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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
12 Dec 2025
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72.2 %
Usually responds within 4 days
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Host offers payment
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Details
Description
Please apply only if you are willing to commit for the whole summer (exact dates are 1st of May - 26th of October, main season from June to September), so we would need some people from 1st of May - 26th of October and someone only for the main season.
This is a small family owned castle hotel approx. 120km away from Vienna. We offer you the opportunity to experience a castle with more than 1000 years of history in exchange for some help in all sorts of tasks. The hotel is run by a couple Erasmus (38) and his wife Johanna (31). It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and located in a small village.
We need help in the following areas: morning kitchen work, breakfast service, housekeeping, special tasks during events. For more details please see below. We are looking for people who have experience working in a hotel or restaurant. Speaking German is not absolutely required, but a huge boost for your application :)
Regarding the housing situation: There is space for three people in the guesthouse (two bedrooms with shared kitchen and bathroom), so ideally we are looking for one couple (or two good friends travelling together, sharing one bedroom) and one single traveller. The guesthouse is located in the village at the foot of the castle´s hill.
Also important: We are not offering full time positions, the idea is to have a relaxed summer and help us out a bit, while experiencing the country and culture and maybe pursue your hobbies, etc. Workload would be approx. 20 hours per week (net income for 20h/week is around 900.- Euros per month), depending on the number of guests. So if you need the summer to save up some money for the rest of the year this is probably not the right place for you, but if you want to have a very interesting experience and join us at the castle you are more than welcome.
Again, please apply only if you can stay for the whole duration of 4-6 months.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We offer a unique experience at a very special workplace. You can experience a castle surrounded by beautiful nature and magnificent views while learning German.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
There are several fields of work we need help with:
We are looking for help in these main areas:
1.) Morning duty kitchen work
- Preparing the buffet for the guests, cutting up fruit, vegetables and arranging it nicely
- Cook simple egg dishes (scrambled, fried, boiled, omelettes)
- Cleaning dishes and kitchen afterwards
2.) Morning duty breakfast service
- Set up the breakfast sets in the grand hall
- Serve breakfast, making all sorts of hot beverages (coffee varieties, tea, hot chocolate, etc.)
- Help out in the kitchen with the setup if neccessary
- Keep the breakfast room clean and tidy
3.) Housekeeping shifts, occasionally
- Clean the hotel rooms, bathrooms, hallways, etc.
- Make nice flower bouquets for the arrivals
- Laundry duty, iron napkins, etc.
4.) Weddings, concerts, workshops
- Help with the setup for the events
- Help serving, cleaning, dish washing
- Especially weddings: they can go well into the night
We have 3-4 weddings per year and some concerts.
5.) Optionally: Conduct the historical guided tours
- If you are interested in history you can read up the castle´s history and guide the tourists through the fortress. Speaking good German or English is of course mandatory. Bonus points if you speak Hungarian!
Since we are such a small hotel and people become more spontaneous with their travel plans it is sometimes impossible to plan ahead. Sometimes we are fully booked on Wednesdays, sometimes we are empty on Saturdays. We are basically looking for "allrounders" who are willing to try a bit of everything as we will put you where you are needed most at the moment.
Another important issue: Please note that we offer payment for your work, but because of this you will have to either be a EU citizen or have a valid work visa for Austria. This is due to employment and insurance reasons in Austria.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Hungarian: Beginner
Accommodation
Regarding the accomodation it is probably best suited for a couple or if you are easy going and dont mind sharing a flat. You will have your own room and we will offer you a place to cook your own meals. In addition there is a team breakfast at 10 a.m. that you would be more than welcome to join.
There is also one single room in the flat.
What else ...
If you are a nature lover Bernstein is probably the place for you. The village has a natural swimming pool and is surrounded by forests. You can go hiking or riding a bike etc. If you want to visit nearby cities Graz and Vienna are easy to go to - public buses go there every day, but it takes a bit longer than driving yourself. The distance to both cities is approx. 120km.
There is public transport but if you really want to get around we advise to bring your own car.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The guesthouse does not have Wifi, however you can easily buy an austrian Sim-card with an internet package - monthly costs around 30 euros.
Space for parking camper vans
We have a lot of space so, if you come with your own car/campervan there is enough space to park it. There is always free parking available inside the castle gates for a private car. For the campervan it depends how big it is, wether we have space for it outside or inside the castle perimeters, but we will find a spot for it in any case.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
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Feedback (4)
In contrast, you will have the chance to live… read more
Anna and Erasmus are super friendly, down to earth people; the whole family is! They were a pleasure to work with. You really feel part of the family while working there.
Work was never boring, there is always something to fix, clean or pluck at the castle. I really appreciated the diversity of the work.… read more
Already during the interview she showed that she is well organized. We really appreciated her helpfulness and flexibility. Since we are running such a small hotel it is sometimes necessary to switch roles from helping in the kitchen, housekeeping or in the garden and there can be changes of schedule if… read more
Even long before my arrival the communication with Erasmus was excellent – we had a skype call as a part of the interview process during which everything important about the stay and work was explained to… read more
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Feedback
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In contrast, you will have the chance to live… read more
Anna and Erasmus are super friendly, down to earth people; the whole family is! They were a pleasure to work with. You really feel part of the family while working there.
Work was never boring, there is always something to fix, clean or pluck at the castle. I really appreciated the diversity of the work.… read more
Already during the interview she showed that she is well organized. We really appreciated her helpfulness and flexibility. Since we are running such a small hotel it is sometimes necessary to switch roles from helping in the kitchen, housekeeping or in the garden and there can be changes of schedule if… read more
Even long before my arrival the communication with Erasmus was excellent – we had a skype call as a part of the interview process during which everything important about the stay and work was explained to… read more
The family welcomed me to their Hotel with open arms. They are open-minded, open-hearted and loving people who are interested in all kinds of things and accepted me for who I am. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone and spending time together during and outside of the working… read more
