Visit our small family owned castle hotel in Bernstein, Austria

Details

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  Description

  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 main chores consists of helping in the kitchen and housekeeping. Depending on your interests and skills you could also help out in the restaurant serving tables, the garden or with repairs in and around the castle. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and located in a small village that also boasts a natural swimming pool for hot days (15min by foot). The hotel is run by a couple Erasmus (37) and his wife Johanna (30).
  
  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.
  
  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 20 - 30 hours per week (net income for 20h/week is around 850.- 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.
  
  It takes a while to show you the skills we need , so a stay of at least 2 months (June & July OR August & September) would be appreciated. Our preferred option is if you stay the whole 4 months (exact dates 21st of May - 5th of October). Candidates willing to stay for the whole duration are ranked higher in the application process.
  
  Notice: This site is for a summer job in the hotel BUT separated from that we are also looking for someone to help us personally with our children (3 and 1 years ) and household, so if you are interested in that other position feel free to send us a message.

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  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
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  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.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

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  Help

  There are several fields of work we need help with:
  
  1.) It would be great to get some help in the kitchen during the morning. Preparing plates, cutting fruit, boiling eggs, etc. You do not need to be a professional chef to do these tasks. If you can make fried eggs with bacon at home you can do it here with us. Bonus points if you can make omelettes. After the breakfast is done you job will be to make some pies after our family recipes or if you want to add some of you personal favourites that you can bake - we are always open for tasty additions!
  We need someone to help with the preparations in the kitchen and clean-up after dinner. If you do have experience in tourism that would be great, but it is not necessary. Our busiest months are June to September, it takes a while to show you the skills we need , so a stay of at least 2 months (June & July OR August & September OR preferably all four months) would be appreciated.
  We are quite flexible with working hours, but do calculate with 4 -5 days a week in the afternoon/evenings approx. from 2 - 10pm with a break in between. Please be aware that our busiest days are weekends, so that ist the time you are needed most.
  2.) We need help in the housekeeping department, cleaning rooms etc. shifts are usually from 8am - 2pm with a break
  3.) There are always repairs that need to be done and garden work, shifts are more flexible, depending on weather, etc.
  4.) The breakfast shift in the service: usually from 7am - 12:30pm, preparing the breakfast buffet with cheese, ham, fruit, vegetables, bread, frying eggs and bacon, cleaning dishes and kitchen afterwards.
  
  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. None of the work requires a special education, only the willingness to learn and adapt to new ways.
  
  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.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner
  Hungarian: Beginner
  Chinese (Mandarin): Beginner

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  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.

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  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.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  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.

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  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.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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