Chronicle

During the construction of the road through the Liesertal valley, the "Waltlwirth" house was built as a carter's tavern with a small farm.

Andreas Brandstätter acquired the tavern as a small part of a large estate. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, only the small carter's tavern and farm remained.

Friedrich and Maria Brandstätter took over the business. Friedrich Brandstätter died in the turmoil of war. The "Waltlwirth" remained unchanged until 1965, when it was closed.

My parents Fritz and Siegried Brandstätter took over the neglected property. Siegried Brandstätter only came on the condition that there would be no catering.

December 16 - the "Waltlwirth" inn was reopened. With a bar and seating for 25 people, my mother became a passionate landlady. She cooked herself and was soon known for her good food. She cooked on a household stove and with high heels.

The first major extension was built, a dining room with seven tables. With the opening of the highway in spring 1975, the à la carte business collapsed drastically. Existential fears spread.

In the fall of this year, my parents opened the very successful "Grilltanz Stub'n zur Spinne" within the walls of the Waltlwirth. A dance hall with food until 2.00 am. At the same time, 7 rooms were rented out during the summer months.

In Gmünd, an old cowshed was leased and converted into the "Burgstadl" discotheque.

Siegfried Neuschitzer, head of the Babyhotel, converted his spa hotel into a baby hotel and marketed it with great success. He united all the accommodation providers to create the most family-friendly valley in Europe. All businesses are baby and family-friendly right down to the last alpine hut, and this is still the case today.

The "Waltlwirth" became Europe's first baby inn, open from mid-May to mid-September. At the same time, the discotheque ran as an annual business in Gmünd.

The Trebesing baby village was founded with 17 businesses in the municipality and a central nursery (free childcare for guest children). In addition, the fairytale hiking trail was added, a 2.5 km long forest path with fairytales and entertainment. At the same time, the outdoor pool at the "Waltlwirth" became an independent building with an indoor pool and sauna.

The Babygasthof Waltlwirth was handed over to Mario Brandstätter, renovated and transformed into Smiley's Kinderhotel****

The major renovation begins. The idea is to combine the main building with the indoor pool. This creates five levels with nine spacious suites, a larger sauna area with relaxation room, a separate children's indoor pool, a fitness room and the beauty farm on 1,250 m².

Opening on May 14 with 85% occupancy, with craftsmen in the building laying carpets, connecting the lights in the children's indoor pool, finishing work in the suites and building the staircase. It was chaos, but by 5.00 p.m. we managed to complete most of the building work with our combined efforts.

In a rigorous review of children's hotels in Europe, we received the highest score of all 4-Smiley hotels in Europe. Out of 60 children's hotels tested, including seven 5-Smiley establishments, we achieved fifth place. At the end of the year, our wood chip plant went into operation - from now on Smiley heats biologically. At the same time, a large castle wall was built towards the playground.

Renovation of seven apartments in the main building and equipping all rooms with flat-screen TVs and some with WiFi

Renovation of the last room in the main building, WLAN coverage of up to 90 %, fitness room equipped with new "Tunturi Platinium Series" equipment, extension of the soft play area and construction of the climbing wall.

Completion of the indoor playhouse, extension of the roof terrace to our three new snuggle suites, expansion of the buffet area with a spring water fountain, organic corner and juice corner. Total renovation of the staff rooms, new children's football pitch and fairytale tower. Construction of a new tubular spiral slide in the playground.

Renovations to the indoor pool and refurbishment of the water slide. Purchase of a wooden shed at the most beautiful spot on Lake Millstatt. Start of work on Smiley's lake house.

Purchase of the neighboring property with detached house and woodshed. Planning for Smiley's river chalets.

Completion of the Smiley River Chalets - two residential units of 100 m² each with themed rooms and an open fireplace. Garden design at the chalets with a barbecue house made of brook stones, a Lieser lounge for relaxing, a stone fountain and many favorite places in the orchard.

Conversion of the neighbor's woodshed into Smiley's River Chalet Lieserrauschen with numerous feel-good spaces 130 m² and completion of the chalet garden. Installation of a photovoltaic system on all roofs. Smiley now runs on electricity.

Conversion and renovation of seven apartments in the main building with new bathrooms. Renovation of the conservatory and the limo fountain.

The outdoor pool area has been replanted and redesigned, with a covered sunbathing area, seating islands and new jetties. Furthermore, a new state-of-the-art spring catchment system for fresh drinking water in the Smiley Kinderhotel - Smiley's own mountain spring water. Renovation of the last two bathrooms and sleeping areas in the main building, remodeling of Smiley's last dining room, renovation of the hotel lobby. Renewal of the emergency lighting system.

Smiley's Seehaus gets a new, spacious parking lot. An imposing, 5-meter-high stone wall was built at great expense. Two charming staff cottages with verandas were also built. Smileys' 24-hour children's playroom has also been renovated and lovingly redesigned.