Two Chalets, One Soul

Staying at Chalet Firefly or Chalet Romance isn’t just about relaxing in the Styrian Alps – it’s about becoming part of a living legacy.

Chalet Firefly was originally built in 1635 as a residential home in the village of Strallegg. For centuries, it provided shelter and warmth to generations of mountain dwellers. In 1978, the Marschall family became its caretakers. The following year, it was lovingly dismantled by local farmer and master carpenter Peter Tiefengraber, transported to its current location, and faithfully rebuilt – preserving the spirit of the original and honoring traditional Alpine craftsmanship.

The original layout included a living room with a workspace for journeymen, an open hearth, a corner bench with a “Jogltisch” (typical Styrian table), a home altar, a cozy “Old Room” for elders, and a sleeping loft beneath the gabled roof. Even the adjoining sections – barn, stable, and threshing floor – were integrated and remain structurally intact.

Inspired by the countless fireflies dancing around the cabin during their first summer, the new owners gave it its current name: Chalet Firefly.

Just a few meters away, between 2018 and 2020, the Chalet Romance was created. Built from local spruce wood in the style of a traditional Alpine log cabin, it features an open floor plan, panoramic windows, and natural materials for a warm and inviting atmosphere. A nearby natural pond, sauna, and hot tub complete the luxurious mountain escape. The cabin is based on a historic timber structure that Tiefengraber had also salvaged in 1977 and used as a private retreat.

On this tranquil mountain slope above St. Kathrein am Hauenstein, centuries-old craftsmanship meets modern holiday comfort – surrounded by pristine nature and infused with history.