The origins of the Hotel in Zell am See

The story begins with the opening of the Hotel Krone in 1878, located just above what is now the railway line, under the stewardship of Josef Schwaiger. Between 1884 and 1886, today’s Grand Hotel took shape as an annex on a peninsula in Lake Zell, then known as the “Hotel am See”.

Following a series of ownership changes, Carl Böhm from Linz and his Salzburg-born wife, Therese, invested their modest fortune into the hotel in April 1887. They carefully renovated and expanded the property in several phases, shaping the building into the elegant form and façade of today.

In May 1896, the hotel was renamed “Grandhotel am See”. With its privileged location directly on the lake and its spectacular panoramic views, it quickly earned a reputation as a luxurious retreat for ministers, industrialists, and aristocrats alike: an imperial haven on the water’s edge.

The Grand Hotel flourished during the Belle Époque, welcoming distinguished guests from across Europe. However, the outbreak of the First World War marked a turning point. The golden era came to a sudden close in 1918, when Carl Böhm sold his life's work amid the turbulent times.

Between the World Wars, the hotel thrived under the management of Carl Pischkittel. WW II brought significant disruption. Following the war, the building was occupied by American forces, temporarily repurposed as a university, and suffered two major fires that caused extensive damage.

In 1955, Tyrolean ski instructor Franz Gramshammer purchased the heavily damaged hotel for the symbolic sum of one shilling. With vision and dedication, he invested in its restoration and reopened the hotel during a time when winter tourism was experiencing a remarkable boom.

In 1965, the hotel was once again struck by misfortune, severely damaged in a major flood. It was later sold to a Swedish timeshare group in 1980, with one condition: the new construction must preserve the historic Wilhelminian architectural style.

The reconstruction of the house in its original style was made possible thanks to the architectural expertise and dedication of Dipl. Ing. Hans Waltl, Ing. Wilhelm Holleis, and the local municipality of Zell am See. Their work ensured that the Grand Hotel would once again shine in the grandeur of its past.

In 1984, after just 11 months of renovation, the hotel reopened as a suite hotel, radiating in new splendor. In 1990, the neighbouring ‘Clima’ Hotel was acquired and connected to the main building via an underground passage.

Due to the hotel’s concept not performing as expected, equalisation proceedings were initiated in 1995. This situation opened the door for the Holleis family to take over the property.

The Holleis family, hoteliers from Zell am See, acquired the two interconnected hotels and launched comprehensive renovation work. This included the addition of new guest rooms and the creation of a wellness area on the top floor of the Seehotel, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Inspired by the Belle Époque, the Holleis family infused the historical hotel in Zell am See with the charm of imperial elegance. This historical atmosphere is particularly tangible in the Imperial Café-Bar, which opened in 1998.

In spring 2003, the Austria Fountain, a creation of renowned artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, was inaugurated between the two buildings. The artistic execution was carried out by internationally acclaimed water sculptor Prof. Hans Muhr, based on plans by architect Dipl.-Ing. Peter Pelikan.

With breathtaking panoramic views of the idyllic landscape, the GRANSPA becomes a standout feature of the Grand Hotel in Zell am See, offering guests a luxurious and serene wellness experience.

On 31 December 2015, the charming Seebar opened its doors, offering guests a cosy atmosphere and a scenic lakeside setting. That same night, the casino celebrated its grand opening, marked by the first golden ball rolling at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.

Under the motto "Anzapft is!", Dr. Wilfried Holleis and his son Valentin Holleis opened the Pinzga Bräu in 2020. Featuring a lakeside beer garden and authentic Austrian specialities, the in-house brewery adds a hearty, regional touch to the Grand Hotel experience.

For 130 years, the GRAND HOTEL ZELL AM SEE has stood for tradition, elegance, and genuine hospitality on the shores of Lake Zell. We celebrated this special anniversary on July 24, 2026, with a diverse festive program filled with culinary delights, live music, and the rich history of our hotel.