A JOURNEY TO THE SELF

BIENENALM

The whole setting is reminiscent of Canada. Endless expanses, forests, mountains, peace and quiet, a massive orchard, blackberries, raspberries, horses, cats – and of course the bees that lend their name to this refuge built in the middle of nowhere.

A renovation from yesteryear, it’s the old timber from centuries gone by that lends its charm to this overpowering stylish natural setting at 1000 m. But one has to ask oneself, is it nature or the accommodation that makes for its incredible luxury?

The compelling fragrance of the pinewood beds permeates the interior of the 220 m2 forest house on an old site of the Celts. An eclectic mix of larch and spruce woods, stone, steel, Loden cloth and leather sets the tone. The panoramic glass walls immerse guests directly in nature, the forest and the rain – of course in front of the fireplace. A wooden terrace creates a natural transition to the infinity pool opening up one’s view seamlessly across mountains and forests.

The terrace is where I dedicate myself to the barbecue, while my partner selects the underwater music for the pool. Whether one really needs the surround-sound cinema with large screen is hard to tell. But one thing that is hard to resist, is the array of local delicacies that little elves discretely supply guests with via a separate entrance.

One thing you should not desist from is a night-time swim in the pool heated to 35 degrees Celsius. Whilst a stand-alone bathtub with its panoramic view sets the tone for the next day, with a ramble through nature beckoning, in a step-by-step journey ever closer to the self! And if you like: In the capable hands of local guru Norbert – the spiritual father of this very special alpine pasture retreat and place of the bees.

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8713 St. Stefan ob Leoben | Steiermark | Austria