Pure art
Flower Power at the 5-star superior Hotel Schloss Seefels on Lake Wörthersee
Anyone stepping into the art and design Hotel Schloss Seefels in Techelsberg on Lake Wörthersee for the very first time is bound to stop in their tracks. Is this real? Surely it can't be. One step closer. Then another. A gentle touch. Unbelievable. Every single flower is real. A magnificent floral masterpiece unfolds before your eyes – an extraordinary arrangement that is far more than a bouquet. It is a work of art, a breathtaking focal point, and a spectacular display that never ceases to inspire wonder.
A Blooming Welcome
Through the universal, non-verbal language of flowers, we welcome our guests in an artistic and flourishing way—perfectly reflecting a hotel that has always chosen to do things differently.
More Than Floristry
Set in one of the most breathtaking locations on Lake Wörthersee, the luxury Hotel Schloss Seefels is renowned for always offering that little bit more: more quality, more service, more art, more design, and perhaps most importantly, more meaningful encounters. Encounters with our guests, our team, and the remarkable people who help shape the Seefels experience—among them, floral artist Hannes Mair.
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Who is Hannes Mair?
Hannes Mair, a Carinthian native, is an artist with a studio in Graz and the creative mind behind the ever-evolving floral installation in the Seefels lobby. We sat down with him to learn more about his blossoming artistic vision.
Interview with Hannes Mair
Schloss Seefels: What sets your floral art apart from traditional floristry?
Hannes Mair: I believe it's my artistic approach. Every installation begins with a specific place in the hotel. I draw inspiration from the surroundings—perhaps the patterns and colours of the exquisite designer fabrics or the crystal chandelier. These elements guide my choice of flowers, considering variety, colour, seasonality and texture. Texture, in particular, is essential, as it determines whether an arrangement feels airy or compact, symmetrical or deliberately asymmetrical.
Schloss Seefels: Can your creations still be called bouquets?
Hannes Mair: Absolutely. They are bouquets, of course—but they are conceived with an artistic vision. That's why I appreciate it when people see them not only as floral arrangements but as works of art.
Schloss Seefels: Are some of your floral installations created for special occasions?
Hannes Mair: Yes, very much so. At the moment, for example, we're celebrating the Pink Lake Festival at Lake Wörthersee. Then there are the traditional celebrations throughout the year, such as Christmas, Easter and, in just a few weeks, the Harvest Festival.
Schloss Seefels: Where do you source your flowers?
Hannes Mair: We work with a wholesaler in the Netherlands who purchases the flowers at the Dutch flower auctions. Given the quantities we require each week, this is really the only way to source them. Smaller suppliers simply couldn't provide the volume we need—especially the exceptionally long stems required for the grand arrangement in the hotel lobby.
Schloss Seefels: How many flowers do you use?
Hannes Mair: It varies, but across the entire hotel we use around 1,000 flowers every week. The spectacular lobby arrangement alone contains between 600 and 800 blooms.
Schloss Seefels: Are the arrangements created in your studio in Graz or here at Schloss Seefels?
Hannes Mair: The physical work happens here at Schloss Seefels, but the creative process begins much earlier—sometimes while I'm simply sitting on my sofa at home. I spend days refining the concept before placing the flower order every Thursday for the arrangement that will be installed the following Wednesday. I need to immerse myself in the idea well in advance. Of course, things don't always go according to plan. Sometimes the wholesaler calls to say a particular flower or colour isn't available. That's when flexibility and creativity become part of the art. It can be stressful—but it also makes every arrangement unique.
Schloss Seefels: How important are regionality, seasonality and sustainability when selecting flowers?
Hannes Mair: They are extremely important, especially longevity. After a week, many flowers from the large lobby installation are still beautiful enough to be reused in smaller arrangements throughout the hotel. During summer, we also dry selected flowers to incorporate them into autumn displays and seasonal decorations. Today people call it upcycling—we've been doing it for years.
