Your Hosts - History

History of Zillertal's culture

Hosts with passion – for almost 50 years, the Haas family has been pampering guests in the Tyrolean natural paradise of the Zillertal. We are excited to share the way of life and traditions of this unique region with you.

Gastgeberpaar des Hotel Kaltenbach begrüßt seine Gäste freundlich

Family Hosts in the Nature Hotel

We, the Haas family – Stephan and Isabella – opened Das Kaltenbach as a nature hotel in Tirol in December 2014 with great passion, conviction, and heart.

This unique place, nestled in the Zillertal with its fascinating landscape and mountain world, continuously inspires us as hosts. Das Kaltenbach, located on a mountain plateau amidst the young forest and right by a fresh mountain spring, is one of the special nature hotels in Tirol. We call it "Kraftplatz" (Power Spot).

We love sharing the values of our region, its culture, and traditions with our guests. True hospitality is second nature to us. It’s no surprise that Das Kaltenbach is one of the most popular hotels in Austria and has received the prestigious HolidayCheck Award in recent years, the leading hotel review portal.

Experience the pure emotion and fascination of the Tiroler mountain world. As a certified mountain guide, I’d be happy to accompany you on guided tours or assist you with my expertise and intuition in selecting your personal favorite activities during your getaway in the Zillertal mountains. Enjoy your vacation in the heart of Zillertal and feel the most valuable things in life: your partner, your family, your friends, your health – and yourself!

Gastgeberfamilie des Hotel Kaltenbach im Zillertal stellt sich vor

Your host family

Your hosts at Hotel "Das Kaltenbach" are Stephan and Isabella Haas, along with their daughter Lea and sons Julian and Maximilian. We grew up on the family farm "Kornerhof" in Kaltenbach, with alpine pastures in the hiking areas of Hochzillertal and Tuxertal. These deep roots in our homeland have always connected us to the region.

After many years in the management of a Tyrolean regional bank, Stephan decided to create a special vacation home in the heart of the Zillertal, together with his wife Isabella and their children. This led to the creation of the exclusive Apart Hotel "Das Kaltenbach," which is now one of Austria's leading family hotels.

Hospitality is our top priority: Since its opening in 2014, "Das Kaltenbach" has been awarded the prestigious HolidayCheck Award year after year, is recognized as one of the Leading Spa Resorts in Austria, and has been named one of the best hotels in Austria by the Falstaff Hotel Guide.

History of the Hotel

The estate was acquired by Great-Uncle Josef Haas in the early 1960s and has been managed by the family farm "Kornerhof" over the decades. In 2014, after careful planning and project development, "Das Kaltenbach" was built in the style of a traditional, authentic mountain village. In just six months of construction, it was completed and opened its doors for the winter season.

Live in spaces filled with light and air that simply make you feel good. "Das Kaltenbach" is distinguished by its sophisticated alpine lifestyle design, combining noble materials from our homeland with craftsmanship at the highest level. Today, it is one of Austria’s leading lifestyle hotels and is also counted among the world’s leading luxury boutique hotels.

After the expansion of the rooftop wellness area with a pool and sky sauna in 2020, "Das Kaltenbach" is now one of the Leading Spa Resorts in Austria. In 2022, the lounge area was redesigned, and the lobby with the popular hotspot by the fireplace was revamped – the perfect meeting point in the evening.

In 2023, a new sports area was added, featuring the most beautiful bike depot in Tyrol and a modern fitness room, all in exquisite design. Children are at the heart of our family hotel in Tyrol – which is why we also created a new indoor area with a gaming section, making it the ideal hotspot for any weather during a family vacation in Tyrol.

As a family business, we live innovation and foresight. As a design hotel in Tyrol, our guests and fans can always look forward to new brands that combine exceptional functionality and extraordinary design, offering a true, nature-connected vacation home.

Ausblick aus der Panorama Sauna auf die verschneiten Berge

Chalet and Apartments with Ski in/Ski out

Looking for a wonderful holiday home in the Zillertal?

Our partner company Chalet Isabella is spot on - the highest possible privacy with a cool lifestyle design inspires from the first moment. In the panorama sauna in reclaimed wood as a private spa, a mega-cool view of the Zillertal mountains is guaranteed!

Apartments with ski in / ski out in a prime location?

Our Stephan apartment house with various apartments (up to 120 m² and 4 bedrooms) in a central location in Kaltenbach directly on the ski slope of the Hochzillertal valley run is the ideal holiday location to enjoy an active holiday in the Hochzillertal skiing and hiking area.

NEW! Apartment Zillertal Suites directly at the valley station of the cable car Hochzillertal

Our apartment house Zillertal Suites with different family suites in modern design (up to 90 m² and 3 bedrooms) is located in a perfect location only 100 meters at the valley station of the Hochzillertal gondola!

FAQ

How did the story of our nature hotel in the Zillertal begin and what do we stand for today?

Our family-run nature hotel in the Zillertal was born out of a deep connection to the Tyrolean mountains and the surrounding natural landscape. The roots of our house go back to our parents’ agricultural heritage, which continues to shape our understanding of sustainable values and personal hospitality today. In 2014, the boutique hotel was built in the architectural style of a mountain village, using local materials, clean lines and a spatial concept where function takes precedence over design.
Its unique location in the mountains, conveying a sense of peace and openness, inspires our guests just as much as the harmonious interplay of alpine tradition, contemporary comfort and consciously reduced design.

What makes the architecture and spatial concept of our boutique hotel special?

The architecture of our boutique hotel is inspired by the structure of a traditional mountain village and interpreted in a contemporary way. Predominantly local materials such as wood and stone were used, combined with selected design elements and high-quality brands. Large window fronts and abundant natural light create a deliberate symbiosis between interior spaces and nature. At the heart of the concept is a well-thought-out spatial design in which functionality comes before aesthetics – clear, calm and understated. Host Isabella brings her fine sense of lifestyle and design into every detail, shaping an atmosphere that blends alpine character with modern lightness.

Who are the hosts and what defines their personal style?

Host Stephan is a certified mountain hiking guide and passionate mountaineer who knows the Tyrolean mountains from first-hand experience. His expertise in the mountains is reflected in personal tour recommendations as well as in guided hiking and selected bike tours, where nature experience and safety take center stage. Together with Isabella, who brings a keen eye for lifestyle, design and atmosphere, they run the boutique hotel as a family business. Personal attention, a genuine connection to nature and lived hospitality define the character of their hotel.