They have all passed through there: Vienna’s political and business elite, led by former Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, alongside an array of international heavyweights. Rumors even claim that PayPal and Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel has been spotted at the Alpin Resort Sacher in Seefeld. The hotel declines to comment - discretion, after all, is half the currency in this world.

Such a concentration of prominent figures is no coincidence. One reason is the owner, Elisabeth Gürtler. The entrepreneur and hotelier ranks among the most influential figures in Austria's luxury and cultural scene.  

Sacher heiress Elisabeth Gürtler. (Image: David Johansson)

Lindt Board Member Since 2009

For many years, she served as managing director of Hotel Sacher in Vienna ans Salzburg before focusing on the Alpin Resort Sacher in Seefeld. She organized the Vienna Opera Ball for many years and previously also held the reins at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.  

Her influence extends as far as Switzerland: in 2009, Ernst Tanner brought her onto the board of directors of Lindt & Sprüngli.

Age Better – ein a billion-dollar market

The other factor is the property itself: the Alpin Resort Sacher in Seefeld, Tyrol, is not only a 5-star superior hotel with an expansive wellness area, but has also built an international reputation in the field of longevity. 

The Alpin Resort Sacher in Seefeld, Tyrol. (Image: zVg)

The longevity markt is rapidly evolving from a niche into one of the most exciting growth themes in the global healthcare and biotech sector. This momentum is driven primarily by demographic aging in industrialized countries.

While current market volume is estimated at around 20 to 30 billion dollars, depending on definition, various forecasts expect the sector to grow to more than 60 billion dollars by 2035.

Tech Investors and Family Offices Discover Longevity

Strong growth is being driven by segments targeting biological aging, including senolytic therapies, regenerative medicine, advanced biomarker diagnostics, and AI-powered prevention models.

At the same time, capital flows are shifting: venture capital investments in longevity biotech and healthspan technologies have increased significantly in recent years. Tech investors, family offices and institutional investors are increasingly seeking exposure to platforms that address aging mechanisms at a molecular level and could open up new therapeutic categories over the long term.

In parallel, scalable business models are emerging in the consumer longevity space around personalized diagnostics, supplements, lifestyle medicine and digital prevention programs – segments with shorter development cycles and earlier monetization opportunities.

Own Academy Established

«It energizes me to create something that I believe could be successful,» says Elisabeth Gürtler: «For me, it's not only this creative freedom, but in a way also the unknown that is exciting.» 

The topic «healthy aging» holds particular significance for her. «Perhaps also because I'm no longer the youngest myself, it is important to me to remain healthy, fit and active for as long as possible and to create something,» she says.

To this end, Gürtler founded the «Sacher Academy for Better Aging», working closely with scientists, including Professor Johannes Huber, who has made a name for himself in gynecology, endocrinology and hormone medicine. 

«I want to offer my guests real added value – namely an individualised health package supported by an interdisciplinary team of doctors and scientists who provide something money can’t buy: health, wellbeing and food for thought. Conversations with our experts and specialists should also be intellectually stimulating and broaden horizons,» she emphasizes. 

Innovative Fat-Reduction Injection

The concept of the «Sacher Academy for Better Aging» is based on individually tailored analyses and recommendations. A central element is a personal consultation with physician Katharina Sepp, followed by detailed medical examinations, including genetic tests, blood analyses and hormone tests.

Based on these findings, measures are derived such as lifestyle adjustments, targeted supplementation, infusions or interval hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy (IHHT), a specialised oxygen training method.

Intervall hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy (IHHT). (Image: zVg)

Among other offerings, the «Sacher Academy for Better Aging» has recently introduced an innovative fat-reduction injection that comes without side effects. It uses natural substances such as soy and amino acids, which act on fat cells, allowing the body to gradually break them down and eliminate them.

The Personal Trainer Who Has Worked with Jude Law

The interdisciplinary expert team is also distinctive. In addition to the medical director, guests have access to a network of selected consulting physicians and therapists. Their areas of expertise range from ophthalmology, dermatology, internal medicine and radiology to traditional Chinese medicine, physiotherapy and even psychology.

One of them is personal trainer Joachim Pötschger, who has trained Hollywood stars such as Jude Law. «Whether someone is prominent or not makes no difference to me. I love the challenge of offering my clients the very best.»

Last summer, the «Alpin Resort Sacher» made headlines by announcing that it would also offer longevity programs for dogs in the future; finews reported on this. The announcement inevitably prompted questions about whether the initiative is intended as more than a marketing gesture. «I'm also doing this partly for my own benefit. After all, I want my own dog to stay with me for as long as possible,» she says with a laugh.