Staindlhof 1680

There are probably very few homes that have belonged to the same family for more than 345 years. The Staindlhof is one of them. This historic farmstead is a typical Bavarian Forest Waldlerhaus—a type of building in which living, working, and farming all took place under one roof. When Florian Hartl and his partner Florian Gugenhan took over the farm in 2019, much was still as it had been in the days of his great-aunt Maria – there was no running water, and the ‘facilities’ consisted of an outhouse in the backyard. Every alteration had to be carefully coordinated with the historic preservation authorities. Together with architect Norbert Paukner, they found a way to renovate the house in a manner that preserved its character while updating it to present-day standards. At the heart of the project is a house-within-a-house concept. The new living spaces in the Heustadl (hayloft) were integrated into the historic structure as independent units. The floor in the Waldlerhaus’s living area was carefully lowered, creating spacious living areas despite the low ceilings. The old timber framing, fieldstone walls, and many original details were preserved. Large glass walls throughout the apartments offer views of the historic construction. From the outside, the Staindlhof appears almost unchanged. Where rotten beams had to be replaced, the light-colored wood was deliberately left exposed, so that it becomes a part of the house’s story. Just as one might imagine a traditional farmstead in the Bavarian Forest, the Staindlhof lies hidden in a forest meadow among spruce and silver fir trees, with a view over the gentle surrounding hills. Garden furniture in bright yellow and sage green adds a lovely accent against the dark wooden facade. At every turn, you can sense that a piece of family history has been preserved here. As a child, Florian Hartl spent many hours with his great-aunt Maria, playing by the stream in the garden or roaming through the woods. It was his greatest wish to make this special place accessible to others as well—to the delight of all those who today walk barefoot through the garden, watch deer at the edge of the forest, relax in the wood-fired hot tub, and remember just how good silence sounds.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The house-within-a-house concept, designed to preserve the original structure; if you look closely, you’ll discover how ingeniously the rooms were created: lowered living areas make them feel spacious without altering the character of the historic house
• Retrofitted glass facades create exciting connections between the interior and exterior. They also make the apartments feel bright and airy
• How understated the interior design is, allowing the architecture to take center stage
• That both apartments primarily feature materials that were used in the past—wood, granite, and raw steel. These are complemented by design classics as well as custom-made oak furniture crafted from wood sourced on the property or from repurposed beams.
• The well-thought-out lighting concept creates a cozy atmosphere throughout
• Our favorite spot in the Heustadl: the freestanding bathtub in front of the large bedroom window, with a view of both the house’s old wooden beams and the surrounding vista.
• The former bakehouse now houses a spa with a Finnish sauna, located exactly where grain was once stored and bread was baked. Outside, you can immerse yourself in the warm waters of the bathing tub or cool off in the former granite sauerkraut trough after the sauna
• The secluded location at an elevation of 820 meters above the health resort of Waldkirchen, in an idyllic forest meadow: if you’re looking for peace and quiet, you’ll find it here
• The spacious garden with old fruit trees, flowering perennials, herbs, and berries, a natural stream, and an outdoor oven for all guests

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Each vacation apartment has two separate bedrooms. They can accommodate up to five guests; for the fifth person, there is a sleeper sofa in the living room.
• The two apartments each tell a different chapter of the farm’s history: The Waldlerhaus is located in the former residence of the farming family, while the Heustadl is in the former barn; both apartments span two levels.
• Children are very welcome—and are sure to experience many adventures, big and small, in the great outdoors.
• The apartments have very well-equipped kitchens—including a Moccamaster, fondue set, raclette grill, crêpe and waffle makers, a wok, and a selection of spices and handpicked recipes.
• For cozy warmth on cold evenings, in addition to modern heating systems, the Heustadl features a wood-burning stove, and the Waldlerhaus has a wood-burning range.
• By working with a lighting designer, the lighting was designed to minimize light pollution—so you can better admire the starry sky.
• Sustainability is a top priority here: water comes from the property’s own spring, and firewood from the neighboring forest. Heating and hot water are provided by an air-to-water heat pump powered by green electricity; there’s also a solar panel system.
• On the property—which is nearly the size of eight soccer fields—there are plenty of spots to enjoy time outdoors: for morning coffee, rolling out your yoga mat, or an evening glass of wine. Depending on the season, you can pick a few ingredients for cooking from the herb or fruit garden.
• The hosts have compiled tips for day trips, hiking or biking tours, and recommendations for fine restaurants and nearby swimming lakes in a digital guest guide.
• There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities: hiking on the Dreisesselberg or in the Bavarian Forest National Park, biking in the Danube-Moldau cycling region, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, or sledding.
• It’s recommended to have a car on site—including for your arrival. The nearest bus stop is a few kilometers away; the closest train station is Passau (about 30 km away).