The story of Ritzenhof – where tradition and vision unite

Saalfelden without Lake Ritzensee? Back in the 1950s, today's Ritzensee was still unthinkable. Thanks to the vision of principal Oswald Putzer and with the help of the American occupying forces, the dam was built, giving rise to Lake Ritzensee.The lake owes its name to Haimeran von Ritz, the former owner of Schloss Ritzen.

In 1972, Hans Riedlsperger purchased the property at Lake Ritzensee. After eight years of construction, Hans and Frieda Riedlsperger opened Pension Ritzenhof on June 24, featuring 28 rooms. The unique location between mountains and lake, combined with the warmth of the hosts, made the guesthouse a place of togetherness and laughter from the very beginning.

Johann and Frieda's son, Hannes, trained as a chef and gained his first experience in Saalbach before taking over the kitchen at Pension Ritzenhof. In the 1980s, Hannes met Martina at Lake Ritzensee – a popular gathering spot for the youth of Saalfelden. After spending summer days by the lake, their first date followed, and at just 16 years old, Martina began spending every free minute at Ritzenhof. In 1989, their son, Hannes Junior, was born.

After ten years at Pension Ritzenhof, Johann and Frieda Riedlsperger handed over the reins to Hannes and Martina, who were just 23 and 20 years old at the time. With a lot of courage and fresh ideas, the two gradually implemented their vision. While Hannes ran the kitchen and Martina took over the service, their children, Hannes Junior and, from 1992, daughter Michaela, were also in the thick of things right from the start.

The cellar bar has been a lively meeting place in Saalfelden from the very beginning – with music, singing and an exuberant atmosphere, it has become the heart of the Pension Ritzenhof. Hannes provided entertainment with his accordion and keyboard, while Martina completed the duo with singing and dancing – a place that stood for unforgettable evenings and genuine warmth.

From a guesthouse to the 4-star Hotel Ritzenhof: The family took a bold step, expanding the guesthouse to a total of 90 beds. As the team and expectations grew, so did the vision of creating a wellness hotel – a dream that steadily took shape.

In April, the major transformation into a wellness hotel began, with up to 250 workers on-site at the same time. After just six months of construction, Ritzenhof – Hotel und Spa am See opened its doors on October 13. Hannes and Martina had finally realized their long-held dream of a 4-star superior wellness hotel.

We are passionate hosts who love creating unforgettable holiday moments for our guests. Thank you for being a part of our story – we look forward to welcoming you to Ritzenhof and making your stay truly special!

– Your Riedlsperger Family