A boutique hotel where true luxury lies in rediscovering one’s roots through a symbiotic connection with the forest, where nature and soul merge. The natural textures of wood, stone, and wool are harmoniously contrasted by the continuous, minimalist surfaces of Ideal Work’s Microtopping®.
At 1,550 metres above sea level, in the Zugspitze massif at the heart of the pristine Tyrolean landscape, stands Eriro Alpine, a boutique hotel that reinterprets mountain hospitality through an authentic and essential language. Accessible only by cable car, this exclusive retreat invites silence, contemplation, and a return to one’s connection with nature, fostering a symbiotic bond with the surrounding forest.
Experiencing Eriro Alpine goes beyond a simple stay — it becomes an invitation to rediscover the slow rhythm of the mountains. Opened in the summer of 2024, the hotel was conceived as a place where time slows down and every space is designed to nurture a deep connection with the surrounding environment. The bond with the territory is expressed through an architecture that celebrates raw materials and natural light, offering guests an opportunity to rediscover themselves and the world around them.
Designed by South Tyrolean architect Martin Gruber, the project draws inspiration from the region’s building tradition. The structure is marked by three distinctive saddle roofs reminiscent of mountain architecture, paying tribute to local materials such as larch wood and rough stone.
Inside, the aesthetic remains linear and refined, with every detail crafted by hand. The hotel features only nine suites, a spa area with two saunas and three warm pools inspired by Japanese onsen. Natural light floods in through large windows that seamlessly connect interior spaces with the exterior landscape, while technology is intentionally kept to a minimum to preserve an authentic experience.
Amidst an atmosphere dominated by wood, stone, and wool, the choice of Ideal Work’s Microtopping® to cover various surfaces introduces an element of continuity and minimalism. Its seamless appearance — a key aesthetic feature for achieving visual purity — and its neutral tone combine harmoniously with the natural textures around it.
Microtopping® was applied to the floors of the wellness area, lounge, and restaurant. Here, the decision was guided not only by its minimal aesthetic, but also by its remarkable resistance to wear, along with ease of cleaning and maintenance — essential requirements for the common areas of a high-end hospitality space.
The material’s versatility is also evident in the vanity tops and bathroom walls, where its excellent water resistance ensures durability and hygiene. Seamless surfaces contribute to a bathroom environment defined by clean lines and modern elegance, perfectly aligned with the hotel’s essential design philosophy.
Eriro Alpine demonstrates how diverse materials can converge toward a single purpose: guiding guests through an authentic experience of stillness and reconnection. In this narrative, Microtopping® becomes a discreet yet essential presence — tactile, silent, and fundamental — ensuring both continuity and functionality.
Date: 2024
Place: Ehrwalder Alm, Austria
Designer: Martin Gruber
Ph: Alex Moling