We had the great pleasure of interviewing Maria and Josef from MESNERHAUS in person.
In our conversation, they gave us deep insights into their lives, their philosophy and the special atmosphere of their house. We were immediately impressed by their warmth and openness, and we are delighted to be able to share their stories and experiences with you. Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of the Mesnerhaus and find out more about the people who make this place so unique.
What does home mean to you and what role does the Mesnerhaus play in this?
Home is very important to us because it conveys a feeling of security. The Mesnerhaus is a special place where many people feel very comfortable, with a good energy. This good energy is reflected in our hospitality, as well as in the mood among the guests, who enjoy a very cozy and informal atmosphere. The interior is a successful mix of modern design and old tradition. We feel very comfortable and at home here. However, our place may seem exotic to some people in this environment, and there are some prejudices against this wonderful place. Nevertheless, we are open to everything and everyone is welcome to share this joy with us.
What is your stance on sustainability and how do you implement it in the Mesnerhaus?
Sustainability is a very important topic for us. It always has been, not just at the moment. It is also economically important for us to be able to survive in this remote and beautiful area. Nature is our best supplier, that has always been our credo. We feel most at home in nature, and the tranquillity inspires everything we do in the kitchen, in service and in our small, fine hotel. It is also important to us in the kitchen that all foods are used and not just the finest products. We also conjure up wonderful dishes from products that have been forgotten.
How do you treat your guests and employees?
How we treat our guests is just as important to us as how we treat our employees. We are a very small but close-knit team and eat together twice a day. We have lots of conversations and, when time allows, we go into the forest with our employees to pick produce such as mushrooms and herbs. We are also happy to take guests into the forest or for an ice bath if they wish. Maria often explains beautiful hiking trails, local shopping opportunities and activities for guests to experience local traditions and customs, such as the Samson parade and hikes.
How do you receive your guests in the Mesnerhaus?
Guests are welcomed personally with a smile by my wife Maria. When a guest arrives at the hotel, they are first invited to a small welcome drink to help them arrive comfortably. Warmth and genuine hospitality are very important to us. We believe that it is unique in this day and age for the “chefs”, as we like to call them, or the owners of a fine dining restaurant to be there for the guests personally. We are always there for our guests personally from the beginning to the end of their stay or restaurant visit, no matter what they need. That is unique.
Can you share a special story or an unforgettable moment in the Mesnerhaus?
Our uniqueness and the unique space here in the Mesnerhaus also lead to unique friendships. For example, we were once invited to a wedding in New York. Friendships develop, you meet people at eye level and enjoy many great moments.
Maria Mesnerhaus moment: A guest once asked me to have a conversation with “eight” eyes, i.e. with Joseph, him and his wife. That was very unusual because he asked us into a separate room and then offered us the “you”, which he usually only offers to very few people. That was very special for me.
Josef Mesnerhaus moment: I was once asked by a family to go into the forest with them to collect food. The family had a child with them and we found chanterelles. The child was thrilled that you could find something like this on the ground and eat it. Later, we used the mushrooms in the kitchen to make a simple dish: chanterelles with egg and parsley. This simple dish was the highlight of the whole weekend for the family.
Do you have a favorite dish that you particularly like to serve?
One of our favorite dishes is “The Forest”, in which we combine many ingredients into one dish so that guests have the feeling of taking a walk through the forest while enjoying it. Another distinctive dish from our kitchen is the Lungauer Eachtling with caviar by Walter Grüll. We also love to conjure up vegetarian dishes with various vegetables from regional farmers, such as a simple chive bread with excellent sour cream, butter, fresh chives from the garden and Tauern rye bread.
What do you wish for the future of the Mesnerhaus
We hope that this place will remain a place of enjoyment forever and that we will enjoy pampering our guests and working here every day with a lot of joy and harmony. We hope that our work will be positively recognized in this region and that the joy of our work will merge with our leisure time.
What makes the Mesnerhaus and your work so unique?
Everyone is unique, but what makes us really special is that we spend so much time together, both privately and professionally, and get on so well. Our location, which has great historical significance, also contributes to our uniqueness. The great ambience of the Mesnerhaus and our new hotel make the place special. Thank you very much for the interview.