Interview with Julia Mingler-Haueis

What does being a hostess mean to you personally, and what do you particularly love about this job?

For me, being a hostess isn’t just a job – it’s something I’m truly passionate about. I love welcoming people, giving them a temporary home and making sure they feel at ease from the very first moment. For me, the best bits are the personal encounters, the many lovely conversations and, above all, the guests who become friends over the years. When our guests head home with a smile on their faces and are already looking forward to their next visit, we know we’ve done a lot of things right.

How does a family-run business manage to remain personal and welcoming whilst at the same time developing into a high-quality hotel for connoisseurs?

I believe the most important thing is to stay true to one’s roots. Of course, we always want to keep developing, putting new ideas into practice and offering our guests the very best quality. But in doing so, we must never lose the heart of a family-run business.
For me, family warmth and high standards are by no means mutually exclusive – quite the opposite! It is precisely the personal touch, the attention to detail and the passion with which we run our Sportalm that make all the difference to me. We don’t want to be a hotel that is simply perfect, but one where you feel completely at ease and welcome.

Cuisine is an important part of the Sportalm. How do you manage to combine a connection to the region, high quality and moments of special indulgence?

Indulgence plays a very special role here at the Sportalm. We love our Tyrolean homeland and the wonderful produce our region has to offer. At the same time, we’re open to new ideas, creative combinations and unique taste experiences.
For me, true enjoyment begins with the quality of the ingredients, continues with the passion in the kitchen and ends with our guests’ delight at the table. I find it particularly wonderful when regional produce is transformed into something truly special through creativity and attention to detail. After all, good food should not only taste good, but also be remembered.

The area around Kirchberg offers plenty of opportunities for golfers. In your view, what makes it such a special golfing destination?

What makes our region particularly attractive to golfers is, above all, the enormous variety of golf courses. Around Kirchberg and Kitzbühel, there is an exceptionally wide selection of beautiful and very different courses, all of which can be reached in a short time.
Whether challenging or a little more relaxed – every course has its own character. You can play on a different golf course practically every day without having to put up with long journeys. Added to this, of course, is the stunning scenery of the Kitzbühel Alps. For me, this combination makes our region a truly special golfing destination.

What does ‘enjoyment’ mean to you, and what role does it play in your everyday life?

For me, enjoyment means, above all, consciously appreciating the beautiful things in life and taking the time to savour them. This could be a wonderful meal with a good glass of wine, a cosy evening with family and friends, or simply a quiet moment in our beautiful mountain surroundings.
Especially in our often bustling hotel life, it’s the little moments that are particularly precious to me. I believe that enjoyment doesn’t always have to be something grand or extraordinary. What’s far more important is that you experience it with all your senses and appreciate it from the heart.
And it is precisely this attitude to life that we want to share with our guests at the Sportalm.