If there’s a place where hospitality still feels truly heartfelt, it’s with the Slodnjak family. Damira, along with her parents Jelka and Vladi, originally from Slovenia, poured their hearts into this place back in 2012 – and it shows in every single detail.

From the lovingly designed apartments and hand-picked decorations to the morning breakfast baskets and leisurely coffee chats in the cosy café – everything is touched by their warmth. It’s not just service, it’s soul.

Star gazing. Mountain gazing. Nature gazing. Even the apartment names at SLOHO hint at what’s most important here: the view, the stillness, the connection to nature.

Each of the nine holiday apartments is a little retreat in itself – designed with care, curated with heart. Think handcrafted furniture, reclaimed wood from Styria, cherished heirlooms from Slovenia, soft natural fabrics and the delicate charm of dried wildflowers. There’s a sense of quiet beauty here – inside and out.

Step onto your balcony, watch the clouds roll by, and do… absolutely nothing. And when the evenings get chilly? There’s a wood-burning stove waiting to warm both toes and soul.

We were lucky to stay in one of the new "Bergschau’n" apartments – complete with a private sauna cabin. Lighting candles at dusk, sweating out the day’s hike, sipping a glass of wine while watching the sun dip behind the mountains? Perfection.

While each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen (oven, dishwasher and all the trimmings), there’s no need to rush out for groceries. Breakfast comes to you – in the form of a beautifully packed morning basket filled with fresh rolls, homemade jams, butter, yoghurt from local farms, eggs, fruit, muesli, cheeses and cold cuts. Add a cup of steaming coffee and a mountain view kissed by the morning sun? That’s how you start a day in style.

And when the afternoon clouds roll in, especially after a long hike? The little coffee house is a must. With its quirky decor and cosy corners, it’s perfect for a quiet moment with a slice of Mama Jelka’s homemade cake and a strong espresso. The big panoramic window does the rest – trust us, the view is enough to make you forget your emails (or your book).

There’s also a small in-house shop stocked with regional goodies from Styria and Slovenia – eggs, milk, pasta, pesto, beer and wine. For a proper dinner out, the nearby Gasthof Tauernwirt serves up hearty, traditional Austrian fare in an atmosphere where time seems to stand still.

Hohentauern is blissfully off the beaten path. No crowds, no noise – just pure, untouched nature. Whether you’re hiking or biking, most trails start right outside your door.

A favourite? The scenic walk to Lake Scheibelsee, nestled in the Rottenmanner Tauern mountains. From there, ambitious hikers head up to Bösenstein peak. Prefer a gentler pace? A loop around the lake or a rest stop at the Edelraute Hut (1,725 m) with good food and even better views is equally rewarding.

Don’t miss a visit to the Hölleralm, where you can enjoy a rustic snack during the summer months – or help yourself to cold drinks from the cellar fridge when the hut’s closed. Simple, charming and utterly authentic.

Other highlights include the “7 Heavenly Places” dotted around the region, a mine tour with a giant slide (yes, really), or a round of mountain-adventure golf – just steps from your apartment.

Come winter, the SLOHO transforms into a snowy retreat. A small ski area sits right next door, and backcountry skiing, snowshoe hikes and 13 kilometres of cross-country ski trails offer more than enough ways to explore the powdery landscape.

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

All images © Mela Hipp, 2024

Published: 2024 | Last Updated 12.03.2026