A nine room resort built by the deeply rooted personal connection of its owners

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eriro Provides a Unique Mountain Retreat in the Austrian Alps

A nine room resort built by the deeply rooted personal connection of its owners

Lucrezia Worthington

21 February 2025

If you book a stay at the eriro hotel, aim to arrive before 16:30 in order to catch the last gondola up the mountain, because once the slopes close, it’s just you, amidst a glistening expanse of snow, and the majestic alpine peaks that surround you. A total hideaway sheltered by the Zugspitze, the highest peak on the border with Germany.

eriro is the story of three families from Ehrwald, Austria, who grew up skiing on these very slopes. When this former alpine inn went up for sale, it was an opportunity so dear to their memories they couldn’t pass it up. Pooling their skills and vision, they transformed it into a retreat rooted in their shared philosophy: living in simplicity.

While eriro is undeniably a luxury resort, the real luxury lies in slowing down, disconnecting from the rush of reality, and embracing the facilities that bring you closer to nature. The experience here, like its origin, is deeply personal; the property tailors your stay according to what makes you feel at ease, from the cuisine to the treatments and the experiences. With only nine rooms the attention to detail and care is unmatched, ensuring every guest feels truly looked after.

Even before check-in, you’re asked your favourite foods so Chef Axel and his team can curate a culinary journey tailored to your preferences. There’s no set menu here—just a choice between a three-course dinner or a seven-course tasting journey. The guiding principle of the cuisine is simple: local. Every ingredient is meticulously sourced from Austrian producers who harvest sustainably. You won’t find avocados or bananas, but instead, a bounty of seasonal ingredients suited to colder climates—berries, elderflower, and leafy greens among them. This commitment to place extends to the wine selection, where 80% of the bottles come from Austrian wineries. Axel also places a strong emphasis on fermentation—the hotel’s basement is lined with jars of fermented fruits, vegetables, conifers, and herbs. Many of these are foraged by Axel himself during the warmer months, preserved in vinegar, and later used to garnish the dishes.

But these herbs aren’t only used in the kitchen. Guests can book a private massage in the Lebenti treatment room, where oils are crafted by a local manufacturer using herbs collected from summer meadows. These regenerative treatments are tailored to your body’s needs, and the therapist, Tatsiana Toumel, is highly skilled at releasing tension and reinvigorating sore muscles. Guests can also enjoy yoga sessions (ranging from yin to vinyasa), painting workshops, or a variety of seasonal outdoor experiences—each designed to bring your mind a sense of tranquility. 

The property’s design, like all other elements, is deeply personal. Andreas Mader, one of the owners, is a timber construction and carpentry expert who oversaw the building process. Many elements, like the ceilings, are crafted from reclaimed wood salvaged from the old inn, while most of the furnishings were handmade on-site. Even the ceiling lights are crafted from stones gathered from the nearby riverbed. Throughout the hotel, only three materials are used: stone, reclaimed wood, and natural fibers, creating a low carbon footprint and fostering a deep connection to nature.

A visit to eriro provides an opportunity to truly disengage from our frenetic lives, providing beautiful scenery, mountain air, bespoke cuisine and wellness options to restore and recharge your spirit. Bring a book and prepare to rediscover yourself.