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# What a Hotelier Learned at a Shaolin Monastery – and Brought Back to His Hotel
- URL: https://www.eingecheckt.de/en/panorama-royal-shaolin-monastery-wellness-hotel/
- Published: 2026-10-10T07:11:59.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-11T20:46:59.000Z
- Description: A stay with Shaolin monks reshaped Peter Mayer’s view of happiness – and the philosophy behind his wellness hotel.
- Author: Michael Külbel
- Tags: #en, #magazin_en, Hotel Concepts, Wellness & Spa, Interviews & People, Trends & Future, #pair_shaolin_kloster, #werbung-vorschau

**A modest monastery room in China and a luxurious five-star hotel in Austria seem to have little in common. For hotelier Peter Mayer, however, the two places share a very personal connection. His stay with Shaolin monks in 2011 changed his understanding of happiness and quality of life – and would later help shape an extraordinary wellness philosophy.**

In a photograph taken in 2011, Peter Mayer stands inside a modest room in China. He is wearing dark monastery robes, with simple wooden beds and sparse furnishings visible behind him. Nothing about the photograph suggests the luxury that surrounds the Austrian hotelier in his professional life today. For Mayer, however, the image captures a period that profoundly changed his personal outlook on life.

“I was quite a vain fellow at the time,” he recalls with remarkable openness when talking about his stay at the Shaolin monastery. Living among the monks taught him how little a person actually needs to be happy. Above all, he became more aware of the temporary nature of material possessions. “We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave it with nothing,” Mayer says, describing a realisation that has stayed with him ever since.¹

The contrast with his professional surroundings today could hardly be greater. High above Austria's Inn Valley, Mayer runs the five-star Panorama Royal in Bad Häring, a wellness resort with extensive spa facilities, fine dining and numerous opportunities for relaxation and regeneration. Yet the philosophy behind today's hotel has some of its roots in that simple accommodation in China. Under the name “Our Way of Healing”, Mayer now combines his experiences of Eastern philosophy with traditional wellness offerings and modern approaches to fitness and recovery.

His story also raises a question that is becoming increasingly relevant throughout the wellness hotel industry: What are guests really looking for when beautiful rooms, swimming pools, saunas and excellent food have already become standard features of an upscale hotel? And how can a hotelier turn deeply personal convictions into a distinctive hospitality concept that offers more than a collection of attractive amenities?

## A Hotelier Who Never Intended to Become One

The story of Panorama Royal began several years before Mayer travelled to China. Originally, he worked in residential property development and had little involvement in the hotel industry. When he discovered a site in Bad Häring, however, he was so impressed by its location that he wanted to develop a project there. Residential construction was not permitted on the property, but a hotel was. From this unexpected opportunity came the idea for Panorama Royal, which eventually opened in June 2003 as a comparatively small establishment.²

Mayer describes himself as a career changer and a latecomer to the hotel business. According to his own account, developing the property was far from straightforward. Not everyone around him believed the venture would succeed in the long term, and each subsequent stage of expansion brought its own challenges. Nevertheless, he remained committed to his vision and continued developing the hotel step by step. Over the years, the original property grew into an extensive wellness resort, while its identity evolved alongside the experiences and convictions of its owner.

By the time Mayer travelled to the Shaolin monastery in 2011, he had already been a hotelier for eight years. His experiences in China did not lead him to establish the hotel, but they played an important role in shaping its subsequent direction. Mayer became increasingly interested in meditation, Qi Gong and the connections between lifestyle, inner balance and personal fulfilment. He subsequently trained as a Qi Gong and meditation instructor and, according to his own account, spent many years exploring Eastern approaches to health and wellbeing. What had initially been part of his personal development gradually found its way into his work as a host.¹

On the hotel's official website, Mayer explicitly describes his time with the Shaolin monks as an important foundation of his philosophy today. Rather than simply adopting Eastern principles, he wanted to combine them with Western approaches and the possibilities offered by a modern wellness hotel. This process eventually gave rise to “Our Way of Healing”, which has become a defining part of Panorama Royal's positioning.²

![Erinnerungen an China: Peter Mayer bei einer gemeinsamen Begegnung während seines Aufenthalts im Shaolin-Kloster im Jahr 2011. Die Beschäftigung mit fernöstlichen Lebensvorstellungen wurde später zu einem wichtigen Bestandteil seiner Hotelphilosophie.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/2-2.jpeg)

Memories from China: Peter Mayer during his stay at the Shaolin monastery in 2011\. The encounters and experiences of this period later influenced the development of his hotel's wellness philosophy.

