Tourism & Hotels

The TOP 5 Reasons I Would Choose Lech-Zürs am Arlberg

5 reasons I would choose Lech-Zürs am Arlberg if I had to choose between the best skiing areas in Austria. Definitely the Arlberg or, to be precise, not St. Anton or Stuben am Arlberg, but Lech-Zürs. This year, the journey there fit the standard again, this time in the Volvo XC90, a luxury living space even on the highway.

Peacefulness

You notice it first when it’s late afternoon and you open a window in the hotel – for example, the Zürserhof – and hear only the snow cannons as they produce new snow for the next day. But this isn’t the only kind of peacefulness that you have-it’s even more significant on the slopes. The crowd that’s on the slopes with 6 bottles of beer in their bloodstream by 12 p.m. is happily (still) a rarity on the Arlberg in Lech-Zürs. When you arrive in the spa area of the hotel after a day of skiing, you can round out your day with wonderful, soothing tranquility. Here, relaxing your body and mind is mandatory

Volvo XC90 - Hotel Zürserhof am Arlberg

The panorama and landscape

“The white ring” is a concept for a majority of passionate skiers. By that, I don’t mean the race, which takes place once a year, but rather the routes themselves. On these routes – a combination of different slopes and ski lifts – completely new glimpses into the wonderful alpine panorama around the Arlberg offer themselves up every few meters. When there’s good weather and sunshine, visibility (for example, from the Rüfikopf) is almost unlimited. Metaphorically speaking, you could say that the white ring revolves around the two towns of Lech and Zürs and sees the mountains from all different sides.

The Zürserhof and its Aureus Spa

Before the Winter season of 2014/15, the Hotel Zürserhof – a 5 Star Superior Hotel – liberally expanded their spa area. Since then, it has been known under the name “Aureus” in the Arlberg. Looking at the numbers, it is probably the largest spa area belonging to a hotel in Lech-Zürs am Arlberg. Well being for body and soul is a motto that is lived here all the time – and that on 5 connected levels with a total of 3,200 square meters. Here, “spa” doesn’t simply mean relaxation for your body, but also for your soul. In any case, in the Aureus, all the foundation stones have been set to greet the end of your vacation – which should definitely be generously scheduled- with a refreshed spirit for the journey home. This is made possible in many ways, such as with light and scent therapy, harmonized to the individual spaces and themes of the Aureus Span in Hotel Zürserhof. On The Vienna Blog, Gregor has looked into the Aureus Spa in detail and inquired closely into its philosophy.

Volvo XC90 - Hotel Zürserhof am Arlberg

Atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the family

The feeling and ambience of being a guest or just a number makes much more of a difference than many people realize. For me, even more important than breathtakingly great food or the high quality of a room is to be greeted and have the feeling that your host is glad to see you. Especially if it’s like you’re part of the family. Then you feel comfortable, and it’s much easier to relax during your vacation.

Moments after we left, I was already looking forward to coming back next year. Every element of hospitality and warmth that keeps guests coming back is present here. Of course, the feeling and atmosphere doesn’t end when you leave the hotel. In winter, the two towns of Lech and Zürs look as if they were set in cotton in the valley between the mountains. It must be said: everyone should experience it once for themselves. Well, the winter season of 2016/17 isn’t too far away.

Quality, luxury, and condition of the slopes

Really the simplest point of the 5. Although not all ski lifts in Lech-Zürs am Arlberg correspond to the standard of pampering of, for example, Ischgl, all facilities are in top shape. But for me, the means of transportation is not nearly as important as the slopes. So far, I have never seen the slopes of the Arlberg in less than 1A condition – regardless of whether the sun seemed to melt away the snow or it was snowing from early to late.

Volvo XC90 - Hotel Zürserhof am Arlberg

All pictures were shot on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.

Devilish Tip: pay attention to product placement.
Supported by Volvo Austria with the XC90,
the Hotel Zürserhof am Arlberg.

