Hello - this is us!

We’re Christa and Del — partners in life, in work, and in the dream that became Alpnhaus. Since 2012, we’ve welcomed guests to our little corner of the Scottish Borders, creating a place for people to slow down, reconnect, and simply feel at home. This isn’t just what we do — it’s our full-time passion, and we’re endlessly grateful to live and work in such a beautiful place.

I’m Christa — dual nationality by heritage and by heart. My mother’s family is from the Allgäu, a stunning region on the German–Austrian border, where the mountains shaped both my childhood and my love of alpine life. Winter feels like home to me — crisp air, snow underfoot, and the comfort of coming indoors to warmth and light.

Del grew up in Bristol, with Italian roots and a deep love of summer — long days, sunshine, and the relaxed rhythm of the season. Together, we share a lifelong passion for Alpine style, from the cosy interiors to the craftsmanship and clothing that reflect mountain living.

For many years, we had two shops in Bath that celebrated this love — first Hansel und Gretel Shop and Strudel Bar, opened in 1991, and later Uber, our men’s and women’s clothing store (long before the taxis!). But after decades of dreaming about combining everything we loved — design, hospitality, and the spirit of the Alps — we knew it was time. It was an "either we do it now or we stop talking about it" moment.

In 2011, we left our shop life behind and began the search for a place where our dream could take root. A year and a half later, Singdean found us — an ancient stone building first mentioned in 1376. It had no electricity, no hot water, no windows, and a lot of damp — but it had something far more important: a wonderful feeling. The walls held warmth and laughter; you could sense that many happy lives had passed through this little farm.

We began gently, opening our first guest suite, Heimlig (now no longar available), later that same year. And in 2017, we started building Alpnhaus — our modern take on a mountain chalet, designed with love and completed in May 2018.

Now, every guest who stays with us becomes part of the story — a continuation of the warmth and welcome that first drew us here.