Hideaway Hotel Montestyria Chalets & Suiten

The Austrian Alps are home to no end of traditional mountain lodges, many of them very fine indeed. But other forms are possible, even in these storied landscapes. The Mariazellerland, in northern Styria, roughly equidistant from Vienna and Graz, is as spectacular as any region in the Alps — and in the Hideaway Hotel Montestyria Mariazell Chalets & Suiten it’s got a hotel that dares to depart from the Alpine-lodge norm, to impressive results.

As its full name suggests, the hotel is made up of a small collection of chalets, six in number, plus an additional two suites in the main house. Their modern construction leaves them free to explore modern interiors, and inside you’ll find a hybrid of boutique-influenced contemporary design and classic Alpine materials — crisp, clean lines and minimalist colors, but also warm textures of knotted pine.

The chalets come with kitchens, and breakfast is delivered; there is, however, a central restaurant and bar where guests gather. A heated pool offers relaxation, as does the bathing jetty, which offers access to the lake. And while you’re immersed in nature — hikes and ski tours begin right at your doorstep — you’re right on the edge of the picturesque town of Mariazell, within walking distance of all the sights.