The Old School Guesthouse

Style

A class of its own

Setting

Vine-ribboned arcadia

In the vineyard-studded Styrian countryside, The Old School Guesthouse is set to age as perfectly as a fine, local wine. As its name implies, the six-key space was lovingly converted from a 20th-century school, with historical nods showcased in its characterful artwork and restored furnishings. Cushy king-size beds, a photogenic pool and wood-fired sauna add creature comforts; but the seasonal, farm-fresh cooking (and wine pairings) is what really draws this spot’s devotees.

Facilities

Rooms

Six.

Checkout

11am; check-in, 3pm. Both are flexible, on request and subject to availability.

More Details

Rates include a multi-course breakfast, made fresh each morning with eggs from local farmers and just-picked ingredients from the gardens.

Also

Unfortunately, due to the historic layout of this listed building, there are no lifts between floors and wheelchair access is extremely limited.

Hotel Closed

The Old School Guesthouse closes from early January till late February.

Free Internet Access

Pet Friendly

Pool

Spa

At the Hotel

Gardens, lounge area with a selection of books, and free WiFi throughout. In rooms: 42- or 50-inch TV, air-conditioning, pool bag, hairdryer, bathrobes and locally made bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

There’s only six to pick from, and each has its own romantic charm. If vineyard views are your tonic, go for Room 1 for its reading nook; or, Rooms 5 and 6 have far-stretching vistas from their in-room, freestanding bath tubs.

Poolside

Bucolic scenery surrounds the hotel’s heated outdoor pool (open from 7am to 7pm), set in the gardens and fronted by a pool house.

Spa

There’s no formal spa, but you’ll find a small, wood-fired sauna beneath the birch trees, bookable for exclusive use on request.

Packing Tips

Your refined palate for plenty of wine tastings.

Also

If you see a small dachshund pottering around, don’t be alarmed, it’s just the owners’ rescue, Frank — this is as much his home as yours.

Children

Over-14s are welcome, but this wine-and-dine style of retreat is best suited to adults.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Sample hors d'oeuvres with Oliver at the open kitchen, before moving to the conservatory for the main event.

Dress Code

Whatever you're comfortable in is all Oliver and Petra ask.

Hotel Restaurant

Co-owner Oliver, of Steirereck fame, helms the kitchen at The Old School Guesthouse. Dishes are spun from seasonal, local ingredients, either grown in the gardens or sourced from the hotel’s neighbouring farms. For this reason, menus are ever-evolving, but breakfast is a daily, multi-course affair of to-your-liking eggs, cold cuts, yoghurts, fruit, oven-warm bread and pastries. If you’re heading out to the wineries for the day, ask Oliver to put together one of his flavour-packed picnic baskets to soak up any accidental sips between tastings. Dinner is dished on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and includes an impressive three courses, plus wine pairings. On summer afternoons, light bites are also available from the pool house.

Hotel Bar

There isn’t a bar as such; but, naturally, there are plenty of local wines to choose from at the restaurant and drinks are available from the pool house when the weather warms.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served daily from 8am–10am; pool snacks are available in summer from 1pm–3pm, and dinner is from 7pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Picnics are available with 48 hours’ notice.

Planes

Most international flights will land into Vienna’s main hub, which is around three hours from the hotel by car. Some countries offer direct routes to Graz Airport, a closer 50-minute drive. The hotel can’t arrange transfers, but there are taxi ranks at both airports.

Trains

Direct daily routes run from Graz and Salzburg to the hotel’s nearest station, Ehrenhausen, around 30 minutes away. Private transfers can be arranged for €30 each way.

Automobiles

The sprawling nature of southern Styria means a car is essential if you’re hoping to explore more of its expanse. There’s free private parking at the hotel; and there are four electric-vehicle charging spots, for an additional charge.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

In a region known for its viticulture, what better a way to learn more about your Styrian surroundings than with a visit to one of its many wineries. In nearby Schlossberg, Bernd Stelzl and Oberguess are top picks; and if you’re heading over to Glanz, stop in for tours and tastings at Oberer Germuth or Weingut Germuth Stammhaus.

The area is so dedicated to its crop that a dedicated network of hiking trails connects a bunch of vineyards: check out the storied Sausal, South Styrian and Schilcher wine trails. Avid cyclers can bike between each, or chalk up stages of the challenging 403-kilometre Weinland Steiermark tour, which spans the region. Back at the hotel, two-day cooking classes fill weekends from November to January and March to May.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .