The Grand Hotel de l’Europe in Bad Gastein, Austria, is a historic landmark that epitomizes the faded glamour of the Belle Époque era. Located in the heart of the spa town of Bad Gastein, just 100 meters from the iconic Bad Gastein Waterfall, this former luxury hotel is a striking example of late historicist architecture with Art Nouveau elements. Built between 1906 and 1909, it was once one of the largest and most modern hotels in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, hosting royalty, industrialists, and cultural icons. Today, under monumental protection since 1980, it serves as a mixed-use property with apartments, a museum, a restaurant, and event spaces, though its grandeur is tinged with signs of disrepair.
Location: Kaiser Franz Josef Strasse 14, Bad Gastein, Salzburg,
Austria, in the historic center of the Gastein Valley, approximately
1,000 meters above sea level within the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Construction: Built from 1906 to 1909, opened on May 29, 1909.
Architectural Style: Late historicist with Art Nouveau influences,
designed by Linz cathedral master builder Matthäus Schlager and
constructed by Bad Gastein builder Angelo Comini.
Current Status: No
longer operates as a full hotel; houses the Gastein Museum,
condominiums, the Ginger ‘n’ Gin restaurant/bar, and an event hall.
Parts are used as modern apartments and rooms under the name “De
l’Europe Gastein.”
Monumental Protection: Listed as a protected
heritage site since 1980.
Proximity to Attractions: 100 meters from
Bad Gastein Waterfall, 900 meters from Stubnerkogel Cable Car and
Felsentherme Thermal Spa, and 800 meters from Bad Gastein Train Station.
The Grand Hotel de l’Europe was commissioned by Linz railway station
restaurateur Viktor Sedlacek to capitalize on Bad Gastein’s growing
popularity as a spa destination, boosted by the 1905 completion of the
Tauern Railway, which connected the town to Vienna and other major
cities. Opened in 1909, the hotel was a marvel of its time, offering 148
guest rooms, hot and cold water, electric lighting, and room
telephones—luxuries rare for the period. Its location near the
therapeutic waterfall and thermal springs made it a magnet for Europe’s
elite during the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
The hotel’s
guestbook, inscribed with “Beschütze, Gott! diess Haus. Und die Geh’n
ein und aus!” (“God protect this house and those who enter and leave!”)
at its opening, welcomed a glittering array of visitors, including:
Royalty: King Ferdinand of Bulgaria, King Faisal I of Iraq, Shah Ibn
Saud of Persia, and Grand Duchess Alice of Tuscany (1915, for a
three-week spa cure).
Industrialists: Wilhelm Opel.
Cultural
Figures: Writers Heinrich Mann and William Somerset Maugham; musicians
Robert Stolz, Liza Minnelli, Charles Aznavour, Peter Ustinov, Falco, and
Bono.
The hotel’s heyday was disrupted by World War I, which
reshaped Europe’s political and social landscape, diminishing Bad
Gastein’s appeal as a summer spa destination. The interwar years and
World War II further strained operations. Post-war, the shift to winter
tourism and the high costs of maintaining the grand structure led to
financial difficulties. In 1982, Reinhardt Stefan Tomek reopened the
hotel, aiming to revive Bad Gastein as the “Monte Carlo of the Alps”
with 170 permanent jobs and lavish events. However, the 1986 Chernobyl
nuclear disaster and subsequent banking crisis forced its closure in
1988. By the mid-1990s, the hotel ceased regular operations, with rooms
converted into apartments. From 1982 to 2015, a Casinos Austria casino
operated on the ground floor, but it closed on September 12, 2015. Since
2011, the Gastein Museum has been housed in the building, relocating
from Haus Austria. The hotel also served as a filming location for
Friedrich Liechtenstein’s 2014 music video for his album Bad Gastein.
The Grand Hotel de l’Europe is a ten-story edifice, towering over
Bad Gastein’s historic center like a landmark. Its late historicist
design, characterized by ornate facades and grandiose proportions,
is complemented by Art Nouveau elements, particularly in its
interiors and decorative features. Key architectural highlights
include:
Facade: The building’s exterior features symmetrical
lines, tall windows, and decorative cornices typical of late
historicism. Its imposing height and central location make it a
focal point against the backdrop of the Gastein Valley’s forested
slopes and waterfall.
Art Nouveau Pavilion: To the south, a
Jugendstil pavilion by the Thilo metalworking shop, designed by
Leopold Führer, adds a delicate contrast to the main structure.
Interiors: The grand halls, with high ceilings, chandeliers, and
wide corridors (described as “autobahnbreite” or “highway-wide”),
evoke the opulence of the early 20th century. Original features like
ornate plasterwork and wood paneling remain in some areas, though
parts are dated or in disrepair.
Rooms and Apartments: The modern
accommodations (De l’Europe Gastein) offer 1–3 bedroom units with
flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, and private bathrooms with hairdryers
and toiletries. Apartments include kitchens or kitchenettes with
dining areas. Many rooms boast views of the town or surrounding
mountains.
