Our Story

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 where people can slow down, reconnect, and simply feel at home. This isn’t just our business — it’s our full-time passion, and we feel incredibly fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful place.

I’m Christa. My connection to the Alps runs deep. My mother’s family comes from the beautiful Allgäu region of southern Germany, close to the Austrian border, and those mountains shaped both my childhood and my love of alpine living. Winter has always felt like home to me — crisp mountain air, snow underfoot, and the simple pleasure of returning indoors to warmth, candlelight and comfort.

Del grew up in Bristol and has Italian roots. He’s happiest in the warmth of summer, enjoying long days, sunshine and the slower rhythm of the season. Although we're complete opposites when it comes to the weather, we've always shared a love of Alpine craftsmanship, timeless design, cosy interiors and the relaxed way of life found in the mountains.

For over twenty years we had two much-loved businesses in Bath — Hansel und Gretel Shop & Strudel Bar, followed by Uber, our clothing store (long before the taxis!). They reflected our love of Alpine living, but we always dreamed of creating somewhere people could actually experience it.

Eventually, there came a moment when we realised it was now or never.

In 2011, we closed the shops and began searching for a place where that dream could become reality.

A year and a half later, Singdean found us.

First mentioned in 1376, this tiny stone farmhouse had no electricity, no hot water, no windows and more than its fair share of damp. Yet from the moment we stepped inside, it felt extraordinary. The old stone walls seemed to hold centuries of warmth, laughter and family life. We knew immediately this was where our next chapter would begin.

We started gently, opening our first guest suite, Heimlig (now no longer available), later that year.

Then, in 2017, we began building Alpnhaus.

Designed and built by us, Alpnhaus became our modern interpretation of a mountain chalet — handcrafted with local larch, inspired by our love of the Alps, and created to offer complete peace, privacy and comfort. After more than a year of building, we welcomed our very first guests in May 2018.

The Magic of Singdean

People often ask whether we'll build more accommodation here.

The answer is a gentle no.

Part of what makes Singdean so special is its peace. When you stay at Alpnhaus, you are our only guests. There are no neighbouring cabins, no shared facilities and no crowds — just complete privacy, surrounded by hills, woodland and wildlife.

We've never wanted to become bigger. The world already feels busy enough.

Instead, we've chosen to protect what makes this place unique: somewhere you can truly switch off, breathe deeply, sleep well and simply enjoy being together.

Singdean is our home, and sharing it with others is a privilege we never take for granted. The greatest compliment we receive is when guests tell us they felt the same sense of calm and belonging that captured us all those years ago.

Every person who stays here becomes part of Alpnhaus's story, adding another chapter to a place built with love, patience and care.

We'd be delighted to welcome you, share this special place with you, and help you create memories of your own. We built Alpnhaus with our own hands, but its real purpose has always been simple — to give people somewhere to slow down, breathe deeply and leave feeling happier than when they arrived.

We'd be delighted to welcome you, we hope to see you at Alpnhaus soon.

Christa & Del x