The History of the Schlosshotel Igls

The Doctor Professor Karl Dantscher of Graz, Earl of Kollensberg, built the Castle in Igls in 1887 as a private summer residence. He didn’t see its completion and so his brother, a Professor for art history in Vienna, inherited the estate. After his death, the “Schloß Igls” (Igls Castle) went to his son, the violoncellist Victor Dantscher of Graz, who spent his annual summer holiday here until 1919.

The following heirs had no true use for “Schloß Igls” after 1919 and they rented it to the hotelier, Dr. Carl Walther from Friedrichshafen. During the course of the 1922 inflation, he lost nearly his entire fortune and soon found himself no longer able to provide for the upkeep of the building. Dr. Walther led the “Dantscher Schlössl” as a simple breakfast guesthouse (bear in mind that there was no heating, no bathrooms and no lift).

The troubles of the Second World War did not bypass Igls: the German Air Force occupied the house. After 1945, it was first the Americans and then the French occupying troops who took a shine to this “accommodation”.

Annedore Lubinus, a woman from Kiel and of an old medicinal dynasty by the Ostsee, came to Igls in the early 50s and married the hotelier, Dr. Fred Beck here. In the mean time, she saw this nearly decrepit ruin and fell in love with it immediately. In 1963, the time had finally come: the Beck Family bought the “Schloß” and the park. Reconstruction and renovation work was carried out and in 1970, the “Schlosshotel Igls” was opened as a small, elegant and luxurious hotel. Annedore Beck (formerly Annedore Lubinus) had, through majestic materials, precious furniture and stylish furnishings, imparted an unmistakable and irreversible ambiance to the building and created an incredible atmosphere.

Crowned and elected leaders, business leaders, famous artists, the “who’s who” of world history can be counted among the guests of the Schlosshotel Igls. Frau. Annedore Beck died in June 2009 and in so doing, passed the running of the Hotel onto her daughter, Anna-Pia van Eenennaam-Beck and her husband, Hans.

Since 1985, the Schlosshotel Igls has been a member of RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX: