Ebner 1822 on ORF: Five Flowers for Our Country Estate

Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to recognise what has been created in recent years. When the ORF film crew came to our farm, filmed the houses and spoke to our guests, it made us realise again just how far we've come: from an idea on an old mountain farm to three special holiday homes and the highest award from „Urlaub am Bauernhof“.

On 24 July 2026, Ebner 1822 was featured on the programme „Kärnten heute“. The occasion was our award of five flowers – a result we hadn't expected ourselves.

Five flowers and a maximum of 70 points

In the hotel industry, stars represent quality, while „Holidays on the Farm“ use flowers. Five flowers indicate the highest quality level. Currently, only four businesses in Carinthia belong to this category.

Ebner 1822 not only achieved five flowers in the evaluation, but also the maximum score of 70 points. According to ORF, this makes us the first company in Austria to have fully met all the requirements of the highest category on its initial inspection.

This message has genuinely touched us. Not because we created our farm for an award. But because the review recognises precisely those things that have been important to us from the very beginning: carefully built houses, personal hospitality, regional cuisine and plenty of space for peace and quiet.

As I also said in the ORF report:

„We didn’t do it for the five flowers, but because we wanted to make it perfect for the guest.“

A farm with a history since 1822

The history of Ebnerhof dates back to 1822. Much has changed since then, but the location remains: the meadows, the forests, the spring water and the special tranquility at around 1,000 metres above sea level.

I myself worked abroad and in international hospitality for many years. It was only through this time away from Carinthia that I truly recognised the value of my homeland. With every return, it became clearer how special this place is.

Today I perceive it as a place of power. And it is precisely this place that Barbara and I would like to share with people who are looking for peace, nature and honest hospitality.

Three holiday homes made of wood, straw and clay

The ORF report also focused on our three naturally built holiday homes. They were built from wood from their own forests, straw, and clay.

These materials not only ensure a pleasant indoor climate, they also connect the houses with their surroundings. Inside, natural clay walls, oak floorboards and exposed timber ceilings meet spacious bathrooms, panoramic bathtubs and plenty of privacy.

We didn't want to build a small replica of a hotel. Ebner 1822 was intended to be a retreat: with a few houses, plenty of space, and days that don't have to be rigidly scheduled.

Barbara, the village inn and the joy of hospitality

Barbara also spoke in the report about her journey from Vienna to Carinthia. She comes from the catering industry and used to run traditional Viennese taverns. For her, the decision to live together at the Ebnerhof, as she said on ORF, „was very easy, for the sake of love.“.

Your joy in hosting is today in our Organic village pub noticeably. Here, we cook what suits the region, the season, and our establishment. Many ingredients come from selected organic farms in the surrounding area.

For our house guests, the breakfast basket is also part of the experience. Fresh bread, eggs, butter, cheese, and other regional products are delivered directly to the holiday home. This is how your day begins, without a breakfast room and without looking at the clock.

Farm holidays reimagined

The ORF report also showed how diverse a farm holiday can be nowadays. For us, it doesn't mean entertainment or the most extensive programme possible. It's about closeness to nature and a better sense of origin.

Guests can experience our own spring water, the flower meadows, the forest and the animals on the farm. You can chat with Barbara, join us for Sunday lunch, or simply have some time to yourselves.

Agriculture and tourism do not stand side-by-side here. Together, they are giving an old farm a new future and helping to keep even remote rural regions vibrant.

A special filming day at the Ebnerhof

A television report is not just made in front of the camera. It thrives on the people who are willing to share their impressions. That's why we would like to express our particular thanks to our guests who embarked on this unusual experience on that day.

We also thank the ORF Kärnten team for the pleasant and appreciative support, as well as „Urlaub am Bauernhof“ for the award and their trust.

The article showed Ebner 1822 as we understand the estate: not as a staged holiday world, but as a developed place with history, personality, and a clear idea of what relaxation can mean today.

The five flowers are not an endpoint for us

We are delighted to receive this highest honour. At the same time, we see it as a mandate to remain vigilant. Quality is not only evident in beautiful houses and good amenities. It is primarily reflected in the little things: in a lovingly prepared breakfast basket, an honest conversation, a carefully cooked meal, and the sensitivity to know when a guest seeks company – or simply wants peace.

The five flowers confirm our path. We wish to continue on it in the same way we began: personally, down-to-earth, and with great joy in this special place.

The full article can be found at ORF Carinthia: „Award for Landhof Ebner 1822“.

You can find out more about the origin of our farm at The idea behind Ebner 1822.