Hotel Hochschober – Alpine Charm With a Global Touch
Nestled high up on the Turracher Höhe in Carinthia, Hotel Hochschober is one of the most diverse hotels I’ve ever seen — it’s so much more than “just” a wellness hotel.
A unique blend of traditional Alpine charm and worldly influences creates an unforgettable experience.
From soothing Chinese tea ceremonies in the iconic China Tower to relaxing sessions in the Oriental Hammam, alongside a stunning lake swimming pool, panoramic saunas, and outstanding vegan cuisine – this hotel perfectly balances nature, wellness, and culture.
I recently enjoyed three amazing nights discovering all the unique experiences this hotel offers, trying more new things than I ever expected in such a short stay.
In this post, I’m excited to share my personal experience at one of Austria’s most unique and inspiring hotels.
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking.)
Where to Find Hotel Hochschober
Hotel Hochschober is located high up on the Turracher Höhe plateau in Carinthia, Austria, at an altitude of 1,763 meters.
Surrounded by the stunning nature of the Nockberge Biosphere Park, it’s the perfect alpine retreat for anyone seeking peace, wellness, and outdoor adventure.
From Vienna, it’s about a 3.5 to 4-hour drive via the S6 and S36 motorway. From Salzburg, the drive is shorter — around 2.5 hours — mostly along the A10 Tauernautobahn.
Both routes lead you to the scenic mountain roads up to Turracher Höhe, where free parking is available at the hotel.
If you’re coming by train or plane, Hotel Hochschober also offers a convenient shuttle service from many nearby train stations and airports, including Salzburg and Ljubljana.
You’ll find more details about getting there, including shuttle options, pick-up locations, prices, and travel times, on the hotel’s website.
A Glimpse Into The Hotel’s Story
The Hotel Hochschober, founded in 1929 by Hans and Hilde Leeb, has been family-run for nearly 100 years and is now managed by Karin Leeb and Martin Klein, the third generation. What started as a simple mountain inn is now one of Austria’s most distinctive wellness hotels.
Over the decades, the hotel has become known for its forward-thinking spirit and unique concepts – from the first heated lake pool in 1995 to innovative wellness and cultural spaces.
In 2013, Hochschober was among the first hotels in Austria to offer vegan cuisine, expanding its culinary philosophy beyond the traditional.
Today, one key focus of the hotel is longevity – supported through options like daily yoga sessions, intermittent fasting, cold bathing, and special themed weeks, all designed to help you feel good and stay healthy naturally.
Extensive sustainability measures – such as energy upgrades, photovoltaics, and modern air systems – underline the hotel’s commitment to the future, while preserving its strong Alpine roots and heartfelt hospitality.
In fact, their commitment to sustainability is so impressive, I could probably write an entire blog post just about that. But instead, I’ll let you explore all their thoughtful measures directly on their website.
My Memorable Stay at Hotel Hochschober
It took me 3.5 hours by car to get from my home to Hotel Hochschober, mostly driving along mountain passes and country roads.
During the smooth and friendly check-in, I received a hotel map and a detailed explanation of the facilities and services, along with the key to my room on the second floor.
As a new guest, I was also offered a refreshing welcome drink – I chose a Mimosa – which I happily accepted while taking a seat in the cozy bar area opposite the reception.
Then it was time to check out my room for the next three nights!
Cozy Room With a View
My room was a newly renovated Panorama Room with a Bay Window, completed just a month before my stay.
This 30 m² room featured a cozy bay window nook with a desk, a balcony offering a side view of the lake, and a bathroom equipped with a rain shower and separate WC.
The design combined alpine charm with modern comfort, using regional natural materials like wood and stone.
Additional amenities included a minibar, safe, flat-screen TV, DVD player, and thoughtful extras like a thermos bottle, umbrella, sewing kit, hot water bottle, and a weighing scale.
Furthermore, I already had bathrobes, towels, and bags prepared that I could take with me to the wellness area.
Thanks to the wooden floor and the light, modern yet super cozy design, I felt right at home the moment I stepped inside!
Vegan Food Paradise
Having stayed at many hotels, I’ve rarely seen such a wide and creative selection of vegan dishes — Hotel Hochschober truly raises the bar for vegan dining in the hospitality world!
What really impressed me was how thoughtfully they include vegan options at every meal. While dinner is usually not a problem at many hotels, breakfast and lunch often have very limited vegan choices — but not here.
Breakfast offered a wide variety of choices, including homemade vegan spreads, miso soup, plenty of salads, cereals with plant milk, fresh vegetables and fruits, bread with homemade jam and vegan butter, fresh juices – and you could even make your own juice from fresh fruits and vegetables.
And that’s just the beginning!
Even the so-called “lunch snack” was a proper mini-meal, never just a side note. It always included a vegan soup, a vegan main dish, and a sweet treat. Plus, plenty of salads to choose from – be sure to try their homemade vegan soy yogurt dressing. It’s super delicious!
My absolute highlight every day was the dinner menu. Along with a huge selection of fresh salads, each meal included a starter, soup, main course, and dessert.