## What Remains When You Discover You Need Less?

What makes Mayer's memories particularly interesting is that he does not describe his time at the monastery through extraordinary rituals or spectacular spiritual revelations. Instead, he speaks about a change in his personal values. He came to understand that happiness and contentment are not necessarily tied to possessions, external recognition or material comfort. For an entrepreneur whose professional world revolves around investment, high standards and luxurious surroundings, that must have been a remarkable experience.

From this realisation, Mayer developed an understanding of quality of life in which physical wellbeing and inner contentment are closely connected. “Energy and vitality are not a matter of chance, but the result of a conscious and balanced lifestyle,” he explains. He considers three fundamental elements particularly important: restorative sleep, high-quality nutrition and regular physical activity. Beyond these essentials, equanimity, mindfulness and the ability to consciously withdraw from everyday pressures also play a central role in his philosophy.¹

Mayer has since brought these convictions together in six guiding principles that form the foundation of “Our Way of Healing”: gaining energy and vitality, achieving calmness and equanimity, radiating joy for life, practising mindfulness, experiencing regeneration and embracing sustainability. What initially sounds like a rather philosophical description is intended to become something guests can experience during their stay. They can meditate, try Qi Gong, exercise, spend time in nature or simply retreat from the demands of everyday life.³

According to Mayer, the desire for peace and a sense of security has become increasingly noticeable among his guests. Many people are confronted with a constant stream of information, negative news and personal demands in their daily lives. He describes this pressure in unusually direct language as the daily accumulation of negative thoughts and influences that people are exposed to. This, he believes, is precisely why many guests appreciate activities such as meditation, forest bathing and Qi Gong. Even if such experiences do not necessarily transform someone's entire life, they can help people temporarily step away from everyday pressures and see familiar situations from a different perspective.¹

For hoteliers, this observation is particularly relevant. Guests booking a wellness holiday are not necessarily looking for more treatments, an even larger spa or as many activities as possible. Sometimes, their greatest wish is simply to spend a few days without constantly making decisions or dealing with the demands of their usual routine. Creating an environment that offers genuine peace and a sense of security involves much more than a hotel's physical facilities.

![Das Panorama Royal in Bad Häring: Aus dem 2003 eröffneten Hotel entwickelte sich ein umfangreiches Wellnessresort, dessen Ausrichtung heute durch Peter Mayers Philosophie „Our Way of Healing“ geprägt wird.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/3-2.jpeg)

Panorama Royal in Bad Häring: Since opening in 2003, the property has developed into an extensive wellness resort whose identity is now shaped by Peter Mayer's philosophy, “Our Way of Healing”.

## How Much Luxury Does It Take to Truly Unwind?

At Panorama Royal, this philosophy is expressed through an exceptionally extensive range of facilities. According to the hotel, its wellness and relaxation areas cover more than 7,500 square metres. Guests also have access to a panoramic park of approximately 25,000 square metres, various sauna and relaxation areas, a comprehensive fitness centre and a dedicated space for meditation and movement. Gastronomy plays an important role, too, with the hotel's cuisine having received three Gault&Millau toques, according to the property.¹

![Natur als Bestandteil des Wellnesskonzepts: Der rund 25.000 Quadratmeter große Panorama-Park bietet Gästen Raum für Bewegung, Spaziergänge und bewusste Auszeiten.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/4-2.jpeg)

Nature as part of the wellness experience: Panorama Royal's approximately 25,000-square-metre park offers space for exercise, leisurely walks and moments of quiet reflection.

At first glance, this might seem to contradict Mayer's experiences in China. A man who learned in a simple monastery room how little is needed to be happy now runs a hotel offering an extraordinary degree of comfort. Mayer, however, does not appear to see this as a contradiction. Instead, he wants to create an environment in which people have the opportunity to focus consciously on their own wellbeing without having to give up the pleasures and comforts of a high-quality holiday.

This philosophy is also reflected in the design of individual spaces. In “Lumina Vitalis”, whose name means “luminous source of life”, natural materials, water, warmth and a specially designed illuminated ceiling come together to create a distinctive atmosphere. The changing lighting moods are intended to encourage a sense of calm and inner balance. In this way, an idea rooted in Mayer's personal experiences becomes something guests can encounter through the hotel's design.

The “We are the World” sauna offers another insight into how Mayer's personal convictions influence the hotel's design. The hexagonal room is dedicated to five major world religions, whose symbols and messages come together beneath a ceiling inspired by the universe. The sixth wall carries the words “We are the World”. Behind this concept lies Mayer's belief that values such as mindfulness, appreciation, respect, compassion and love can bring people together across religious and cultural differences. It is an unusual design concept for a hotel sauna, offering a particularly personal insight into the values of its host.

