The
cōmodo

The location

Where cōmodo stands today, there used to be a health clinic. However, when it ceased to function and the building stood empty for years, Berlin architect Barbara Elwardt, who was a frequent guest in Bad Gastein and stayed next door at the Haus Hirt, became aware of the building. Together with designer Piotr Wisniewski, she developed a vision to breathe new life into this historic location. 

Berlin in Bad Gastein: There’s no denying it—cōmodo is very Berlin. Very Austrian in terms of its construction and setting, but the numerous design collaborations of the two Berlin founders make the place an irresistible mix of metropolis and small, modern grand hotel in the mountains. Located at 1,000 meters above sea level in Bad Gastein, the place whose old Hotel Europe served as the model for the film “Grand Budapest Hotel.” Reborn from the walls of a clinic, the cōmodo has now become a mountain retreat that combines art, nature, and wellness. Here, works by young artists who meet at the town’s annual art festival and a creative cuisine with ingredients sourced directly from the farm create an almost unreal atmosphere. The hotel itself is located just 2 km from Bad Gastein train station. The nearest airport is Salzburg, 97 km away. 

Philosophy

The hotel is a revitalization of an existing hotel building, the former Habsburger Hof, which was built in 1881 by Friedrich Hirt, demolished and rebuilt in 1962, and most recently used as a spa facility for civil servants of the City of Vienna.

After standing vacant for three years, Berlin-based architect Barbara Elwardt acquired the building and converted it back into a hotel, wanting to create a new interpretation that would continue to tell the story of the building and its location. The existing building offered great opportunities: for example, a large lobby in the former entrance area connected to the restaurant and bar, or old patient rooms that were already a good size and to which the founders were able to breathe new life. The hotel was thus transformed into a stylish and inviting retreat that combines the charm of the past with contemporary design. When the cōmodo opened in 2023, many different types of travelers flocked to Bad Gastein’s new gem, including families with children, couples, active vacationers, and design-conscious travelers. 

The name cōmodo, which figuratively means cozy and comfortable—kommod, a term from the Bavarian and Austrian language area—is already reflected in the lobby, which exudes a living room atmosphere and where guests can gather at the bar or in the various seating areas. After enjoying breakfast in the breakfast room with a view of the mountains, hard-working vacationers or business travelers can make use of a co-working space with a library. 

The story behind it

The two masterminds behind cōmodo are hotel owner Barbara Elwardt, and designer Piotr Wisniewski, who have tastefully redesigned the hotel. Barbara Elwardt is an architect in Berlin, where she founded the Elwardt & Lattermann office with Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Lattermann in 1998, which has been operating as ioo Architekten since 2014. 

Barbara Elwardt has always been fascinated by the hotel business and had been looking for properties in Germany that would be suitable for a hotel for quite some time, but had never found the right one. In Bad Gastein, it was probably the combination of factors: the place was simply different from anything Elwardt had seen in the mountains before: the waterfall, the magnificent historic architecture, at the end of a valley where there was no traffic to disturb the peace: this was the perfect location for a new hotel project. 

The art & design retreat

What makes cōmodo so special is its blend of mid-century mountain hotel and hip culture. Numerous collaborations with creative minds such as Berlin hat maker Fiona Bennett, designers from amberdesign and fundamental, and Berlin sculptor Iwo Borkowicz have resulted in exciting contrasts—in the rooms, in the lobby, in the garden. Truly a place of the 21st century. Bad Gastein is already a place of art and design: art belongs to Bad Gastein like the imposing mountains and the magnificent Belle Époque buildings. Bad Gastein has always held a great attraction for artists and art lovers. At the sommer.frische.kunst. festival, which takes place every year from June to August, international artists exhibit their works in the still-empty hotels or in newly established galleries. 

The architecture

The interior design concept is based on a combination of local and historical context—an alpine resort design with 1960s nostalgia. 

The hotel’s design language was created together with Piotr Wisniewski. Born in western Poland in the 1990s, his grandmother sent him to drawing lessons at the age of 10 with a retired art teacher who lived in a tiny prefab apartment filled with cigarette smoke. The goal was clear: Piotr was to learn to draw in order to prepare for the entrance exam for architecture studies. Just ten years later, Piotr had earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Poznan and his master’s degree in architecture from the University of the Arts in Berlin. While still a student, Piotr began working in a studio specializing in hotel design. At cōmodo, he was able to give free rein to all his creative ideas. 