Best of all, the dinner menu always includes vegan options for every course. You don’t have to ask for them in advance — they’re simply there!
The cuisine is Alpine-Adriatic, focusing on regional, light, yet flavorful dishes. Not a single course left me thinking, “This isn’t for me.”
It’s hard to pick favorites, but if I had to choose one for each course, they’d be:
Cold Dips & a Heated Lake Pool
During my stay at Hotel Hochschober, I had several first-time experiences, and one of the most memorable was trying cold bathing. The hotel offers this practice a few times a week for anyone interested in joining.
Before I took the plunge into the 12°C mountain lake, I had a breathing session guided by an expert. He explained the benefits of cold water therapy, how to prepare your body for the cold, and the best ways to warm up afterward.
Jumping into that icy water was an intense experience — I won’t lie, it took some serious courage! But afterward, I felt incredibly energized and refreshed, and I definitely want to do it again.
If you prefer swimming in warmer water but still want the lake experience, the See-Bad is perfect.
This unique heated lake pool measures 25 by 10 meters, with side walls and a hidden heating system that keeps the water temperature steady between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius.
And the best part — it’s open all year round, so you can swim in the lake even when it’s freezing outside. That’s pretty awesome!
It’s Tea Time!
Hotel Hochschober has many distinctive features, but the one that stands out – and one of the first things you notice when approaching the hotel – is the red China Tower.
This four-story structure, inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, houses a tea house on the top floor, where I took part in a tea ceremony called “Gong Fu Cha.”
This quiet ceremony was led by an expert tea master who carefully prepared the tea. I got to taste different kinds of tea, enjoy their aromas, and learn about the history and culture of Chinese tea.
Besides the tea house, the China Tower also offers yoga classes, Chinese massages, and a meditation room.
Now you might wonder why there’s a China Tower here at all. At first, it might seem a bit random, but it has a simple explanation: the Leeb family loves traveling the world and exploring different cultures.
Inspired by their journeys, they wanted to bring a piece of Asia’s rich traditions and peaceful spirit to Hotel Hochschober.
As a travel lover myself, I find this simply amazing. It’s a one-of-a-kind feature that you won’t come across anywhere else in quite this way.
Pure Relaxation at The Kristall-Spa
Of course, it wouldn’t be a wellness hotel without a spa, and at Hotel Hochschober, they really go the extra mile with around 5,000 square meters dedicated to pure relaxation and rejuvenation.
At the Kristall-Spa, you’ll find over 70 different treatments to choose from — everything from soothing massages and invigorating body rituals to special therapies like Ayurvedic massages and the unique Haki method.
One of my highlights – and the place I visited every day – was the incredibly stunning Hammam, inspired by the Leeb family’s travels to Istanbul.
You can either book a Hammam washing or enjoy it on your own: start by warming up on the huge central stone slab, then relax in one of the different grottoes, including aromatic and gemstone-scented ones.
Afterward, end your visit in the “Sultan’s Chamber” – a serene relaxation room where you can unwind on comfortable benches and cushions while enjoying Turkish tea, candied fruits, and spring water.
The spa also offers three different saunas, with the panorama sauna being the biggest and most special one. With its huge windows, you can relax while enjoying breathtaking lake views.
There’s also a large, cozy relaxation room where you can take breaks between sessions, sink into a comfy lounger, read a few pages, or simply soak in the peaceful atmosphere.
Near the spa area are two indoor pools, one large one where you can swim a few relaxing laps, plus three heated outdoor whirlpools that are easily accessible from inside.
Exploring The Surroundings
While there’s so much to see and experience right at Hotel Hochschober, don’t miss the chance to explore the stunning area around it! The region is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor fans alike.
Nearby, you’ll find the beautiful Schwarzer See and Grüner See – two incredible lakes that are perfect for hiking.
One great route is the “3-Seen Runde”, a scenic hike that connects Lake Turrach with the two lakes mentioned above and offers breathtaking views. You can also hike to the Vastlhütte am Sam, which is managed by the hotel.
For some fun and thrills, check out the Nocky Flitzer, a super fun alpine coaster that’s great for all ages.
As a guest at Hotel Hochschober, you can get a free cable car card – just ask at reception! It gives you free rides on the mountain cable cars, making it easy to explore the beautiful peaks and trails around the hotel.
Final Words
Staying at Hotel Hochschober is truly special. It’s one of those places where you feel taken care of from the moment you arrive.
The vegan food really impressed me, the spa quickly became my favorite place to relax (especially the Hammam), and even the cold lake plunge was a memorable experience.
What made it even more special was how Karin Leeb and Martin Klein are always around — whether in the restaurants or just passing by — making sure you feel like part of a family, not just a guest.
Not just Karin and Martin, but every single member of the team was incredibly kind, polite, and always up for a quick chat.
Plus, getting out and exploring the hikes and lakes around was the perfect way to balance relaxing with a bit of adventure.
I honestly didn’t want to leave — and I’m pretty sure they’ll see me again soon enough.
Check out my reel for more impressions from my stay!
This blog post was written in cooperation with Hotel Hochschober and is based on my personal experience.
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