Inselhotel Faakersee in Carinthia: an 8-hectare paradise
The history of Austria’s only island hotel
The idyllic island and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Faakersee itself have been owned by several people over the centuries, one of whom was the Prince of Liechtenstein from 1831. In 1918, he sold Carinthia’s warmest and most southerly lake together with the island to Ludwig Wittgenstein, an uncle of the famous philosopher of the same name. By inheritance, ownership eventually passed to the Bucher and Catasta families, who also own Landskron Castle just 15 kilometres away. Today, this Renaissance fortress is one of Carinthia’s most frequently visited attractions with knight feast, new birds of prey flight arena and lots more. (www.burg-landskron.at)
Back to Lake Faakersee: In the nineteenth century, a farm located on the wooded island was converted into a guest house, which soon became a well-known destination. From 1906, it was possible to stay in “very-well equipped guest rooms” in the “Wilhelm Schwelle” hotel and to use the swimming baths and boats. Faaker Island could only be reached by waterway, which wasn’t often easy, as Villach chronicler Carl Ghon noted in 1877: “The visit to Faakersee Island, owned by Prince Friedrich of Liechtenstein, is unfortunately often made quite difficult because there are few boats on the lake available for tourists. Thus visitors must revert to asking farmers in Drobolach about crossing to the island, or shout loudly to the island’s residents from the northern bank of the river, short of the lake, who then come by at once with a solidly built boat.”
Today you don’t need to summon a boatman. There is a telephone at the landing in Faak am See, guaranteeing Faaker Island guests a transfer 24-7 on the only authorised motor boat. The 4-star island hotel with its 32 carefully decorated rooms is the perfect place for people who want to leave their stress and troubles behind them (on the mainland). Our nature paradise is also suitable for families with children: during the summer holidays, the little ones can experience a real island adventure under supervision while parents lie on the beach in front of the listed bathing house built in 1929, which is reserved for hotel guests only.