Colorful accents and timeless design bring a breath of fresh air to the hotel’s rooms thanks to a select color palette of red, mustard yellow, and orange. The inspiration from the 60s and 70s is reflected in the furniture and the overall design. The combination of modern elements and nostalgic accents creates a welcoming atmosphere that is both cool and cozy. 

A look inside

The accommodations at cōmodo offer rooms with terraces and mostly with balconies and mountain views. The sweeping view of the valley and mountains is probably one of the most important aspects of the hotel: everywhere, whether in the rooms, by the pool, or on the spacious terrace, guests can enjoy the view into the distance. Drinking tea on the sun terrace after a sauna or a swim is one of the most wonderful moments one can experience in Bad Gastein. 

Cuisine

The hotel’s own restaurant also offers a magnificent view of the Gastein Valley. Breakfast is served here in the morning, snacks and patisserie throughout the day, and dinner in the evening. Chef Max Jensen, a talented cook from Berlin, created a “farm-to-table” concept for the restaurant. This means that fresh produce is sourced from local farmers and producers in the surrounding area. This allows guests to not only enjoy delicious food, but also to get to know the flavors and specialties of the region. The hotel’s modern menu offers a variety of Austrian delicacies that will delight both children and adults. It is not a classic half-board concept—guests order individually à la carte.

Surrounding area

The Gastein Valley offers a wide range of activities that can be enjoyed all year round. In summer, numerous hiking trails and cycling routes invite guests to explore the landscape and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Whether for leisurely walks or challenging mountain tours—there is something for everyone right on the doorstep.

In winter, the region is transformed into a true winter wonderland. Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding are just a few of the many winter sports that can be enjoyed here. The nearby ski areas offer slopes for all levels of difficulty, so both beginners and experienced winter sports enthusiasts will find something to suit them.

Interesting spots

In summer, the sommer.frische.kunst festival takes place with exhibitions, performances and lectures. Nature and sports enthusiasts can enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking and hiking.

In the cold season, a visit to Klammstein Castle is well worth it. Their medieval feast takes visitors back to the time of King Arthur.

What we love about it?

In fact, it’s a special feeling that the cōmodo conveys quite well: guests can feel as if they are in the magnificent Bad Gastein of the turn of the century, surrounded by design classics reminiscent of the 1960s and encountering contemporary art.It is an exciting emotional experience that one does not often find. The pool and, above all, the sun terrace are great, as they offer a view over the entire valley. And when a varied menu awaits guests in the restaurant in the evening, they know they’ve made the right choice. 

Who is this place best suited for?

Ideal size, 70 rooms, large lobby: the stage is set for families, couples, mountain hikers, skiers, nature lovers, and design aficionados.

Details

Rooms

• The cōmodo offers 70 rooms ranging from large suites to smaller hotel rooms.

Wellbeing

• The hotel’s spa has treatment rooms, two saunas, and an indoor pool. It offers treatments like traditional massages or concentrated plant power shots and soothing magnesium treatments.

Co-working | Library

• A large wooden table (320 x 130 cm) for up to 12 people, or up to 20 people for a lecture
• Library with a selection of contemporary literature, conceptualized as a quiet study room
• 50-inch smartboard
• Smart TV (65“)
• Room size: ca. 58 sqm
• The room can be used as a workspace, for meeting, lectures and presentations
• Separate access and a connection to the meeting room

Meeting room | private dining

• For up to 40 people
• Adjacent to the restaurant with a view over the valley from the terrace
• Separate access and a connection to the co-working room
• Show kitchen (stove, oven, water, wine fridge)
• Large uniquely designed wooden family table that seats a maximum of 12 people in original Alvar Aalto chairs
• Spacious terrace with outdoor furniture
• Room size: ca. 67 sqm

Lecture room | cinema

• 21 seats
• Projector and 3D sound system
• Comfy cinema seating
• Ventilation system and a modern lectern
• Adjacent to the bar making it ideal for pre- or post-event socializing
• Dimmable lighting, quality furnishing, with direct access to restroom facilities
• Ideal for lectures, presentations, or as a private cinema
• Room size: ca. 58 sqm