While others are throwing wild parties or traveling the world at 23, Sarah Moser is opening her first hotel. The Hygna Chalets in Reith, Austria, are the place where we want to spend the winter, surrounded by nature and snow and so much nothing that we close our eyes in front of the fireplace and feel like a newborn baby in mother’s arms.
FACES: How did you get into the hotel industry?
Sarah Moser: Basically through the family. I also trained at a tourism school, but afterwards I actually wanted to do something different. Then the story with the chalets developed. (laughs)
F: How would you describe your hotel in one sentence?
SM: In the Hygna Chalets you can find peace and time. Something that many people are looking for in these busy times.
F: From the idea to the concept to the completed hotel: How long did it take you to get there?
SM: All in all, that was probably approx. four to five years. The vision came from my father, who had been thinking for some time about what we could do with his uncle’s empty, old 60-meter-long barn in the future. The concept was initially planned somewhat differently and has developed over time into what the Hygna Chalets are today. The construction phase in particular, which began in February/March 2021 and was completed in December 2021, was a very intensive phase for the entire family.
F: Why should we definitely stay with you?
SM: Because you can simply switch off in the Hygna Chalets and have time for yourself and your loved ones.
Looking at the snow and the mountains from your bed: priceless. (Photo: Bureau Rabensteiner)
F: What do hoteliers need to think about that others don’t?
SM: For many guests, vacation is sometimes the best time of the year! That is why friendliness and cordiality are particularly important. These two characteristics play a particularly important role in adventure vacations. It is not enough just to have a good and appealing product or to deliver very good culinary quality. The personal service or The way in which guests are treated leaves an impression after their departure that should not be underestimated and that other industries may not have to worry about in the same way.
F: What are you worrying too much about?
SM: Mostly small things, but also mainly about issues such as the shortage of skilled workers. The employees are sometimes the most important link in a hotel, or in our case, our chalet village, because nothing works without them.
F: What are you like as a boss?
SM: It’s all still very new to me, so I’m trying to improve every day and I’m always learning something new. Our employees and a good atmosphere in the team are particularly important to us!
F: What qualities does a good host need?
SM: Cordiality and enjoyment of contact with other people. You need a few more, such as organizational skills or team leading. But if you don’t enjoy interacting with people, you’re probably missing the most important basic requirement.
F: What do you like most about guests?
SM: As a host, you are always happiest when your guests are too.
F: What do you dislike in guests?
SM: When guests behave condescendingly towards employees.
F: What are your standards for your hotel, and how have your guests’ expectations changed in recent years?
SM: The aim of our chalet village is to make our guests happy and leave a positive memory in their minds.
F: As a hotelier and host, you experience an exciting everyday life. What story do you have to tell us?
SM: The great thing about our job is that we experience a wide variety of situations with employees and guests every day.
F: What do you look out for when you stay out yourself?
SM: Above all, cleanliness. Whether it’s a hotel, apartment or chalet, cleanliness is a basic requirement that is very important to me.
F: Which hotel would you like to own yourself?
SM: As I helped build the chalets, I would be very reluctant to swap them. (laughs)
That’s what Sarah Moser from…
Cruise ships: I have never been on a…
Buffet food: if the food is hot, I like it.
All inclusive: not really my kind of vacation
Tipping: an important source of extra income for many in the tourism industry
Dogs in the restaurant & hotel: unfortunately no with us
Children in the restaurant & hotel: it depends on the concept
Dress codes: can anyone imagine Titanic without evening wear? (laughs)
TripAdvisor: very useful for long-distance travel
Online travel agents: good for visibility
Sustainability: a must, but sometimes difficult or very expensive to implement
Influencers: to be enjoyed with caution
Shortage of skilled workers: a major problem, but one that does not only affect tourism.
Stars: I think the concept is more important than star ratings.
Animators: rather not
Hygna Chalets
Peace and quiet await you in Sarah Moser’s Hygna Chalets, which the young hostess is opening this winter with the support of her family. The five chalets, which can accommodate up to five people, are located somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Austria. And that’s a good thing, because you can finally come to your senses here and forget everything that’s cluttering up your head at home. Equipped with their own spa area and fireplace, the Hygna Chalets are the best place to leave winter at the door and celebrate being together.
Hygna Chalets, Reith im Alpbachtal, Austria, hygna.at , Overnight stay from 432.- for two persons incl. breakfast. Breakfast, Alpbachtal Card and many other inclusive services
Sarah Moser
Sarah Moser, who is just 23, is opening her first domicile this winter. And not just any chalet, but the Hygna Chalets in her home town of Reith in the Austrian Alpbachtal. With her family behind her, Moser is currently learning to fly – something she can already do mentally, as the young Austrian studied philosophy. A fact that serves as a source of inspiration for her, for example for the names of her chalets, some of which are named after philosophical books. As part of Generation Z, Moser is aware of the power of social media and the importance of digital detox, which she celebrates in her chalet village and gives her guests the opportunity to reconnect with the here and now.
