At Chiemgauhof Lakeside Retreat Matteo Thun Distills Bavarian Heritage With Japanese Grace

After the buzz and beer-fuelled hum of Munich in Germany, slipping into the Bavarian countryside feels almost like a therapeutic jaunt. The must-visit Ludwig II’s famous Disney castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein offers a glimpse of southern Germany’s romantic imagination. Next, the drive through the Bavarian countryside with its snow-dusted peaks, glassy lakes, and quiet mountain hamlets feels like flipping through the pages of a storybook. But these places are very much real and worth a road trip. 

Tucked between Munich and Salzburg lies Chiemgau, where the landscape shifts from jagged Alpine peaks into lush meadows, forested trails, and lakes shimmering like scattered mirrors. Here, architecture becomes a dialogue between tradition and innovation. Farmhouses are reinterpreted in larch, glass, and stone; barns morph into ateliers; boutique hotels lean into contemporary Bavarian architecture. At the centre of this evolving architectural landscape is Chiemgauhof Lakeside Retreat, now reborn as a design-forward hideaway envisioned by the architecture firm Matteo Thun & Partners. 

When the original traditional lakeside inn – the  Chiemgauhof – was planned to be redeveloped, and reinvisioned, it was entrusted to the hospitality power duo, Dieter Müller and Ursula Schelle-Müller, who partnered with architect Matteo Thun to craft a retreat where Bavarian tradition and Japanese design sensibility come together for the first. The result is a serene, timber-wrapped sanctuary that dissolves into the shoreline, restoring the private west-facing pier, revered as the perfect vantage to watch the sun sink into the lake.

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Getting There

The easiest and most rewarding way to reach Chiemgauhof Lakeside Retreat is by driving from Munich. The 90-kilometre route takes about an hour, unfolding through classic Bavarian countryside, Alpine backdrops and charming villages before delivering one straight to the calm shimmer of Lake Chiemsee.

The Architecture Reinvents A Bavarian Barn With A Japanese Touch

At the heart of the redesign is a thoughtful conversation between the genius loci —the spirit of the place and contemporary craft. Matteo Thun & Partners choreograph this balance with an architectural language rooted in vernacular alpine architecture. Local timber, vernacular gabled forms, and warm, tactile textures elevate the familiar by infusing Japanese sensibility. Traditional brushed larch and fir rise in refined proportions and are paired with expanses of natural stone, marble, and glass that invite the lake and landscape inward, blurring the threshold between interior and nature. The result is a type of minimalism that feels warm, carrying an almost zen-like clarity within a distinctly Bavarian framework.

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The property unfolds into three wooden buildings connected by gardens and patios. The central structure houses the lobby and all F&B venues, while the other two accommodate the suite rooms. Beyond these interlinked buildings stands the ‘Bootshaus,’ or the boathouse that serves as an extension to the relaxing space of the spa, as well as a  spacious private event venue. It is connected via the Gallery, a space dedicated to art exhibitions.  Sustainability is the core of this design landscape. Natural materials and regional timbers form the core palette. Here, heating and hot water run on biomass pellets, while photovoltaic panels tucked beneath larch shingles cut energy use and emissions. High-quality design elements, such as the blue-titled fireplaces, hand-inlaid wooden doors, oiled oak floors, and handwoven rugs by LPJ Studio, alongside select Jan Kath pieces, imbue the spaces with a palpable sense of place and craft lineage.

The Suite-Only Rooms Redefine Lake Side Living 

The hotel features 28 suites, each thoughtfully oriented towards the lake. The Corner Suites offer sweeping bay windows that frame the landscape; the Garden Suites open onto private gardens that sit across the Lake, and the Junior Suites come with a charming, bijou balcony. The showstopper is the Chiemsee Spa Suite, a sanctuary of calm, unfolding into a generous, fully furnished terrace with a private outdoor sauna and shower, ideal for personal wellness in seclusion. The two Chiemsee Royal Suites extend the experience across two levels, where a double-sided fireplace and an in-suite sauna elevate the sense of indulgence.

