The History of the Springs
The thermal springs of Bad Kleinkirchheim have been a source of revitalisation as early as the Middle Ages. For centuries, people would pilgrimage to the region to wet their eyes with the water, known to alleviate various eye problems. Today, the source of the hot springs lies directly beneath the Church of St. Kathrein.
1055 Count Palatine Aribone Botho of Bavaria is the first known guest to be healed at the hot springs.
1470 The bathhouse and the Church of St. Kathrein are first mentioned in the annals.
1672
Mass is read every day during bathing hours, however this practice was subsequently banned by the church.
1831
Josef Michael, owner of the St. Kathrein Spa demands 6 kreuzers for a bath in a cabin, and 4 kreuzers in the parlour; 3 kreuzers per night in an ordinary bed, and 5 kreuzers in a luxurious bed.
1884 The first hotel brochure is printed.
1908
Elise and Hans Ronacher acquire the local “kurhaus” or spa house, and renovate and extend the facility. After receiving the relevant licences the hotel re-opened in 1911 with 50 beds.
1922
Kärntner Tagespost (Carinthian Daily Post) reports that after the interruption of the Great War the “world famous thermal bath offering dance, good food and cheap prices” run by Frieda and Alberta Ronacher is to be re-opened.
1956 Carinthia's longest ski lift is installed in Bad Kleinkirchheim. The first winter season at Ronacher begins.
1963 Guenther Ronacher joins the business and expands the accommodation to 80 beds plus a restaurant.
1969
Merger with Alten Post Hotel, newly built reception, construction of a new restaurant, and bar. The accommodation expands to 120 beds.
1970
Ronacher opens a large thermal indoor pool and a new wellness centre, and is officially awarded 5-star status.
1976 The hotel capacity reaches 160 beds.
1980 The hotel opens the new Thermal Garden with grotto walkway, steam bath and bio sauna.
1991
Markus Ronacher takes over the family business from his parents Guenther & Helga Ronacher. His dedication sets benchmark after benchmark as he continues to extend the spa hotel.
1994 The hotel lobby, restaurant and reception are renovated.
2000 The kitchen is completely renovated, and the ”Kanzlerstüberl“ restaurant is built.
2001
The Ronacher Spa World is renovated to offer guests 5 thermal baths (indoor pool with hot springs 34 ° C, outdoor pool 25 ° C, whirlpool 36 ° C, grotto pool with waterfall 36 ° C and a sports pool 16 - 18 ° C) bio sauna, steam bath, Ronacher’s sweat parlour, a 2-storey alpine cottage - sauna hut, ice fog grotto, “Silenzio” relaxation lounge and a meditation house. Other new facilities include the Winter Garden restaurant, a popular addition for gourmet connoisseurs.
2002
Two passionate hoteliers come together. Simone Maier, the daughter of Dietmar & Johanna
Maier, a 4-hauben gault millau chef from Filzmoos, and Markus Ronacher, the scion of the local spa hotel enterprise. Both have a love of hotels and gourmet catering in their blood. On 20 October 2002, their friendship was officially sealed with a magnificent wedding. And on 4 December 2002, the couple’s first child, a daughter, Sophie Ronacher, was born.
2003/04
Simone Ronacher takes control of the management of the Thermal Spa Resort Ronacher, while Markus Ronacher manages Die Post Hotel. In March 2004, both hotels were awarded the prestigious "Hotel of the Year 2004" award by the Bertelsmann publishing group. And if that was not enough, the influential Gault Millau restaurant guide bestowed a 2-hauben rating on the Thermal Spa Resort Ronacher in November of the same year. This makes the Ronacher the only hotel in Austria with a 2-hauben gault millau restaurant to offer half board - exclusively for our guests. In autumn, a decision was made to invest in the Honey Rooms. They now offer elegant comfort, beautiful furnishing, bright colours and luxurious marble baths.
2005
On 26 January 2005, Simone and Markus Ronacher received the “Wellnesshotel und Hoteliers 2005“ award. The award was presented by “Besser Essen und Reisen“ (Better Food and Travel) guide.
2006
The Spa World at Ronacher is extended from 2,500m² to 4,000 m². New facilities include a panorama spa with 21 treatment rooms, spacious fitness studio, Tuscan Refugium, magical garden fairies and a beautiful car park ...
