The Benedikta holiday home in the village of Vandans in the southern part of Vorarlberg is a typical Montafon house. The hostess has converted the building, the former home of her grandmother Benedikta, into a holiday home, thus creating a place that preserves memories and traditions, while at the same time offering space for new uses.
The building from 1836 was dismantled in accordance with monument preservation regulations. The windows from the 1960s were replaced by white box-type windows, and the roof was covered with local wooden shingles. Purposefully placed new window openings already indicate the transformation on the outside, and the changes become obvious when entering the house. The entrance area has not only received a new staircase, it has also been opened up to the roof. On the ground floor, the small-scale room structure with two parlours and the kitchen has been preserved. The living and dining rooms with their wooden-panelled walls, low ceilings and old stove radiate a homely atmosphere. The furnishings with antique pieces have a modern twist: the typical Montafon tables come with a straight-lined corner bench. The kitchen has a modern stainless-steel look, and the newly converted upper floor also has a contemporary feel. The three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms have a linear design: light fir wood is combined with black steel and natural stone. Two of the bedrooms have an additional bed on a sleeping gallery. The circulation room on the upper floor has a large window with an integrated sitting area and serves as an additional lounge. Steel stairs lead to another room in the attic (which is not rented out, though).
At the side of the house there is a shed with a sauna, where one can sweat with a view of the mountains. From here you can directly access the large outdoor area with a herb and flower garden. Many seating areas invite you to linger in the garden.
What to do
Hiking, climbing, biking, tobogganing, winter hiking, skiing & snowboarding, cross-country skiing
Why we like this house
Benedikta combines the past with the present—old and new are clearly delineated and yet harmoniously united. The emotional attachment of the hostess to the house is tangible: The house is lovingly designed down to the smallest detail and conveys a feeling of coming home.
This house is great for
Holiday with family or friends, nature lovers
Sustainability
Getting there by public transport: Montafonerbahn to Vandans
Owner
Hostess Dr Elisabeth Brändle, a nature lover and interior enthusiast, has a strong emotional connection to the house, as it is associated with many memories of her grandmother. At the moment, however, the physician cannot use the house herself on a permanent basis and therefore makes it temporarily available to guests. When transforming it into a guest house "for well-being and enjoyment", she considered it important to be able to retreat but also to enjoy the company of others.
Details
| Region | AT – Austria, Vorarlberg, Montafon, Vandans |
| Name | Benedikta |
| Scenery | In the midst of an idyllic garden with a magnificent view of the Montafon mountains |
| Number of guests | Max. 8 |
| Completed | 2020 |
| Design | architekturterminal, Röthis - AT |
| Published | NZZ Bellevue (January 2024), AD Travel (November 2021) |
| Architecture | Old & new |
| Accomodation | Holiday home |
| Criteria | 1-8 (house/apartment), Family, Garden, Hiking, Mountains, Sauna, Skiing, No car needed |
Availability calendar
The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.
2 Comments
Wir haben uns von der ersten Sekunde an nur wohl und zuhause gefühlt! Haus Benedikta ist bis ins allerkleinste Detail mit Liebe, Geschmack und Qualität ausgestattet. An alles ist gedacht, sei es im Bad, in der Küche, im Vorratskeller, im Schlafzimmer oder im Garten. Wir haben die vielen kreativen architektonischen „Sonderlösungen“ bewundert, uns über die guten Gerüche in jedem Raum gefreut und vor allen Dingen Elisabeths warmherzige Gastlichkeit genossen, cause: best things in life aren‘t things!
Benedikta war das schönste Haus, in dem wir je waren! Ein Haus, in dem man sich fühlt, als lebte man dort! Weil in der Speisekammer Spätzlemehl steht, man in den Weinkeller geht und sich eine Flasche holen kann, weil die Ausstattung der Küche unfassbar ist mit Raclettegerät, Spätzlegerät, Kuchenbackformen, guten Messern etc.
Die Anbindung ans Skigebiet geht auch gut mit den Öffis. Frau Brändle hat viele tolle Empfehlungen! Bregenz und Dornbirn bieten Kunst, Shopping und Kulinarik. Die Sauna ist klasse, die Zimmer sehr angenehm. Wir waren im Winter da und stellen es uns für Sommer auch super vor!