Urban
Nature

The location

Bad Gastein has been experiencing a renaissance for several years now. Just as the town is coming back to life—with younger guests, art festivals and start-ups turning their backs on the big cities (at least temporarily)—Urban Nature is also revitalising everyone who stays there as hotel guests or day guests of the Alpine Swim Club. 

The hotel is located about 700 metres from the Bad Gastein railway station. When guests arrive here, they find themselves in the centre of the village. Sipping a cocktail on the terrace and enjoying the lively atmosphere in the streets around Straubinger Platz, which is somewhat reminiscent of Bolzano. Inside the hotel, each floor transports guests to lofty heights where they can enjoy complete tranquillity. Once they reach the rooftop pool, they will feel as if they have reached the end of the world—or so it seems. 

The hotel is entirely focused on well-being: it has a bar, a spa and wellness centre, and a massage service. The 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour reception, an ATM and free Wi-Fi. Facilities include an outdoor pool, a fitness room, a sauna and a restaurant.

Philosophy

It’s easy to see: everything here revolves around wellness, the little sister of classic bathing culture. Accordingly, three pillars serve to recharge inner and outer energies: Offerings for physical well-being (e.g. treatments, the Fitness & Peloton Gym, classes & personal training, and outdoor activities), for mental well-being (including water yoga retreats and breathing techniques for calm and flowing thoughts), and for healthy eating (e.g. nutritional counselling).

Interestingly, Urban Nature combines traditional influences with contemporary design languages: following extensive restoration, a historic bathhouse dating from 1791 now houses 102 rooms and suites spread across the historic building and the modern new tower. On three floors overlooking the Gastein Valley, guests will find everything for body and soul: a steam bath, two saunas (65 °C and 90 °C), three relaxation areas and treatments and a modern fitness area. 

The story behind it

The hotel—as well as the Grand Hotel Straubinger opposite—is managed by experienced hotel director Anzé Smlatic. And yes, this is not a privately run hotel; it has been part of DSR Hotel Holding since 2025. The Urban Nature, a multi-award-winning hotel icon by the waterfall, has been rebranded with a new logo and typeface, without losing its historical identity. The hotel has retained the essence of the former traditional Hotel Badeschloss (bathing castle).

The bathhouse

From the lobby and public areas to the rooms and suites in the old and new buildings to the Alpine Swim Club, the element of water plays an omnipresent role, both visually and symbolically. Whether it’s the tiled landscape, the hinted entrances to the water basin, the freestanding bathtubs in the rooms or the symbolic naming of the individually designed accommodations—Urban Nature breathes new life into bathing culture in the heart of Bad Gastein. Yellow rubber ducks stand behind the bar, a yellow pool ladder can be found in the lift, and such allusions appear throughout the building. Of course, there was a bathing culture before the Urban Nature, but it is clear that places like Bad Gastein, which was one of the most popular health resorts at the turn of the century thanks to its radon-rich thermal springs, need an iconic bathing temple, and for those who come to Bad Gastein, this temple is Urban Nature.

Open all year round, the rooftop infinity pool (with pleasantly warm water)—combined with the boundless panoramic view—is the heart of the bathing castle. It covers a generous 111 square metres on the 14th floor. The relaxation areas with balconies and terraces are ideal for unwinding after a swim or a sweat in one of the three saunas (Finnish sauna, bio sauna and seraglio bath/peeling sauna). Guests can cool off at a drinking fountain, a Kneipp basin and an ice fountain. The wellness area is not entirely quiet, at least not in high season, but somehow the lively atmosphere does not bother the guests: just as the waterfall next door flows down the mountain, the day at the hotel passes gently.

The architecture

Bad Gastein is a mix of styles: Belle Epoque hotel buildings line the slopes, towered over by the Urban Nature Tower. Bad Gastein was once known as the ‘Manhattan of the Alps’. When the architectural firm BWM Designers & Architects renovated the Grand Hotel Straubinger and Hotel Badeschloss in close cooperation with the local monument protection authorities, it opted for a 35-metre-high hotel tower—a bold decision in the midst of the historic ensemble. When renovating this listed building, the architects at BWM took particular care to preserve its characteristic elements while integrating contemporary amenities. They carefully restored the façade, preserving the building’s original elegance. Inside the Urban Nature, there is a successful symbiosis of historical details and modern design. The rooms and suites are characterised by individual designs that give residents the feeling of living underwater. In the wellness area on the roof of the new building, the architects have created a spectacular view of the surrounding mountain landscape.

