Stylish yet deeply personal — that’s the essence of Margarethenstein. Beyond the elegant suites and the rooftop spa with its sweeping views, it’s the presence of the Schwarz family that defines the stay. A warm welcome, an easy conversation over dinner, thoughtful recommendations for exploring the region — hospitality here feels sincere, never staged.

Perched on the historic “Margarethenstein” rock beneath the village church, the former sexton’s house has watched over Kaprun for more than 200 years. In family hands for the past two decades, it has been carefully reimagined with a clear commitment to sustainability and regional craftsmanship. Local materials shape the interiors; regional produce shapes the cuisine. Nothing feels accidental — everything feels considered.

Intimate by design, the hotel offers just eleven luxury suites, a panoramic restaurant and a rooftop spa suspended above the valley. It may be small in scale, but it delivers everything one could wish for in an alpine escape — privacy, polish and a quiet sense of belonging.

Waking up to the snow-dusted Kitzsteinhorn — without even leaving the warmth of your bed — feels almost cinematic. As Kaprun slowly stirs below, there’s just enough time to slip a capsule into the Nespresso machine and retreat beneath the duvet once more, espresso in hand. The panoramic window of the Margarethenstein Suite makes it difficult to look away; the glacier views are simply too compelling, the box-spring bed far too comfortable to abandon in haste.

The hotel’s eleven luxury suites, each individually designed, balance alpine textures with contemporary elegance. Generous living areas invite slow mornings and unhurried afternoons, whether curled up in the lounge corner or gazing out across the valley. With a well-stocked minibar and in-room coffee at the ready, every suite feels like a private retreat above the rooftops of Kaprun.

Exclusively reserved for house guests, the rooftop spa continues the hotel’s philosophy of understated refinement. Intimate in scale yet rich in atmosphere, it features a Finnish outdoor sauna, a herbal bio sauna and a gentle steam bath — all designed to soothe after a day in the mountain air. The relaxation area, all clean lines and quiet views, is an invitation to linger.

For those who prefer their wellness entirely private, select suites come with their own sauna — a discreet luxury that elevates the stay even further. And for the ultimate indulgence, the Top of M Suite adds a freestanding bathtub to the experience, perfect for soaking as the mountains fade into dusk.

If there were ever a lingering doubt about staying at Margarethenstein, dinner settles it. The cuisine is, quite simply, exceptional. Each evening, junior host Magdalena leads her team in crafting an elegant five-course tasting menu that feels both refined and deeply personal — and still somehow finds the time to step into the dining room herself, greeting and serving guests with effortless charm.

Night after night, the panoramic restaurant — all warm alpine textures and candlelit tables — becomes the stage for her creativity. Each course arrives as a quiet revelation, as though tailored to your exact preferences. Regional provenance is not a trend here but a principle: ingredients are sourced from trusted local producers, and even the game comes from the family’s own hunt. Vegetarian and vegan diners are accommodated with the same care and finesse.

Breakfast is no less considered. House-made jams, honey from a nearby apiary, and an array of regional delicacies set the tone for slow, generous mornings. Sweet or savoury, indulgent or light — everything speaks of quality. Even the coffee, needless to say, rises to the occasion.

In winter, Zell am See–Kaprun comes into its own. With the glacier-capped Kitzsteinhorn practically at your doorstep, ski season stretches from autumn well into spring — reliable snow, dramatic scenery and beautifully varied terrain included. The 3K K-onnection, linking Kaprun directly to the glacier ski area, is just a short walk from Margarethenstein, making first tracks feel wonderfully effortless. And with the Schmittenhöhe and the vast Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn also accessible via the Ski ALPIN Card, the choice of slopes is as expansive as the views.

Beyond downhill runs, the region reveals a softer side of winter. At 3,000 metres, the Gipfelwelt 3000 offers sweeping, almost otherworldly panoramas across the Alpine peaks. Over on the Schmitten, a high-altitude winter hiking trail pairs crisp mountain air with perfectly timed hut stops. Snowshoe walks, toboggan runs and ice skating complete the picture — as does the festive charm of Zell am See in December, when Christmas markets glow and boats glide across the lake under a canopy of stars, mulled wine in hand.

As if that weren’t indulgent enough, guests of Margarethenstein’s luxury suites enjoy complimentary daily access to the nearby Tauern SPA during the winter months. Few things rival the pleasure of sinking into a heated outdoor pool while gazing up at the snow-covered Kitzsteinhorn — steam rising, mountains glowing, the day gently fading into alpine dusk.

True to the Mountain Hideaways philosophy, every image in this story was captured during our personal stay.

All images © Mela Hipp, 2023

Published: 2023 | Last Updated: 18.02.2026