The architecture blends with the lake and mountain vistas / photo: Hotel Krallerhof
When the Altenberger family – the owners of the five-star Hotel Krallerhof in Leogang in the Salzburg region – decided to extend its wellness provision, they included a TechnoAlpin Snowroom in its new ‘Atmosphere by Krallerhof’ spa to provide a rejuvenating snow experience, within a spectacular natural setting – all year round.
Overlooking the Leoganger Steinberg mountain range, the Atmosphere spa – designed by architect Hadi Teherani – fits seamlessly into the dramatic Asitz Mountain landscape.
The organically-shaped glass-fronted building has been created with nature and the surrounding landscape central to its design. Made from natural, mostly locally-sourced materials, such as ash and oak, alpine marble, glass and exposed concrete, its open aspect offers a connection to the outdoors, with spectacular views over the spa’s 5,500sq m natural bathing lake and the 50m infinity pool.
Family traditions According to Philipp Altenberger, the careful use of resources, the preservation of biodiverse habitats and other ecological aspects played an important role in the spa’s design process.
“Sustainability has always been a major priority for us,” says Altenberger – a fourth-generation member of the hotelier family, “we’re very grateful for the hotel’s natural surroundings and treat them respectfully.”
Innovative design is also extremely important at the Krallerhof. Altenberger says his grandfather was enthusiastic about progressive design when he took over the family farm in 1956 and laid the foundations for the current five-star hotel – and his family has continued with this passion for innovation ever since. “Relaxation in a natural environment is becoming more essential for spa-goers, so we wanted to create a wellness facility, designed with water at its centre, that fits within its natural surroundings,” he explained.
Natural design The new Atmosphere spa complements the hotel’s existing 17-treatment-room spa – Refugium – and during the initial design phase Alterberger says Teherani devised the perfect architectural vision: to create a spa that ‘integrates seamlessly into the landscape, creating an atmosphere halfway between the water and the mountains. “We wanted to create a place where guests could withdraw from the outside and allow everything to come to life from the inside,” he explains.
The Atmosphere spa entrance opens into an Alpine Zen Garden where the sound of running water can be heard in the background. This leads to the glass-fronted relaxation room where guests can relax or explore the spa’s indoor offering, which includes a Blue Grotto hydrotherapy cave; a Himalayan infra salt room; Finnish and herbal sauna; a steam bath and the TechnoAlpin Snowroom.
The chill factor With a treatment brief underpinned by the hotel’s philosophy of rejuvenation, relaxation and renewal, the owners decided to include the snowroom because they wanted a contrast to a conventional sauna. While researching they found the TechnoAlpin concept, that ‘brings natural winter conditions indoors’.
“We could see huge potential for our wellness business through choosing the snowroom,” Altenberger explains. “Used in combination with heat, it delivers the most innovative kind of Kneipp therapy, which appeals to guests for whom health and relaxation are important. This fits perfectly with the variety of relaxation and regeneration programmes we offer our guests.
“The snowroom offers a gentle cooling experience, which provides guests with a pleasant chilled feeling without having to endure a shocking wet effect. This means it’s accessible to all our adult guests, who can benefit from a holistic cooling effect that refreshes their respiratory tract and cools their skin.
“The soft snow offers the possibility to intensify the cold experience according to personal preferences. A holistic cool down – regardless of the weather conditions outside,” says Altenberger.
"The Snowroom offers a gentle cooling experience, which provides guests with a pleasant chilled feeling without having to endure a shocking wet effect" – Philipp Altenberger, Hotel Krallerhof
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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Elemis
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The architecture blends with the lake and mountain vistas / photo: Hotel Krallerhof
When the Altenberger family – the owners of the five-star Hotel Krallerhof in Leogang in the Salzburg region – decided to extend its wellness provision, they included a TechnoAlpin Snowroom in its new ‘Atmosphere by Krallerhof’ spa to provide a rejuvenating snow experience, within a spectacular natural setting – all year round.
Overlooking the Leoganger Steinberg mountain range, the Atmosphere spa – designed by architect Hadi Teherani – fits seamlessly into the dramatic Asitz Mountain landscape.
The organically-shaped glass-fronted building has been created with nature and the surrounding landscape central to its design. Made from natural, mostly locally-sourced materials, such as ash and oak, alpine marble, glass and exposed concrete, its open aspect offers a connection to the outdoors, with spectacular views over the spa’s 5,500sq m natural bathing lake and the 50m infinity pool.
Family traditions According to Philipp Altenberger, the careful use of resources, the preservation of biodiverse habitats and other ecological aspects played an important role in the spa’s design process.
“Sustainability has always been a major priority for us,” says Altenberger – a fourth-generation member of the hotelier family, “we’re very grateful for the hotel’s natural surroundings and treat them respectfully.”
Innovative design is also extremely important at the Krallerhof. Altenberger says his grandfather was enthusiastic about progressive design when he took over the family farm in 1956 and laid the foundations for the current five-star hotel – and his family has continued with this passion for innovation ever since. “Relaxation in a natural environment is becoming more essential for spa-goers, so we wanted to create a wellness facility, designed with water at its centre, that fits within its natural surroundings,” he explained.
Natural design The new Atmosphere spa complements the hotel’s existing 17-treatment-room spa – Refugium – and during the initial design phase Alterberger says Teherani devised the perfect architectural vision: to create a spa that ‘integrates seamlessly into the landscape, creating an atmosphere halfway between the water and the mountains. “We wanted to create a place where guests could withdraw from the outside and allow everything to come to life from the inside,” he explains.
The Atmosphere spa entrance opens into an Alpine Zen Garden where the sound of running water can be heard in the background. This leads to the glass-fronted relaxation room where guests can relax or explore the spa’s indoor offering, which includes a Blue Grotto hydrotherapy cave; a Himalayan infra salt room; Finnish and herbal sauna; a steam bath and the TechnoAlpin Snowroom.
The chill factor With a treatment brief underpinned by the hotel’s philosophy of rejuvenation, relaxation and renewal, the owners decided to include the snowroom because they wanted a contrast to a conventional sauna. While researching they found the TechnoAlpin concept, that ‘brings natural winter conditions indoors’.
“We could see huge potential for our wellness business through choosing the snowroom,” Altenberger explains. “Used in combination with heat, it delivers the most innovative kind of Kneipp therapy, which appeals to guests for whom health and relaxation are important. This fits perfectly with the variety of relaxation and regeneration programmes we offer our guests.
“The snowroom offers a gentle cooling experience, which provides guests with a pleasant chilled feeling without having to endure a shocking wet effect. This means it’s accessible to all our adult guests, who can benefit from a holistic cooling effect that refreshes their respiratory tract and cools their skin.
“The soft snow offers the possibility to intensify the cold experience according to personal preferences. A holistic cool down – regardless of the weather conditions outside,” says Altenberger.
"The Snowroom offers a gentle cooling experience, which provides guests with a pleasant chilled feeling without having to endure a shocking wet effect" – Philipp Altenberger, Hotel Krallerhof
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Elemis Elemis was founded in London in 1989 by Linda Steiner whose vision was to create a skincare range as [more...]
