Karl Steiner, long-time owner of the Schlierseer Hof, has died. © Archive/private
The Schliersee ex-hotelier Karl Steiner has died at the age of almost 89. He was the owner of the Schlierseer Hof for many years – and welcomed many a prominent guest here.
Schliersee – Years before the actor Curd Jürgens stayed there and – in true Bond villain – forever did not pay the bill, American officers stayed at the Schlierseer Hof. For little Karl, son of the Steiner family, it was paradise shortly after the end of the war. The GIs brought coke and chewing gum to the Schliersee, there was toast and ketchup. Enthusiastically, he brought his school friends home for dinner. And the Americans wondered how many children this family had.
Father lost on the Eastern Front
Karl Steiner, who died shortly before his 89th birthday, liked to tell this anecdote – with the mischievous and dry humor that distinguished him so much. It was an exciting time for the boy, who lost his father on the Eastern Front in 1942. He spent a reasonably sheltered childhood in his grandparents' hotel, which was formerly called Spitz and later renamed Schlierseer Hof. Of course, the Second World War was always present, not least because of the wounded and refugee families who were accommodated there. And later, when the hotel served as a convalescent home for US officers.
Worked for Pan Am in Rio de Janeiro
Like his father, a hotelier's son from Partenkirchen, he was drawn to the hospitality industry after graduating from high school. Steiner attended the hotel management school in Lucerne, worked in hotels all over Europe and for the American airline Pan Am in Rio de Janeiro. He has always loved the sport – and met Uschi Riepl in 1966 while sailing on Lake Tegernsee. In 1967 the two married and took over the management of the Schlierseer Hof. In the same year, daughter Nuschka was born, six years later son Christian. "When our father tackled something, he always did it right," says Christian Steiner. From then on, the hotel came first. The Steiners renovated and extended, increasing its reputation as the first house on the square. The dream location on Lake Schliersee attracted guests from beyond the borders of Bavaria, including many celebrities. Things didn't go smoothly with all of them. "Oh yes, Curd Jürgens," recalls Uschi Steiner, when asked about the great actor. "With him, we chased the money forever."
Children had other career plans
As much as it gave them pleasure to be consummate hosts, around 1990 the Steiners retired from the hotel industry. The children had other career plans. The Schlierseer Hof was initially leased, but finally sold in 1998.
Throughout his life he was an active athlete and also socially committed
Karl Steiner should not get bored. Even during his professional life, he had made intensive use of the few breaks he had. "Quality of life has always been important to him," says his son. Now the focus was even more on sport and nature. Golf, tennis, skiing, sailing – Steiner mastered everything excellently and did not forget his social responsibility. The Rotary Club of Schliersee, of which he was one of the founding members in 1986, could be just as sure of his affection as the local TSV, which he supported throughout his life.
Proudly told by the grandchildren
And then there was his closest environment. "He was a real family man, harmony was important to him," said Christian Steiner. "He gave us a lot of his positive attitude towards life." With shining eyes, the proud grandpa liked to talk about his four grandchildren and was happy about their sporting successes.
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Aesthete into old age
An aesthete and connoisseur until old age, of enviable fitness, always elegantly dressed and full of humor, things have happened very quickly in recent months. Peacefully and without pain, Karl Steiner was allowed to fall asleep at home. "That was," says his wife Uschi, "his last great wish."
Read Also: Huge new construction plans for the Schlierseer Hof, but there are high hurdles.
