In Beech Valley: transformation of a unique pre-Battle of White Mountain cottage into a recreational resort

This place is so fascinating, so interconnected with the surrounding nature and infused with rich history, that it is hard to determine where to begin telling its story. Can the poignant fate of a building with roots dating back to before 1600 be summarized in just a few paragraphs? Is it even possible to portray the moving beauty of the landscape of Kryštof's Valley and faithfully capture the genium loci of this place? And which of the many reconstructions and transformations that this cottage has undergone over the centuries should we pay particular attention to? Join us as we unveil a few veils of mystery that this unique place has surrounded itself with over several hundred years of existence, and discover its poignant history, uniqueness, and recent transformation into an authentic relaxation hotel resort, where the sounds of nature, soft forest light, and the aroma of freshly baked homemade bread will wake you in the morning.

Scenic Location

The building can be found in Kryštof's Valley, located in the valley of the Rokytka stream on the northern side of the Ještěd Ridge. The original name of the homestead, "Holundergrunt" (Elder Valley), became the inspiration for the name of today's resort. In ancient times, a smuggling path ran through the valley. Thus, the place inspired the "Smuggler's March" in Bedřich Smetana's Opera Hubička. Today, one of the most photogenic railway viaducts in the Czech Republic dominates the location. The surroundings offer countless opportunities for hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing. The Jizera Mountains and the Krkonoš are just a stone's throw away.

Rich History of the House

The timbered building is a unique example of village folk architecture from the 17th century; however, the oldest part of the house was constructed as early as the 16th century! To this day, you can find some original beams or one of the stone walls dating from that time. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, a significant architectural modification of the cottage took place. It was completed in 1818, which is still commemorated by the carpenter's inscription of the year on the oak portal of the main doors. As part of this reconstruction, two timber-framed wings were added to the originally common rectangular floor plan of the cottage, creating a cross-shaped floor plan. Today, the house is one of only eight preserved cross-shaped cottages (i.e., cottages with a cross-shaped floor plan) in the Czech Republic.

When Reconstructions Fulfill Dreams

The latest reconstruction of the cottage was completed this year—a comprehensive yet highly sensitive and authentic renovation that preserves the historical appearance of the cottage from the early 19th century. The result is the transformation of the cottage into a boutique hotel with a restaurant and its own bakery. By creating this resort, its owners, Tereza and Michal Hošek, fulfilled their dream. The cottage was fortunate that both owners have a lifelong relationship with architecture, design, and beauty. Michal has tied his professional life to iconic companies such as Precioza and Lasvit, while Tereza is an interior designer and founder of the slow-fashion brand Julie store. The couple bought the cottage at a time when its reconstruction was already planned, designed by architect Jiří Jiroutek—an expert on historic gems currently working on the reconstruction of the Lucerna Palace. However, Michal immediately took an active role in the architectural solution, literally guiding architect Jiroutek's hand on many issues. “Due to lack of talent, I am not a trained architect, but a constructor and manager,” jokes Michal Hošek, continuing in a cheerful tone: “My wife and I love architecture and design; our life mission is to build. Our life is literally written into this reconstruction. Everything we believe in, our entire lifestyle that we instill in our children, respect for traditional crafts of old masters, minimalism, sustainability, love for natural materials, and attention to detail,” lists Michal Hošek.

The Hošeks took over the building in quite a miserable condition and thus had to approach the reconstruction with great courage for significant modifications. At the same time, it is a heritage-protected house. “At this point, I must highlight our cooperation with heritage conservationists. We mutually accommodated each other and always found solutions acceptable to both sides. I brought them joy with our originally intended sensitive approach and respect for the original form of the cottage. It's not that complicated; the house guides you. Gradually, you restore or replace every material, beam for beam, stone for stone, window for window. But the most important step was the decision to carry out so-called inter-beam insulation of the house. The original owner had insisted on over-beam insulation. This would have preserved the view of the interior roof cladding, but the entire house would have changed its shape. Thanks to this change, we were able to realize a fully glazed gable wall of the building facing the forest. The atmosphere in this part of the house is truly unique,” explains Michal Hošek.

Architecture and design enthusiast Michal Hošek had a clear intention from the beginning of the cottage reconstruction: to visually preserve the original character, to work with respect for history and traditions, with maximum use of original or natural materials. But under the traditional lid, to ensure the hotel offers modern technology, functionality, and comfort of today.

