eriro, Austria

eriro is a small and secluded hideaway located in Ehrwald, Austria, at the foot of the Zugspitze mountain range. This idyllic nine-bedroom hotel, accessible only by cable-car to minimise traffic pollution, can be found at an elevation of 1,550m (about 5085 ft) and offers guests the opportunity to foster a strong connection with the region’s deep-rooted Alpine traditions through its guest experiences.

Conceptualised by hoteliers Amelie and Dominik Posch, alongside Christina and Martin Spielmann, and crafted by timber construction expert Andreas Mader, eriro works solely with regional companies and offers a reimagined take on Alpine luxury. This unique experience is seamlessly integrated with nature’s rhythms, Alpine traditions, and sustainable practices, which shapes the activities, design, cuisine, and wellness programmes on offer. The remote location, minimal carbon footprint, and Tyrolean experiences invite guests to rediscover their beginnings, coexist with nature and savour the present amidst majestic surroundings.

Housing just nine luxury suites, eriro features a minimalistic, high quality sustainable design approach to Alpine architecture which blends harmoniously with the surrounding mountain range. Architect Martin Gruber has utilised locally sourced, organic materials such as stone and wood from their own forests and other natural materials from the area, giving the rooms a feeling of timeless luxury paired with an authentic Alpine experience. 90% of the building is constructed from wood and 95% of that wood is sourced from the forest in which it is set. The simplistic design ethos is articulated through Gruber’s nature-inspired colour palette of greys, greens, and browns. Using very limited artificial light to prevent light pollution, floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light but also forge a deep connection with the outdoors, making the pristine Alpine surroundings the centerpiece of eriro’s design philosophy.

The eriro spa is deliberately located in the basement of the property, among untamed rocks, forests and meadows on the Tyrolean alpine pastures. Guests can enjoy views of the scenic Tajakopf mountain while relaxing in the 80-86 sq ft meditation pool or expansive pool, or in the spruce needle or Finnish saunas made from local wood. Anchoring the body, mind and soul through the traditional wisdom of local herbalists and naturalists, the spa menu will reflect the ever-changing seasons of the Alps. Treatments are tailored individually following a consultation with eriro’s Head of Spa, who will take a holistic approach on prescribing one of a variety of massages inspired by five medicinal herbs; mountain arnica, St. John’s wort, common yarrow, ribwort plantain and stinging nettle, each with health-promoting properties to restore the body’s natural balance. Meditation and yoga sessions are also available.

Celebrating regionally grown ingredients, the eriro restaurant holds a zero-waste strategy and Head Chef David Franken, and his small team spend hours in the forest each day, foraging or visiting local farms to source ingredients for their Tyrolean inspired menu. Dishes served reflect the ever-changing seasons of the mountain and meals are prepared over local wood, stone, and grains then cooked over a real fire which ignites depth and intensity while creating unique flavours and textures.

Derived from the Old German High word meaning ‘the beginning of the forest’, eriro’s ethos is to connect guests with nature, which sees generations of mountain traditions honoured through an array of signature experiences. Guests can relish in the expertise and company in one of eriro’s three in-house guides who specialise in nature, action, and wilderness. They may choose to embark on guided barefoot hikes through the forest, watch animals, meditate in the wilderness, mountain bike, climb, learn to craft using local techniques with raw materials from the mountain like wood and stone, indulge in world-class skiing or give the 16th century form of singing, Yodeling, a try. Additionally, eriro collaborates with a variety of local partners for astronomy, pottery classes and music.

Co-Owners of eriro, Dominik Posch, the visionary, creative and forever optimist and Amelie Posch a true Munich native who previously travelled the world with Les Clef d’Or who oversees everything behind the scenes comment, “Growing up in this region, we have been inspired by Tyrolean culture and want to share this attitude toward life that we stand by. We’ve meticulously crafted every detail of eriro to foster harmony with nature, from the locally sourced materials used in our sustainable architecture to the traditional practices woven into our signature experiences. We believe in the power of these beginnings and moments of reconnection.”