A look inside

The Urban Nature offers 102 individually designed rooms and suites. The 80 double rooms, 18 junior suites and two spacious suites offer views of nature or the historic Straubinger Platz, depending on their location. The rooms are equipped with shower, hairdryer, slippers, mountain view, coffee machine, wardrobe, kettle—there is everything one needs. The suites overlooking Straubinger Platz in the old building are particularly spacious: there is even a telescope by the window so guests can admire the starry sky above the mountain ranges at night. 

Cuisine

At Auntie Heidi, guests can expect a creative combination of regional specialities and international flair. Here regionality and seasonality play an important role in the selection of products. Superfoods such as nuts and dried fruits, but also baba ghanoush, hummus, shakshuka, healthy vegetarian spring rolls, Vietnamese noodle soup and much more are on the menu. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. The Kaminbar and Schlossbar are ideal spots for socialising and relaxing. They are places for lively conversation, while the small private rooms and living room offer a place of retreat. Their interior is cosy with neon accents and a chic bar with tiles. The traditional outdoor terrace offers a view of the Alps and is the perfect place for summer parties or winter evenings with mulled wine and a campfire.

Surrounding area

Located in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, the Gasteiner Höhenweg is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Gastein Valley. Starting in Bad Hofgastein above the cemetery at Café Gamskar / Café Sonnberg, it runs at an altitude of approx. 1000 m above sea level, almost flat towards Bad Gastein to the Gamskar inn.

The fairly easy hiking trail leads along beautiful flower meadows and through sparse mountain forest, past old mills, rustic farms, and through the Gadaunerer and Remsacher gorges. Illuminated tunnels with interesting information boards directly below a waterfall ensure an easy but spectacular crossing. 

Interesting spots

Right in the center, surrounded by the city’s landmark, flows the waterfall, which is impossible to miss. The brutalist congress center is also present: designed by Salzburg architect Gerhard Garstenauer, it is an imposing concrete building in the brutalist style of the 1970s, located in the city center on the site of the old Wandelbahn railway. The concrete block stands in the middle of the city—a controversial and therefore exciting building: on the one hand, it has won numerous architecture awards, but on the other hand, some people consider it an eyesore. But it is precisely this mixture that gives Bad Gastein its special flair. Those who want to get active can glide over the waterfall on the 300-meter-long “Flying Waters” zip line. The spectacular route leads from Villa Solitude over the valley floor of the Gastein waterfall and the old power station to the Quellpark. Guests can sit down on the “best chair in Gastein” and then comfortably “fly” 90 meters above the Gasteiner Ache gorge. If that’s too much of a thrill, there are almost 50 alpine huts and mountain restaurants in the Gastein Valley. Visitors can stop by for a bite to eat; agricultural products are often used directly in the dishes. The food is better than in any restaurant in the city. 

What we love about it?

The restaurant “Auntie Heidi”—it’s one of the best in Bad Gastein. The modern and fresh interior features design elements from the “Wiener Werkstätte,” and the food is healthy and varied. 

Another highlight is the rooftop pool—one of the most beautiful places in Bad Gastein. On the terrace, you are right in the middle of life and can feel the grandeur.

Who is this place best suited for?

For those who want to relax surrounded by mountains and nature and are looking for that little bit extra: the lofty heights of the Urban Nature tower with its breathtaking panoramic views.

Details

Rooms

• 102 individually designed rooms and suites—80 double rooms, 18 junior suites, and two spacious suites

Wellbeing

• Thermal water & panoramic sauna in the historic bathing castle
• Rooftop pool with mountain views
• Bio sauna (65 °C) and Finnish sauna (90 °C), open daily May to September: 2 p.m.–9 p.m. and October to April: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Three relaxation rooms
• Functional fitness room, open daily 24 hours
• Massages, peelings, wraps and more with a panoramic view of the mountains

Culinary

• Restaurant Auntie Heidi: Enjoy a colourful journey through the menu and spontaneous creations from different cuisines around the world in Auntie Heidi’s soulfood journey.