Vorarlberg

Vorarlberg has become one of Europe’s most remarkable architecture regions. Tucked between Lake Constance and the Alps, Austria’s westernmost state combines traditional timber farmhouses, small villages and dramatic mountain landscapes with an extraordinary concentration of contemporary architecture. Since the late 20th century, the Vorarlberger Baukünstler have developed an architectural culture built around timber construction, craftsmanship, sustainability and an unusually close collaboration between architects and local makers. The result is everywhere—from bus stops and village halls to private houses, restaurants and hotels—making good design feel like part of everyday life rather than an imported luxury.

Food and drink are equally rooted in the landscape. Alpine dairy farming provides exceptional mountain cheeses, with Bergkäse fundamental to regional dishes such as Käsknöpfle, while farms, bakeries and small producers remain closely connected to village life. The Bregenzerwald is particularly rewarding, where the KäseStrasse links cheesemakers, farmers, inns and craftspeople across the region. Contemporary restaurants increasingly work with seasonal Alpine ingredients, while Lake Constance adds freshwater fish, fruit and nearby wine to a food culture that moves easily between Austria, Switzerland and southern Germany.

Vorarlberg’s most interesting hotels embody the same philosophy as its architecture. Historic inns, timber guesthouses and contemporary mountain retreats combine precise craftsmanship, natural materials and restrained interiors with a deep connection to the surrounding landscape. At DNA Hotels, we curate the places where architecture, food, craft and Alpine life come together—hotels that reveal why this small corner of Austria has become an essential destination for anyone who believes good design should belong to a place rather than simply be placed there.