Then & Now
Then & Now – Hotel Tauernhof, Grossarl in the Salzburger Land
The family-run Hotel Tauernhof in the Grossarl Valley is able to look back on more than 30 illustrious years of history. It is firmly entrenched in an intact environment, namely that of the Salzburg Grossarl Valley.
After the Second World War, the Grossarl Valley developed from a poor mountain farming region to a pulsating and economically strong community. Due in particular to the budding summer tourism and later on to the opening up of the skiing area for winter sports activities; the community has experienced an advantageous development over the years. Today, tourism is one of the main sources of income for the community and many other professional branches of business, small trade and handicraft profit just as well from this development.
Ambros Hettegger Senior was born on 28.7.1932 in Grossarl as the fifth in line out of fifteen children. Brought up on a small mountain farm, the “Schaidreitgut”, he experienced an austere childhood. After finishing the local school, he attended in the winter months the agricultural college Winklhof near Hallein. During this time he also became acquainted with his future wife Franziska Walkner. His wife comes from Gaissau, a small village not far from Hallein. Franziska Hettegger was the second of five children in her family and also grew up on a mountain farm. In 1960 they were married.
In the beginning, Ambros Hettegger worked as a lorry driver in various companies. In 1959 he took the step towards self-employment. He purchased his first lorry and thus began laying the foundations for the company Rupert Hettegger Transport.
Ambros and Franziska Hettegger had six children in the following years: Ambros, Maria, Christine, Rupert, Monika, Hannes.
Today, the hotel is run by Ambros Hettegger Junior and his wife Anni. They have three children Markus, Christian and Sebastian thus having provided for the next generation in charge of the hotel.
History of the Hotel Tauernhof:
1977
After a building period of two years, the Tauernhof was opened as a three-star hotel. With 29 rooms available, it was then one of the leading hotels in the valley. Ambros Hettegger Junior had just finished his Hotel Management course at the college in Bad Hofgastein and at the tender age of 17, was already in charge of the daily business at the Tauernhof. The two daughters Maria and Christine were also working for their parents at the Hotel.
In the Grossarl Valley, the tourist trade was developing very nicely. In particular, winter sports were becoming more popular and every year there were increasing numbers of skiers.
1986
In 1986, the first larger extensions to the hotel were carried out. To the south of the existing house, a new dormitory wing with 20 rooms was added. On the ground floor, a new hotel dining room was built and from then on the Hotel Tauernhof was run as a four-star hotel.
1988
In this year, the indoor swimming pool was fitted out with a whirlpool bathtub, the bare brickwork of which had been prepared the year before in the basement.
1993
In 1993, came the next large extension. To the north of the existing hotel a new wing was added on, with 14 new rooms and suites. On the ground floor, the reception area and fireside bar with hotel foyer was built, while in the basement, a garage with room for 70 parking spaces was built.
1994
In 1994, all the hotel rooms built in 1977 were renovated. Most of the rooms were made larger and in every room, the bathroom and the WC were made separate. In addition, all the rooms were completely refurbished with furniture made by local carpenters.
1997
In this year, a new hotel dining room was added. The sauna complex was renovated and enlarged into the Tauernhof pool, sauna and spa complex.
1998
The existing snuggery and the original cafe from 1977 were renovated. The result was the cosy new snuggery and the “Tauerntavern” snuggery.
2003
The Tauernhof was extended to the north one again with 18 new rooms being added. As well as this, a new lift was built to the fourth and fifth floors.
2004
The new adventure swimming pool was built. A panorama pool was added to the existing indoor swimming pool which had in the meantime become too small due to the many extensions and renovations. The outdoor area of this pool was a particular attraction.
Above this, a new dining room was built and the buffet area extended considerably. At the same time, a new two-storey children’s play area was built.
2006
In the south wing, the hotel was extended by two storeys making space for a range of additional rooms including a honeymoon suite on the top floor with its spectacular view over the rooftops of Grossarl. In the spring of 2006, east of the hotel, a large outdoor adventure play park was built. From the winter season onwards, there will be a new beauty and spa area with varying cosmetic, facial and spa treatments.