14. February 2016 0 comment

Chillen am Strand, die Seele baumeln lassen, Gozo - Malta

Tourism & Hotels Travels

Sun, Beach, and Sea-What More Could You Want? Secret Tip: The Beaches of Malta

written by Christoph Teufel

Two whole days in Malta, plus a day to travel there and a day to travel home. In this case, the SWISS was, in the truest sense of the word, our shuttle . How to plan our agenda? Quite simple – Day 1: Sun, beach, and sea. Day 2 was dedicated to the historic capital city.

Day 1

How could I best decide where to go, which beach, which little spot on the island of Malta? In the past, I might have proverbially flown my finger over a map, but today I do it with Google Maps. No sooner said than done. It’s even easier than it sounds. Within 15 minutes, our whole first day in Malta was planned down to the delicacies and little stopping places.

The result: a visit to the “San Blas Bay” and its beach of the same name, and then the (probably) world famous “Azure Window”. I confess that I first learned about it from Google.

The San Blas bay is a small but lovely beach. You can’t drive directly to it, and apparently, it counts as a secret tip. Because you certainly couldn’t call it overcrowded – even though it was a Saturday! From the closest parking place or bus station, it’s about 10-15 minutes by foot downhill, and when going back up under the hot sun, you should plan for 20-30 minutes and have a little water with you. Once there, you’re not lying like sardines, one next to the next as on many Italian beaches- instead, everything is very relaxed. You can put your umbrella and lounger wherever you like in the sand.

After splashing in the water a little, swimming closer to one yacht or another anchored there, and playing on the sand, an optimistic mood is irresistible. However, we also wanted to see the Azure Window, since we were already on Malta. So, we had a taxi bring us to our rental car and drove to the northwest end of Gozo Island, which is, of course, a part of Malta.

Incidentally, the San Blas bay is in the north of Gozo Island. If our planet wasn’t curved and your sight was crystal clear, you could see Sicily from here.

Arriving at the Azure Window on Gozo Island in the northwest, it wasn’t hard to see that this was a popularly photographed attraction. It wasn’t at all easy to take one photo or another without getting other tourists in the background. But see for yourself. It’s definitely worth it to be one of the many tourists at least once in the future.

The conclusion after a lovely day under the sun and miraculously without a sunburn: Malta is drawing us back with near certainty. Whether in the next weeks or the next years, we’ll definitely return.

Devilish Tip: Pay attention to product placement.
This short trip was supported by SWISS

27. October 2015 0 comment

Tourism & Hotels

Gazing at the Sea in the Hilton Malta

written by Christoph Teufel

How do I find my hotels? They have to have a good location, with a good view, can’t be the sort of sleazy hotel where you can look at the bed and still see the imprint of the person who was there before you. A little luxury is nice, though not necessary. In any case, the room shouldn’t cost € 1,000 a night. So, I chose the Hilton Malta for our stay.

After we arrived at the Malta airport, it was time to get a rental car and go to our hotel. It was high time for dinner. In the hotel, it was pleasantly cool: as soon as we had left the airplane for the bus on the runway, the temperature had struck us like a blow (it was very warm!) By the way, Swiss International Air Lines has very recently added Malta, along with many other new short haul destinations to its program – also directly bookable.

Room number 956-wonderful, almost right at the top. Open the door and you can already see the sea. We didn’t just have an amazing view of the sea from the balcony, but also from the bathroom, so we opened its wooden window. Therefore, my personal recommendation for anyone traveling to Malta: Hilton, 5th story or higher, facing the sea. Because we were visiting the island’s beaches during our first day on Malta, we saved the hotel pool for the second day. Even the hotel’s pool has its own beach. Naturally, it’s a mixture of sand and gravel, arranged to make it feel as real as possible. A visit to the beach-pool bar can’t be missed, but I was a little disappointed that classics like a Coconut Kiss and similar weren’t on the menu. Instead, and apparently much more important, pizza or burgers by the pool – help, I think I’m going to be sick…made it clear that the hotel belonged to an American chain. If I had my way, that could definitely change.

