Your design hotel near Salzburg

Sonnhof by Vitus Winkler

Der Sonnhof by Vitus Winkler. On the Salzburgerland Sun Terrace, 60 km from Salzburg. A gourmet hotel in the here and now. Minimalist. Modern. Elegant. Down to earth. Rustic. Natural. Rooted in tradition stretching back centuries.

Time for good taste. Time for mountain stories. In mountains and valleys. And on the plate – as an Alpine summit delight created by Vitus Winkler.

Just being. Where life’s good

Relaxation Room Sonnhof by Vitus Winkler

Wellness

Rooms & prices

Gourmet Restaurant Kräuterreich

Activities & experiences

Where passion lives – your hosts Vitus & Eva-Maria

“My mother's passion for cooking and for the hotel inspired her to perform great deeds. The first toque for the Sonnhof was awarded for her cooking. And she took me into this sensual world of kitchen magic as a little boy. I have been running the Sonnhof with my Eva-Maria since 2012. We have developed it into a gourmet hotel that today attracts guests from all over the world. It was always clear to me that I would return home to our hotel in Salzburgerland, after a few stints in world-class restaurants. Since then, every day I have been rediscovering my homeland as a treasure trove for my award-winning cuisine.”

Every room is a home
Arrive – unpack – feel good

Roots and Wings: The History of the Design Hotel Sonnhof in Pongau

1928: Vitus’ great-grandmother Fanny Schandlbauer builds a cosy little hotel in St. Veit near Salzburg.
From around 1950: Fanny’s daughter Maria and Johann Schandlbauer run the Sonnhof as a hotel for rest and recuperation. Maria cooks simple fare, but very well.
1980: Fanny’s granddaughter Rose-Marie and her husband Ernst Winkler – one of the world's best ski racers of his time – take over the Sonnhof. They expand it to include a wellness area.
1996: Rose-Marie’s cooking garners the Sonnhof’s first toque award
2012: A new era begins with Vitus and Eva-Maria Winkler. The couple takes over the family business, bringing fresh perspectives and great visions.
2016: The first major milestone of the transformation occurs: the entrance area, lounge & bar, winter garden, and numerous rooms are comprehensively redesigned. The Sonnhof is presented for the first time in the modern, nature-inspired style that is characteristic of the hotel today.
2019: Vitus's creative herbal cuisine is awarded four toques by Gault&Millau – a highlight of his culinary achievements.
2020: Another important step follows with the construction of the nature-oriented spa area. A unique retreat is created, featuring an outdoor infinity pool, saunas, and relaxation rooms with panoramic views – a place of relaxation that brings nature indoors and offers guests a holistic wellness experience.
2024: With the construction of new luxurious suites, modern comfort rooms, a contemporary fitness and seminar room, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and the new gourmet restaurant "Kräuterreich," the Sonnhof sets new standards in design and culinary excellence.
2025: A year for the history books: Vitus Winkler is awarded 2 Michelin stars – another milestone in his extraordinary culinary journey.

Love of being active

& top regional quality without compromise

We are nature - Sonnhof by Vitus Winkler — We are nature

Sustainability at the design hotel Sonnhof

Nature gives us life – and healthy enjoyment. That’s why we treat it with care at our gourmet hotel in the beautiful Salzburgerland:

Meat and fish, dairy products only from the best species-appropriate husbandry in the region & Austria
Fruit and vegetables only from environmentally friendly cultivation, without packaging and mainly from the local region & Austria
Out of respect for the animal we use all its parts
Cleaning with steamers and natural dishwashing detergents
Paperless accounting
E-car (for private use)
Solar panels from 2026