Mid-century Modernism Meets Mountain Refuge at The Cōmodo
Bad Gastein, a town located in the Austrian Alps just outside of Salzburg, has long been known as a refuge for emperors and empresses seeking the healing powers of nature. After a decline through the 1970s, the region has reclaimed its place on the international cultural map, as impassioned artists, architects, and restaurateurs strive to reawaken this magical place from its slumber.
The Comōdo, a new Design Hotels member property created by Berlinbased designer Piotr Wisniewski and architect Barbara Elward, along with their agency weStudio, was reborn from the bones of an old clinic, with Wisniewski and Elwardt translating a mid-century modern vibe into a contemporary mountain escape.
The result is a striking property with historical and geographical references, evoking the nostalgia of a 1960s–70s Alpine resort, albeit with contemporary art and design pieces by some of today’s most exciting up-andcoming and established European talents, including Mario Bellini, Gerhard Garstenauer, designer Oskar Zięta, and artist Jeppe Hein.
An overarching colour scheme of rich wine and bottle green offsets the original terrazzo floor, while local materials like oak and pine wood offer a timeless aesthetic—all of which extends into the hotel’s 70 guestrooms and suites, where guests will find floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Gastein valley, and rain showers lined with deep green tiling. Suites also feature freestanding soaking tubs, living rooms with working desks, chaise lounges, record players, and spacious balconies. Luxury bath amenities are provided by Saint Charles.
Saint Charles products are also used in treatments at The Cōmodo Spa, which draws on the town’s history to create its own wellness traditions in its five treatment rooms. Leave time for dinner in the restaurant, which follows a farm-to-table approach, pairing stunning vistas with organic wines, classic cocktails, and modern Austrian cuisine. thecomodo.com — NICK WALTON
Comodo, a newly opened property in Bad Gastein, a picturesque town in the Austrian Alps, strikes a perfect balance between creativity, rejuvenation, and nature.