Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views

By Editorial Staff - 23 September 2025
Tribù has participated in the project

The Chiemgauhof Lakeside Retreat is a five-star-plus hotel designed by Matteo Thun & Partners that overlooks Lake Chiemsee, also known as the “Bavarian Sea”, in Germany. The design reinterprets traditional Bavarian architecture with a pared-back, sophisticated language. Surrounded by Alpine scenery in a location known for its spectacular sunsets, the retreat represents an ideal balance between nature and comfort, catering both to outdoor enthusiasts and people seeking an authentic, premium hospitality experience. Set within a nature reserve, the project draws inspiration from the archetypal forms of traditional wooden barns, reimagined through a contemporary lens. The measured use of local materials – including brushed spruce and larch, natural stone, glass, and marble – contributes to an understated architectural language that remains in constant dialogue with the landscape.

The complex comprises three timber volumes connected by courtyards, gardens, and opening glass wall systems arranged along an east-west axis to optimize sun exposure and reinforce the visual and physical relationship with the setting. The main building, at the center of the design, includes the lobby and dining areas. On either side are accommodation pavilions, comprising 28 rooms and suites, all with lake views. Standout accommodations include the Corner Suites with their panoramic glass walls; the Garden Suites, which overlook the pool; and the Chiemsee Royal Suites, which span two levels and feature a double-sided fireplace, a loft, and sauna nook. Set behind private balconies, most bathrooms have wooden tubs overlooking the water, providing a place to relax in total privacy. The street-level floor of the main building also houses the reception, a lounge, a bar, a salon, a spa, and a yoga and fitness area.

Eleganza bavarese con vista lago © Elias Hassos, courtesy Matteo Thun & Partners

The main entrance opens onto the double-height foyer, which is wrapped in light timber paneling and includes the check-in area. From here, a staircase leads to the guest rooms above. The social heart of the resort is the bar, a space dominated by a long dark timber counter with stools, upholstered armchairs, and leather seating. Anchoring the space, a 5 m wood table encourages people to meet and share aperitifs and sushi in an informal setting. Directly connected to the bar, the lounge extends outdoors through a fully retractable glazed wall system onto a larch terrace. This space is defined by a dark slatted timber ceiling and walls with mid-blue tones. It also features rugs with Bavarian motifs woven from recycled materials, upholstered sofas, and a handcrafted tile stove, which together create an intimate, homelike atmosphere.

Eleganza bavarese con vista lago | © Elias Hassos, courtesy Matteo Thun & Partners In un equilibrio delicato tra richiami alla tradizione bavarese e suggestioni orientali, lo spazio evoca un’impressione di eleganza attraverso un design raffinato ed esclusivo.

One of the resort’s signature elements is its Bootshaus, a charred-wood pavilion overlooking the lake that evokes a Japanese esthetic. Designed for intimate events and quiet moments, it features an 18 m pool, a fireplace, bar, and a tearoom. Subtlety balancing Bavarian traditions and Eastern influences, the space recalls the ceremonial elegance of a Japanese lantern through an interplay of light, natural materials, and meticulous detailing.

The entire complex uses low-impact environmental technologies. Central heating and hot water are produced by biomass pellets, while photovoltaic panels – discreetly integrated into the larch shingle roof – contribute to energy self-sufficiency without altering the project’s esthetic.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | Floor-to-ceiling windows draw Lake Chiemsee inside the hotel, offering spectacular views and allowing guests to connect with the natural environment.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | Craftsmanship, custom-made furnishings, and decorative textiles create a relaxed atmosphere throughout the five-star-plus hotel.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | In a balanced, exclusive interplay of Bavarian tradition and Eastern-inspired accents, the space conveys a distinctive elegance.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | The living area of a suite, featuring traditional Bavarian carved doors.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | Outside, a larch terrace with panoramic views provides a relaxing space set against the backdrop of the lake.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Ester Zanus, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | Floor-to-ceiling windows draw Lake Chiemsee inside the hotel, offering spectacular views and allowing guests to connect with the natural environment.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | Chiemgauhof Lakeside Retreat offers 28 rooms and suites with lake views, a lobby, a restaurant, a lounge, and a spa.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Ester Zanus, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | The chromatic contrast between the dark wall paneling and the lighter tones of the chairs sets the mood of the Bootshaus, creating a warmth that is further enhanced by the fireplace.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Ester Zanus, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | For its beach club, Chiemgauhof-Lakeside Retreat chose Pure loungers and Otto and Dunes teak side tables from Tribù’s outdoor design collection. Their discreet elegance echoes the hotel’s style, complementing the guest experience. Pure’s deep and ample cushioning invites relaxation, while Otto, thanks to the rhythmic patterns on the teak base, combines timeless esthetics and sustainability. Finally, with its domed base and sophisticated, compact form, Dunes infuses the setting with character, ac

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | With a mezzanine level, double-sided fireplace, and private sauna nook, the duplex master suites provide guests with comfort and privacy. The suites and junior suites, furnished in Bavarian style with canopy beds, can be interconnected to create custom configurations.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | With its 5-m long rectangular table and soft ambient lighting, the bar encourages social interaction.

Bavarian Elegance with Lake Views | © Elias Hassos, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners | At the main entrance, guests are welcomed into a spacious double-height foyer, from which a staircase leads to the rooms and suites on the upper level. A curated selection of local wood, stone, and glass creates a harmonious connection between the building and the surrounding landscape.

Location: Übersee, Germany
Completion: 2025
Gross Floor Area: 3,600 m²
Architect and Interior Designer: Matteo Thun & Partners
Main Contractor: Pfeiffer Bau
Interior Contractor: Kamper Handwerk+Bau

Consultants
Structural: Merz Kley Partner
Lighting: WML
Electrical: K+P
Mechanical: IGV Ingenieure
Landscape: Kübertlandschaftsarchitektur

Photography: Elias Hassos, Ester Zanus, courtesy of Matteo Thun & Partners

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