Interiors as a Work of Art

The tuning of the interiors was overseen by Tereza Hošková. “My aim was to maximize the brightness of the old cottage, so the overall color palette of the interiors is tuned to very light tones. The interiors are designed in the spirit of minimalism, the principles of which are inherent to our family,” explains Tereza Hošková. Therefore, you will find practically exclusively natural materials in the boutique hotel, such as wood, natural stone cladding, linen, and ceramics.

The overall expression and atmosphere of the interior are interwoven with the values by which the owners live: sustainability, minimalism, joy in the present moment, and a certain simplicity of life. “A great inspiration for us was, for instance, a visit to the open-air museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm,” reveals Michal Hošek's thought process. “In a cottage measuring about 12 m², eight people might have lived together, living simply, in harmony with nature and with minimal material possessions. And they may have been happier than people today. Therefore, we want to live with our family in greater peace, in nature, and to a certain extent, in simplicity. Luxury is not in quantity, but in details, in perfect craftsmanship, and in the lasting value of things around us. And we wanted to allow our guests to experience at least during their vacation or weekend retreat similar authentic feelings,” explains Michal Hošek.

During the reconstruction, the Hošeks maximized their efforts for the refurbishing, renovation, or fabrication of replicas of original elements—primarily windows and doors. Yet they were not afraid to complement traditional elements with the most modern equipment, accessories, and artistic artifacts. Tables from TON designed by René Šulc were customized to the needs of the restaurant. The interior is also complemented with furniture and shelving systems from the Czech design duo Master & Master. The frameless window filling the entire rear gable of the house was executed by the company JANOŠÍK all the way from Wallachia. Tereza Hošková and her studio Julie store took care of “dressing” the interior in fabric accessories. A pleasant climate in the interior is enhanced by a green roof in the rear section of the building. A non-traditional idea was brought to life by the Krkonoš company Živé střechy Harrachov. The interior is elevated to perfection with design pieces from Max Velčovský and other artists. The atmosphere in the boutique hotel is enhanced by Lasvit lights from authors Jan Plecháč and Henry Wielgus and Brokis by designer Lucie Koldová.

Custom-Made Switches and Outlets

The switches, outlets, and other control electrical elements used in the boutique hotel are based on the design line berker serie 1930 from Hager, but were customized to order. The white rotary switches, referring to the aesthetics of the first rotary switches from the 1930s, were given a velvety soft Softtouch surface at the request of Michal Hošek. This adds another surprising element and tactile experience for the hotel guests. “I remember how I met Michal Hošek at our booth at the Designblok fair in 2015. At that time, we devised a solution for the reconstruction of his private cottage, where traditional berker serie 1930 switches made of Bakelite and white porcelain were ultimately used,” recalls Thomas Grund, the CEO of Hager in the Czech Republic. “However, for the perfectly thought-out interiors of the boutique hotel, no standard switch series fit, so we eventually provided a solution in the framework of Hager Manufaktura's custom production program in the form of switches with a specially modified Softtouch velvet surface,” adds Katrin Grund, the founder of the design store MONOBRAND, which supplied the switches to the hotel.

“I had the opportunity to try the berker switches at my cottage. They precisely reflect our intention in the boutique hotel—to bring the most modern technologies under a traditional shell. The reason I chose berker switches again was not only their appearance but also their quality workmanship and, above all, the comprehensive range of devices. I liked that, in addition to switches and outlets, we can have controls for blinds, dimmers, data, television, and USB outlets, and other devices in the same design,” clarifies Michal Hošek.

The Result of a Thorough Reconstruction: An Oasis of Calm in Troubling Times

A visionary approach, inexhaustible enthusiasm, and personal commitment from the Hošek couple have borne fruit. The historic cottage now uniquely connects cultural heritage with a minimalist approach to interior design. The Boutique Hotel V Bezovém Údolí offers accommodation in five apartments with private bathrooms as well as a fully equipped apartment for up to 10 people in the adjacent reconstructed barn.

The experiential restaurant offers modern Czech cuisine made from top-quality local ingredients. Guests of the resort are served lavish breakfasts, lunches served from pots on traditional plastered stoves, and dinners offered in the form of an à la carte menu. An integral part of the restaurant is also its own bakery, which offers sourdough bread and other pastries daily, not only for the needs of the restaurant but also for retail sale.

“You will find us at V Bezovém Údolí every day. Come, take a look around, and don’t hesitate to ask us anything. We look forward to seeing you. And we are here for you,” concludes Michal Hošek.

www.hager.cz/vypinac
www.monobrand.cz
www.vbezovemudoli.cz