Let's meet the team!

My mum always said that I was a wildly curious child. From an early age, I looked into my father's cooking pots in the kitchen and tasted the odd cream. So it was no surprise that I decided to do an apprenticeship as a chef. I completed my training at the Belvita Hotel Lindenhof in Naturns, where I learnt a lot for my future career.  It was clear to me that I wanted to continue running my parents' business: that was in December 2009.

My life motto: I love professional challenges and so we are currently realising our dream: THE GERSTL Family Retreat directly on Lake Reschen, 600 m as the crow flies from the Belpiano valley station.

My favourite place in the region: Sitting with my family on a meadow at Watles and watching the clouds.

I'm happy when: I can spend time with my wife Marion and our daughters Gioia Marie and Stella to show them the big world. With this in mind: ‘The world is a book. Those who never travel only see one side of it.’ St Augustine Aurelius (354 - 430).

Where can you find me at our DAS GERSTL retreats: at the reception, preferably in conversation with our guests, in the marble bar designing with our architect, in the office where I love tidiness on my desk (this is where my wife differs from me...), at our r30 aperitif on the panorama terrace or at the GERSTL kitchen party or simply around the house doing an inspection tour.

My tip for a wellness holiday at DAS GERSTL: the hike from the village of Schlinig to Piz Monterodes, 2,361 metres above sea level, is a real highlight and a small but manageable challenge for our mountain-loving guests.

Growing up in the Parc Hotel am See directly on Lake Kaltern, I ran the hotel together with my parents and my brother Marcus and, above all, managed the hotel reception. I have always been committed to the further development of the Kaltern am See tourist region and the hospitality culture of South Tyrol. Love then took me to the Venosta Valley: My husband Lukas and our two daughters Gioia Marie and Stella are my great personal happiness.

With my experience and a lot of warmth, I feel very much at home in my new home at DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat.

My motto in life: to give hospitality as I would like to experience it myself as a guest.

My favourite place in the region: My favourite mountain hike is to the Spitzige Piz Lun from Mazia. With our hiking guide or grandad Martin, arriving at the summit at 2,300 metres above sea level with the magnificent 360° view is simply indescribable. From the viewing platform, the view extends over the entire Vinschgau valley basin as far as Switzerland and on to "Das Gerstl" as well as the Lake Haidersee and Lake Resia!

I am happy when: I see that our guests and our DAS GERSTL Unique team feel equally at ease, because a harmonious working atmosphere is transferred to our guests.

Where can you find me in our DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat: at the hotel reception or at the breakfast buffet, in Gerstl's Ladele or in the Venosta Spa - my passion consists of many areas in the hotel and makes every day exciting. And of course travelling with our princesses Gioia Marie and Stella.

My insider tip for your feel-good holiday at DAS GERSTL: a Venosta Lomi Lomi Nui massage at the Venosta Spa.

I grew up together with my siblings Jürgen, Marion and Lukas in the hotel - at that time still Gasthof Gerstl - and we always had contact with our hotel guests even as children. After graduating from the hotel management school in Merano, I worked in various hotels and did internships in South Tyrol and on the Adriatic coast. Afterwards I completed the training as a health trainer in exercise and nutrition in Innsbruck. Since 2012 I have managed the hotel reception at DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat - together with my brother Lukas and my parents. In the meantime I have become a mum for the 2nd time and our Felix (born 2020) is a big brother. Our Frieda (born 2023) perfectly complements our family happiness. I am now back at the hotel and am looking forward to seeing our guests and the staff and being present as your host.

My favourite place is the Oberettes Hütte after a hike across the Saldurseen. In winter I enjoy ski touring or snowshoeing.

My insider tip for your active holiday at Das Gerstl:
The Uinaschlucht in the Schlinigtal and the Oberetteshütte in the Matschertal at the top of my list.

Where can you find me at DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat: At the hotel reception talking to our guests, at the new 3D hiking table where I like to give personal hiking tips, sitting in the back office I like to look ahead and fiddle about the next marketing strategies or where else I am needed.

What I love about my job is that I work where others go on holiday - what could be better!

My motto: The world belongs to the one who enjoys it. Giacomo Leopardi (1798 - 1837)

When I was young, I learned the tools of the hospitality trade in various Swiss hotels. There I also met my husband Martin and together we returned to South Tyrol. In May 1978 I moved from my hometown Planeil to the opposite side of the valley and we got married in 1984.

My area of responsibility here is very varied and you will find me everywhere in the hotel: whether at reception, on the telephone, in the garden watering flowers or having a nice chat with our guests. I especially love the contact with our regular guests, who have witnessed our development over the last 50 years.

My favourite place: My little relaxation round starts directly from the hotel down to the Marienberg monastery - the highest Benedictine monastery in Europe - at 1,340 m altitude and back to the hotel via the Klostersäge. This hike can be done by anyone, in just under 90 minutes.

I am happy when: my eight sweet grandchildren Gioia Marie and Stella, Sophie and Elias, Nina and Moritz as well as Felix and Frieda are with me and I can tell them stories.

Where can you find me at DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat: chatting with our guests at the marble bar, eating cake with my grandchildren, at the computer, answering your holiday enquiries and supporting the reception team or wherever else I need help.

My insider tip, what you should definitely not miss on your holiday at DAS GERSTL: Enjoy the sunrise directly from your hotel room - simply fantastic.

My parents ran a simple wine tavern here on the mountain. Together with my 10 siblings, we grew up here between guests and haymaking. Even as a little boy, I was always in the kitchen with my mum, who fed our guests hearty meals. After working in various hotels in Switzerland and Austria, I learned how to cook and took over the growing Gasthof Gerstl together with my wife Susanne. With our children Jürgen, Marion, Lukas and Sarah, there was never a dull moment.

Since handing over the business to our son Lukas, I have been active as a hiking guide - in summer and in winter with the snowshoes - and enjoy the nature around the Upper Vinschgau.

Where can you find me at DAS GERSTL: In the garden with the flowers, whether cutting, fertilising or watering, with the support of our caretaker team, in summer hiking in the beautiful valleys such as the Langtaufer valley or the Rojental valley in untouched nature or in winter on the popular snowshoe hikes with our guests, where I always have a schnapps with me.

Favourite spot in the region: relaxing on the terrace of the Sesvennahütte after a ski tour, hike or bike tour with a Hefeweizen.

My insider tip, what you should definitely not miss on your holiday at DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat: A hike to the Sesvenna Hut and on to the Uina Gorge - an old 900 m long rock path and at the same time smuggler's path into Switzerland, built in 1918. Also a great bike tour.

I am happy when: I am on my bike on the beautiful Vinschgau trails.