Villa Seilern

The Villa Seilern is a historical structure, hotel, and spa in Bad Ischl, Upper Austria. The Villa Seilern is located at the western extremity of Bad Ischl’s spa grounds. The exquisite vacation villa is designed in a perfectly symmetrical manner.A flight of steps leads to the center, projecting neo-baroque portion.The large alliance coat of arms in the central axis above the second floor is still reminiscent of the builder Elisabeth Seilern, née Stürgkh, because it shows the coat of arms of the Seilern family on the left and the Stürgkh family with the two storks on the right from the perspective of the viewer.The villa’s size was required to host an aristocratic family and workers during the summer. The hotel’s restaurant and meeting rooms are now housed in the historic structure.

The History of the Villa Seilern

The Villa Seilern was built in 1881 by Elisabeth Seilern, née Stürgkh, a member of the Austrian nobility. She commissioned the architect Franz von Neumann to design the exquisite vacation villa in a perfectly symmetrical manner. A flight of steps leads to the center, projecting neo-baroque portion, which is adorned with a large alliance coat of arms in the central axis above the second floor. The coat of arms shows the symbols of the Seilern and Stürgkh families, representing the builder’s heritage. The villa’s size was required to host an aristocratic family and workers during the summer, when Bad Ischl was a popular destination for the imperial court and the high society.

The Villa Seilern was owned by the Seilern family until 1938, when it was confiscated by the Nazis. After the war, it was returned to the family, who sold it to the state of Upper Austria in 1951. The state used the villa as a convalescent home for children until 1999, when it was sold to a private investor. The investor renovated the villa and opened it as a hotel and spa in 2003.

The Hotel and Spa of the Villa Seilern

The Villa Seilern offers its guests a variety of services and facilities to make their stay comfortable and enjoyable. The hotel’s restaurant and meeting rooms are now housed in the historic structure, where guests can admire the original features and decorations of the villa. The restaurant serves regional and international cuisine, using fresh and seasonal ingredients. The meeting rooms can accommodate up to 120 people, and are equipped with modern technology and natural light.

The new structure houses the hotel’s reception area and the terrain-adapted room wing in the north, the wellness area in the western back area, and the winter garden in the south. The new building was designed by the architect Thomas Lechner, who aimed to create a harmonious contrast between the old and the new. One of the concerns with the new building was to avoid visibly pushing the classified historic old building into the background, which was accomplished through a variety of means: The modern sections of the structure are lower than the ancient villa. The three connecting hallways between the new and old buildings, as well as the hotel lobby on the right and the winter garden on the left, are all glass. Metal rods and curved wooden slats break up the remaining facades, which are created in subtle gray and brown tones. Furthermore, in contrast to the existing home, the new buildings and their interiors are purposefully asymmetrical.

The hotel offers 50 rooms and suites, all with a balcony or terrace, and a view of the surrounding mountains or the park. The rooms are spacious and elegant, with a minimalist and contemporary style. The wellness area is a highlight of the hotel, featuring a heated indoor pool, a sauna, a steam bath, a fitness room, and a relaxation room. The spa offers a range of treatments, such as massages, facials, body wraps, and aromatherapy, using natural and organic products. The winter garden is a cozy and bright space, where guests can enjoy a drink, a snack, or a book, while admiring the view of the park.

The Location of the Villa Seilern

The Villa Seilern is located at the western extremity of Bad Ischl’s spa grounds, a short walk from the town center. Bad Ischl is a historic spa town, famous for its thermal springs and its connection to the Habsburg dynasty. The town has many attractions, such as the Imperial Villa, where Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Elisabeth spent their summers, the Kaiservilla Museum, which displays the personal belongings and memorabilia of the imperial couple, the Lehar Villa, where the composer Franz Lehar lived and worked, and the Zauner Confectionery, where guests can taste the famous Zaunerstollen, a chocolate and nut pastry. Bad Ischl is also a great base for exploring the Salzkammergut region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its lakes, mountains, and cultural heritage.

Bad Ischl, Austria