eriro, Austria

eriro is an intimate nine-bedroom hideaway in Ehrwald, Austria, nestled at 1,550m in the Zugspitze mountain range. Accessible only by cable car to minimise traffic pollution, the hotel fosters a deep connection with Alpine traditions through its guest experiences.

Conceptualised by hoteliers Amelie and Dominik Posch, alongside Christina and Martin Spielmann, and crafted by timber expert Andreas Mader, eriro redefines Alpine luxury by working exclusively with regional businesses. Its design, cuisine, and wellness programmes are shaped by sustainable practices, nature’s rhythms, and local heritage. With a minimal carbon footprint, the property offers the opportunity to reconnect with nature in a setting that blends authenticity with refined simplicity.

Designed by architect Martin Gruber, eriro’s nine luxury suites embody a sustainable, minimalist take on Alpine architecture, using 90% locally sourced wood, 95% of which comes from the surrounding forest. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood spaces with natural light, reinforcing an unbroken link between indoors and the pristine Alpine landscape.

The spa, built into the mountainside, offers an immersive wellness experience with views of Tajakopf mountain to be enjoyed whilst relaxing in meditation and expansive pools, or in the spruce needle or Finnish saunas made from local wood. Treatments, inspired by Alpine herbal medicine, are tailored individually by eriro’s Head of Spa, while meditation and yoga sessions further promote balance and renewal.

At the eriro restaurant, Head Chef Alexander Thoss follows a zero-waste philosophy, sourcing ingredients from local farms and foraging daily in the surrounding forests. Inspired by the ever-changing mountain seasons, dishes are prepared using traditional methods over wood, stone, and fire, creating depth, intensity, and unique flavours.

eriro’s ethos—rooted in the Old High German word for ‘the beginning of the forest’—invites guests to engage with nature through a range of signature experiences. Three in-house guides lead barefoot forest hikes, wildlife watching, meditation, mountain biking, skiing, and even traditional Tyrolean yodelling. The hotel also collaborates with local partners for astronomy, pottery, and music experiences.

Co-owners Dominik and Amelie Posch share, “Growing up in this region, we have been inspired by Tyrolean culture and want to share this way of life. Every detail of eriro has been carefully crafted to foster harmony with nature, from our sustainable architecture to the traditional practices woven into our guest experiences. We believe in the power of these beginnings and moments of reconnection.”