Some groups come not to celebrate but to grow quiet. A yoga teacher with her participants, a coach with a small circle, a writing group that wants a whole week for its manuscripts. Days like these need a room that holds you and a house where nobody disturbs you. At Gut Stohrerhof in Riederau on Lake Ammersee, private retreats for up to 15 people find exactly that: a farmhouse from 1770 that, in winter, belongs entirely to your group.
Why winter is the right time
In winter the west shore of Lake Ammersee grows quieter. The days are short, the light is clear and there is little to tempt you out in the evening. For a retreat that is not a drawback but a gift: attention stays with the practice, the conversation, your own writing.
There are practical advantages, too. For arrivals from mid-October to mid-December and from early January to the end of April, the minimum stay is just two nights. A retreat can therefore run over a weekend or sit entirely within the week. You will see the price for your dates straight away in the calendar.
The penthouse as a practice room
The heart of most retreats here is the penthouse: almost 100 m² of open space beneath the old roof, with no partition walls. Plenty of light falls through the glazed façade, even on grey winter days. At the touch of a button the two double beds glide into the knee wall and disappear for the day, leaving the wooden floor free for mats, cushions or a circle of chairs.
In the evening the fire is lit, and the practice room becomes a living room again, with a leather sofa and two armchairs. The penthouse has its own entrance and its own open kitchen with a bean-to-cup coffee machine, so tea and breaks are always close at hand.
Places to withdraw throughout the house
A good retreat needs both: a shared space and somewhere to be on your own. Book the Entire Estate and you have 360 m² across three levels, five fireplaces and more than 1,000 m² of garden. The ground-floor lounge and the first-floor living room, both with a fireplace, suit one-to-one conversations or a small group. And after a long day, the first-floor bathroom offers its freestanding tub by the fireplace.
You are always on your own, whether you book the Main House for up to 11 people or the Entire Estate for up to 15. No other guests pass through your rooms, and the silence your group keeps in the morning stays yours.
Together at one table
Meals are shared in the farmhouse Stube: 28 m² with a masonry stove and a traditional holy corner. The table, made from the house’s old floorboards, is extendable, and with a side table all 15 guests sit together. On a retreat that is more than a detail. A silent breakfast or a long conversation over dinner feels different when everyone can see one another.
The Entire Estate has two fully equipped kitchens, with room enough to cook together. If you would rather focus entirely on your programme, have your meals delivered by a local caterer; we are happy to put you in touch.
Outdoors: lake, jetty and chapel
The steamer jetty in Riederau is 500 metres from the estate. A walking meditation along the shore, a conversation on the move or simply a few minutes by the water: from the jetty you look across to Andechs Abbey, and on misty days the east shore vanishes altogether. If you want to go further, Dießen is close by, with the Marienmünster and, on the southern edge of town, Schacky Park with its tea house and monopteros.
For a special moment, such as a closing circle or a quiet blessing, you can enquire about the Maria Hilf estate chapel. Built in 1796 in Baroque style, it holds 20 to 25 people and can be hired in return for a contribution towards its upkeep.
Planning your retreat
- Group size: the Main House sleeps up to 11, the Entire Estate including the penthouse up to 15.
- Sleeping: in the Entire Estate, 5 people can each have their own room and 8 their own bed. All rooms with a double bed can also be booked for one person. In the penthouse both beds stand in one open space, with a privacy screen but no sound insulation.
- Getting here: S4 to Geltendorf, then the regional train towards Weilheim as far as Riederau, just under 10 minutes’ walk from the station. By car it takes about 40 minutes from Munich.
- Enquiry: choose “Private retreat” as the occasion in the enquiry form. We will get back to you personally within 24 hours.
We would be delighted to welcome your group to Gut Stohrerhof in the quiet season, whether for a yoga weekend, a coaching retreat or a writing week. Have a look in the calendar to see which dates are free, or tell us about your plans. If you have any questions about the rooms or the schedule, we are always happy to help in person.
