel Der Engel speaks a fluent language of Alpine terroir – shaped by generations, sharpened by fire and seasoned with a worldly wink. There’s no grand dining hall here – instead, 15 Tyrolean Stuben, each with its own personality. Some rustic and rooted, others edgy and urban – a good-room gathering of mood, texture and taste.

The open kitchen invites curiosity – a quiet craft unfolding with seasonal Alpine produce, foraged herbs and wild greens sourced nearby. This commitment to local integrity earned the AMA Gastrosiegel – a mark of culinary authenticity and regional pride. Rooted in Tyrol but open to the world, the cuisine gestures to Japan, the Med and the tropics.

Gerold Mattersberger leads with purpose – a trained hunter and champion of local sourcing. “Our farmers don’t just shape the land – they grow ingredients with soul,” he says. Gerold personally brings in wild venison, grounding the kitchen’s ethos in authenticity and a deep respect for place.

Tannheimer Tal – High Altitude, Year-Round

Der Engel sits at 1,100 metres in the Tannheimer Tal – a high Alpine valley that looks like it was sketched for postcards but moves to the rhythm of a modern mountain playground. In winter, it’s ski-in, ski-out ease with powder-dusted peaks, cross-country trails and snow hikes that cut through stillness.

In summer, it flips to wildflower meadows, turquoise lakes and over 300 km of trails – perfect for high-altitude wanderers.

This is where the Alps breathe deeper. Hike, ski, recharge – 365 days of mountain wellness, sealed in the silence of the valley.