Pension Leuchtenburg
When the host has a true connection to their house, those who come to visit feel it. Katharina Sparer has had just such a connection to the five-hundred-year-old building in the village of Klughammer in South Tyrol, just a hundred meters from Lake Kaltern, since she was a child. For four decades, her parents leased the listed building and ran it as a hotel until she bought it, renovated it together with her partner Jan Waldner and the renowned architecture firm Biquadra, and finally reopened it in 2023. The result is twelve individual rooms that combine historical features with modern design and comfort. Old farmhouse furniture with colorful ornaments is given pride of place, while earthy red tones and original wooden floors create a warm atmosphere. The building which once stored the supplies for the pleasures of Leuchtenburg Castle, whose ruins tower above the village, now supplies those selfsame pleasures for its guests. The old barn houses the Terrazza restaurant, with a view of the shimmering turquoise waters of the lake, where the hostess serves her guests personally. You will look in vain for a menu—dinner depends on the contents of the box of seasonal food delivered to the kitchen door by local producers every morning. But one thing is always guaranteed: fine regional wines. Besides the dining area, there are many other great places to enjoy this extraordinary house: in the wine parlor (a vaulted cellar with sauna), in the garden amongst the oleander bushes, or on the terrace. On nice days though, it’s hard to beat the sun-warmed jetty on the private lakeside property across Lake Kaltern, with its rustling palm leaves, retro parasols and a boathouse with an honesty bar. And of course the informal, relaxed atmosphere that defines this friendly guesthouse—and makes us return home with the feeling of having spent a few days with friends.
WHAT WE LIKE MOST:
- Modern design inside historic walls: architect Christina Biasi von Berg from the Biquadra architecture firm successfully preserved the building’s history and combined it elegantly with modern design, just like the host couple’s character!
- All of the renovation work was done by craftspeople from the region.
- The individually and lovingly designed rooms, which are named after wine bars around Lake Kaltern
- The hosts' idea was to create a genuine vacation home, a place for open-minded people who are looking for something special and down-to-earth luxury.
- That we can sit and relax and enjoy a nice long breakfast. Instead of a buffet, breakfast is served with new, seasonally-appropriate dishes. It’s not only cozy, but also helps to ensure that no food is wasted.
- That dinner is sometimes served at a long tavolata—all dishes are placed on the table and shared, just like at home.
- Whether gluten- or lactose-free, vegetarian or vegan—chef Luca accommodates pretty much any allergy, intolerance or dietary requirement and conjures up something suitable from his kitchen. It's best to let him know before you arrive so that he can make the best possible preparations.
- That sustainability is the focus. The bread comes from an organic bakery, the vegetables from a permaculture farm, the meat from a local organic farmer and the fish from a farm in Val Passiria/Passeiertal. If there is anything left over, it goes to the neighbor’s rabbits and horses. The water also comes from the guesthouse’s own spring. Cleaning is done with vinegar water, just like in the old days.
- Would you like a little wine lesson? As a trained sommelier, Katharina knows her way around and recommends the ideal wine to go with the food, the weather or the mood.
- The hotel's own rowing boat, which can be booked for a romantic breakfast on the lake. Simply let the hosts know a day in advance and then go on board with a picnic and Prosecco.
- The idea of naming each room after a the vineyards around the lake
- The organic sauna on the lakeside property. At 55 to 60 degrees, you can warm up and then cool off in the lake.
- The rainy-day program in the wine parlor. Set around a Finnish sauna (85 to 90 degrees) are a lounge, record player, board games and - of course! - a selection of good wines.
GOOD TO KNOW:
- The price includes breakfast, the evening menu, access to the wine lounge and the lakeside property.
- A private lake meadow of over 400 square meters, only 99 steps away from the house, is accessible to guests around the clock. A bag of bath towels is provided in the room, bathrobes and sauna towels are also available.
- Want to be really kneaded? The hosts will be happy to arrange an individual massage session.Termin
- As the Pension Leuchtenburg is not well suited as a playground, it is reserved for adults only.
- From March 2024, the Terrazza restaurant will also open in the evenings for the public. The big kids aged 14 and over can join in. Day guests are also welcome on the private lakeside grounds on request.
- For active guests: boards for stand-up paddling and a pedal boat are available for free on the lake property.
- Two charging stations for electric cars are available.
- Bicycles can be rented at the tourist office or in Kaltern, 5 kilometers away. If you would like to have an e-bike brought directly to the hotel, simply let reception know by 7 pm the evening before.
- Special events take place regularly. Whether it's helping with the grape harvest, getting into the yoga flow or bathing in the ice-cold lake at the Wim Hof Retreat—there are plenty of reasons to come back again.
- Various excursion destinations such as the Messner Mountain Museum, the Gardens of Trauttmannsdorf in Meran or the Ötzi Museum in Bolzano are not far away.
CIN: IT021105A1GLRW95MF
Sleeping arrangements and amenities
- 12 double rooms
- Yes
- Dogs are welcome on request (extra charge)
Rates
Start at 185€ per person and night (including breakfast and half-board)