Nonetheless, the Malta Hilton is a top hotel. At breakfast in the main restaurant, you are even seated by a waiter. I always asked for a place on the terrace, with the pool in the background. Already warm, of course, and with the morning sun in my face. Truly reasons to get up early. That began as soon as the early morning sun peeked over the horizon and shone into my room.

In addition to the impressing play of colors in the early morning, there was a no less impressive view in the evening, which offered a beautiful play of colors. Together, they made for a perfect stay.

P.S. In the Malta Hilton, when you are, for example, a guest in an executive room on the 9th floor, you also have free entrance to the Executive Lounge, a handsome work space with individual PCs, a television for news and so on, as well as copiers and fax machines. Truly cause for respect! Must also exist in other properties in the Hilton hotel chain.

Devilish Tip: Pay attention to product placement.
This short trip was supported by SWISS.

22. October 2015 0 comment

Champagner Brunch im Le Loft, Sofitel Wien

Food & Gastronomy Tourism & Hotels

Champagne Breakfast and Vienna Close Enough to Touch, Le Loft, Sofitel

written by Christoph Teufel

It took a long time, but we finally did it. Finding a time with friends when there’s also an open table in Le Loft in Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom isn’t so easy. Suffice it to say: it was worth it!

Even the elevator ride to the 18th floor is -if I may put it this way- “interesting”. A completely black elevator with very dim lighting. Takes some getting used to – but definitely something different. On the 18th story, the doors open and all of the first district of Vienna lies at your feet. And when the sun is rising, too- it’s no common view of Vienna.

For 32 Euros per person including sparkling wine/champagne, the breakfast at Le Loft is very reasonable. The dishes range from muesli to yogurt, cooked eggs, different fruits and freshly pressed juices to fresh baked goods. All of them were outstanding, and sadly tempted you to take more. So, a figure enhancing breakfast over Vienna.

The only thing that I must unfortunately note here: the rolls were, to my taste, in the category “too small.” Everyone knows that normally the portions of butter at a breakfast buffet are barely enough for one roll. Here it was reversed. For the first time that I can remember, I had butter left over. So, the rolls could certainly be larger.

Just because it’s a fancy establishment doesn’t mean that everything has to be smaller. A tip for the hotel: certain things should be left as they are.

By the time you’ve stood up for the 20th time and gotten a few more tender morsels for your palate from the buffet, nearly 3 hours have gone by. Perhaps it’s time to slowly call a halt? But a fresh squeezed juice would be good. And then your glass is empty again.

“The check, please!” At the same time, a subconscious thought: the sum will certainly be considerable. Far from it, we were corrected: on the bill was, in fact, just 4 x 32 Euros. Hats off! In Le Loft, clearly there is no extra charge for every egg or glass of sparkling wine.

We will definitely come here again.

16. September 2015 0 comment

Tourism & Hotels

Golf Resort and Temple of Luxury By the Sea

written by Christoph Teufel

A few days ago, the new Peugeot 308 GT + Model Options was presented in Lisbon. I had the honor of being there. The Onyria Quinta da Marinha Resort was booked for the night. Actually, we’re already used to good hotels from Peugeot, but this exceeded all of my previous experiences. What would you expect from a 5 start golf resort in Portugal?

Room

“Couldn’t be any smaller”-naturally, I mean that sarcastically. To be exact, the room was enormous; there must be a lot of people who can’t afford an apartment that large. And the bathroom was also enormous, with a shower that could easily fit two people. Naturally, there’s an ample bathtub as well. A dream bathroom!

The rest of the room was timelessly elegant and had all the technical refinements that you could wish for. On top of that, there was a balcony, as big as half the room and connected along the whole length of the room with a glass frontage (which, incidentally, could be completely opened.)

Spa & Wellness

Finally I can tell you about a rare time on a press trip when I got to peacefully throw myself into the pool and swim a few lengths. Even if it was a little cold outside at this time of year-the outside area was very tempting and let it be known how pleasant it must be in summer to lay by the pool and relax. Inside, the whirlpool, counter-current system and various wellness showers weren’t half bad either.

