About Us

Ivor and Alison Thomas

Ivor and Alison have owned and run restaurant, catering and hospitality businesses since 1984. Their specialism is simple, high quality, rustic style tasty food from locally sourced ingredients and they have brought this culinary philosophy to Austria where the mouth-watering produce is second to none.

Both very keen skiers, they managed to combine their skills and interests to run a ski chalet operation for two years in Lake Tahoe, California, U.S.A. Ivor is also an avid motorcyclist - when he gets the chance!

Alison, who is half Austrian and still has family in the area, combines work in the hotel with life as a busy Mum of their two boys Ryan and Kieran, also keen skiers and learning German fast. You're sure to meet them when you come to visit!

John and Ros Gowers

Ivor’s sister, Ros and her husband John are the other half of the managerial team. Although new to the hospitality business, both have a long history of working with and for the public and of providing excellent customer service.

John’s passions are motorbiking; model railways and gardening (look for the great floral displays outside the hotel!). Ros is a puzzle addict, loves reading and theatre and, being a good German speaker, will willingly help you translate or interpret anything you are not sure of.

Between them, Ros and John have 4 grown up children and 2 grand-children who, they hope, will be frequent welcome visitors to this exciting new venture.

"When you come and stay at Hotel Hochalmspitze, we will all be working every day to ensure that your stay is an enjoyable and memorable one and you will leave looking forward to a return visit"...

Our "Ladies"

We are really lucky to have a staff team comprising 5 lovely local ladies who know the area, the hotel and the hospitality business really well and who will work hard to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Herr Adolf Gollenz

We could not leave out from our introductions the former owner of the hotel, and our good friend, Herr Adolf Gollenz.

Herr Gollenz knows all there is to know about the Maltatal and the surrounding areas. He often acts as tour guide for our coach parties and is always willing to whet your appetite with his slideshow of the best things to see and do.

Herr Gollenz's son Wolfgang, and daughter-in-law Klaudia, own and manage the valley's Donkey Sanctuary, where our guests can enjoy free entry to see their wide range of well cared for animals.