Karls Mittenwald

Goethe called Mittenwald ‘a living picture book’ when he stopped here in 1786 on his way to Italy. He was referring to the ‘Lüftlmalerei’—sacred scenes, painted columns, and entire stories adorning the walls of the houses—that continue to characterize the historic town center to this day. Right in the middle of this picture book is Dekan-Karl-Platz, where the Berndl Bakery used to be. For decades, the residents of Mittenwald came here to pick up their bread rolls until the bakery finally closed, leaving the building standing empty for a while. Anne-Sophie and Dario Trinkgeld took it over in 2022, renovating it from the ground up, and transforming it into eleven apartments with a daytime bar. The building is called Karls, after the square in front of it. And there’s something fresh on offer again—only now it’s à la carte breakfast and cakes instead of bread rolls being served over the counter. The renovation was carried out in collaboration with Danish interior designer Natalie Jørgensen, while the architectural firm Filip Fichtel was commissioned for the architecture. The structure of the old townhouse was preserved, and the interior features a minimalist Nordic style with a few Alpine touches: Wide wooden floorboards, light colors, beds and built-in furniture crafted by a carpenter, interspersed with a few antiques. None of the eleven apartments are alike. In some, the space beneath the cross gable opens onto a south-facing balcony, or the sleeping alcove is tucked behind a wall. In others, a kitchen island stands in the middle of the living room. When you arrive, you’ll marvel at how pretty everything is before setting your suitcase aside for the moment, and heading straight back downstairs to enjoy your first vacation coffee at the daytime bar, at a long table shared with other Mittenwald residents, or outside in the sun. The mountains are more or less on your doorstep. The nearby Karwendelbahn cable car takes you up to the Western Karwendelspitze. If you come on skis in winter, take the Dammkar ski route back down into the valley—at seven-and-a-half kilometers, it’s the longest downhill run in the country. Returning to town in the afternoon, you’ll find yourself sitting in front of Karls again—with tired legs but feeling happy. It usually doesn’t take long before someone joins you.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• As much of the old Berndl Bakery as possible was preserved during the renovation—original where possible, new where necessary.
• The signature style of Danish interior designer Natalie Jørgensen, blending light and airy Scandinavian style with Alpine warmth
• The apartments have Bavarian first names—Resi, Franzl, Vroni, Sepp, Gustl—and you really do feel like you’re staying with friends, each with their own unique character.
• The view from the upper balconies, some overlooking the hustle and bustle of Dekan-Karl-Platz, others the Karwendel Mountains
• There are deliberately no TVs hanging on the walls—the views through the windows offer plenty of entertainment.
• The warm and welcoming hosts Anne-Sophie and Dario love to chat with their guests and always have a tip at the ready for hikes, bike rides, or the most beautiful swimming lake in the area.
• Karls is located right in the heart of Mittenwald’s historic center, yet you can still reach the mountains in no time.
• The crisp mountain air and the special location at an elevation of 912 meters—Mittenwald is one of Germany’s highest-altitude climatic health resorts.
• Around ten master violin makers still work in the alleys of the old town and Bavaria’s only vocational school for violin making is located here—you can watch the craftsmen at work in their workshops.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• There are eleven apartments spread across four levels from the first floor to the top floor, ranging from about 25 to 125 square meters (when combined), and accommodating one to six people depending on size; all feature a kitchenette or full kitchen.
• The three first-floor apartments can be combined to form a single apartment for six people.
• Children are welcome; baby beds and high chairs are provided upon request.
• The daytime bar on the first floor serves breakfast, coffee, and snacks in the morning—mostly vegetarian with vegan options—and is also open to guests not staying at the property.
• Karls has partnered up with the neighboring Alpenhotel Rieger, so guests can use its spa.
• You’ll sleep especially well in the cozy box-spring beds after a day in the mountains.
• A ventilation system keeps pollen out, and the walls keep noise out—perfect for allergy sufferers and late sleepers alike.
• For workations, retreats, or family celebrations, the entire house can be booked to accommodate up to 30 people.
• The Kranzberg ski area is located above the village. It has about 15 kilometers of slopes, mostly T-bar lifts, and a children’s ski park. The ski resorts in Garmisch and Seefeld are around a 15-minute drive away, and the Zugspitze and the Tyrolean resorts are also nearby.
• In summer, you can go hiking, mountain biking, or take a leisurely bike ride through nature.
• The Karwendelbahn and the nostalgic Kranzberg chairlift are within walking distance of the house.
• Mittenwald is located about a 90-minute drive south of Munich on the border with Tyrol and has its own train station on the Munich–Garmisch–Innsbruck line, just a five-minute walk from the house.