The Cōmodo: Redefining Alpine Luxury in Bad Gastein
The Cōmodo is a design-led hotel in Bad Gastein, Austria, where mid-century modernism is carefully integrated into an alpine setting shaped by history, wellness, and landscape.
Set within a former grand hotel originally constructed in 1881, the property reinterprets Bad Gastein’s architectural legacy through a contemporary lens. Opened in January 2023, The Cōmodo offers an environment where design, art, and wellness coexist without spectacle, favouring restraint over excess.
A Mid-Century Modern Retreat
The building’s refurbishment respects its historic framework while introducing the language of 1960s modernism. Interiors, curated by weStudio, balance original architectural elements with custom-made furniture, bespoke wallpapers, and natural wood flooring.
A palette of deep wine tones and muted greens sits alongside terrazzo surfaces and warm timber finishes, creating a sense of continuity between past and present. Locally sourced materials, including oak and pine, reinforce the hotel’s relationship with its alpine surroundings rather than competing with them.
Art and Design as Atmosphere
Art at The Cōmodo functions as part of the spatial experience rather than as decoration. A curated selection of contemporary and historical works by European artists is distributed throughout the hotel, contributing to a layered and considered interior narrative.
These interventions add texture and character without overwhelming the space, allowing design and art to support a quieter form of hospitality rooted in observation and atmosphere.
Rooms Shaped by Calm and Proportion
The hotel offers 70 rooms designed around clarity, proportion, and material restraint. Valley Rooms open toward views of the Gastein Valley, while Mountain Rooms face the surrounding pine forests, reinforcing a strong connection to landscape.
Furnishings echo the mid-century aesthetic through vintage references and custom pieces, while bathrooms feature rain showers and understated detailing. Selected suites include private balconies and freestanding bathtubs, extending the sense of retreat without unnecessary embellishment.
A Restrained Approach to Dining
Dining at The Cōmodo reflects the same design philosophy found throughout the hotel. The restaurant follows a farm-to-table approach, sourcing organic produce from nearby farms and regional suppliers.
Under the direction of Berlin-based chef Max Jensen, the menu favours simplicity and seasonality over complexity. Austrian flavours are interpreted with restraint, while the bar complements the experience with classic drinks and locally produced Winzersekt from organic vineyards and small-scale producers.
Wellness Rooted in Place
Bad Gastein’s long association with wellness informs The Cōmodo’s spa offering. Treatments are tailored to individual needs and incorporate Saint Charles products alongside the mineral-rich thermal water for which the region is known.
Facilities include two saunas and an indoor pool, designed as spaces for restoration rather than indulgence. The emphasis remains on calm, material warmth, and physical recovery — aligning wellness with environment rather than trend.
Sustainability as Infrastructure
Sustainability at The Cōmodo is embedded at an operational level rather than framed as a design feature. The hotel operates on a low-temperature energy system, with a significant portion of its power generated through photovoltaics.
Water management includes sourcing drinking water from a nearby mountain spring and reusing rainwater via cistern systems. The farm-to-table model further supports regional and biodynamic producers, reducing transport impact while reinforcing local economic networks.
Bad Gastein Beyond the Hotel
Beyond the hotel, Bad Gastein offers a landscape shaped by alpine terrain, historic architecture, and a renewed cultural energy. The town’s mix of skiing, hiking, thermal baths, and independent galleries has attracted a new generation of international visitors drawn to its slower rhythm and raw character.
This evolving cultural undercurrent complements The Cōmodo’s approach — positioning the hotel not as an escape from place, but as a reflection of it.
The Cōmodo as a Design-Led Alpine Retreat
The Cōmodo presents a measured interpretation of contemporary hospitality, where design, history, and landscape are allowed to coexist without hierarchy. Rather than seeking attention, the hotel relies on material intelligence, spatial calm, and coherence of intent.
In Bad Gastein, it stands as an example of how alpine hospitality can evolve thoughtfully — respecting heritage while embracing modern design with restraint and clarity.
Pictures: The Cōmodo
