No movie enthusiasts need to be introduced to the old-time classic The Sound of Music that makes everyone instantly think of Julie Andrews, perfectly green grass and snow-covered mountain tops in the distance. This might already be enough for most to go on and book a trip to Austria, however, we are here to give you another reason to head over to the Austrian Alps: the cōmodo design hotel.
Calling the tiny town of 4000 people nestled in the Alps a jewel might be a cliché, however, Bad Gastein in Salzburg province is more than worthy of the title. The amazing history of the spa town and the magnificent scenery both motivate people to visit when they feel the urge to escape everyday life and disappear for a few days.
The pleasant nostalgia of the 60s
Reborn from the bones of an old clinic, the cōmodo’s the goal was to keep the harmony between nature, the building’s legacy, modern needs and exceptional design elements. “When designing the hotel, our main focus was to highlight the positive aspects of the former building. One of the most important of which were the floor-to-ceiling windows—keeping them meant that you still have breathtaking views of the surrounding nature from the rooms, the restaurant and even from the swimming pool,” Piotr Wisniewski, lead designer of weStudio, emphasised. “We are essentially continuing a story that started a long time ago. It was a conscious decision that the colour story, the furniture and the textiles all allude to the nostalgic charm of the 60s, complemented by the atmosphere of Viennese cafés while keeping the surrounding natural beauty in the spotlight—basically respecting the valuable traditions of the past while still having a progressive approach,” the designer added.
Nature-inspired design
The choice of natural and timeless materials characterises the project, while also referencing the qualities and surroundings of the location. One of the great examples of which is the Pebble sofa inspired by the pebbles of nearby streams, while the uniquely-designed pieces of furniture, tapestry, carpets and art pieces were all inspired by the colours and contours of the mountains of Bad Gastein.
Uniqueness is in the details
You might wonder about the often small, but important details that create an experience for guests they can cherish and look back on for years. In the cōmodo, curving desks stand across from a curving headboard, which contains one of the hotel’s most curious design features. “In this region, especially over the border in Italy, you often have a statue of the Virgin Mary built into a niche in the corner of buildings,” says Piotr, who echoed this detail in the nightstand by designing a curving alcove in its base. Instead of the Virgin Mary, it’s a space for guests to stash their water bottles. “The water from the tap is mineral water, so we’ve started calling it holy water.” This detail, born from Piotr’s own experience of knocking over water bottles in his sleep, is one of the countless ways the hotel invites the region into its design.
A legacy of wellness
Wellness is deeply rooted in Bad Gastein’s DNA. Recognised for its healing powers since the 19th century, the town has long beckoned emperors and empresses thanks to its mineral-rich baths, restorative hikes and abundant nature. The cōmodo spa draws on these soothing qualities to create its own wellness traditions. Here, treatments are tailored to the individual and performed using luxury Saint Charles products and the healing properties of the Gastein mountain water. It is said that mineral-rich water has a regenerating, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect on joints, muscles and cell renewal.
In harmony with the surroundings
When sitting cosily, a coffee in hand on the terrace of the cōmodo or reading a book in front of the fireplace, you rarely think about all the compromises and organisation it takes to build or renovate a building in such a unique setting. “We made sure that the surrounding landscape was not damaged by us during the construction process, so it required a bit of planning and thinking through how to respect the environment. One of the challenges we have faced was a nearby landslide, which is a norm in mountains. But we had to take it into account and we made special safety counter-measures accordingly for a safe environment”, says the designer.
The unique character of the cōmodo makes the place attractive and easily-recognisable while respecting the needs of the guests, it offers a space and atmosphere in which everyone can feel comfortable and at home.
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This article was first published in print in 2023, in issue 8 of Hype&Hyper.
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