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From private spa facilities to a location right by the slopes: find out here what the new Bergresort Berwanger Hof has to offer.
The eventful history of the Berwanger Hof
Between glamour, a ‘lost place’ & a new beginning
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Berwanger Hof in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena was a meeting place for the famous – and, as such, attracted attention far beyond the borders of Tyrol. The hotel’s success was due in no small part to its exclusive facilities and its connection to the entertainer Margot Werner, whose husband, Jochen Litt, ran the hotel together with his brother Jürgen. Following its bankruptcy in 2005, the property stood empty for many years until ALMDORFBAU took on its regeneration in 2022. ALPS RESORTS has been operating the new Bergresort Berwanger Hof since 2025 – the next major development milestone will follow in October 2026 with the opening of the main building.
The Berwanger Hof in its heyday
The foundation stone for the Berwanger Hof was laid in 1962 by Heinz Litt, owner of a large laundry business in Essen. During the 1964/65 winter season, the first guests arrived at the hotel in Berwang – which initially had 60 beds – the highest-altitude village at 1,336 m in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. The hotel soon became too small and was continuously expanded – to include a larger restaurant and dining rooms – eventually growing to around 295 beds.
In the 1970s, according to reports at the time, the Berwanger Hof stood out for, amongst other things, having Austria’s largest hotel swimming pool – a remarkable 8.5 x 25 metres – and the Teatro with its show stage. In 1978, Jochen Litt, the son of the owners, married Margot Werner, the internationally renowned dancer and singer. The couple had met just a few months earlier when Margot Werner had been booked to perform at a gala evening at the Berwanger Hof. In the years that followed, Jochen Litt took over the Berwanger Hof together with his brother Jürgen.
Margot Werner: Grand Dame of ballet and chanson
Margot Werner, born in Salzburg in 1937, was regarded as a great artist and a ‘Grand Dame’. Following her career on international ballet stages, she turned to chanson and the world of entertainment. She was known, amongst other things, for her numerous appearances on entertainment programmes, her hits such as ‘So ein Mann’ and for her rich, deep voice. As the charismatic face of the Berwanger Hof, she played a decisive role in shaping the venue’s image. Margot Werner died in Munich in 2012.
A meeting place for stars: glamour in the Tyrolean mountains
The Berwanger Hof soon came to be celebrated as a grand hotel and a social hub. The hotel, which was exceptionally large for Berwang, was continually expanded and featured, amongst other things, a spacious hotel lobby, lounges, several bars, a restaurant, a large indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a fitness room and sun terraces, around 295 beds and the Teatro. To complement the main building, the Jagdhaus was built in the immediate vicinity; it is said to have served as an exclusive retreat for particularly prominent guests and tour groups.
The elegant décor and the hotel’s star, Margot Werner, attracted the artistic scene. Big names such as Roberto Blanco were among the guests at this leading establishment in Berwang. According to accounts, Margot Werner and Jochen Litt ensured that no photographers or reporters were present on the grounds of the luxury hotel without prior authorisation. This allowed guests to holiday and celebrate in a carefree, intimate and sheltered atmosphere. This blend of glamour and celebrity characterised the Berwanger Hof for many years. Historical photographs and pieces of furniture, which were salvaged and preserved from the abandoned hotel building, still bear witness to this today.
The end of an era
However, the golden years of the Berwanger Hof were not to last forever. The Litt family found themselves in increasingly serious financial difficulties; bankruptcy followed in 2005, and the hotel was closed. Furniture left behind – fine lamps and chairs, crockery, large parts of the former furnishings and décor, as well as personal effects – gave the impression of a hasty departure.
The years of disuse left their mark: the main building fell into visible disrepair, nature reclaimed the hotel – and the Berwanger Hof became a sad lost place in Berwang.
