Tell us a bit about the history of Golden Hill and what inspired you to open the chalets…
Barbara Reinisch: I always wanted to own and run my own hotel, and with Andreas by my side, this dream finally came true.
Our passion for everything we value and love can be felt in every corner of the Golden Hill chalets. For us, hospitality is not a profession but a true vocation in which we can show our love and care.
Both: We, Barbara and Andreas Reinisch, live our dream. Every day. We couldn’t imagine anything better than sharing the Golden Hill Chalets, our personal Garden of Eden, this little piece of a perfect world, our spiritual home, with you. But let’s start from the beginning; after all, we want to introduce ourselves personally to you.
How did you find your way into hospitality management?
Barbara: I was a business and asset consultant, and from this, I also advised hotels, developed concepts and carried out process optimisations and analyses. However, even the best concept is useless unless you have an entrepreneur behind it who has a lot of passion and love for the guests. So, it has always been my dream to build my own small, exquisite hotel and to run it with love and passion.
Andreas Reinisch: I have a passion for so many topics: Holistic economic concepts for people and nature, sustainable ideas for the future and a healthy lifestyle have been with me for years. As a successful entrepreneur, a sustainability consultant, and the co-initiator of TRIGOS-Austria’s award for responsible business and other future initiatives. Rethinking things. That is what I like to do for a living. How about it: Maybe you’d like to exchange ideas over a good glass of wine by the fire? Or whilst visiting the vineyards together?
Can you describe Golden Hill’s design and concept and the influence behind its aesthetic?
Both: We have turned a new and individual recreation concept into reality. Where luxury is celebrated away from classic hotel structures in sustainable experience architecture with a pleasant feeling of being at home. We have looked at a wide variety of hotel concepts on our travels and filtered out what takes priority for ourselves and, therefore, also for our guests. The result is a new symbiosis of 5-star service and heartfelt factors that unites the guest’s increased desire for security, a private setting and all conceivable amenities.
Golden Hill is a private hideaway in Southern Styria. Set in former stables, you will find a unique 300 sqm luxurious panorama loft exclusively for two, and the old Styrian farmhouse was converted into a 180 sqm romantic chalet for up to six guests. A successful blend of old and new with a Mediterranean feel. In June 2018, three 120sqm luxury chalets were realised in casual elegant country style, just like the loft, in solid wood construction. In June 2021, two more chalets, one with a 10x4m infinity pool, were opened. Each unique holiday home has its own private spa with a sauna cube and outdoor wellness bathtub, as well as its own architectural interior highlights, such as a 21.5-metre glass frontage, old wooden kitchen, open fireplace, copper bathtub, stone bathtub, own infinity natural swimming pond and whirlpool, as well as a brand new 12x3m infinity pool by the loft, a paddock for your own horse, and much more. A retreat for the soul with unique energy spots. All day in your bathrobe, breakfast whenever you want, wellness in complete privacy, plus, uniquely in Southern Styria, a 15,000sqm idyllic park with a 600sqm swimming oasis with cosy corners and an extra sauna and fitness cube, champagne lounge, barbecue area and a fire pit. All cubes are made from an upcycled container and are a unique selling point in the industry.
What makes Golden Hill so unique, in your opinion?
Both: Golden Hill cannot be put into words; it has to be experienced. From the warm personal welcome from the hosts to the welcome sip of wine in the wine cellar, from discovering the chalet with all its details to the golden moments and surprises that await a guest during their stay. Golden Hill is more than a hotel, a magical place, a place of power – it is a way of life. Golden Hill has received 10 top awards in 7 years (Falstaff, Gault&Millau and many more) and has been a member of the HIDEAWAYS HOTELS Collection from the outset.
Can you tell us about your favourite highlights of the venue?
Both: We are very proud that our chalets have different interiors. You will find high-quality materials, fine stone or parquet floors, linen and leather everywhere, yet they are different in colour. For example, Chalet Polarfuchs is furnished entirely in white with subtle gold nuances, while Chalet Goldfuchs combines fine dark leather with subtle gold tones. In Chalet Rotfuchs, the decorative upholstery glows like an Indian summer, and Chalet Silberfuchs has a harmonious and calming effect with noble natural silver colours. So even those guests who come to Golden Hill again and again always have something new to discover.
Tell us about the current experience of Golden Hill and its latest offerings.
Both: We offer themed packages, for example, helicopter flights, hot-air ballooning, indulgent drives in a Lamborghini etc. In spring 2022, our package ‘with focus into the spring’ has been launched. This special package combined the exclusive Golden Hill stay with an activity-filled programme: besides archery with a trainer, clay pigeon shooting, BBQ by a romantic fire and focused individual coaching were offered. The participants were thrilled! We are already looking forward to the next special package for 2023.
What do you think is the most important thing for guests when they book accommodation, and how do you factor this into the Golden Hill experience?
Both: Our guests are looking for privacy and luxury. Especially in times of Covid-19, we have seen how vital privacy, distance and hygiene are without compromising well-being. With our chalets, we hit the bull’s eye. 6 chalets and 1 loft – pure privacy; breakfast served at the desired time in the chalet – no queuing at a buffet; dinner served course by course in the chalet to enjoy quality time together. These factors are more in demand and appreciated today than ever before.
Have you seen a difference in what guests look for from their travel/hospitality experience over the years?
Both: The need for peace and quiet, for nature, for a retreat for the soul, for places of strength, for a place where you can do everything but can do nothing, is coming more into focus. Forest bathing, feeling energy, being pampered by the massage team in the chalet, gazing into the greenery, enjoying culinary delights at the winery or in the award-winning restaurant, having luxury in abundance and everything in one place, having the option to communicate by the swimming pond or in the champagne lounge if you so want, but still being able to enjoy your peace and quiet at any time.
What do you think will leave the biggest impression on guests who visit Golden Hill?
Both: Guests who come as guests and leave as friends…
Any upcoming developments that visitors can look forward to?
Both: The golden autumn will soon be upon us, transforming Golden Hill into a colourful scene that touches the soul. Enjoy delicious wine, a delectable dinner served in the chalet, a cosy fire in the courtyard, a completely private sauna, an in-chalet massage, a stylish “joyride” with a Lamborghini Huracán over the South Styrian vineyards, or just simply time to enjoy life and the best the season has to offer!
Discover more about Golden Hill here at www.golden-hill.at or email for more information.