Hotel Hohenwart Chronicle

The first steps

You could become very nostalgic when looking back at some of the old postcards and pictures from Schenna’s past. During the 50s, all you could see was a sleepy farming village. Only a few guesthouses gave shelter to the first holidaymakers, who arrived just occasionally in the village. Here and there, the one or other farmhouse offered rooms for sleeping. The tourist board was literally in its infancy. However, every year we were able to add new guests to our list and after only a short time, Schenna became renowned as a sunny and friendly holiday village in the immediate vicinity of the spa town of Meran.

One of the first who knew how to react to this new era was Mr Mair. He built the first bed & breakfast place in ‘Schönna‘, as our village was called then. During the following 50 years, much has changed …..but one thing remains the same: the joy of our profession.


1956
Construction started! The foundations were dug out by hand.

1957
On 20th August, the first guests arrived: the family of Dr. Walter from Heinsberg. 'Hohenwart' proudly offered 18 beds, 1 WC and 1 shower for the entire floor. The price for bed & breakfast was the pathetic sum of 800 Italian Lira per person.

1958
We received enquiries en mass. It was necessary to convert the attic in order to increase the amount of beds to 26. A walnut tree was planted and the rest of the garden created. Mr Mair was still single – and in fact, found his place behind the coffee machine, as a waiter, caretaker …and if necessary, also as chambermaid.

1960
He got married to Anna Hölzl from the Schennerhof. After the wedding, they also began to offer half board.

1961
Christine was born.

1962
As mum was trained as a confectioner in Munich, a coffee shop was opened. The garage was converted, including a little room at the back. This was the only building that survived the coming construction-friendly years. Just because it was always such a cosy place!

1964
A son arrived: Seppl was born. Hohenwart and Starkenberg jointly built the first outdoor swimming pool in Schenna.
Land was bought for the building of the 'Traube'.

1965
Two months afterwards, construction began.

1966
In March (the season started to get longer), the first guests move into the ‘Traube‘.

1967
All good things come in threes: Hanni arrived!

1970
You have to move with the times! The main part of the hotel was renovated and all the rooms now included a shower or bath. This closed the chapter on the endless line of people queuing up for the shower each morning. The famous red ‘occupied‘ light was no longer needed.

1971
Improvement to the garage and building of an indoor swimming pool.

1972
Tournaments began at the tennis courts.

1977
The rooms at the ‘Traube‘ underwent some beauty treatment. Another plot of land was bought for the extension to the main part of the hotel. Hohenwart received a new driveway and a chapel.

1978
The main hotel was being extended. In August 1979, the first guests moved in. The new coffee shop was opened in July.

1980
The apartment complex 'Bachmair' was built.

1981
The newly opened apartment complex ‘Bachmair' extended our range of facilities. The holiday apartments were built in the usual large-scale style of the Hohenwarts and highest expections were met. From a family with kids, to couples who love their privacy: apartment house 'Bachmair' is much loved by our guests.

1984
Renovation of the ‘Traube‘. Some rooms received a modern outfit. The swimming pool and sauna areas were extended.

1986
Guesthouse 'Schönblick' was added to our collection.

1987
The newly acquired hotel was revamped from top to toe. In July, the demolition work started. The oldest part of the house was totally demolished and received a cellar area. The newer part, however, was renovated from inside out. The hotel was re-named into 'Hotel Christine'. A hot tip for anyone who is looking for a relaxing holiday.

1988
On 16th July, the first guests arrived at the ‘Christine‘. In the usual Hohenwart style, the new hotel offered comfort and a familiar atmosphere. During the winter of 1989, the last bits and pieces were added, the comfortable parlor furnished and the garage completed.

1989
The Hohenwart family starts to extend! Christine married Martin. During the winter months, the tennis courts were enlarged and received a new cover.

1990
No winter without some building work !! The dining room was refurnished and the toilets beside the coffee shop were replaced by new ones.

1991
In March 1991, the first grandchild arrived: Maximilian. Mr and Mrs Mair built a retirement home for themselves just above Hotel Christine.

1992
Just in time for Easter, the parents moved into their new domicile 'Mair im Turm'. During the winter, the old dining room was transformed into a multi-functional conference room.

1993
On 14th November, the diggers arrived again. Half of the ‘Traube‘ was demolished and replaced by 17 new rooms, as well as a tower suite.

1994
The rooms on the 4th and 5th floor received some beauty treatment.
On 26th November, there was another wedding at Hotel Hohenwart. Together with his wife Gerti, Seppl moved into the apartment above the conference room.