A new chapter: ALMDORFBAU takes over the Berwanger Hof
Until ALMDORFBAU stepped in: The Styrian project developer and market leader in the construction of solid timber chalets acquired the former hotel complex in 2022 and decided to revitalise it. During the refurbishment and redevelopment of the complex, ALMDORFBAU paid particular attention to treating the history and fabric of this impressive building with the utmost care. As a result, significant features such as the more than 200-year-old Steinbock Bar, the colourful leaded-glass windows and the panelling on the ceiling of the salon were preserved and restored.
It took more than two years to complete the necessary planning permission and administrative procedures. The conversion began in 2023; the Jagdhaus was refurbished, and in the summer of 2025 the first guests were welcomed into modern holiday apartments.
The former main building could not be preserved due to its advanced state of disrepair. It was demolished in 2024, rebuilt and opened as the Residence in October 2026. Completion of the final phase of construction – the Alpenspitze – is planned for 2027. The renovation project is being overseen by Roberto Blanco, a friend of Margot Werner and a guest at the former Berwanger Hof. On 25 September 2026, the ceremonial reopening of the Berwanger Hof took place.
A new name, a new concept: the Bergresort Berwanger Hof
Experience history at the new Bergresort
The former Grandhotel is gradually being transformed into the Bergresort Berwanger Hof. The project developer is ALMDORFBAU, and the resort is operated by ALPS RESORTS. The complex includes the Jagdhaus, which opened in 2025, the Residence and the Alpenspitze.
The eventful history of the Berwanger Hof also has its rightful place in the new Bergresort: you can admire the historical artefacts, amongst other things, in the ‘Raum der Stars’ in the main building, spread over two floors. A timeline illustrates the milestones of the former grand hotel and the new Bergresort.
“For many people, the Berwanger Hof is linked to personal memories. It was therefore important to us not simply to build something new here, but to carry as much of the history and identity of this special place into the future as possible.”
– Johannes Arneth, Managing Director of ALMDORFBAU
Highlights at the Bergresort Berwanger Hof
- Each of the modern holiday apartments and suites features a private spa area with a sauna and hot tub on the balcony.
- In addition, there are two communal wellness areas – each with a heated outdoor pool with mountain views and saunas.
- At the ALPS KITCHEN Berwang, Austrian classics and Italian specialities have been served since 2025.
- Added to this is the view of the mountains that you can enjoy as a guest at the Berwanger Hof mountain resort,
- and the location of the holiday apartments right on the slopes.
Fancy a stay at this historic location? Discover the holiday apartments at the Bergresort Berwanger Hof and write your very own holiday story in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena!
Quick overview: The Berwanger Hof in figures
| Construction begins | 1962, first guests in winter 1964/65 |
|---|---|
| Original developer | Heinz Litt (commercial laundry entrepreneur from Essen, Germany) |
| Facilities in the 1970s | Austria’s largest hotel swimming pool at the time (8.5 × 25 m), sauna, sun terraces and Teatro entertainment venue with a show stage. |
| Bankruptcy | 2005 |
| Acquisition by ALMDORFBAU | 2022, start of redevelopment |
| First phase of reopening (Jagdhaus) | Summer 2025 |
| Official reopening | 25 September 2026, open day |
| Residence opens | October 2026 |
| Facilities at Bergresort Berwanger Hof | Wellness areas with outdoor pools and saunas, ALPS KITCHEN, holiday apartments with private wellness facilities, “Room of Stars” |
FAQs: Frequently asked questions about the history of the Bergresort Berwanger Hof
The Berwanger Hof was founded in 1962 by Heinz Litt and, according to records from that time, welcomed its first guests from the 1964/65 winter season onwards.
Following its bankruptcy in 2005, the hotel stood empty for years until ALMDORFBAU took it over and revitalised it in 2022. ALPS RESORTS has been operating the Bergresort Berwanger Hof since 2025.
Sources: ALMDORFBAU (timeline in the Raum der Stars at the Bergresort Berwanger Hof)
Photographs © Tom Walder, Christian Horn
Lisa Gruber
Content Marketing bei ALPS RESORTS
Gen-Z with a penchant for writing and being outdoors. Lisa enjoys discovering hikes and ski resorts for us and offers tips for the perfect vacation.
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