Food and Drink

Although I sat at the bar and chatted with various colleagues and nice conversation partners from Peugeot until 1 in the morning, I slept really well. Of course, I treated myself to a hot bath and enjoyed the breakfast. Even though the breakfast on the next day was short due to the strict program-really exceptional. One tiny minus that I had to forgive: I have had many buffets with significantly more selection, which were also more refreshingly and temptingly served.

Conclusion-the Onyria Hotel Quinta da Marinha Resort makes you want to see the rest of the hotel group.

3. June 2015 0 comment

Zimmerkarten-Halter, The Smart Hotel Kaprun

Tourism & Hotels

Design for Living, Design for Wellness, Lederer’s Living- The Smart Hotel

written by Christoph Teufel

When thinking about details and the design of the rooms, apartments and suites, there’s no question that “The Smart Hotel” in Kaprun is my address Nr. 1 and first choice. On top of that, the hotel is managed with love and warmth. For me, the combination of the two forms a good reason to come back in the future.

Design and Nevertheless Wellness

When you come back to your room or suite after a day skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn, you just want to relax and unwind. In the Smart Hotel, it’s easy, not just because of the private sauna and extra wellness shower, but also because “Living” in Lederer’s Living can also been seen as the house motto. In addition to coherent and lovely design, every corner of the building from the reception, through the sauna area in the top story to the furnishings of the rooms and especially the suites, is lovely to look out.

Every time that you sit down in your room, whether just to breathe deeply or to relax, you have to be careful not to forget the time, to, for example, go to dinner at the right time, make food, or put on your ski things to go skiing.

Lifestyle at a Good Price

I was pleasantly surprised. I assumed that for so much design-and, in fact, luxury too-you’d have to reach deep into your pockets. But anyone can be wrong; for the location and the furnishings of the rooms and apartments, the prices are really very fair. I’d even dare to say that at another place, you would pay far more for an apartment with similar furnishings. Another reason that I would certainly come back.

All in all, a very successful hotel with apartments. Also-as a tip-even as a guest in the very nicely furnished apartments with full kitchens, you have the option of enjoying the breakfast from the in house breakfast buffet peacefully in your room, so you don’t have to cook in the early morning.

Thumbs up for “The Smart Hotel” is all that I can say!

Devilish tip: Keep an eye out for product placement.
Lederers Living – The Smart Hotel

3. June 2015 0 comment

Blog @en Sport & Fun Tourism & Hotels

Wellbeing in Hotel Zürserhof

written by Christoph Teufel

It’s been a little more than a year since we were last in Zürserhof. In comparison to the last time, we had all the luck in the world with the weather-pure sunshine, fantastic weather-exactly what you would wish for.

Living, not just being a visitor.

Once again we determined-and nothing else could have been expected-that at Hotel Zürserhof, you’re not just a guest, you live here. A certain informal, yet elegant atmosphere reigns, perhaps because many guests have loved the hotel for years and come here again and again. You might think that its comfortable, warm flair has nothing to do with lifestyle. Just the opposite-lifestyle has everything to do with whether I feel at ease in a place, like to go there, and am happy there. In this way, Zürserhof appeals to a very specialized clientele, one that, sadly, is serviced by fewer and fewer hotels these days. You couldn’t even imagine finding a hotel like Zürserhof in an urban area.

“Wellbeing” isn’t just a buzzword or gimmick

It’s not just a buzzword-in Zürserhof, it’s a way of life. You’ll find a great saying about it on the hotel’s printed material: “Wellbeing is like the perfume of our house – it’s simply there.”

The new Aureus Spa puts the proverbial dot on the “i” and takes it even farther. It’s a spa environment of the type that you only very, very rarely find. Harmonious, lovely, elegant, and yet functional and ready to fulfill all wishes.
But we’ll return to the theme of “Wellbeing” next week.

Devilish tip: Keep an eye out for product placement.
Hotel Zürserhof

18. May 2015 0 comment