Five-star nature hotel in transition
Editorial team
“We don’t just want to offer our guests relaxation, but sustainable health and joie de vivre.”
Christoph Schmuck
There is no standing still at the Naturhotel Forsthofgut. The family-run hotel in Leogang is committed to continuous development – with new feel-good rooms and wellbeing and health concepts. From May 2025, the 5,700 square meter forest spa will be expanded to include its own health area. New retreats will follow in June 2025: the redesigned suites in the Waldhaus and three new luxury family suites – the Berg Loft Suites. In this interview, Christoph and Christina Schmuck talk about their visions, new concepts and sources of inspiration.
Authenticity, sustainability and quality
EDITOR: Mr. Schmuck and Ms. Schmuck, the year 2024 brought many insights. What was the most important insight you gained in 2024 - and how does it influence your plans for 2025?
CHRISTOPH SCHMUCK: 2024 showed us how essential it is to focus on people as a whole - physically, mentally and emotionally. This inspired us to develop a concept that goes far beyond traditional wellness with our new Waldspa health area. We want to offer our guests not just relaxation, but sustainable health and joie de vivre.
CHRISTINA SCHMUCK: The growing importance of longevity and holistic health has confirmed our vision. We have learned that innovation and harmony with nature are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other perfectly. This will become even more apparent in all areas of the Forsthofgut in 2025.
The Naturhotel Forsthofgut is constantly evolving. What will remain unchanged and what new features will be added?
CHRISTOPH SCHMUCK: Our core values remain unchanged: the close connection to nature and the family atmosphere. At the same time, we are continuously developing our offer. In 2025, we are particularly looking forward to our new Berg Loft suites and the renovation of our Bergbalance and Lebensquell family suites. And, of course, the opening of our new Waldspa health area, which takes well-being to a new level. We remain true to our values: authenticity, sustainability and quality. But we also want to be pioneers in the vacation hotel industry, with offers that meet the spirit of the times and cater to the personal needs of each guest, while at the same time being deeply rooted in our philosophy.
What impulses from the wellbeing and travel industry do you use to make the Forsthofgut unique?
CHRISTINA SCHMUCK: The increasing importance of longevity and holistic health inspires us greatly. We combine state-of-the-art diagnostics with the Forsthofgut experience, where our guests can embark on an individual health journey with natural recovery. The focus is on mental health, exercise and nutrition, but of course always in harmony with nature. Our guests are not just looking for relaxation, but individual experiences that enrich their lives. That is why we create offers that promote both physical vitality and mental well-being.
Wellbeing today encompasses far more than spa and relaxation. What new paths are you taking to offer your guests holistic wellbeing?
CHRISTINA SCHMUCK: We are breaking new ground with our Waldspa health area. Among other things, we offer cryotherapy, uVIDA metabolic analyses, infusion therapies, innovative breathing techniques and much more. We attach particular importance to ensuring that these services are not isolated, but are harmoniously embedded in the overall experience at Forsthofgut. Our diagnostics also serve as a valuable basis for individual recommendations for everyday life - for long-term well-being and sustainable health. We rely on sound scientific advice from a selected board of experts. This not only supports us in the development of tailor-made health offers, but also ensures that medical standards are adhered to, that our team is regularly trained and that guests benefit from holistic, long-term health promotion. This sets us apart from other retreat offers.
CHRISTOPH SCHMUCK: Our philosophy is that every guest should be able to embark on their own health journey, regardless of whether they are looking for mental balance or want to improve their performance. And where better to invest the time for such awareness work coupled with relaxation and new knowledge transfer than on vacation.
Sustainability is not a trend for us, but the common thread that guides our actions.
Nature sets the tone
You are opening new suites in June 2025. What characterizes these retreats?
CHRISTOPH SCHMUCK: Our new Berg Loft suites in the Waldhaus are closely rooted in nature. They combine high-quality materials with a timeless, classic design. Each suite is a powerful retreat that offers a direct view of the Leogang Steinberge mountains and creates even more space for families to relax and unwind. A private outdoor sauna and a hot tub make this two-storey suite a unique retreat in the mountains. Our Bergbalance family suite also creates a harmonious atmosphere with its warm wood tones and natural textures.
What is the design philosophy behind the new suites - and are there any architectural or design highlights?
CHRISTINA SCHMUCK: Nature has always set the tone at Forsthofgut. We have been inspired by the colors and shapes of nature and rely on fine oak floors, natural clay plaster and furniture from the Viennese manufacturer Wittmann. The works of art that we personally select lend the rooms additional individuality and exclusivity. Our new Berg Loft suites also impress with their two-storey design and the generous window fronts that give the mountains space.
Were there any particular challenges or sources of inspiration when developing the new concepts?
CHRISTOPH SCHMUCK: The biggest challenge was to combine innovation with our traditional closeness to nature. We didn't want pure high-tech wellness, but an offer that is scientifically sound and yet remains down-to-earth. Another issue was the individualization of the offers. We asked ourselves: how can we make every guest feel personally catered for? This led us to our Health Concierge concept - someone who exclusively looks after the individual needs of our guests.
What is your personal highlight among the innovations for 2025?
CHRISTOPH SCHMUCK: For me, it's the new suites, which create an oasis of well-being where our guests can get even closer to nature and the mountains.
CHRISTINA SCHMUCK: Definitely the forest spa health area with its focus on longevity. It is not only an architectural highlight, but also a milestone in our development towards a place that stands for holistic health and prevention.
What role does sustainability play in your plans for the future?
CHRISTOPH SCHMUCK: Sustainability is not a trend for us, but the common thread that guides our actions. From our energy-efficient heating system and regional supply chains to our reforestation project - we think in cycles. Our aim is to operate the Forsthofgut as climate-neutrally as possible. Sustainability is evident in every detail: from the furnishings in our suites to our regional cuisine. For us, it means taking responsibility and preserving the nature that is our home.
What drives you as a host to continually break new ground?
CHRISTOPH SCHMUCK: It's the passion to enrich people. We don't just want our guests to go home feeling relaxed, we want them to be fulfilled by special experiences and moments that will be remembered. We want to be a place of inspiration.
CHRISTINA SCHMUCK: The courage to change and a love of detail are what constantly drive us. We don't see the Forsthofgut as a completed project, but as a living place that evolves with the needs of our guests and the times.
Sustainability is not a trend for us, but the common thread that guides our actions.
© Naturhotel Forsthofgut
