JNO Hotel Operations Ltd.
4 star boutique hotel Goldenes Lamm
Hauptplatz 1
9500 Villach
+43 (0) 4242 / 24105
+43 (0) 4242 / 24105-56
office@goldeneslamm.at
VAT no.: ATU78431378
The town of Villach lies at the entrance of the Drau into the Carinthian basin at the junction of important transport routes (Drautal, “diagonal passage” along Lake Ossiach, Gail and Kanaltal) and is traditionally regarded as the gateway to the south. Mentioned as a bridge town as early as 878, the area was donated to the Bamberg Abbey by King Henry II and granted a comprehensive market privilege by Henry IV in 1060. Villach was walled in 1233 and was documented as a town in the full legal sense in 1240. Although it had risen to become one of the most important trading centers in the Eastern Alps by the middle of the 14th century, Villach was unable to become the capital because it belonged to Bamberg until 1759. An economic decline set in from the 17th century, which was only compensated for after 1868 by Villach’s development into a railroad hub with the headquarters of the state railway directorate and workshops. You will experience and feel this history as a guest in our hotel.
The location of the Golden Lamb right next to the town wall and the bridge over the Drau, as the first house on the main square, has always been something special and privileged. The records of the Villach Museum show that our house was, so to speak, a predecessor of today’s tax office. The mystic and builder of the Milesi Castle “Christoph Stadler von Gstirner” was in the pay of Archduke Ferdinand II and Archduke Maximilian III and collected “entrance fees” to the city at this place. An old pillar in the Cafe Restaurant Goldenes Lamm bears witness to this time and, with the guild sign of the venerable stonemason, is the oldest surviving relic of this period.
We are proud to say that the Golden Lamb has been a licensed innkeeper since the beginning of the 19th century. On 11.07.1853, the brewing license is also granted to the pub, which is subsequently run as a restaurant and brewery. From 01.08.1865, the inn is advertised with “good and clean passenger rooms”.
At least in 1885, the inn also had a bowling alley, which was described as a “gambling den” in a letter to the editor of a newspaper.
In 1892/93, in addition to the inn, the following businesses were also located in the building: hackney carriage and carriage hire, furriery, gold and silver work and a butcher’s shop with an entrance in Gerbergasse 4.
The minutes of the municipal council of July 28, 1893 read “Granting of the innkeeper’s trade to FRANZ FISCHER on the grounds… that this inn is to be warmly recommended in view of the significant frequency and in view of the increasing tourism, a need of the local as well as the foreign public.”
The following advertisements appear in 1894: “Gasthof zum Lamm, beautiful location, nice rooms, very good food at moderate prices. Really “recommendable accommodation” in every respect.
On 27.11.1905, the serving of distilled beverages is authorized and approved.
On 3.5. In 1910, the inn butcher and real estate owner Franz Fischer dies at the age of 66. Maria, the wife, takes over the business and dies in 1926. In 1912 the Goldene Lamm has 35 rooms.
Many famous personalities have spent the night here, including the brilliant painter Egon Schiele in 1914 and Otto Waalkes, whose Ottifant can be seen at the bar.
The 2 portraits of the important and hard-working hotel founders Maria and Franz Fischer can be seen right at the entrance at the reception, modernly redesigned by the artist Zenita Komad.
At least in 1885, the inn also had a bowling alley, which was described as a “gambling den” in a letter to the editor of a newspaper.
In 1892/93, in addition to the inn, the following businesses were also located in the building: hackney carriage and carriage hire, furriery, gold and silver work and a butcher’s shop with an entrance in Gerbergasse 4.
Until 2015, the hotel was in the hands of the respected Fischer family of hoteliers. Renate Fischer, the last owner of the family, ran the hotel for 33 years.
The business was sold to KomRat Mag. Susanne Claudia Boyneburg Lengsfeld Spendier in May 2015. She has many years of experience in the Villach hotel industry. In 2019, the hotel was extended by 8 rooms and 2 suites through the acquisition of the neighboring building at Hauptplatz 3 and will be completely renovated by 2022.
In a spirit of friendship, the boutique hotel was handed over to Nicole Ottacher on October 1, 2022. She worked in Boyneburg’s team for around 20 years, so she has a lot of experience and had the courage to lease the boutique hotel with her company JNO Hotelbetriebs GmbH. Together with a highly motivated team, Ms. Ottacher runs the hotel with great charm and skill.