![The hexagonal “We are the World” sauna at Panorama Royal, featuring symbols of five major world religions beneath a ceiling inspired by the universe.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/prb26_0243_m.jpg)

The “We are the World” sauna at Panorama Royal: Five world religions are symbolically brought together beneath one roof. Its design reflects Peter Mayer's ideas of respect, compassion and human connection. Photo: Hotel Panorama Royal.

Such a philosophy cannot be communicated through facilities alone. On the hotel's website, Mayer explicitly emphasises the important role employees play in bringing the concept to life. The intended atmosphere does not emerge automatically from beautiful interiors, high-quality materials or technical equipment; it also has to be reflected in the way people interact with guests.² This touches on an aspect of upscale hospitality that can easily be overlooked: a memorable guest experience depends not only on what a hotel offers, but also on how people feel while staying there.

![Rückzug und Entspannung gehören zu den zentralen Elementen von „Our Way of Healing“. Auch die Gestaltung der Ruhebereiche soll den Gästen helfen, Abstand vom Alltag zu gewinnen.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/5-3.jpeg)

Peace and relaxation are central elements of “Our Way of Healing”. The hotel's relaxation areas are designed to help guests leave the pressures of everyday life behind.

This is one reason why Panorama Royal's development is interesting to other hoteliers. New saunas, larger pool areas or additional spa treatments can, in principle, be introduced by competitors with sufficient space and financial resources. A positioning strategy genuinely connected to a host's own experiences and convictions is much harder to replicate. That does not automatically make such a philosophy more successful, but it can provide a sense of authenticity that is difficult to achieve through a conventional marketing campaign alone.

## A Wellness Industry Redefining Relaxation

Mayer is far from alone in his understanding of conscious rest and personal regeneration. The international wellness industry is increasingly exploring how guest expectations are changing. While traditional spa experiences remain important, topics such as mental relaxation, sleep quality, privacy and deliberate time away from everyday routines are gaining prominence. At the same time, an expanding market built around longevity, biohacking and health optimisation continues to introduce new treatments and programmes.

For 2026, the Global Wellness Institute identifies trends including “Cocooning Wellness”, calming the nervous system, the desire for privacy and the search for deep rest. These developments reflect a changing understanding of relaxation in which the goal is not necessarily to experience as many activities or treatments as possible. Instead, protected spaces, a slower pace and the personal need for quiet are becoming increasingly important.⁴

At the same time, the Global Wellness Summit observes an interesting countertrend to the growing technological sophistication of the industry. While wearable devices, diagnostic tools and digital applications make it possible to measure health and performance in ever greater detail, there is also growing interest in experiences that deliberately avoid constant monitoring and performance targets. Its 2026 trend report describes this as a response to a culture of self-optimisation in which even sleep, rest and wellbeing can become measurable tasks.⁵

Panorama Royal operates somewhere between these two worlds. On the one hand, it offers meditation, Qi Gong, nature-based experiences and a philosophy partly inspired by centuries-old Eastern traditions. On the other, the hotel incorporates modern fitness technology and applications focused more closely on individual physical capabilities and regeneration. The combination becomes particularly apparent in one of the latest additions to the hotel's programme.

![Neben klassischen Wellnessanwendungen gehören auch Meditation, Qi Gong und bewusste Bewegung zum Konzept des Panorama Royal. Der dafür vorgesehene Raum verbindet Aktivität mit einer ruhigen Atmosphäre.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/6-2.jpeg)

Alongside traditional spa experiences, meditation, Qi Gong and mindful movement form part of Panorama Royal's wellness philosophy. The dedicated space combines physical activity with a peaceful atmosphere.

## From Meditation to Passive Altitude Training

Since autumn 2026, Panorama Royal has expanded its wellness and fitness programme to include passive intermittent altitude training. During a session, guests sit or lie comfortably while breathing through a mask that alternates between air with reduced oxygen levels and air with normal or, depending on the method, increased oxygen concentrations. The approach is designed to stimulate certain physiological responses to changing oxygen conditions without requiring physical exertion during the session.

The hotel has also introduced fitness assessments using Technogym technology, alongside individually bookable personal training sessions. According to Mayer, every passive altitude training session is preceded by an assessment of the guest's individual circumstances. Different programmes can then be selected according to personal requirements. For the hotelier, these services do not represent a fundamental change in direction. Rather, they extend an established concept that brings together movement, nutrition, sleep and regeneration.¹

![Moderne Fitnessangebote ergänzen die traditionelle Wellnessphilosophie des Hauses. Neben Personal Training und Fitnesschecks bietet das Panorama Royal inzwischen auch passives Intervall-Höhentraining an.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/7-1.jpeg)

Modern fitness technology complements Panorama Royal's traditional wellness philosophy. Alongside personal training and fitness assessments, the hotel has introduced passive intermittent altitude training.

