A holiday with personal care: being there without disturbing the peace

The morning at Ebner 1822 doesn't begin in a buffet room. There's no music, no hubbub, and no schedule dictating when the day should start.

Breakfast awaits outside the door. The first light still lies on the meadows. Perhaps the day will lead to the lake or the forest. Perhaps one simply sits on the terrace and eventually realises that one needs nothing else today.

Holiday with personal care It doesn't mean guiding our guests through the day. It means ensuring they feel well looked after – and then giving them the freedom to follow their own rhythm.

Hospitality we grew up with

At Ebner 1822, we want to do something good for people.

Not because they pay for it.

But because we believe that true hospitality begins right there.

I grew up with this attitude. When uncles and aunts came to visit in the past, they were welcome and well looked after. If a neighbour dropped by, a snack and a glass of cider or beer were soon on the table. No one asked for anything in return. People made space for each other and shared whatever was available.

This form of hospitality has stayed with me. It is an essential part of Ebner 1822 today.

Barbara and I want our guests to feel that they've been thought of here. Not as a rehearsed service, and not because every attention must appear on an invoice. But because it gives us joy to help people have a good time.

Personal care doesn't need many words

Personal care is often confused with constant availability or a particularly extensive programme. For us, it means something different.

We are there when our guests need us. We help with a question, recommend a route, or suggest where it might be particularly beautiful that day. At the same time, we know that people come to us because they are seeking peace.

Those who seek peace don't want to be constantly asked if everything is alright. Sometimes, recognising when closeness is beneficial – and when withdrawal is more important – is precisely a sign of good care.

The houses are prepared. Breakfast is delivered directly to the house. Barbara cooks in the village inn. And if a question arises, we are not far away.

After that, the day belongs to the guests.

Small gestures that don't appear on any invoice

Some things at Ebner 1822 aren't bookable services. They're simply part of our way of welcoming guests.

At Ebner Beach, there's a fridge for our guests to help themselves. Chilled water, beer, spritzers, or sometimes a schnapps are also available in the trough at Literaturplatz.

These places operate without minibar lists and without the feeling that every bottle has to be charged for immediately. It's about trust and the joy of being able to offer someone something nice at a lovely moment.

Perhaps you're sitting with a book at the Literaturplatz. Perhaps you're returning after a walk. Perhaps you'd like to enjoy a cool drink by the pond.

Then it should simply be there.

A place where nothing needs to be consumed

Many holiday resorts are designed to fill your day. There are programmes, recommendations, time slots, and as many activities as possible to be used.

Ebner 1822 follows a different idea.

Nobody here has to experience anything just because it's offered. Nobody has to go on an excursion if the space in front of the house is more appealing. You can stay seated after breakfast. Lie on the meadow after swimming in the natural pond. Start a book and fall asleep after three pages.

This is not a day of unused holiday.

Perhaps it's exactly the day you needed.

Our Project Silence does not mean it has to be completely silent here. You can hear birds, the wind in the trees, sometimes our chickens or the life around the farm. For us, silence rather means that nothing is constantly demanding attention.

Recommendations that suit the person

Of course, we are happy to tell our guests about the region. We know which path is good to take after a rainy day, where to find shade on hot summer days, and which excursion is really worthwhile in changeable weather.

But a recommendation should never become a chore.

Sometimes the best advice is to go nowhere on that particular day. Perhaps a walk in the woods will suffice. Perhaps the natural pond on your doorstep. Perhaps the literary square with a book and a chilled spritzer.

We don't want to show our guests as much as possible. We want to help them find the right thing for that one day.

Three houses and plenty of space between them

Ebner 1822 is not a hotel business in the traditional sense. On our historic family farm in Carinthia, there are only three nature holiday homes. They were built from Wood, straw and clay Built and crafted by artisans who give their materials time and attention.

The houses offer warmth, security, and privacy. In between lie meadows, the natural pond, and places where one can be alone.

The award of five flowers from „Holidays on the Farm“ and a perfect score of 70 out of 70 points makes us very happy. But it's not the reason we bring breakfast in the morning or serve drinks at the Literaturplatz.

We do that because it aligns with our idea of hospitality.

Barbara cooks – when you don't want to cook yourself

We're not concerned with offering the largest possible selection when it comes to food either. The breakfast basket is brought to your home, leaving your morning flexible. There's no set breakfast time and no table that needs to be cleared.

For those who don't want to cook in the evening, our village inn is the place to be. Barbara cooks seasonally, regionally, and with a high proportion of organic ingredients. Much of it is made from what's currently in season and what we enjoy eating ourselves.

The village inn is not a restaurant with anonymous turnover. It belongs to our farm and our history. Sometimes people eat and talk together there. Sometimes guests prefer to enjoy the peace and quiet in their own home.

Both are correct.

For people who do not confuse privacy with anonymity

This type of holiday is suited to people who wish to retreat without feeling alone. For couples who want to reconnect Time for each other searching. For people who have to organise, decide and communicate a lot in their daily lives.

Dogs are also welcome in two of our houses. Meadows, forests and walking paths begin right outside the door. At the same time, there are some rules to keep this place peaceful and safe for everyone.

Those expecting daily entertainment, a large spa, or constantly new activities will likely be happier elsewhere. Ebner 1822 doesn't try to be all things to all people.

We want to be a good place for those people who need less right now.

To be there and to let go again

You might not recognise a good host's house by how much it offers. But by how naturally you can move within it.

Is everything provided without constant requests? Is there support when it's needed? Can one withdraw without appearing rude? Can one spend a whole day without feeling like they've missed out on something?

We would like to give our guests directions when they ask. We would like to offer them something good to eat and drink. And we would like to make them feel welcome.

After that, we can step back into the background.

Because perhaps that is the most beautiful form of personal care: arriving at a place where someone has already thought things through – and where you then don't have to do anything else.