One hour south of Vienna: Pure mountain bliss in a local foodie’s paradise called “Molzbachhof”.

“It all started with our original pub and a simple bed & breakfast that my grandparents opened way back when. Many regular guests continue to come for the local fare we serve in the restaurant, as well as the location of our hotel as an ideal hub for nature excursions around Kirchschlag. With the newly built nature hotel ‘Holzbach’, my wife and I have continued this process of innovation and expansion; our gourmet restaurant ‘Gaumenkitzel’ too is an expression of our many years of work and travel abroad.” Such are the words of Peter junior as he meets us for a conversation in the hotel lobby of the Holzbach hotel. The same lobby is unusually large and spacious, “you can breathe so well here”, I notice time and again. Peter explains the “gentle medicine of the trees” and the philosophy of the master builder, who used mostly local woods for construction without the use of commonly available chemicals. The result is a truly unique atmosphere here in the so-called “Bucklige Welt”, at the foot of the Eastern Alps of Austria, ideal for a short holiday based on sustainable tourism activities.

Arriving at the new hotel “Der Holzbach”, joining up with the original Molzbachhof hotel …

… what a beautiful new hotel lobby (even the lamps are made by local craftsmen, we are told) …

… can’t wait as to what the restaurant has to offer in terms of regional delights …

… and I love the “writings on the wall”, such as this one here: “Happiness is spending your time with people who know how to turn an ordinary day into something special”.

The hotel “Holzbach”: A modern nature hotel paired with the comfort of a three-generation family-run business.

Maybe that’s exactly what I like so much here: the down-to-earth honesty of the people and staff, coupled with the modern luxury of a hotel built as naturally sustainable as possible. The Pichler family is rightly proud of what they have created, but still allow for nature to speak for itself – in the feel-good ambience of the rooms, the wellness area and, of course, the excellent local cuisine.

Our hotel room: Large, spacious, and built using as many natural material as possible …

… the same is true for the wellness area, including a large heated outdoor pool …

… my lovely man loves lying down for a read on the cosy water beds!

And for me and my #babymoon bliss, I find lying down in those gentle swings a wonderful experience for baby and mum-to-be alike.

The natural sauna area has been gently enhanced as well …

… and here, you can have a “hay bed” spa treatment, well worth checking out!

Something on the food served at Molzbachhof makes you want to gorge yourself on the local specialties offered.

The local cuisine is nothing short of sensational. At his restaurant termed “Gaumenkitzel” (tickle my taste buds), Peter junior serves us dishes whose preparation and art of serving speak volumes. This is also what the renowned “à la carte GourmetGuide” has written on Peter Pichler and his “Gaumenkitzel” restaurant as a so-called “discovery of the year”: “The secret tip that will soon no longer be secret. Peter Pichler and his family have transformed the Molzbachhof into a natural paradise.
 The kitchen is bursting with ideas and great products. Peter Pichler once cooked in the Vila Joya (Dieter Koschina), in the Taubenkobel and with Andreas Döllerer, among other places.”

Check it out.

Looking at the “Restaurant Gaumenkitzel”: High-class meals are served for an exclusive number of guests here …

… including very creative ways of serving …

… and when I say creative, I mean creative (can you tell the flowers, grass and stones from the actual edible parts of this dish?) …

… loved what we have been served here!

Food at the “common restaurant” is very very good too …

… being pregnant, I really appreciate the variety of local, home-made juices and lemonades for a change …

… and although it is more for my lovely man to be the sweet tooth among us, I cannot resist the dessert either ..!

Thank you, dear Molzbachhof, for spoiling us to your delicious local breakfast selection too!

Checking out the local area surroundings on foot as well as on eBikes.

Many say that the climate alone and the good air on site are pure means of recreation. Looking at the surrounding forests and the (still) snow-covered mountain slopes on the horizon, I can only agree with the thought. “The world still has its way around here”, says Peter Pichler with a smile when he talks about regional economic cycles, local producers and sustainable energy management. “We built our own green electricity wood chip power plant especially for the extension of the ‘Holzbach’. This not only supplies our own business properties, but also that of the neighbouring school buildings. That’s what I call a truly sustainable development.”

Close to the hotel: A wood chip power plant built especially to fulfil the sustainable economic cycle of the “Holzbach” hotel …

… love our trip with eBikes (you can choose among city bikes or mountain bikes powered with extra energy) …

… and you may just need it: Cycling with my eBike still allows me to reach the top of the local church hill, with fantastic views like these despite being eight months pregnant already.

Hanging out is what you could do all day here in this nice wooden pavilion …

… watching the mirth of spring.

Here’s a view of the entire hotel including its garden landscape …

… and doesn’t this look like summer to you?

Thank you so much, dear team at Molzbachhof, for such a relaxing short holiday trip! We’d love to come back as family, and hopefully, soon!

Disclaimer: We have been invited by the Molzbachhof to experience their new nature hotel “Holzbach”. All opinions are my own.