The growing presence of such methods in hotels illustrates how much the definition of wellness is evolving. Techniques that were previously associated primarily with sports medicine, physical performance or specialised training programmes are now finding their way into the tourism and wellness market. For hotels, this creates opportunities to develop experiences that go beyond traditional relaxation and offer guests additional ways to focus on their personal wellbeing.

There is scientific research into intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia exposure. A systematic review published in *Sports Medicine – Open* in 2022 examined eight controlled studies involving different groups of participants, including older adults with certain pre-existing conditions and people with reduced physical or cognitive performance. The researchers reported indications of improvements in areas such as exercise capacity, maximal oxygen uptake and selected cognitive or metabolic parameters in some of the studies.⁶

These findings suggest interesting possibilities for further research into physical performance and regeneration. Different studies have observed encouraging developments in several areas, while ongoing research continues to explore the method's potential applications and longer-term effects. Within Panorama Royal, passive altitude training therefore becomes another element of an established concept that approaches movement, recovery and personal wellbeing from several complementary perspectives.

## How a Personal Wellness Philosophy Continues to Evolve

For Peter Mayer, the continued development of his hotel is not about any single treatment or application. Instead, it is about the interaction between different experiences. Meditation, movement, nutrition and conscious relaxation have formed the foundation of “Our Way of Healing” for many years. New technologies such as fitness assessments and passive altitude training are intended to complement that philosophy, giving guests additional opportunities to shape their stay according to their own preferences. Mayer also stresses that Panorama Royal does not see itself as a traditional medical wellness hotel. His aim is to create a place where people can regain energy and consciously make time for their personal wellbeing.¹

What makes the approach interesting is the way the hotel combines traditional and modern elements. Mayer's experiences at the Shaolin monastery, his training as a Qi Gong and meditation instructor and his interest in Eastern philosophy provide the personal background to the concept. At the same time, Panorama Royal remains open to technological developments and new opportunities within the wellness industry. Rather than replacing its original philosophy with new trends, Mayer seeks to incorporate additional experiences into the existing approach. Meditation and forest bathing therefore sit alongside fitness assessments, personal training and passive altitude training.

For other hoteliers, this offers an interesting business perspective. A hotel concept does not have to remain unchanged simply because it has developed successfully over many years. As guest interests and expectations evolve, additional offerings can become a natural part of the property's development, provided they fit its overall direction. Panorama Royal offers an example of how a personal philosophy of hospitality can continue to evolve without losing sight of the ideas that originally inspired it.

## Not Everything That Feels Good Needs to Be Measured

Despite the introduction of new technological offerings, Peter Mayer's original idea remains remarkably simple. He wants to create a place where people can distance themselves from everyday pressures and pay greater attention to their own needs. Not every guest is expected to follow the same programme. Some may be interested in fitness assessments or personal training, while others might prefer meditation, a walk through the mountains or several undisturbed hours in one of the hotel's relaxation areas.

Through activities such as forest bathing, meditation and Qi Gong, Mayer repeatedly encounters guests who are deeply grateful for the opportunity to slow down and withdraw from everyday demands. Many appreciate these experiences because they allow them to step away from their usual routines, even if only for a while. It is not necessarily about extraordinary experiences, he explains, but often about something that receives too little attention in daily life: time for oneself, inner calm and an opportunity to look at familiar things from a different perspective. For Mayer, this is an essential part of “Our Way of Healing”.¹

![Bewusst zur Ruhe kommen: Angebote wie Meditation, Qi Gong und Waldbaden werden nach Beobachtungen von Hotelier Peter Mayer von vielen Gästen als Möglichkeit geschätzt, den Alltag vorübergehend hinter sich zu lassen.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/eb/d1eb58be-ccd0-43e1-b101-0e16365e0b9f/content/images/2026/10/8.jpeg)

Taking time to slow down: According to hotelier Peter Mayer, many guests particularly appreciate activities such as meditation, Qi Gong and forest bathing as opportunities to step away from everyday pressures.

## What Other Hoteliers Can Take Away from This Story

The story of Panorama Royal is also interesting because it touches on a fundamental question of hotel positioning. In an industry where high-quality furnishings, generous wellness facilities and distinctive dining experiences increasingly compete for attention, size and exclusivity alone may no longer be enough to set a property apart. A hotel that wants to develop a recognisable identity needs a clear understanding of what it stands for and which guests it hopes to attract.

