A Hotel with History and Passion
Stay, enjoy, and walk the path of history
The Klosterhof Alpine Hideaway & Spa has history – one that is still alive today. The old part of this four-star superior hotel in Bad Reichenhall was once the St Zeno self-sufficient monastery. Augustinian monks guarded ancient knowledge and practised the traditions of their order. Their beautiful garden served as a place of retreat: herbs, vegetables and old remedies flourished magnificently. Your host Dr Andreas Färber is particularly proud of the hotel’s history and the monks’ knowledge – as a doctor, he too wants to contribute to a healthy life for his guests.
A look into the past
The journey to our modern-day spa hotel in Bad Reichenhall
- 1500 to 1800: this location serves as a self-sufficient Augustinian monastery
- A funicular railway is built
- 1860: licensed to serve guests; the Klosterhof is one of the oldest restaurants in Berchtesgadener Land
- From 1950: the building serves as a boarding school
- 1987: the Lederer family purchase the historic Klosterhof. One year later, they open a top-class, lovingly designed 3-star hotel with Bavarian restaurant in Bad Reichenhall.
- 2001: daughters Stephanie and Alexandra take over the hotel
- 2011: the Färber family purchase the Klosterhof and continue to run the hotel in Bad Reichenhall as-is for two years
- 2014: the hotel in Bad Reichenhall is closed for construction. The original structure is preserved in the oldest, southern part and undergoes extensive renovation. A modern new building is subsequently built and beautifully integrated into the old building and the hotel’s surroundings.
- 1 July 2016: reopening of the Klosterhof as a 4-star superior wellness hotel with its unique concept
Passion and excitement in Berchtesgadener Land
There is so much to see, discover and tell at the Klosterhof. Trails steeped in history wind their way past the hotel. Your hosts Dr Andreas and Henrike Färber happily take the time to tell you about the history of the region, the treasures of the hotel and the variety of life that calls this area home. Our passion for life is even reflected in the hotel’s logo. What does the symbol stand for? Dr Andreas Färber will be happy to tell you more about the meaning behind the triskelion – the Celtic sun symbol – in person.
The symbol of unity, progress and growth can also be found in the three pillars that make the passion for living at the Klosterhof so vibrant: “Find inspiration, live healthy and feel individuality – that is our motto,” say the Färbers, who have built everything in keeping with these principles.
How did the Klosterhof get its name?
“Klosterhof” is a combination of the German words “Kloster” – monastery – and “Hof” – farm. From 1500 to 1800, the Augustinian Monks of the St Zeno monastery lived and worked here. Later, they sold the monastery to a family of farmers and soon after people were flocking to this place. An old funicular railway took people from the city of Bad Reichenhall to the Klosterhof, which at the time featured a dance floor.
The fun and happiness came to a halt with the outbreak of World War II. The Klosterhof transformed into refugee accommodation and later into a boarding school. Actress Romy Schneider often came to visit her brother, who spent his childhood here. Years passed and the Lederer family bought the Klosterhof and breathed new life into it by turning it into a small and lovingly run hotel.
Family Färber & the Klosterhof
The Färber family purchased the property at the end of 2011. Today, their lifelong dream has become reality. After an extensive expansion, the Klosterhof awoke from hibernation in July 2016 in its new architectural splendour – and it hasn’t looked back since. The former self-sufficient St Zeno Augustinian monastery today offers guests the space they need to recharge both body and mind. Excitement and passion provide constant inspiration. “We know every stone in this house and have created something beautiful – even if at times in a somewhat unconventional way,” says Henrike Färber happily.
During the expansion, Andreas Färber placed great importance on sustainability, modern architecture and widespread use of wood. The outer walls are clad with larch-wood shingles and charmingly blend into the alpine landscape. Together with the Philipp Haas und Söhne traditional master workshop in Bad Reichenhall, Dr Andreas Färber worked tirelessly on the interior design. The Hotel Klosterhof is made of 90% apple wood; a unique feature that solidifies our connection with nature – and a true rarity! Our rooms create a sense of well-being and make you want to explore your own connection to nature.
Did you know … ?
Sustainability is an important issue at the Klosterhof. Even despite our high energy expenditure in the spa, our efforts were boosted by a loan for energy-efficient construction from the KfW. Adjustments were made to meet the requirements of the community and the salt water protection area, energy consumption was optimised and gas is used.
Sustainability at the Klosterhof
- Combined heating and power unit, high-efficiency insulation, heat recovery, load management, VRF technology, predominantly LED lighting
- Greater use of renewable resources (wood, etc.)
- We work almost exclusively with regionally based companies
- Optimised integration into the landscape with our location in a depression, shingle facade and largely living roofs; large underground car park
- Socially sustainable with our specific staffing concept (Hospitality Award) and increased cooperation with the Hohenfried social welfare organisation
"Green Choice" at the Klosterhof
The Klosterhof has also come up with a special concept for direct communication with hotel guests. During their stay, all guests have the opportunity to do without fresh towels & Co. for a day.
For each waiver, € 5.00 will be donated to the mountain rescue service in Bad Reichenhall. In this way, the Klosterhof not only does something good for the environment, but also saves energy costs and, together with every single guest, supports the regional helpers of our mountain rescue service. Since the reopening after the Corona Lockdown, the "Green Choice" option has been chosen 420 times by guests and a sum of € 2100 could be handed over to the mountain rescue service in September 2021.
At the end of the year 2021 we were able to donate another 3000€ to the mountain rescue Bad Reichenhall.
Many thanks to our guests who make such a donation possible!
The European Eco Label
For our continuously developed and effective sustainability concept, the Klosterhof has been officially awarded the "European Eco Label" after the strictest specifications and a lengthy certification process, making it the first hotel in Germany with this recognised certification.
Indoors: design at one with nature
The Klosterhof impresses guests with innovation that goes beyond classic hotel furnishings:
- The first apple wood hotel in Germany (apple is a symbol for freshness, health, knowledge and temptation)
- Impressive rooms with open bathrooms that can be closed off with sliding doors for added privacy
- Unique “floating” box spring beds with hidden underbed lighting
- Exquisite meals with elegant wine offerings, specially-designed linens and much more