Where holidays turn into stories
High above everyday life, where the mountain peaks touch the sky and the wind seems to whisper stories, lies a place where the clock ticks more quietly. A place where words linger, stories take shape, and books are not just read but lived. At our literary hotel in Austria, alpine seclusion and culture merge into an atmosphere that leaves room – for thought, for language, for you. Whether you wish to lose yourself in the quiet of reading or seek conversation with authors, the Sonnenburg invites you to read your holiday like a good book – chapter by chapter. For readers. For writers. For everyone who discovers not just words but whole worlds within stories.
A matter close to our hearts
How the Sonnenburg became a literary hotel
“We had been toying with the idea for a long time”, says managing director Waltraud Hoch. For 40 years, the Sonnenburg has been a place where art and culture flourish. In the past, however, the focus lay on the visual arts. “My husband and I want to introduce our guests to something that is close to our own hearts. For us, a good holiday always includes a good book. Literature moves us – and it is exactly this enthusiasm that we want to share.”, emphasises Waltraud Hoch. Gregor Hoch adds: “We want our guests to let their souls unwind. On holiday, they finally have time for things that often fall by the wayside in everyday life. And we are convinced that stories – whether read or experienced – can be taken home as treasured memories.”
This is how our literary programme came about in 2016 – as an answer to a question many guests ask: “Why here, of all places?” Perhaps because something has changed here: A house for art became a place for language. Passion became conviction. And a hotel became a literary hotel.
Encounters with authors
Literature thrives on dialogue – on the written word, and on the spoken one. At the Sonnenburg, we regularly invite authors to present their work in person. Every one of these readings is an opportunity for encounter and exchange. Some authors stay with us a little longer, as writers in residence, opening up a conversation between writers and readers. A literary highlight of the year are the Lech Literary Days, where guests, writers and culture enthusiasts meet for inspiring discussions against an alpine backdrop. Hotel guests take part free of charge, of course.
Read, live, let go
A literary hotel with soul
At the Hotel Sonnenburg, literature is not just a theme – it is an attitude, an atmosphere, and part of everyday life. Where guests might otherwise reach for their phones, many here reach for a book instead. We have envisioned the hotel as a library – a place where stories feel at home everywhere. Even the pool area has its own poolside library, complete with comfortable loungers and reading nooks.
The rooms and suites are also retreats for book lovers. Each one holds a lovingly curated book box, filled with works both great and small that invite you to browse, discover and pause for a moment. Perfect for quiet moments with a view of the mountains – or in search of your next favourite quote.
For families, reading is part of their holiday too. Whether reading aloud together, browsing side by side, or settling in at bedtime, our family hotel in Lech invites everyone to dive into new worlds.
Every book has something to tell. Each one carries a message for you. Each one has strength to give. None exists for its own sake. Each was written for your sake alone: to show you a path – the path to yourself.
Carl Christian Bry
The calm between the lines
Wellness at the literary hotel
After, or even during, hours full of stories, the body too deserves a rest: in our spa at the Arlberg – in the soothing heat of the sauna, in warm, enveloping water that lets thoughts drift – and in moments that belong to you alone. Between steam and scent, between retreat and letting go, there is space to reflect on what you have read, to let the words linger, and to come a little closer to yourself. Because what matters to us is not just how you unwind, but what remains afterwards – a feeling, perhaps sparked by a single line. That is why we see the Sonnenburg not simply as a hotel, but truly as a literary hotel in Austria.
Nature & literature around Hotel Sonnenburg
The mountains around Lech – surrounding Hotel Sonnenburg – also have plenty to offer for book lovers off the page. Set out, for example, on the Grüner Ring (Green Ring), a literary hiking trail in three stages. This literature and art project will bring you closer to the nature and legendary culture of the Arlberg. One of its 35 stages is the mountain-hut library, where hikers can settle in with a book, embark on adventures in their imagination, and soak up the mountain sun at the same time. Or set off to an excursion to the baroque monastery library of Mehrerau Abbey in Bregenz, just one of the many literary highlights the region has to offer.
Comfort in the Stammhaus & the Landhaus
Your stay outside the pages
At the Hotel Sonnenburg, literature is not only read but lived. Carefully chosen books accompany your stay not only in our library spaces but also in every room.
At the 5-star hotel in Lech am Arlberg, the Sonnenburg’s main house Stammhaus, alpine elegance awaits you: spacious rooms, high-quality materials, and an atmosphere that inspires.
