der daberer. das biohotel is a legendary eco-hotel tucked away in the tranquil Gailtal Valley of Carinthia. Famously known as “the daberer,” this family-run haven has been a trailblazer in sustainable hospitality for over 40 years. In fact, the Daberer family’s commitment to organic living began long before eco-travel was trendy. Back in 1978, Inge and Willi Daberer – the second generation of hosts – transformed their small guesthouse (originally founded by great-grandfather Thomas in 1928 around a natural spring) into one of Austria’s very first organic hotels. Today, their children Marianne and Christian Daberer carry forward that pioneering spirit, running the hotel in its third generation with the same “100% organic out of 100% conviction” ethos. Set on a sunny hillside surrounded by forests and alpine meadows, der daberer immediately envelops you in a sense of peace. A natural spring – the very origin of the hotel’s story – still bubbles up on-site, providing pure drinking water and even feeding a small forest spa pool. This spring symbolizes the hotel’s deep roots in nature. The Daberers literally built their hotel around it, and they’ve been “thinking about how to stay healthy” here for nearly a century. The result is a warm, soulful retreat where sustainability isn’t a gimmick but a way of life passed down through generations. Every facet of the experience reflects this. The guest rooms (just 44 in total, to maintain an intimate atmosphere) are crafted with untreated wood, clay walls, and local stone. You won’t find TVs blaring – instead, a carafe of spring water, a curated bookshelf, and huge windows opening to the woods encourage you to unwind and reconnect with simpler pleasures. High-tech “noise-free” bedding (metal-free frames, organic mattresses) ensures a restorative sleep, often aided by the silence of the surrounding nature – perhaps broken only by birdsong or the distant tinkling of cowbells. Food is a highlight and a heritage at der daberer. The hotel has been lovingly farm-to-table since the ’70s, long before it was common. Their organic kitchen (Austria Bio Garantie certified) serves what they playfully call “undogmatic cuisine” – it’s healthy and gourmet, without ever feeling ascetic or preachy. The day begins with a bountiful breakfast featuring homemade sourdough breads, free-range eggs from a neighbor’s farm, alpine yogurts, and an array of herbal spreads and jams cooked up from the hotel’s garden produce. At dinner, you’re treated to creative 5-course menus that might include freshly picked salads and edible flowers, wild mushrooms foraged in nearby woods, trout from a pristine Carinthian lake, or hearty regional specialties reimagined with a light organic touch. Notably, the Daberers were early adopters of vegetarian and vegan gastronomy – since the 1980s they’ve delighted international guests (including diplomats back then) with fully satisfying vegetarian menus. To this day, many guests come specifically for the vegetarian and alkaline “fasting” options, which leave them feeling energized. Meat, when on the menu, comes from organic farmers in the valley, and everything down to the last drop of wine (natural wines from biodynamic vineyards) and coffee (fair-trade organic) meets the hotel’s stringent sustainability criteria. Wellness at der daberer is intertwined with nature. The petite spa, with its panoramic sauna and steam bath, is built to overlook the forest, and the relaxation room features a glass wall that makes you feel as if you’re floating among the trees. After a sauna session, guests love to slip out to the spring-fed plunge pool or even into the icy little stream nearby for an exhilarating cool-down – a Kneipp hydrotherapy tradition the Daberers encourage. Yoga classes, meditation sessions, and even guided forest-bathing walks are offered to help guests fully decompress. For those seeking activity, the hotel provides hiking maps and guided hikes; being a founding member of the “Wanderhotels” (Hiking Hotels), it excels in showing guests the best local trails. You can wander straight from the hotel through serene pine forests, discovering hidden spring-fed ponds or scenic viewpoints over the valley. In winter, snowshoe hikes and cross-country skiing are popular, with equipment available on site. What truly sets der daberer apart is its authentic soul. This hotel is often described as having a special energy – a result of decades of genuine care for people and planet. The staff are long-tenured and treat guests like family friends. Marianne Daberer, who is also a founding member of the Bio Hotels association, might chat with you about the latest organic winemaker she’s discovered, while her brother Christian may lead a morning stretch class or recommend a favorite alpine hut to hike to. They and their team exude passion for their “lifestyle of sustainability”, as they call it. The hotel actively measures and improves its environmental footprint each year, has invested in solar panels and a biomass heating system, and even uses a Tesla for guest transfers to the train station (encouraging car-free travel). Yet, life at der daberer never feels about rules or restrictions – it feels joyful. Perhaps it’s the whimsical touches of art (like the wooden bird logo omnipresent, symbolizing the family’s motto “#diemitdemvogel” – “those with the bird,” embracing uniqueness), or the way laughter fills the dining room each evening. Many guests are repeat visitors who have been coming for decades, drawn by the hotel’s ability to evolve yet remain true to its core values. In a fast-paced world, der daberer is a calming constant – “inspiringly different,” proudly independent, and ever committed to proving that a hotel can nurture both its guests and the earth. A stay here leaves you not only refreshed, but genuinely inspired by how delightful sustainable living can be.