Schloss Seefels: How long do the floral arrangements last?
Hannes Mair: Every arrangement at Schloss Seefels is designed to last one week—from Wednesday to Wednesday. To keep the grand lobby installation looking its best, fresh water is added regularly. If an individual flower begins to fade, we don't pull it out—we carefully cut it away. That preserves the structure of the arrangement, so it remains as harmonious as when it was first created.
Schloss Seefels: What advice would you give our guests to help cut flowers last longer at home?
Hannes Mair: Care for them as you would care for yourself. A simple but effective routine is to wash the stems every day and recut them at an angle. Washing removes naturally occurring bacteria and keeps the water clean, while the fresh diagonal cut allows the flowers to absorb water more efficiently. For hydrangeas and flowers with woody stems, I also recommend making a vertical slit at the base of the stem to improve water uptake.
Schloss Seefels: What happens to the flowers once they have faded?
Hannes Mair: Once they can no longer be reused in smaller arrangements and have truly reached the end of their life, they are disposed of responsibly and professionally.
Schloss Seefels: What can guests look forward to with Flower Power in Pink this August?
Hannes Mair: Opulence, opulence—and even more opulence. Colour, joy and energy. Pink and magenta are colours full of vitality. As an artist and painter, I also see them as colours of the soul. They touch us on an emotional level and have an uplifting effect. We look at them, and instinctively we feel better.
FAQs
Who is Hannes Mair?
Above all, Hannes Mair is an artist—someone who truly embraces the life he has worked so hard to create. Through years of dedication and perseverance, he has earned the freedom to pursue art on his own terms. It is an art rooted in authenticity, allowing him to work with materials and ideas that genuinely resonate with him. A creative practice in which he never has to compromise who he is, but can remain honest, true to himself, and express his vision with complete integrity.
How did the collaboration between Schloss Seefels and Hannes Mair begin?
It was a long time ago. Following the first major renovation of Hotel Schloss Seefels in 2001, we were commissioned to paint the children’s club, “Captain Hook.” That was when we first came into contact with interior designer Traudl Troger, who immediately took an interest in our work. We showed her examples of our decorative creations from the Arlberg region, and shortly afterwards we were commissioned to create the floral decorations for the hotel’s reopening. Everything that followed has become a wonderful 25-year collaboration—one that we hope will continue for many years to come.
How often does the floral masterpiece in the lobby of the 5-star superior Hotel Schloss Seefels receive a new design?
Every Wednesday, we return to Schloss Seefels to create a new floral masterpiece for the lobby and refresh all smaller arrangements throughout the hotel.
How many cut flowers typically go into creating one of your floral masterpieces?
The magnificent floral installation in the lobby is created using between 600 and 800 flowers.
Where do you source the flowers for your floral creations?
The majority of our flowers come from our trusted wholesaler in the Netherlands, with some sourced from Italy as well. Whenever possible, however, we like to work with what is available close by—from the Schloss garden itself or even branches and natural elements collected from shrubs along the railway tracks. These local touches add authenticity and a special connection to the surroundings.
Are the floral masterpieces created in Hannes Mair’s Graz Hofgalerie or directly on site in the lobby of Hotel Schloss Seefels?
The arrangement itself is created here at Schloss Seefels, but the idea behind it takes shape much earlier—sometimes even at home, while I’m sitting on my sofa. The true work begins long before the first flower is placed.
What is the best way to keep everyday flower bouquets fresh for as long as possible?
Clean the vase with vinegar essence before placing the flowers inside. Cut the stems at an angle; for hydrangeas and other flowers with woody stems, make an additional lengthwise cut at the base of the stem to improve water absorption. Change the water every day to keep the flowers fresh for as long as possible.
What happens to the flowers when they have reached the end of their life cycle?
Once the flowers have reached the end of their life cycle, they are professionally disposed of by KAB Klagenfurt.