1995
On 31st March, Hotel Christine was changed forever! A very lively newborn Maria-Elisabeth saw the light of day for the first time.
The 20th November was the start of a very turbulent winter. The building work started on our adventure indoor swimming pool area and the exclusive sauna world.

1996
On 4th January, the last Christmas holidaymakers went back home and the old ‘Traube‘ was demolished. Seven new rooms were built (type Labers and Laugenspitz), as well as our Vital Temple called ‘The Land of Smiles’, which was incorporated into the tower of the ‘Traube’. After a record construction time, our swimming pool area was opened on 29th March and at Easter, all rooms were rented out.
The 17th October marked the arrival date for grandchild no. 3. Son and heir Franz is born.

1997
The greatest festival ever! On 20th August, 40 balloons were released into the summer evening sky, symbolising 40 years of service to our guests, who enjoyed relaxing, joie-de-vivre far away from the pressures of everyday life. Among the numerous regular guests and guests of honour were also our very first guests, who stayed with us in August 1957. Their presence represented the special nature of Hohenwart: the feeling of belonging to a large family and to being at home.

1998
During the month of January, the rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the main hotel were renovated.

1999
Again in January: the old dining room made way for a large breakfast buffet area. Two wall-panelled lounges create a homely atmosphere. In addition, the terrace was enlarged and a second walnut tree was planted. The apartment complex ‘Bachmair‘ underwent some renovation.
On 24th April, Thomas completed the shamrock of grandchildren.

2000
Our maitre-de-cuisine, Markus Marmsoler, finally received HIS new kitchen and can keep his promise to hold cookery courses for our guests.

2001
Our grown-up guests welcome the underground connecting tunnel to ‘Hotel Christine‘ and our little guests love the new playroom.
In November, we acquired the mountain farmhouse ‘Gsteier‘, which is situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level. It came with ‘guests and biological farming‘. Over the following months, the ‘Gsteier‘ developed into a popular destination for our guests.

2002
The outdoor swimming pool was lined with slate and quartzite natural stones and also includes a new heating facility. From now on it is possible to dive into the heated waters as early as April.

2003
The connecting tunnel to Hotel Christine now also houses our new fitness area Well&Fit with innovative cardio equipment and the newest power machines. Hotel Hohenwart is always at the pulse of time!
The terrace was revamped. Most important task: to replace the old walnut tree with a new one.

2004
News for 2004:
‘World of Dreams‘ – to relax as you have never done before!
The Asia Room – for Shiatsu, Thai yoga and La Stone therapy.
‘Happy Hair‘ – our inhouse hairdressers.

2005
A new two-level underground garage with 56 parking lots was built. In addition, we also created a large-scale foyer and an exquisite reception area. The open fire lounge, the bar and the rondell were renovated.

2006
A new lounge (the ‘Gamsstubele), a winebar and a new buffet area extended our gastronomic array of choice.

2007
On 20th August, we celebrated 50 years of Hohenwart. Everyone enjoyed days and hours of happy reunions, holidays in a symbiosis of looking back and looking ahead.
Among the numerous regular guests and guests of honour, once again our very first guests from August 1957 joined us. Their presence is tribute to Hohenwart’s strength: giving you the feeling of being part of a large family and being right at home!

2008
Five new Rose suites (65 – 70 m²) were added to what Haus Christine has to offer. These are ideal for families or ‘snorers’. The junior suites (type Etsch Valley) in the main hotel, underwent some renovations. The views from the new suite on the 4th floor are simply stunning!
The kids at Haus Christine can look forward to the new ‘Games Saloon‘ with Playstation, Nintendo Wii, Calcetto and table-tennis, as well as Flocky’s Kinderwelt, our children’s programme, which is run all year round.

2009
The 3rd floor of the main hotel was renovated. The apartment complex ‘Bachmair‘ also had a facelift: the new holiday apartment Tirol (70 m²)…..and apartment Küchelberg underwent some transformation.

2010
All remaining rooms of the main hotel were renovated. The five apartments of Hotel Bachmair received a facelift.

2011
On 15th May, our ‘VistaSpa‘ with 1,200 square metres opened its doors. A quiet Wellness oasis on three levels, with lots of light and panoramic views. Besides several types of saunas, steam baths, treatments rooms and creatively designed quiet areas, there is also a roof terrace with a large open-air salt pool, a panorama sauna and an open-air Private Spa. For long-distance swimmers, we offer a new 25 metre outdoor pool.