The 4-star superior hotel in Lech am Arlberg, our Landhaus, welcomes you with cosy charm, natural accents and a calming view of the Lech mountains.
Both houses are connected by an underground passage and share far more than just infrastructure – they share the same passion. Whether you choose the Stammhaus or the Landhaus, you will be staying at the literary hotel that values words just as much as silence.
Life is like a book. Fools leaf through it hastily; the wise read it with care, knowing they can only read it once.
Jean Paul
Every dish pure poetry …
Speaking of highlights: at the Sonnenburg, you can even taste reading pleasure. In our literary gourmet restaurant Textur in Vorarlberg every course pays homage to the written word. On one occasion, we take your palate on a journey to every corner of the world, through the great classics of world literature. On another, you can savour the nostalgic notes of the Brothers Grimm’s best-loved fairy tales and immerse yourself through taste in the worlds of Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel.
Alongside the wine pairing, a literary pairing is equally essential – with inspiring works at every table, our distinctive menu, and a set of literary instructions guiding you through the evening. At our literary hotel, cuisine is not a side note but part of the cultural journey – and sometimes, the beginning of a new story.
Experience literature, don’t just read it
Write your own chapter in Lech
When you leave, perhaps a sentence will stay in your mind. Or a thought that lingers. The Sonnenburg does not want to close a chapter – it wants to start a new one. Because literature does not live in books alone. It lives in moments of pause. In conversation. In the feeling that something has meaning. What you take with you is entirely your own: a quote, perhaps, or a new favourite author. Or simply the knowledge that there is a place where you can feel words. A literary hotel in Austria that aims to be more than just a holiday destination – a place that stays on your mind, just like a good book.
Frequently asked question about our literary hotel
Are there events for children around books and reading?
Yes, Hotel Sonnenburg also hosts literary events for our young guests with different formats and themes depending on the season.
These include, for example, creative literary workshops where children write, create and solve puzzles, as well as the Oberlech Picture Book Days, during which children aged 6 and over develop their own picture book together with a children’s book author. Which events take place during your stay will depend on the current programme – so it is well worth checking our events calendar.
Regardless of the programme, a dedicated book trolley with over 60 titles for children is always available in the Kinderwelt kid’s club – from picture books and non-fiction to fairy tales. All children up to the age of 12 attend readings and events free of charge.
Can I attend events even if I am not staying at Hotel Sonnenburg?
Yes, outside guests are also warmly welcome at literary events at the Hotel Sonnenburg. The admission fee of € 5 per person can be paid directly at the reception before the start of the event.
How much does it cost to attend readings and events?
All readings are free of charge for hotel and restaurant guests. Outside visitors are asked to pay an admission fee of € 5 per person at the reception before the start of the event. Children up to the age of 12 are always admitted free of charge.
How do I register for readings and events?
Registration for readings and events is possible in several ways: you can register directly at reception, contact us by telephone or email, or use the online form on the respective event page.
Are there literary events at Hotel Sonnenburg?
Yes, as a literary hotel, the Sonnenburg hosts varied events with different formats and guests depending on the season. At its core are regular author readings with well-known writers, as well as family readings for guests of all ages.
Special event series complement the programme: with “A Hotel Reads a Book”, all guests immerse themselves in a selected work together with the author. The Oberlech Picture Book Days are a multi-day festival centred around picture books – especially for families with children. The annual event “Fantastic Worlds in Oberlech” transports guests into the world of fantasy literature and other fascinating topics for a weekend – with readings, talks, and interactive activities on the programme.
Can I buy books at Hotel Sonnenburg?
At literary events at Hotel Sonnenburg, a book table is set up where the featured works can be purchased on site. If you wish, they can also be personally signed by the authors.
In addition, you will find a selection of books in our shop – in the book display case next to the massage room – including some signed copies.
Can I borrow books at Hotel Sonnenburg?
Yes, you can borrow books from the Sonnenburg library without registration or prior request.
How many books are there in the Sonnenburg library?
You can find more than 2,000 books in German and English in the Sonnenburg library – and the collection is constantly growing. Discover an additional 50 titles in the poolside library, as well as a curated book box with around ten selected titles in your room.
What makes Sonnenburg a literary hotel?
Sonnenburg incorporates literature visibly and experientially throughout your entire stay. Books are available in the rooms, and a library, a dedicated poolside library, and quiet reading nooks around the hotel invite guests to browse and read. The offering is complemented by regular readings and literary events, which both hotel guests and outside visitors are welcome to attend.
