Family-Run Hotel in Montafon – Fourth Generation
Genusshotel Vermala in St. Gallenkirch is a family-run hotel in Montafon, managed by the fourth generation of the Tschanhenz family with great passion and enthusiasm. Over the decades, a small guesthouse has grown into a hotel dedicated to wellness holidays, active holidays and relaxing breaks in Vorarlberg.
What continues to shape Vermala today is genuine Montafon hospitality, personal hosts, tradition, a strong sense of togetherness and great attention to detail. Discover the people and the story behind Genusshotel Vermala.
Three Generations Under One Roof!
Norbert, who lost one parent during the war, and Rosmarie, who came from a humble background, started with nothing. With boundless enthusiasm for their work and for welcoming guests, they transformed the small room-rental business run by Mathilda and Ludwig into Gasthof Vermala.
The History of Genusshotel Vermala
From the First Guest Rooms to Genusshotel Vermala
While the building was still under construction in 1961, two rooms with a shared shower and toilet on the same floor were already being offered with breakfast. Today, in 2024, Genusshotel Vermala offers 45 rooms and 7 suites across the main hotel building, Chalet Gipfelgaudi and Chalet Bergwiesenblick, as well as 5 apartments in the centre of St. Gallenkirch. At full occupancy, including all extra beds, we are delighted to welcome up to 145 guests.
The Fourth Generation of the Tschanhenz Family
In 1996, we – Ewald and Barbara – had the privilege of taking over the family legacy, bringing in our own ideas and developing Genusshotel Vermala into the hotel it is today. From then on, our programme included at least one building project every year – usually one during each off-season. Now the fourth generation, Lena Maria, Manuel with his girlfriend Birgit, and Leander, are ready to take the next steps and actively support us.
Ewald Tschanhenz
Our boss and head chef in one. He trained as a chef under his father Norbert and his brother Rudi. He also holds master craftsman qualifications in screeding and interior fitting and served as Mayor of St. Gallenkirch for five years. A national paragliding champion and European vice-champion! Ewald is always happy to stop for a chat, and you will often find him enjoying an espresso break at the hotel bar. Those planning to say only a very quick hello should avoid the following topics, as they may need a little more time: photovoltaics, woodchip heating systems and electric cars.
“I simply love that Mum and Dad still come to Vermala several times a day to make sure everything is running smoothly, while reminiscing about the old days with our children and discussing ideas for the future. It is wonderful when three generations share such a strong common interest.”
Barbara Tschanhenz
Family manager, receptionist, decorator and producer of Bsundrigs & Guat’s. A trained chemist’s assistant and pharmaceutical assistant, Barbara also holds a hotel and hospitality licence. She will usually welcome you upon arrival with a broad smile on her face.
“Every day, I love seeing how we have incorporated materials from the valley throughout Vermala and the warmth and sense of comfort they create. Whenever I have time, I enjoy collecting natural materials from the surrounding mountains and arranging them at Vermala together with flowers from my garden. It creates something truly unique.”
Our Senior Hosts
Rosmarie Tschanhenz
An innkeeper through and through, Rosmarie learnt her profession at Hotel Sonne in Tschagguns. In 1971, she and Norbert fulfilled a long-held dream by opening Café Restaurant Vermala. It quickly became a popular meeting place in the village. Over the years, she turned countless visitors into loyal regular guests, many of whom returned to Vermala time and again because of Rosmarie. Every now and then, she certainly knew how to get the party started too. Even today, Rosmarie bustles through the hotel like our very own fairy godmother, and we often discover another decorative treasure from days gone by. After Sunday Mass, you will find Rosmarie enjoying a glass of good wine at the hotel bar.
Norbert Tschanhenz
A true “Buggli” through and through, Norbert is now enjoying his well-earned retirement. After founding Tschanhenz Estriche, he developed the company into a business with up to 30 employees. His impressive projects included dozens of ÖBB railway stations, Vienna General Hospital and a large proportion of the mountain railway facilities in Montafon. Despite the health difficulties he has faced in recent years, Norbert can still be found at every building site and always has an answer when questions arise. Today, you will find him enjoying his Sunday beer at his former regulars’ table in the old restaurant, looking around to see whether he recognises any of the guests.
She manages reception, marketing and strategic development and puts her talent for figures to good use in the office. With eight years of international experience, she brings fresh ideas to Vermala. At the age of 16, she left home to complete the IB Diploma in New York and later in Colwyn Bay, Wales. This was followed by a four-year bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Management at EHL École hôtelière de Lausanne, a master’s degree in Corporate Finance at Lund University in Sweden and professional experience gained through internships at excellent hotels.