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Throughout the suites, bespoke furnishings, natural materials, and meticulous detailing create an atmosphere of serenity and warmth. The bathrooms in the Chiemgauhof suites are designed to offer complete privacy and deep well-being, featuring either a private sauna or a traditional Japanese larch soaking tub. Yet the true protagonist is the panorama: each bathroom opens onto a sweeping view of the lake, allowing nature to play an integral role in the guest’s experience.

The Culinary Journey Mirrors The Rich Terroir

Imagine a fine-dining restaurant set on the shores of Lake Chiemsee, indoors, with its floor-to-ceiling glass façade as the only divide, framing a serene landscape. Inside, traditional regional elements— timber accents, a classic tiled stove create a space where heritage and modernity coexist with ease. At the Chiemgauhof, the culinary direction is led by chef Edip Sigl, whose 3 Michelin Starred  restaurant, ‘es:enz,’ is part of the nearby Resort Das Achental, owned and operated by the same family Müller. In the main Restaurant one could expect dishes in a Bavarian style with reginal highlights, like made from freshly caught Chiemsee fish, marinated trout from the Müllnerhof farm, and its refined takes on regional soul food—perfect for the modern, mindful traveller.When the gong sounds at the Chiemgauhof, a cherished ritual begins: sunset followed by the blue hour. It is an invitation to pause as the sky shifts into soft pastel hues, bathing the restaurant and lakeside in a quiet, transformative magic. 

The Lakeside Bar and the beach club carry this mood relaxed sophistication, drawing guests together each evening to toast the Bavarian sunset. Its sushi menu showcases freshly prepared sushi and sashimi that blend traditional techniques with contemporary influences. Vegetarians will find highlights such as the ‘Austernpilz Roll’, filled with spring-onion miso, oyster mushroom, Chinese cabbage, sesame, and avocado. A curated cheese selection and the bartender’s signature cocktails round out the experience, drawing inspiration from the region’s nature, traditions, and contemporary food cultures. 

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Wellbeing Isn’t Scheduled —It Unfolds Naturally As Part Of Life.

Envision a sauna cabin of smooth, bare wood, shaped with Japanese craftsmanship, where rising steam draws out the wood’s natural, calming fragrance. Whether it’s a warm-stone massage infused with local herbs or a holistic ritual from head to toe, each treatment is crafted to soothe the nervous system and anchor the body with nature-rich clays and essential oils. Guests can find a well-appointed spa with two saunas, as well as a compact gym equipped with the latest machines and digital training programs. For those seeking a more integrated wellness experience, complimentary access is given to the extensive spa and wellness facilities at its sister property, the nearby resort, Das Achental. A generous 18-meter heated swimming pool promises lakeside longing for winters.

Final Thoughts 

There may be many luxury retreats along the water, but few can rival Chiemgauhof for its sheer proximity to the lake. In less than ten steps, you can slip into the cool, refreshing waters of the “Bavarian Sea,” as Lake Chiemsee, Germany’s third-largest lake, is lovingly known. Come evening, a drink in hand on the terrace becomes a front-row seat to sunsets that justify calling this one of Bavaria’s most breathtaking places to watch the day fade. Every part of the Chiemgauhof is oriented toward the lake; the entire building opens to the water, and every room gazes in a single direction, straight ahead to the shimmering expanse. It’s a deliberate invitation to focus on the here and now. Even though the suites make it easy to stay blissfully tucked away, seasoned travellers will find the hotel’s restaurant worth the short wander, a dining experience that feels like its own little journey. Those who value quiet contemplation in a beautifully designed setting will feel far more at home. 

For those seeking an active escape, the lake becomes your playground—hiking, cycling, sailing, kitesurfing, or stand-up paddling are all at one’s doorstep. And for a touch of luxury, a Frauscher electric boat awaits at the private jetty, ready for exclusive island excursions, leisurely hours on the water, or a stylish sundowner against the Alpine panorama. Here, leaving the world behind, often a cliche that we use can be taken quite literally.