Hotel History

1926: Founding of the ‘Pension Almfrieden’ by the Italian-Austrian couple Emmerich Carnelli 

1936: There are already 20 inns, guesthouses and one hotel in Ramsau – the ‘Hotel Almfrieden’, which, then as now, generated its income exclusively from accommodation and catering without any agricultural background.

1938/1939: The Ramsau winter brochure for the 1938/39 winter season lists 10 inns and guesthouses, among which the ‘Hotel Almfrieden’ is already advertised as having electric lighting, toilets and running water. 

1939: The Hotel Almfrieden is acquired by the Landl family, master carpenters from Schladming. Between 1929 and 1939, the Bergfried house and the sawmill in Ramsau were also built and taken over.

1940: Several families from German cities (Berlin, Düsseldorf) move into the Hotel Almfrieden in search of shelter. During this time, rooms were still rented out to private individuals. 

1941: In early autumn, the Hotel Almfrieden was confiscated by the National Socialists for evacuated women and children from Essen, Duisburg and other places in the Ruhr area. In addition to the confiscated rooms, private guests could still be accommodated.

1941 to 1945: The wife of the German envoy from Agram (now Zagreb) was also accommodated there. In addition, 49 children of German descent from the former Yugoslavia, who were fleeing from Tito's partisans, were taken in at the Hotel Almfrieden. These children were accompanied by the wife of the outgoing Yugoslav head of state, the families of the German attachés, the chancellor, secretaries, educators (Ustasha officers) and three nuns.

Since then, Christmas has been celebrated in a ‘large circle’. ‘The simplicity and gratitude’ for a few quiet hours was often mentioned in letters from that time.

At that time, the Almfrieden already had central heating and running water. The washrooms and toilets were located in the hallway. The business was run by Matthias Landl (master carpenter) and Hedwig Landl. Hedwig Landl, the grandmother of the current owner Christiane Simonlehner (formerly Schrempf), always lived the dream of being a hostess. She loved the hotel. During those years, the running water was still pumped up to the hotel from the Ramsaubach stream by a pumping station.

1946: The evacuees and the ‘permanent host families’ move back to Germany. 

1946: The 49 Croatian children and their escorts are picked up by the British Army at the Hotel Almfrieden and taken to a camp in Leoben.

Post-war period to the mid-1950s: Tired and worn out, with no income, the then already ‘older hotel’ had to recover from the challenges of the past and enter the up-and-coming 1960s with new ideas and vigour. The rise in winter tourism in the 1960s led to the emergence of many new, modern accommodation establishments. Even then, the Almfrieden was aware of its history and experience and set the course for future generations – to create a place of relaxation, tradition and gathering!

1956: Matthias and Hildegard Schrempf's first daughter, Judith Pilz (née Schrempf), is born. 

1959: Matthias and Hildegard Schrempf's second daughter joins the Almfrieden family – Anita Englacher (née Schrempf) is born.

1964: Grandmother Hedwig Landl hands over the Hotel Almfrieden to her daughter Hildegard Schrempf (née Landl) and her son-in-law Matthias Schrempf (Schrempf bakery in Ramsau Ort, later Doris bakery).

1965: With the birth of their third daughter, Doris Schneeberger (née Schrempf), the eastern part of the hotel is renovated. The first rooms with private bathrooms and toilets are created. The dining room is enlarged and brightened. Large windows are installed in the dining room, presenting a special challenge, but giving guests a fantastic view of the Tauern mountains.

1975: With the birth of twins Christiane Simonlehner (née Schrempf) and Michaela Schrempf, the fourth and fifth daughters of the family, the western part of the hotel is renovated. All rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, separate toilets, telephones, radios and south-facing balconies. In addition, the Zirbenstube with its carvings (formerly the hunting room and regulars' table of the Ramsau hunting club) is commissioned.

1975: Our Hexi (Cocker Spaniel), the first Almfrieden furry friend, joins our family business as ‘reinforcement’. The love and joy of dogs spreads throughout the entire Almfrieden family.

1980: The first pizzeria in Ramsau opens in the Hotel Almfrieden, and the renovation and new construction of the ‘central section of the Hotel Almfrieden’ is completed. At that time, great effort was made to preserve the lobby, which dated back to 1926. Also in this year, the central section of the hotel is expanded by two floors (3rd and 4th floors – today: HochOben and WeitBlick). The hotel is fitted with a passenger lift. A sports shooting range for the Ramsau shooting club is built in the basement (today: Markus Pilz's dog adventure room – who has worked hard and enthusiastically to create a lovingly designed space for our four-legged friends).


1988: The second Almfrieden furry friend joins us! Everyone's beloved ‘Astra’ (Bavarian Mountain Hound) delights the Almfrieden family. 

1990s: The hotel specialises in hiking and cross-country skiing and becomes the ‘Wander- und Langlaufhotel Almfrieden’ (Almfrieden Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing Hotel). Run by the eldest daughter Judith Pilz (née Schrempf), the guided hikes are professionally offered by the hiking guide and son-in-law Rudolf Pilz. Private televisions are installed in the hotel rooms, replacing the television and games room in the basement (now the wellness area).

1999: Judith Pilz, daughter and managing director, passes away. Almfrieden suffers! 

2000: Twin daughter Christiane Simonlehner (née Schrempf) takes over the management of the hotel. Her husband Werner Simonlehner supports her with ideas, planning and implementation. The first wellness area is lovingly planned and built by Rudolf Pilz and his son Jürgen Pilz.

2004: A new chapter begins – Viviane, the first girl of the fourth generation of Almfrieden, is born and brings a breath of fresh air into our lives.

2010: With the birth of Fiona-Lynn, the fourth generation continues to grow, and another cheerful girl enriches the history of Almfrieden.

2010: A repositioning of the Almfrieden hiking and cross-country skiing hotels begins. Renovations are carried out in the double rooms, and the lobby, which dates back to 1926, is adapted to the conditions of the 2000s. The new ‘Romantikchalet’ building opens with its new romantic rooms.

2016: Together with INTERNET-XL (now WEare Webcoaches), managed by Thomas Stiegler from Gröbming, the hotel takes the step towards offering ‘holidays with dogs’. Even back then, it was clear to everyone: ‘We want to create a feel-good experience at Almfrieden for dogs and humans alike! We want to become a place where four-legged friends and two-legged friends can meet.’ With the enthusiasm and support of our valued friend and business partner Thomas Stiegler and his team, we gained the confidence and strength to achieve what we really wanted – a dog hotel!

2017: 1st Ramsau Agility Park for Almfrieden dogs is created 

2018: Dog kitchen, dog menus, dog training expands the range of services for four-legged friends

2019: Our beloved hotel dog ‘Happy’ is welcomed into the family by Doris. Happy was a stray dog from Romania. He came to Almfrieden when he was two years old... we were very happy about that. 

2020: Dog pool is implemented after some problems with dog hair.

2021: Indoor dog playroom and dog washing room are created.

2022: The hotel expands its offerings with dog-friendly holiday apartments with a view on the 3rd and 4th floors.

2023: Dog lounge and exercise area expand the offerings for our four-legged and two-legged guests.

2025: Dog experience room by Markus Pilz opens!

To this day: ongoing enhancements to the feel-good experience for dogs and humans at Almfrieden – take a look around... we're making it new! And yet it is still an ‘old’ house, with experience, traditions and, above all, history. 

We will see how this story continues at the 120th anniversary celebrations.