Fragrant forest and views that stretch for miles all around, an interior design that has been thought out down to the last detail, and a talent for hospitality that comes from the heart – that’s why the many regular guests love this unusual wellness hotel in St. Englmar
Wellness- and Berghotel Maibrunn
SPONSORED STORY There are many designer-esque hotels. But in these places, the focus is usually on the cool look and not on the personal, human touch. Anyone who meets Anna Miedaner from the “Berghotel Maibrunn” realises that creative design and genuine, warm hospitality can also complement each other wonderfully.
The top boss of this four-star superior hotel is not only a hostess who pours her heart and soul into what she does, but has also turned her house into a very special oasis of well-being over the years with collector’s items, designer furniture, works of art and a lot of love for detail.
Moroso Armchairs and Fine Wallpapers
Anna Miedaner says she wants to create “dream spaces as opposed to guest rooms”. In the smaller “theme rooms”, for example, elegant wallpaper brings the Bavarian Forest or a flower meadow inside in stylised fashion. “Jägergrün”, “Naturwald”, “Landlust” or “Bettgeflüster” are the names of the larger rooms, while it’s “Charlotte” and “Maximilian” for the two suites.
Furnished with Moroso armchairs, avant-garde lamps and the finest textiles, each “dream space” has its very own atmosphere. Even on the balconies, there is designer furniture from the Upper Bavarian Weishäupl workshops.
An exceptional number of regular guests remain loyal to this four-star superior hotel – and to their respective favourite room. The fact that they might find a new side table, different cushions or designer objects the next time they visit is all part of the experience. Anna Miedaner giggles to herself: “Hey, that’s just my thing. I just enjoy surprising the guests and I enjoy a bit of fun along the way.”
“I just enjoy surprising the guests”
Only once, she recalls, was a guest somewhat irritated to find a “garden gnome” in the shower of the “hunting room” – it was, however, the designer stool “Gnom” by Philippe Starck... Paintings by contemporary artists, for example, by Elvira Bach, are also scattered throughout the hotel.
Travel as a Source of Inspiration
The patroness draws her inspiration from trips to France or Sylt, and time and again during stays in South Tyrol: “They have unbelievably great hotels there!” And, by return of post, she sends an email with her very personal South Tyrol tips. From time to time, Anna Miedaner also leaves the idyllic Bavarian Forest village of St. Englmar to enjoy some city flair and culture in Munich.
Then her daughter Johanna Hamberger-Moder is the one to hold the fort, while already being responsible for reception, website and much more. Step by step, the top boss is withdrawing from the day-to-day business side of things – the complete “change of guard”, as she calls it, is planned for 2023.
Hotel With Deer Enclosure
The choice of words is no coincidence; after all, a large deer enclosure and its own hunting ground belong to the hotel. In season, of course, game dishes are on the menu of the elegant “Ludwig II” restaurant and the cosy Bavarian “Jägerstüberl”. In “Carpe Diem”, on the other hand, Mediterranean cuisine is the order of the day. The multi-course dinner – complete with appetiser, salad, cheese and dessert buffet – is included in the room rate, along with a whole food breakfast with regional organic products and the sweet or savoury “creative break” in the afternoon.
Many other charming offers are also included during your stay at the “Berghotel Maibrunn”, from guided herb or night hikes, to game feeding and a chic bathing bag for the BergSPA that boasts several saunas, an indoor pool and the outdoor pool in the 50,000 square metre garden. There you will also find the rustic, 200-year-old “Hirschalmhütte”, which Anna Miedaner had rebuilt on the hotel grounds. Twice a week, guests can enjoy a hearty dinner from the “Reindlpfanne”, a regional delicacy to savour.
The Smell of Hay in Front of the Chalet
In winter, the chalet is a great place to stop after skiing. And, in summer, you sit under the cheerful red, yellow and green Weishäupl parasols, which contrast wonderfully with the rough, old wood, while the scent of hay caresses your nose.
A short walk will take you to the Maibrunn forest summit path with its 52-metre-high tower: “You can see across the entire Danube plain to Regensburg,” Anna Miedaner says with eagerness. “But to be honest, I’ve only been there once.” That’s because her passion belongs to the hotel.
“As the good spirit of the house, I will continue to be there for the guests after the changing of the guard,” she says “handing over the reigns, so to speak”. There’s always plenty to do: the lobby has just been made even cosier, with designer furniture from Freifrau Manufaktur, among others.
Daughter Johanna also bought the village’s former youth hostel. Anna Miedaner has designed rooms “like in the old days, but with a modern touch” – and is already looking forward to rearranging something here and adding something there.
At a glance
- 50 rooms, 2 suites
- Parking facility for bicycles
- Free parking spaces
- Approx. 1,000 sqm of wellness space with various saunas, pools and spa department
- Tennis court and own ski lift with floodlights