
After five years of renovation, the Traube Rattenberg has reopened—and as a boutique hotel, it masterfully combines monument preservation, design, and genuine hospitality. A building that not only preserves history, but also brings it to life.
Over 700 years of history are contained within the building, which brothers Anton and Hermann Gasteiger have jointly brought back to life. “It was a balancing act between preservation and renewal. Now it's a jewel,” says Anton Gasteiger. Every stone was examined, restored, or lovingly integrated—from the exposed masonry to the historic stable rings in today's breakfast room. The “Traube” was renovated over a period of five years in close consultation with the historic preservation office—with surprising finds such as a medieval latrine. Today, the building combines archaic walls with modern comfort and clear aesthetics.
Fourteen rooms and four suites now tell the story of new life behind old facades. The highlight is the Traube Loft under the raised roof with a view of the Schlossberg. Hotel manager Miriam Wichmann describes the concept as “a boutique hotel in the original sense—individual, historically rooted, and open to guests from all over the world.” The culinary focus is deliberately on breakfast, complemented by seven excellent restaurants in the village.
The Traube is more than just a hotel: it stands for a respectful approach to history and the power to bring tradition into the present. “You only experience a reopening of this magnitude once in a lifetime,” says Anton Gasteiger. “We are very proud to be part of it.”
Rattenberg, Austria's smallest town, is an architectural gem – and the ideal starting point for enjoyment and relaxation in the Alpbachtal valley.
Art has long been more than just a decorative element; it is increasingly becoming a strategic tool for branding and guest experience. The hospitality sector in particular demonstrates how powerful creative staging can be: it transforms spaces into emotional meeting places, creates identification, and remains in the memory.
Anyone who wants to create atmosphere today has to think beyond colors and shapes and tell stories that touch people. The following article highlights how design and art can be used specifically to not only welcome guests, but also to inspire them in the long term.
After five years of renovation, the Traube Rattenberg has reopened—and as a boutique hotel, it masterfully combines monument preservation, design, and genuine hospitality. A building that not only preserves history, but also brings it to life.