Hotel Hubertus' Suspended Pool: Mountain Views

The suspended pool at Hotel Hubertus

Hotel Hubertus reimagines alpine luxury with its unique pool design: the pool is literally suspended 12 meters above the ground. Perched on the side of a mountain, a thatch-roof shed shelters the pool, which is half-bath and half-infinity pool. The design of the pool is striking, blending opulent comfort with dramatic exposure to a snowy landscape. The pool's overall design is almost as remarkable as the landscape it overlooks. The water bubbles up in a foot-deep rectangular area which is half covered, making this an indoor-outdoor space. The pool is largely open, supplying guests a jacuzzi for sun lounging. From this perch, the craggy ridges of the mountains stand in a stark contrast to the soft texture of the snow.

Taking (high-altitude) hydrotherapy to new heights

The hotel has engineered this not to be just a pool, but rather a stereoscopic frame through which guests might experience the landscape. The idea represents a specific vision of luxury, and the hotel's owners clearly believe in this vision, if only for the fact that they even dared to build it. This tradition of manicured luxury in an isolated aerie is a familiar one. Swiss hotelier César Ritz opened Europe's first Grand Hotel in 1864 with ponderous alpine châteaux. Every hotel of this type seeks to accommodate guests in a blend of luxury and exclusivity with a mountain backdrop. Hotel Hubertus' pool is part of this tradition, however, with the added twist that here the room and the view are really one, an enclosed space whose walls are transparent, keeping the guests' bounty of space within easy reach. The added touch that makes the design so singular is the structure's elevation. It seems that the hotel's designers wanted to put the pool on the mountain but wanted guests to use the pool while looking down on the mountain. They've done just that. The result is an experience that seems to mix the pleasure of natural discovery with that of being the highest of two peerage orders.

The Pool's banquet of vantage points

Peering down

The pool has the feel of a private viewing deck, giving guests a perfect vantage point from which to look down on the surrounding snowy landscape to see the peaks and valleys of the high mountain range. The pool’s high altitude positions allows guests to see the vistas unfold below them. The pool serves as a luxury observation deck both indoors and out, keeping those relaxing in it close to the elements.

The view from the door

The pool is secured by a shepherd’s hut, whose thatched roof gives guests a glimpse of rural alpine architecture. The sheltering sheen of the thatched roof and the luxurious cushioning of the pool add to the seamless transition from the interior space and the spacious exterior. From the edges of the pool, guests can peer out through the open doorframe to witness mountain leaves shimmering in a crimson sunset.

The architectural effect

The wooden structure would be incongruous with the stylish alpine landscape, except for the fact that it is so close to the mountain and so elevated in height. From the pool itself, guests can take in the staggering panorama, and perhaps imagine themselves as the proprietors of the mountain itself. The visuals of the pool and the heights lend themselves to a model of active relaxation. Unique comfort, as well as rich and staggered views, are the features of the pool

Getting to the pool

You do not get to this pool casually. The hotel is located in Kitzbühel, Austria, a luxurious ski resort town which is 2500 ft. up a winding mountain road. The pool requires guests to make their way up to a copse of mountain trees, and from the top of the trees, guests get onto a steep ledge where they climb up to the pool itself.

• How to get to the pool: The pool's high altitude means that you do not want to approach overzealously. Guests should get to it by negotiating a steep mountain path. The pool is in a facility with a stone facade and a thatched roof. The luxury quality of the pool is evident from the moment that you approach it.
• Getting in the water: Guests enter the water from the enclosed area covered by the thatched roof and then can step fully out onto the open pool for a full immersion in the scene.