In Peter Mayer's case, that understanding did not emerge exclusively from a marketing strategy. It developed over many years through personal experiences, his engagement with Eastern philosophy and the challenges of running his own hotel. This does not mean that a distinctive positioning strategy requires every hotelier to have an extraordinary life story. Panorama Royal does, however, illustrate how personal convictions can give a hotel brand a recognisable identity when those convictions are reflected in the experiences offered to guests.

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### Panorama Royal in Bad Häring

Check current rates and availability directly with the property. 

[Visit hotel website → ](https://www.panorama-royal.at/en/?ref=eingecheckt.de) 

Direct link to the official hotel website. 

## From a Modest Monastery Room Back to a Five-Star Hotel

Looking at the historical photographs from China alongside images of Panorama Royal today, the two settings initially seem to have little in common. In one, the hotelier stands inside a simply furnished monastery room. In the other, a luxurious wellness resort offers extensive pool areas, elegant rooms and award-winning gastronomy. Between these two worlds lie many years and a personal journey that, according to Mayer, continues to influence him today.

His stay at the Shaolin monastery did not make him a hotelier; Panorama Royal had already been operating for eight years when he travelled to China. But the experience appears to have encouraged him to look at his profession and the needs of his guests from a different perspective. While traditional luxury hospitality often defines itself through facilities, service and exclusivity, Mayer also wants to create a place where people can experience peace, a sense of security and personal contentment. The hotel's modern wellness and fitness programmes are intended to complement this ambition.

There is something particularly memorable about an entrepreneur who now offers his guests exceptional comfort while looking back on a period in his life when he discovered how little a person may need to be happy. It was by no means inevitable that those experiences would one day influence the philosophy of a five-star wellness hotel, yet for Peter Mayer, his time in China and the development of Panorama Royal have become closely connected.

Ultimately, his stated ambition is not simply to offer guests the greatest possible number of treatments or exceptional experiences. He wants them to take time for themselves during their stay and return to everyday life with renewed energy and a greater sense of wellbeing. Viewed through the lens of his experiences at the Shaolin monastery, that ambition takes on a special meaning: for Mayer, the value of a hotel stay is not measured solely by everything a property has to offer, but also by what its guests actually take home with them.

Sources

This article draws on original editorial correspondence, official hotel information, international industry reports and scientific publications. 

1. **Peter Mayer / Hotel Panorama Royal (2026)**  
Written responses to the eingecheckt.de editorial team, October 2026\. Personal experiences at the Shaolin monastery, development of the hotel's philosophy, guest experiences, meditation, Qi Gong, fitness assessments and passive altitude training. Additional information from official hotel press materials and the hotel's official page [Hotel Panorama Royal – Sauna Area](https://www.panorama-royal.at/en/sauna-area-in-tyrol-hotel-panorama-royal-5.php?ref=eingecheckt.de)(“Lumina Vitalis”, “We are the World” sauna).
2. [Hotel Panorama Royal – How It All Began and Developed ](https://www.panorama-royal.at/de/wie-alles-begann-und-sich-weiter-entwickelte.php?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
Peter Mayer on the hotel's opening in 2003, his personal development, subsequent expansion and the origins of "Our Way of Healing". Original source in German.
3. [Hotel Panorama Royal – Our Way of Healing ](https://www.panorama-royal.at/de/our-way-of-healing.php?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
The hotel's philosophy, its six guiding principles and the combination of relaxation, movement, enjoyment, nature and mindfulness.
4. [Global Wellness Institute (2026) ](https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/initiatives/wellness-tourism/wellness-tourism-initiative-trends/?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
Wellness Tourism Initiative Trends 2026\. Developments including Cocooning Wellness, The Nervous System Reset, The Luxury of Privacy and In Search of Deep Rest.
5. [Global Wellness Summit (2026) ](https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/global-wellness-summit-releases-10-wellness-trends-for-2026/?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
Future of Wellness Trends 2026\. Industry developments involving technology-driven health optimisation and a growing interest in more human-centred wellness experiences.
6. [Behrendt et al. (2022) ](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40798-022-00450-x?ref=eingecheckt.de)  
*Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia–Hyperoxia on Performance- and Health-Related Outcomes in Humans: A Systematic Review.*  
Sports Medicine – Open, Volume 8, Article 70.  
DOI: 10.1186/s40798-022-00450-x

**Original editorial sources:**  
Written correspondence with Peter Mayer, host of Hotel Panorama Royal, October 2026, together with official press materials. Historical photographs from his 2011 stay at the Shaolin monastery were provided to the editorial team for publication. Quotations from Peter Mayer's written statements have been translated from German into English by the eingecheckt editorial team.