WHERE YOU GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH
LOCATION
How can an Austrian family-owned restaurant, tavern, and beloved meeting point be transformed into a boutique hotel? Three brothers, Gernot, Jürgen and Bernd Kleindienst, undertook this challenge in 2018. All three seem to have been born into tourism that marks the scenic town of Hollenegg, famed for its eponymous imposing castle from the Middle Ages, superb wines and diversified activities for tourists. The hotel is within spitting distance from the mentioned Hollenegg Castle. Views of the Koralpe, diving Carinthia from the Steiermark region, are indescribable, appearing almost ethereal from the pool. Where the hotel stands today, “Zu Taverne” once welcomed guests with its ten rooms and a beloved banquet hall. Past patrons of the old restaurant would struggle to recognise the building that now houses one of Steiermark’s leading boutique hotels. Only the spectacular location connects the story of past and present.
ACCESSIBILITY
You will need approximately an hour from Steriermark’s capital, Graz, to Deutschlandsberg. The two Austrian outposts are forty kilometres apart. You can take the A1 motorway connecting Slovenia with Graz before meandering along scenic local roads to the hotel. Most guests arrive at the hotel by car, although public transport is a safe and reliable choice. Trains to and fro Deutschlandsberg arrive punctually, as do buses. We advise checking the timetables on the websites of local transport companies, such as ÖBB Postbus or Busbahnhof Graz. The closest airport to the hotel is the Flughafen Graz, an airport gradually improving its connections, some thirty kilometres away. The hotel offers classic and electric bicycles that guests can find in a charming wooden garage. Unsurprisingly, the hotel is an outstanding place for discovering the nearby nature on foot or by wheezing past landmarks on bicycles. The latter can be an ideal post-event activity for your incentive group or event attendees. With a spacious parking lot, you won’t have any problems with logistics.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The elementary proportions of the hotel have not changed drastically. The ceilings and rooms, on the other hand, appear much more spacious now. Wood dominates the interior and exterior in black and white hues with shades of maroon and grey. Even the tiniest details, such as the fire alarms, were considered in the revamped design. The designers’ attention to detail is immediately evident – the spacious windows flood the interior with daylight and serve fantastic views of the Koralpe mountains. Despite the modern approach, the architects decided to preserve elements from the former restaurant that remind guests of the original story. The staircase, now complemented by an elevator, is one of them. The facade in pleasant coffee hues seeps into the surroundings. The detail-oriented approach is evident at every step, not least if you glance at the wooden elements. Everything is where one expects it. Zeitwert boutique hotel is a modern redefinition of Alpine chic where guests will feel like lounging in a warm and cosy living room that reminds them of their own.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
After arriving in the dead of the night, the reception was unavailable. Nonetheless, we must praise the hotel’s communication; our hotel card was where they told us, in a charming vault near the entrance. The hotel’s Honesty Bar is a superb solution for every guest who spent considerable time on the road to reach the hotel. In the morning, we woke to see the true face of the hotel. Friendly staff members were always there when we needed them. We even glimpsed one of the owners. Breakfast in Koarl Restaurant offered everything a guest can imagine in a family-owned hotel. Zeitwert champions Steiermark cuisine with a twist. We can confirm that they excel in serving select, local, tasty and seasonal dishes. We relished their mouthwatering cottage cheese spread with pumpkin oil. Coffee and freshly squeezed juices were superb, too, not to mention the phenomenal selection of local yoghurt and cheeses. The hotel is the epitome of boutique hotels that prioritise local. We were delighted to try authentic regional gastronomy, albeit only at breakfast. We, unfortunately, missed dinner, but we trust the testimonials of guests at Koarl Restaurant, who beam with wide grins after dining there. We do suggest you check the opening times of the hotel’s star restaurant.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
We stayed in the hotel’s basic room. Despite its size, it surprised us with its pleasant atmosphere and kitted-out design. What adorns the walls seems to be a fad in the hotel industry; a final layer of coarse concrete shines in a beige hue. The furniture, contrastively, is daubed in dark brown. Similarly, the work desk is elegant and spacious enough for remote work. All elements within the room exude quality – from the wooden flooring to an intriguing lounger and a world-class bed. Although small, the bathroom is well-equipped and boasts a fantastic walk-in shower. We must praise the hotel’s cosmetic line, which you can purchase upon departure. Easy Green is a great brand. We found it unusual that there was no mini bar in the room. Still, the large Honesty Bar stocked with local beverages at the entrance replaces it well. Our room had a splendid balcony with views of the nearby Hollenegg Castle. Bird singing that will wake you from your dreams is a welcome amenity free of charge.
Meetings centre
The hotel library is an event space that event organisers can transform into two smaller halls, the Event Lounge and the Bibliothek. Together, they offer over 100 square metres, each accommodating between 40 and 50 guests effortlessly. Another unique event venue is Koarl Restaurant and the panoramic terrace. Boutique Hotel Das Zeitwert offers the so-called seminar package, a package popular in Austria that ensures excellent value for money.
DESSERT – The extras
A charming pool with stunning views and the adjoining boutique wellness centre add value to the hotel. Especially in the scorching summer heat, attendees of your event will be grateful for this addition.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
A staff member here and there, especially at the reception, would elevate the stay in this hotel by another star. The fact that the reception closes after 18:00 is peculiar for a hotel of this category. Although the solution with a vault near the entrance seems reasonable, the hotel may be losing more than it gains through this.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Saying no to the products in the eye-catching shop adjacent to the reception is difficult. If the wines and in-house cosmetic line do not convince you, you will likely be tempted to go home with a bottle of regional pumpkin oil. Pumpkin oil is a staple of Steiermark.
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
In this hotel, they walk the talk in terms of sustainability. That seems to be the guiding principle of Austrian family-owned hotels. This philosophy is reflected in the tiny details that make a ton of difference. The tap water in the rooms is drinkable, the in-house shampoo comes in dispensers, and the impeccable cuisine is seasonal and advocates traditional cuisine in Steriermakr. Their charming shop with locally sourced products is commendable, too. From a marketing perspective, the hotel should acquire suitable certificates to recognise their efforts.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Architecturally, the hotel is a success story. Its design does not scream grand hauteur but quietly exudes elegant confidence. The interior mimics a minimalist Alpine style. With a refined interior, the ambience can be labelled traditional comfort. All materials are superb, and with an abundance of space, staying in this hotel is a delight.
The hotel’s cuisine and additional offerings befit the hotel’s image of a well-designed boutique hotel. Only the personnel seems to lack a hand here and there. Should you organise a team building, a corporate educational seminar or if you want to reward coworkers in the region, this hotel is ideal. Incentive boutique hotels like this can cater to any such event. Zeitwert is an exemplary representative of hotels where modernity crosses paths with tradition. It may need a few tweaks, yet its price outweighs the decision. Compared to hotels in Graz, staying here is a no-brainer.
FINAL GRADE: 4.90 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐Boutique Meeting Hotel
3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60
