People. Stories. Connectedness.
The Sonnenburg has always been a family business - run by people who pass on their love of the mountains, hospitality and togetherness. Today, Heike Wohlgenannt and her team run the hotel with the same warmth as the generations before them: approachable, authentic and always with an open ear for guests. Heike is supported by her children Katharina, Jodok and Paul as well as her brother Bernd.
Every room bears the family's signature - from the careful selection of materials to the personalised conversation over breakfast.
The Sonnenburg is a place where people come together and where memories are made.
Over 100 years and 3 generations
The Sonnenburg - a house with a past, stories and people who have shaped it over generations. For over 100 years, it has grown and changed with the times - while remaining true to its core values: hospitality, warmth and a love of the mountains.
Our history is full of small steps and major milestones. A path that has taken us from our beginnings as a simple guesthouse to today's 4-star pleasure & activity hotel.
1914
Margaret's beginning
Margarethe, the grandmother of today's host Heike Wohlgenannt, came from a humble background. Growing up in the neighbouring Gasthof Bergblick, her everyday life was characterised by work and sacrifice. This made her desire for independence all the stronger - for a place that she could create herself, for a home that she wanted to fill with warmth and life.
When the Hochgebirgsklinik opened its doors in Schwende in 1913, it changed the valley. With the guests seeking healing and fresh mountain air came a new need for accommodation. Margarethe recognised this opportunity - and plucked up the courage to turn her dream into reality.
She laid the foundation stone for the Sonnenburg. With a great deal of dedication, passion and an unshakeable belief in her dream, a place of security was created. Her courage to be independent still characterises the Sonnenburg today - across generations.
One house, one name, one new beginning
In Paul Wohlgenannt, the clinic operator's chauffeur, Margarethe not only found the love of her life, but also a companion for her vision. Together they took the next step: they bought a simple farmhouse, gave it the name "Sonnenburg" and opened a small inn - simple, warm and characterised by the desire to entertain and welcome people.
The following years not only brought guests to the house, but also challenges. Paul was called up during the Second World War. Margarethe and her three children were left alone. During this difficult time, she kept the business going with her indomitable will, drive and natural warmth.
Sonnenburg thus became a symbol of perseverance and courage - and the foundation on which later generations could continue to build.
1929
1955
A new start and modernisation
The 1950s were a time of upswing - also in Kleinwalsertal. More and more people were seeking relaxation in the mountains, and the Sonnenburg became a popular place for holidaymakers who appreciated family hospitality as well as nature.
Margarethe's attitude remained unchanged: to offer guests a temporary home from home with simplicity, warmth and reliability. What had begun as a dream in 1914 now grew into a new dimension - fuelled by the same conviction as on the first day.
The hotel was extended and modernised. The small pub developed into an inn that could now accommodate more guests and promised more comfort.
A new chapter begins
With Helga and Erwin, the next generation took over responsibility and led the Sonnenburg into the future with a fresh outlook.
Despite the changes, the heart of the hotel remained unchanged: personalised hospitality and the feeling of being with friends. Between tradition and new beginnings, a Sonnenburg was created that offered guests even more space to relax and socialise - without forgetting its roots.
1990 thus marked the beginning of a new era.
1990
2002
Heike takes the lead
The new millennium marked the beginning of a new phase for the Sonnenburg. Heike took over the Sonnenburg! In order to meet the increasing demands of our guests, we invested heavily: Rooms, guest rooms and infrastructure were given a modern face. Comfort, quality and a clear line took centre stage.
Step by step, the Sonnenburg developed from a traditional inn into a hotel - without losing its soul. It was still the personal closeness and the warmth of the family that characterised the hotel.
A new pleasure, a new face
The traditional inn became the Genussgasthof Sonnenburg in 2011. With high-quality ingredients from the region, a fresh culinary concept and a great deal of passion for honest cuisine, Heike set a clear example: It's not about quantity here, but about quality, flavour and real experiences on the plate.
At the same time, the hotel was given a new setting: Twelve modern alpine rooms were added and the restaurant area was extended and redesigned. The GENUSS REGION ÖSTERREICH award confirmed what the guests had long recognised - that the Sonnenburg had become a model establishment in the valley.
But for Heike, this was just a stopover. Amidst the success, the next vision was already growing - to lead the Sonnenburg even more comprehensively into the future.
2011
2016
The Sonnenburg reinvents itself
Five years later, perhaps the most formative phase in its recent history began: a comprehensive modernisation that raised the hotel to a new level in terms of architecture and atmosphere, making it a 4-star hotel.
Alpine materials such as wood, stone and natural fabrics were combined with clear lines and timeless design. Rooms and public areas were given a modern look that radiates both warmth and elegance. Tradition and zeitgeist have found their balance here.
In 2016, it became clear what characterises the Sonnenburg: the courage to preserve the old and the openness to try something new. A house that does not lose its character in the midst of change, but rather shows it even more strongly.
Rooms for more enjoyment & relaxation
2017 was characterised by further development and fine-tuning. The restaurant was extensively renovated and given a new, bright ambience that emphasises regional cuisine even more. The Relax.spa was extended - with more space for rest, warmth and regeneration. And the Sonnenburg has also changed outside: the guest garden has been redesigned and now invites guests to linger in the open air.
It was a year in which the Sonnenburg was not only modernised, but also noticeably rethought: a place that combines enjoyment, relaxation and nature even more closely.
2017
2023
Heike's vision becomes reality
Heike Wohlgenannt realised a long-held vision in 2023 with the construction of Vorarlberg's first rooftop infinity pool. High above the rooftops, a place was created that redefines Sonnenburg: floating between the sky and the mountains, immersing yourself in warm water and enjoying the view far beyond the valley.
The pool is more than just an architectural highlight - it is an expression of Heike's courage to consistently rethink the Sonnenburg. A symbol of her ambition to give guests not just a home, but extraordinary moments.
2023 thus became the year in which an idea became reality - and the Sonnenburg rose to a new dimension of enjoyment and relaxation.
A house with heart and vision
Today, the Sonnenburg presents itself as a pleasure & activity hotel that respects its history and at the same time looks boldly to the future. Managed by Heike Wohlgenannt, the hotel is characterised by warmth, clarity and a vision that is constantly on the move.
The Sonnenburg combines the best of two worlds: inside, high-quality materials, stylish design and rooms full of warmth - outside, the mountains that invite you to move and marvel. Whether hiking, biking or skiing, enjoying a meal in the restaurant or relaxing in the rooftop infinity pool - this is a holiday to remember.
More than a hotel, the Sonnenburg is a place where people come together, where hospitality is tangible and where tradition and the future are in harmony. A temporary home away from home - and a piece of Kleinwalsertal that you take with you in your heart.
TODAY
"What remains is our lifeblood"
"I run the Sonnenburg with the same conviction as my grandmother did: with heart, courage and a deep desire to make people feel good. The personal touch is our strength - and it remains."
Heike Wohlgenannt
Working where others go on holiday
Our team is family and you can feel that.
Working where others go on holiday
Our team is family and you can feel that.