Event Hall: A restored hall hosts public events, such
as concerts and parties, including the Red Bull Playstreets 2019
afterparty.
Ginger ‘n’ Gin Bar: Located on the ground floor, this
trendy restaurant/bar combines oriental cuisine, over 100 gin
varieties, and nu-jazz music, with reception services integrated
into its space.
The building’s construction was a logistical
feat, requiring materials to be transported over Alpine passes by
train, a costly endeavor for its Armenian owner. A 2006 proposal to
replace the pavilion with an 11-story glass tower connecting to
Hotel Weismayr was abandoned due to public opposition.
The Grand Hotel de l’Europe no longer functions as a traditional
hotel but offers a mix of residential, cultural, and hospitality uses
under the name De l’Europe Gastein. Its current state reflects both its
historic charm and challenges with maintenance, as noted in visitor
reviews.
Accommodations (De l’Europe Gastein): The property
provides modern rooms and apartments, blending contemporary design with
historic ambiance. Guests praise the spacious rooms, mountain views, and
comfortable beds, though some note dated bathrooms, minor maintenance
issues (e.g., leaky sinks, broken locks), and inconsistent heating. Free
WiFi, ski and bicycle storage, and private parking (upon reservation)
are available. Rates start at approximately $92 per night, with deals
like a “4=3” offer including thermal spa entries. Check-in is at 4:00
PM, check-out at 10:00 AM, with a €200 damage deposit required. Quiet
hours are enforced from 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and the property does not
host bachelor/ette parties.
Gastein Museum: Since 2011, the museum,
one of Salzburg’s oldest outside the capital, occupies part of the
building. It showcases Bad Gastein’s history, including its spa culture
and Belle Époque era, with artifacts and exhibits. Open to the public
during specific hours (check www.gasteinermuseum.at).
Ginger ‘n’ Gin
Bar & Restaurant: A highlight for visitors, this ground-floor venue
offers high-quality oriental-inspired cuisine and an extensive gin menu.
Guests rave about the food, calling it the best in Bad Gastein, though
service can be slow. The bar’s club-like atmosphere, with nu-jazz music,
serves as the hotel’s reception, which can feel unconventional for late
arrivals.
Event Hall: Accessible during public events, the hall hosts
cultural and social gatherings, maintaining the building’s role as a
community hub.
Accessibility: The hotel is 100 meters from the Bad
Gastein Waterfall, a short walk from the train station (20 minutes,
though steep—taxis or buses recommended), and 47 miles from Salzburg
W.A. Mozart Airport. Hiking and cycling trails start at the doorstep,
and a free ski bus stops 200 meters away. The property is not fully
accessible for those with mobility issues due to its historic structure
and steep surroundings.
Positives: Guests appreciate the historic ambiance, often comparing
it to Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel for its faded grandeur and
quirky charm. The Ginger ‘n’ Gin restaurant, clean rooms, and proximity
to the waterfall and ski slopes are highlights. Some describe the views
and large apartments as “amazing” and “lovely.”
Challenges: Reviews
note signs of neglect, with abandoned floors (-4 to -2), dim lighting,
and cold interiors. Maintenance issues (e.g., broken locks, dated
bathrooms) and inconsistent customer service, including a reported
incident of rude staff behavior, detract from the experience. Breakfast
is described as minimal, lacking fresh fruit or pastries, and daily
cleaning is not always provided. The town’s ongoing construction and
economic decline add to the sense of faded glory.
Cultural
Significance: The hotel’s Art Nouveau architecture and history make it a
must-see, even for non-guests. Visitors can explore the grand halls
during events or museum visits, imagining its past as a glittering venue
for Strauss waltzes and royal balls.
The Grand Hotel de l’Europe reflects Bad Gastein’s broader struggle to maintain its Belle Époque heritage amid economic challenges and a shift to winter tourism. Its insolvency in 1988, coupled with the lack of investors to fully restore it, has left parts of the building in disrepair. Tripadvisor reviews lament the absence of funding to “preserve and revive this old monument,” while others see its decay as part of its haunting charm, evoking a “hauch der geschichte” (breath of history). The conversion to apartments and partial hotel use has kept it viable, but its future remains uncertain without significant investment.
What to Do: Visit the Gastein Museum to learn about the town’s
history, dine at Ginger ‘n’ Gin for a memorable meal, or attend a public
event in the grand hall. Walk to the nearby Bad Gastein Waterfall (100
meters) or hike the Wasserfallweg trail. For spa relaxation, the
Felsentherme is 900 meters away.
Tips: Book accommodations in advance
and confirm arrival times, as reception (within Ginger ‘n’ Gin) may be
unattended late at night. Request rooms with mountain views for the best
experience. Be prepared for steep walks and potential construction
disruptions in Bad Gastein. Check www.gastein.com or contact the Bad
Gastein tourism office (+43 6432 3393 560, badgastein@gastein.com) for
event schedules and museum hours.
Best Time to Visit: Winter for
skiing (December–March) or summer for hiking and spa visits
(June–August). The waterfall’s flow is strongest in early summer.