You will almost always find Lena at reception: „It is wonderful to have seen and experienced so much. And when you return home, you appreciate a family-run business in Montafon all the more.“
He takes charge of all building work at the hotel, runs his own business and is also a brilliant bartender at Vermala. After attending the ski-focused secondary school in Schruns and completing his apprenticeship as a bricklayer with distinction, he ended his skiing career at FIS level. At the age of 18, he began his journey into self-employment and went on to establish the construction company Tschani Bau & Beton. Whether building family homes, exposed-concrete pools or working on Vermala’s summer construction projects, he spends the winter season entirely at the hotel. Our construction boss – and a dedicated mountain rescuer by vocation!
In winter, you will find Manuel behind the bar: „I absolutely love the variety. In summer, I work with concrete and come home completely exhausted, while in winter I put on my beautiful traditional attire, stand behind the bar and tell our guests stories about my construction projects. I look forward to this change every season. Concrete is my passion, and hospitality is my home.“
He runs the restaurant, puts a smile on every guest’s face and regularly provides musical entertainment. After completing his apprenticeship as a carpenter, he decided to try working in hotel service. What began as a simple experiment has now become his passion. Immaculately dressed in traditional attire, he welcomes our guests each evening with his very best smile and greets his colleagues with a relaxed “Ziawas”. Every now and then, you will also find him behind the bar at Vermala Wirt on Garfrescha – unless he is out on a mountain rescue mission. Throughout the valley, he is known as DJ L.T.
„I originally only wanted to give service a try. But I enjoyed it so much that I knew this was what I wanted to do. Through renovation work and helping my brother, construction has always remained part of my life too. I simply love how much our guests appreciate my work: even a simple smile from me can bring a smile to their faces. I especially enjoy the conversations with all the different hotel guests."
She manages Bar Herzstück, Vermala Wirt and our human resources department. Birgit has been Manuel’s partner since 2016 and has been firmly integrated into the family business from the very beginning. For many years, she managed the bar at Vermala Alp. With a bachelor’s degree in Health and Tourism Management from HfWU Nürtingen-Geislingen at its Lake Constance campus in Konstanz, as well as experience gained through internships at 5-star resorts, she is a wonderful addition to our family business. You will find Birgit either at Bar Herzstück at Vermala or at Vermala Wirt on Garfrescha, always with a smile on her face. From winter 2024/25, she will take on a management role and passionately plan events and weddings.
“At first, it was completely new territory for me – living and working with my boyfriend’s family was certainly a challenge. But that is exactly why I now appreciate being part of this wonderfully crazy family all the more. For me, the loveliest part of working at Vermala is welcoming our returning regular guests at the hotel bar and hearing what is new in their lives.”
Skiing History & Tourism in Montafon
Winter sports in Montafon have a long and fascinating tradition dating back to the early 1900s. The impressive mountain landscape and the continuous development of the region’s tourism infrastructure attracted increasing numbers of visitors from all over the world. Discover more about the foundations of skiing laid in Montafon and the pioneering world-first innovations from that time, which can still be seen and experienced today. We are proud of our history – and even prouder of our ancestors, who were true pioneers.
When Was Vermala Established in Montafon?
The history of Vermala began in 1957 with the excavation work for today’s main hotel building, followed by the first guest rooms in 1961. Over the decades, a small room-rental business developed into today’s Genusshotel Vermala, offering rooms, suites, wellness and cuisine.
Who runs Genusshotel Vermala?
Genusshotel Vermala is run by the Tschanhenz family in St. Gallenkirch. As a family-run hotel in Montafon, Vermala combines personal hospitality, tradition and modern hotel comfort.
What makes the hosts at Genusshotel Vermala special?
Personal hospitality is at the heart of Genusshotel Vermala. The Tschanhenz family and the Vermala team look after their guests with warmth, experience and genuine insider tips from Montafon.
Is Genusshotel Vermala a traditional hotel?
Yes, Vermala is a hotel with a long history and deep roots in Montafon. At the same time, the hotel has been continuously developed, renovated and transformed over the years. Between 2019 and 2024, three major construction phases expanded the wellness facilities, dining areas and rooms in Montafon. Today, Genusshotel Vermala combines traditional hospitality with modern comfort, excellent rooms, relaxing wellness in Vorarlberg and culinary enjoyment.
Why is the family history interesting for guests?
The family history shows that Genusshotel Vermala is not an anonymous hotel, but a family business that has grown over generations in Montafon. Guests therefore experience a personal atmosphere, genuine hospitality and a strong connection to the region.
