About Us
ARRIVE AND MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE
YOUR LIVING ROOM – AWAY FROM HOME
It was the facade and the history of the building, the location, and the Gastein Valley that brought us together – and we share our enthusiasm and passion for it at The STORKS with our guests.
The Stork Family
FROM YOUTHFUL DREAM TO LIVED PASSION
When the opportunity arises to fulfill your dreams, you should seize it. That’s exactly what we did in 2020 when we acquired the former Hotel Winkler in Bad Hofgastein to open the Art & Boutique Hotel “The STORKS” in the summer of 2021.
Owning our own hotel had always been a youthful dream for Katharina. Until the actual realization of this dream, our journey included stops in Vienna, Frankfurt, London, and Bad Ischl as professional stations and residences.
Prompted by the athletic school choice of our youngest son Constantin – who attends the Ski NMS in Bad Gastein – we finally found a suitable property in Bad Hofgastein. It was love at first sight, and we look forward to welcoming you to our dream and “living room!”
Our family name is also the namesake for the hotel, so the idea for the logo was quickly born. For this, the logo of the legendary Stork Club in New York migrated to the center of Bad Hofgastein. The stork with a top hat and monocle was the trademark of the club, where society mingled in the first half of the 20th century. With the purchase of the logo, the stork has now landed with us.
CentrallyLocated
We are hard to miss – located in the center of Bad Hofgastein, right next to the church – within walking distance to the Alpentherme, the spa park, and the Schlossalmbahn.
You’ll be vacationing in a house with history – it was important for us to preserve the unique features of the building, make them experienceable, and complement them with contemporary design and comfort.
At the same time, your well-being is our top priority – we want to create an atmosphere for you that allows you to see our house as your living room – arrive, relax, feel at home.
Vaulted ceilings, a lounge, the Zirbenstube (pine-paneled room), or the Viennese Café – you have many options for finding your favorite spot in our “living room.” We serve breakfast in the Zirbenstube and the Viennese Café. The Zirbenstube is paneled, features a tiled stove, and has been preserved in its original state from the early 20th century. In the Viennese Café, you’ll feel transported back to the 1950s – the herringbone parquet flooring, the black furniture, and the piano all contribute to this.
A cup of coffee before hitting the slopes, a small glass for an aperitif, or simply getting lost in a newspaper and a good book – our lounge is just the place for you. Here, contemporary design meets the 1980s.
Entertainment is provided
Our lounge features a large old farmhouse cabinet as a library for you – you’ll also find board games in there. Why not take some time during your vacation for a game of chess or backgammon? Of course, we also have “Mensch ärgere dich nicht” (a German board game similar to “Sorry!”), but we want to spare you any frustration while on vacation.
In addition, you’ll soon have the opportunity in our recreation room for an exciting game of table football or an intense dart duel. This means that even away from the golf courses and ski slopes, your vacation with us can be a sporty one.
Of course, there’s much more to tell, but it’s best if you come and see for yourself – discover your favorite spots in our house, be convinced by the unique atmosphere, and treat yourself to a few days in the Gastein Valley.
Look forward to a vacation at The STORKS and spend a great time – we are looking forward to having you!
The History
If you spend your next vacation with us, you will be doing so in one of the oldest brick buildings in Bad Hofgastein. The house has a long history. About 1000 years later, we are adding new chapters to the house and its story.
- 1023
Founding of the Parish: The premises were likely used as a parish house, given that the house is located right next to the church in the center of Bad Hofgastein.
- 1483
The house is "officially" dedicated to the Catholic Church as a parish house.
- 1586
At that time, Andreas Scherer is the parish priest and is the first to be granted permission to rent out some rooms for lodging.
- 1700
Johann Baptist Geißler takes over from the parish as the owner of the house, and the "old parish house" undergoes various renovations. During this period, the building is also used as a schoolhouse.
- 1738-1836
For nearly 100 years, the Pockh family owns the house in the center of Bad Hofgastein.
- 1836-2020
During their long tenure as owners, the Winkler family turns the house into a respected spa hotel, with modern amenities, therapy options, and a restaurant.
- 2020
The Stork family purchases the traditional house to reopen it as the Art & Boutique Hotel "The STORKS" in the summer of 2021. The rooms are completely renovated, and the rest of the house undergoes a transformation, carried out with a keen sense for combining enduring quality with contemporary excitement.