The idea for the Hotel Hammerschmiede came about almost by chance: in 1971, Erni Stadler mapped out possible hiking trails in and around Anthering for the tourist office at the time. On her wanderings through the village, she came one day to the forest clearing where the hotel now stands in the middle of nature. At that time, the old blacksmith’s building, built around 1730, and the blacksmith’s family home, built in 1853, were located there.
When Erni Stadler found out that these buildings were for sale, she seized the opportunity and created a place of relaxation for holidaymakers and seminar guests: “The Hotel im Wald is a little paradise. A quiet retreat, but just as popular with locals and guests are the celebrations in the Alte Hammerschmiede,” enthuses Ms. Stadler.
Forest idyll paired with cordiality
No matter which window you look out of in the Hammerschmiede, the forest surrounds it protectively and occasionally one of the two peacocks sits on the roofs and balconies to be admired. The forest idyll is underlined by cozy parlors and rooms with solid wood furniture in Salzburg country house style. With modern components, the requirements of a 4-star hotel are perfectly met. Twelve employees ensure the well-being of the guests with care and cordiality. Some of them have been part of the team for a very long time and many of them come from Anthering and the surrounding area, which is also greatly appreciated by the guests.
Switch off, take a deep breath and enjoy
Peace and quiet is something we often lack in everyday life. How good that there are oases of peace like the Hammerschmiede. Here you can breathe in the fresh forest air, enjoy the tranquillity of the forest and indulge yourself in a natural atmosphere and warm hospitality away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “We attach great importance to regional and seasonal cuisine,” explains head chef Margret Luginger and adds: “We make sure that the local businesses in particular are strengthened.” For example, the flour comes from Fuchsmühle and the eggs from Sperlbauer.
In addition to twenty rooms and three quiet seminar rooms, the 3000 m² property with the adjacent forest offers everything that is important for vacationers and seminar guests: plenty of space on the forest meadow, an idyllic forest terrace, benches by the original Kneipp facility, deckchairs or places to meditate in the middle of nature. Or simply “bathe in the forest” and relax in the spacious, recently redesigned sauna on the top floor with a forest balcony. The nearby waterfall at the passing torrent invites you to take a deep breath.
The varied and gentle landscape of the Salzburg foothills of the Alps and the convenient proximity to the city of Salzburg in the center of Austria and Europe is highly appreciated by all guests.
Awarded and certified
Due to its near-natural location in the middle of the forest, particular attention has been paid to sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices since 1999.
“It is particularly important to us to manage the buildings and the immediate surroundings sustainably,” says Erni Stadler. “This is the only way we can preserve the natural environment and offer our guests this very special and natural retreat.”
The Hotel Hammerschmiede was the first business in Flachgau to be awarded the Austrian Ecolabel in 1999. Since 2004, it has also been the first business in Salzburger Land to be awarded the European Ecolabel.
Since 2017, “Green Meetings & Events” can also be held here in the forest, i.e. seminars and meetings can be certified directly according to the criteria of the Ecolabel and customers can be supported in the environmentally friendly planning and implementation of their sustainable events.
As Austria’s first certified Kneipp hotel – with organic-certified breakfast – the Hammerschmiede is not only ideal for seminars and retreats, but also a popular quiet natural idyll and refuge with 4-star comfort for yoga and health retreats.
Finally, here are some tips on what not to miss in Anthering: The Fuchsmühle right here nearby, and the observatory on the Haunsberg with the beautiful views of the Haunsberg Panorama Trail.