Austria. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann
A fairytale-like scenario at an altitude of 1750 meters was waiting, we got picked up at the International Airport Klagenfurt and it was a great snowy one hour 4-wheel drive experience to drive up to the Gerlitzen mountaintop.
The Hotel 12 is a small slice of artistic luxury and the place will always surprise you with some kind of little extras. While body and mind relax in the natural surroundings, the view sweeps over the mountains, the surrounding ski slopes and the Lake Ossiach. The sun disappears behind the clouds and gives way to a starry nightscape. – a unique art and lifestyle hotel whose name has multiple meanings. The story of the the unique hotel12: directly located on the slopes at the 12th turn of the Gerlitzen Alpine road, welcomes guests in 12 rooms and suites which have been individually designed by 12 international artists from three continents from Beijing to New York. Each room tells a different story and yet all 12 rooms and suites have one thing in common: Instead of the usual room number, each door bears the symbol of one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs – each created by the 12 artists.
Door art creations include a Rat printed on foil paper by the Austrian artist Robert Roubin and the image of a Sheep surrounded by sheep’s wool by Rupert Gredler. The Chinese artist Xie Aige designed the Cock zodiac and opted for a resin sculpture located at the door of one of the two panoramic suites. These suites come with a free-standing bath, fireplace and private terrace.
So the former mountain inn thus became a contemporary work of art. The floors and steel beams are reminiscent of an industrial loft and the minimalistic architecture creates a contrast to the natural mountain environs of the hotel12. Heavy Art Deco leather armchairs, crackling fireplaces, original table lamps and fluffy fur rugs provide comfort and connect the rough architecture with a warm welcoming atmosphere. 
The kitchen of restaurant is simple, yummy, traditional Austro-Alpine fare from original cheese pasta to traditional apple strudel and alpine barbeque. Local produce are used throughout and freshly baked pastries are sourced from the municipality and dairy products from the farmers next door. In addition to the 12 rooms and suites, the hotel12 maintains a spa area including a Finnish panorama sauna, a relaxation and massage room, as well as a fresh-air balcony. In the evening you can relax your mind in the cigar and wine lounge with a glass of wine, all while reading a good book.
Either relax on sheepskin sunbeds on the panoramic terrace with a glass of H12 Cuvée and a H12 cigar or enjoy the Finnish sauna with its panoramic views: a cross between design and craftsmanship.
Almost every imaginable sport can be practiced directly at or near by. From trail riding with the hotel mountain bikes to the many sporting activities that take place at the nearby lakes such as paragliding, boating and sailing, as well as performing all kinds of winter sports “in and out” of our terrace – anything is possible.
The central location provides easy access to the surrounding mountains (Gerlitzen) and the Lakes Ossiach, Woerth and Faak.
Larger cities like Feldkirchen, Villach and Klagenfurt can be reached within an one-hour drive.
So the Hotel12 can be the is base for day trips to the neighbouring Italy and Slovenia, even Venice, Graz, Salzburg and Ljubljana are a comfortable visit at less than two hours drive away.
The owners try to provide perfect service while fulfilling guests’ every wish, just as stated in the motto.
We loved the hotel12 and skiing in Carinthia.
Come over, its worth it.
hotel12
Gerlitzenstrasse 55, 9551 Bodensdorf, Austria Email: info@hotel12.at
Tel: +43 (0)4248-29621
For reservations, please contact phone +43 4248 29621, online reservations at www.hotel12.at, or email at reservierung@hotel12.at.
