Thick snowflakes drift quietly from the sky, wrapping the landscape outside our window in a soft white blanket, gently hiding the silhouette of the Wendelstein. Inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee slowly fills the room, tempting me out of the warmth of the bed. Overnight, winter has settled in properly – leaving behind snow-covered chairs, frosted plants and a garden that feels almost untouched. One look outside, and any lingering hesitation about the season disappears.

We ease into the morning in our apartment “Lenz,” lingering at the breakfast table, still in our pyjamas, coffee in hand. There’s something wonderfully freeing about these small, unhurried moments – especially as our little one happily plays on the floor beside us.

With Der Schmiedhof, Brigitte and her husband Michael have created a place that feels both grounded and beautifully thought through. The historic, listed farmhouse blends seamlessly with the newly built wing, now home to eleven exclusive apartments. Reclaimed wood, carefully integrated throughout, quietly tells the story of the house’s past – while the clean, contemporary design brings it confidently into the present.

In just 24 months, Brigitte and Michael Schmied – together with family, friends and local craftsmen – brought the historic Schmiedhof back to life. What once stood quietly abandoned is now an exclusive boutique apartment house, awakened from what Brigitte herself calls a “sleeping beauty” slumber.

It all began by chance. In 2018, the couple found themselves standing in front of the old farmhouse in a small hamlet near Bayrischzell – only to discover later that same evening that it was for sale. A moment that felt like more than coincidence. The idea of creating a private retreat in the mountains, while opening it up to guests, had been there for a long time. This was simply the sign to follow it.

The transformation was handled with great care and attention to detail. The listed residential part of the farmhouse was lovingly restored, while the former farm buildings were rebuilt from the ground up. Today, Der Schmiedhof is home to eleven exclusive apartments, designed for two to five guests.

Brigitte’s background and passion for interior design are evident throughout. These are not spaces that follow a typical hotel aesthetic – instead, they feel personal, layered and full of character. Boho-inspired lighting meets rustic furniture, while natural materials like linen, fur and stone create a warm, tactile atmosphere that feels both relaxed and refined.

Each apartment comes with either a private garden or a balcony, offering views of the Wendelstein or the Aiplspitz – making it hard to choose a favourite. And yet, two stand out: “Annamirl,” tucked beneath the roof of the historic building, with its loft-like living space, reclaimed wood and charming balcony; and “Ferdi,” featuring an open kitchen, a hammock, a cosy wood-burning stove and a spacious sunset loggia overlooking the valley. Even in winter, it’s hard to resist wrapping yourself in a blanket and simply taking in the view.

Beyond the apartments, Der Schmiedhof is also about connection – the easy, unforced kind. The lounge, with its hanging chairs and carefully curated selection of books, invites you to linger. And when Brigitte hosts an evening by the fire, guests gather in the garden with a glass of mulled wine, sharing stories of the day as the mountains quietly fade into the night.

As with most apartment stays, there’s no classic hotel restaurant where you simply take a seat and wait to be served. But that’s part of the charm at Der Schmiedhof. Instead, mornings begin at your own pace – often still in your pyjamas, coffee in hand, with breakfast exactly the way you like it.

If you’d rather not head out for fresh bread, the in-house bread delivery service takes care of that. Alternatively, guests can opt for the breakfast buffet at the nearby hotel – a relaxed and easy-going option to start the day.

The same goes for dinner. While the neighbouring hotel offers a more traditional setting, there’s something particularly special about staying in. With a fully equipped kitchen and shops just a short drive away, it’s easy to put together a simple, delicious meal of your own. Add a good bottle of wine – picked up in the lobby, perhaps following one of Brigitte’s recommendations – and the evening becomes effortlessly perfect.

There’s plenty to discover. Despite its peaceful setting, the small hamlet of Geitau is surprisingly well connected. Hiking and cycling trails start right at the doorstep, and even the ski and hiking bus stops just outside Der Schmiedhof.

During our stay, we head to nearby Lake Schliersee for a quiet winter walk along the water – one of those simple moments that stay with you. Later, we wander through the village of Bayrischzell and spontaneously set off on a short hike to a waterfall and the Peterbauer Alm, where the views open up towards the Sudelfeld ski area.

Another highlight: a winter walk around the snow-covered Spitzingsee, just a few minutes’ drive away. Starting from the northern shore, we follow the lakeside path, the landscape calm and almost untouched. A stop at the rustic Albert-Link-Hütte is a must – for hearty local dishes and a small farm shop filled with homemade bread, smoked sausages, dumplings and cakes.

For those seeking more action, Sudelfeld offers a great variety of ski slopes, while cross-country skiers will find plenty of trails in the region – and, with the right conditions, can even start directly from the Schmiedhof. And then there’s the Wendelstein, rising just beyond. We didn’t make it to the top this time, thanks to the weather – but perhaps that’s reason enough to come back soon.

Winter hike around Lake Spitzingsee in the Bavarian Alps

Circular hike to the waterfall and Peterbauer Alm in Bayrischzell

Published: 2023 | Last Updated: 09.04.2026