675 Years GMACHL Elixhausen

Anniversay of the Oldest Family Business in Austria

Das Romantik Hotel GMACHL feiert 2009 ein Jubiläum, das wohl nur ganz wenige Unternehmen übertreffen. Seit 675 Jahren gibt es das Gut und die Taferne zu Elixhausen. Jede der bisherigen 23 Generationen, die Gasthaus und Gut geführt hat, trug ihren Teil dazu bei, dass der Wert erhalten und an die Zeitläufe angepasst wurde.

The Romantik Hotel GMACHL is celebrating an anniversary in 2009 that few companies ever reach. For 675 years it has served as an inn and tavern to Elixhausen. Every one of the 23 generation has done their part to maintain excellence on the premises, build on the experience of the past, and keep up with the changing times.

We are proud of our long tradition and we’re thankful to ancestors for the accomplishment we’ve had. And we are also, of course, excited about the success we have had this year which allows us to offer our guests even more comfort and service.

Sincerely Yours,
The Hirnböck-Gmachl family

The Family Tree

1334 is the first time the property was documented. The name of the owner was Georg. Georg also collected taxes for the community and Monastery in the form of wheat, fish and lard.

After Georg, the books record a line of three sons but fail to mention their surname although it is believed to be “Filius”. It isn’t until 1470 that a surname appears: Georg Elixhauser - Innkeeper and Bailiff of Elixhausen. As the oldest business family in Austria at this time they were primarily engaged in agriculture; as cattle traders, a butchery whose descendants are still in business to this day, and of course the tavern from which the Romantik Hotel GMACHL arose. This role made the family one of the most important in the region. That’s why at that time it was said, “die Familie bezogen auf den Heimatort als Elixhauser an (the family was called Elixhausers after their hometown)”.

The name Elixahauser dissapeared in 1787 when Theresia Elixhauser married to brewer and gastronomer, Johann Georg Gmachl. He’s from nearby Bergheim-Lengfelden and was also a butcher as the Elixhausers were. This name greatly impacted the region around Salzburg in the centuries that followed. Scores of restaurants, butchers, and agriculturists from the Gmachl family or their decendants are still in business to this day.

Hotel Investment Stimulated by Increasing Overnight Stays

With the growing number of guests investment has been heartily increased. The first large investment was made at the beginning of the 60’s. The deteriorating “Klosterhof“ across from the main house, which until that time was used for agriculture, was turned into a commercial property. The building now houses a hair stylist and post office on the ground-floor and hotel rooms on the remaining floors.

With the expansion that coincided with the company anniversary, “675 years GMACHL Elixhausen”, the Romantikhotel was revitalized. The capacity was increased from 114 to 148 beds as a result of the addition. The 17 new rooms and suites, in addition to the 23 enlarged rooms, all offer comfort of the highest standard and an inviting atmosphere with balconies, terraces, or patios. The new GMACHL SPA “Horizont” in Elixhausen near Salzburg spans over 1000 square-meters. Since July 1, 2009 the top floor of the expansion has offered an unmatched view of the Salzburg Fortress, the foothills of the Alps, as well as Untersberg and the Alps around Berchtesgaden.