SCHLOSSHOTEL IGLS IN AUSTRIA HOSTED COUNTS AND SOLDIERS

Austria’s smallest five star Schlosshotel, located on the renowned Igls Plateau in the Tyrolean Alps, receives guests from around the world on an exclusive basis. The hotel is just 5 kilometers away from Innsbruck, the provincial capital, and is very close to Salzburg and Munich. The uniqueness of this historic house is that it offers a great deal of privacy and discretion, enabling you to enjoy independence, space and time amidst the enchanting Mount Patscherkofel and breathtaking Nordkette mountain range.

More than 125 years ago, Count of Kollensberg, Professor Karl Dantscher, built a summer residence for himself on the Igls Plateau. Around 1912, Dr. Carl Walther, hotelier from Friedrichshafen, takes the professor’s summer residence on rent to run a Villa Dantscher by name 'Pension Schloss Igls'.

During the time of the Great Inflation around 1922, it was operated as a simple bed and breakfast facility, the 'Dantscher Schlössl' until 1939. During the time of the Second World War, Schlosshotel Igls served as the base for German Air Force. Later on, the Allies took over the building and the French as well as the American Troops occupied the castle for a long period of time.

In 1963, the Schlosshotel as well as the park was bought by Dr. Fred Beck, hotelier, and his wife Annedore. They carried out extensive modernization and refurbishment work to convert it into an elegant luxury hotel. In 1970, the hotel started its operations and in 1985 gets admitted to the Relais and Châteaux Hotel Association. From 2012, Schlosshotel Igls started operating as 'A Castle, Just for You', offering privacy and exclusivity.

Since 2013, this luxury hotel is being owned by Hans and Pia van Eenennaam-Beck, descendants of established hotelier dynasties. As managers and owners of five star hotel properties around the world, they have a great deal of experience in the field. While Pia is taking forward the tradition and passion that has been the trademark of Annedore Beck, her mother, and the legacy transferred to her by Dr. Fred Beck, her father, Hans has served as the Marshal of the Court of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands. Today, the accommodation offered by Schlosshotel is far more superior and luxurious compared to that the military got to enjoy long back.

The historic Schlosshotel is surrounded by 5,000 square meter of park and features a private indoor swimming pool. Throughout the property you can enjoy free WiFi. The luxury hotel is also equipped with a fireplace and spa facilities. Each room in the hotel sports a unique decor and period furniture, evoking a romantic ambiance. Each room also has a sitting area and is fitted with a flat-screen TV.

Guests can book just the rooms or the entire villa. The hotel makes available festive menus as well. Further, you can enjoy your meals in the garden or on the terrace, enjoying views of the Alps.
The ski resort Patscherkofel is located just 300 meters away from the hotel so that you can easily access it during winter time. If you visit the hotel during summer, you can enjoy playing at three golf courses that are available within a distance of about 10 kilometers.

Read More

DISCOVER HERITAGE IN THE BEST ASIAN HOTELS

Asia has some of the world's most breathtaking hospitality hotspots in the world. With locations steeped in colonial after effects and architectural designs that were truly a marvel in its time and still continue to be so, these heritage hotels are certainly worth a visit at least once in a lifetime. Here is a historic overview of some of the best heritage hotels in Asia. 

Raffles Singapore (Singapore)

Established in 1887 by Armenian brothers Martin and Tigran Sarkies, the 5 star Raffles Hotel in Singapore is radiant with colonial grandeur. Steeped in a century of old world tradition, the hotel was named after Stamford Raffles, who has been given the credit of laying the foundation for the developmental masterpiece that Singapore is today.

The Raffles owes its elegant design to architect Regent Alfred John Bidwell. Following the completion of the main building in 1899, the Raffles expanded with construction of additional wings, the great verandah, the classic ballroom, bar, and the billiards room. Further additions were made then on to bring the Raffles to its current resplendent state. The Raffles has been witness to good times and bad, surviving the great depression and a period of receivership. 

The hotel was closed for a lavish renovation that cost around $160 million. The project was implemented by Ssangyong Engineering and Construction. It was restored to its early glory days with all rooms being converted to suites with teakwood floors, handmade carpets, and high ceilings.

Today, the Raffles is considered to be one of the finest hotels in the world with royalty visiting from Europe, Japan, the Middle East with a mile long list of celebrities and distinguished guests of state. 

Eastern & Oriental Hotel (George Town, Malaysia)

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel or more popularly known as the E&O is again a dream child of the Sarkies brothers built in 1885. It is one of the rare structures in the world that accomplishes the perfect marriage of historic grandeur and contemporary style. The Heritage Wing of the five star luxury hotel is comprised of the elegant domed lobby. Additional wings were constructed in the mid-1970s and consequently in 2001.

The suites present the perfect amalgamation of European comfort and contemporary Malaysian designs. Dotted with hardwood artifacts and luxurious linens, this is truly what luxurious splendor is all about. One of the hotel's most poignant features is the jaw dropping view of the Malacca Straits along what could be ranked among the longest private sea facing promenades in the area. The equally beautiful view of the sea from any point in the hotel makes it an inspiring place for romantics and artists looking to complete their work. 

Like the Raffles, the E&O was also closed down for renovation in 1996. The Heritage Wing was subjected to restoration work while the remaining sections were completely torn down or refurbished in a major way to reflect the hotel's older architectural design. 

Hotel Continental Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

The four star Continental Saigon was established in 1880 and it is renowned for its unique architectural traits. Some of the features that set it apart include its tile roof, thick brick walls, huge bedrooms, and wide open public spaces. The hotel is also comprised of ceilings that are 4 meters high that has been designed to cut down on the discomfort caused by the tropical heat. The design also helps to take full advantage of the free flowing winds and natural light sources. The hotel has a rectangular design and is placed in the center of a huge garden. The distinct feature that sets the Continental Saigon from contemporary luxury hotels is its distinct ambience that provides an eloquent peace and quiet right in the middle of a city that is constantly bustling with energy. 

The Taj Mahal Palace (Mumbai, India)

Situated in the historically dynamic city of Mumbai, the five star Taj Mahal Palace is one of the most iconic structures in India and it has a great deal of history right from the time when leading Indian industrialist Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata acquired it for commission at the start of the twentieth century to the terrorist attack it was subjected to in 2008.

It is said that Tata designed and developed the hotel just out of love and respect for the city. In the first fifty years after the hotel was built, the Taj's booming 240-foot dome was the indicator for ships coming in to Bombay Harbor. The dome is even today set as one of the official triangulation points for Navy ships to identify their position in the harbor.

Fairmont Peace Hotel (Shanghai, China)

The Fairmont Peace Hotel was formerly known as the Cathay Hotel. Sir Victor Sassoon, a real estate tycoon is the dream merchant behind this historic structure. It is China's first high rise structure with ten floors. Among the hotel's characteristic feature are the prominent copper roof and granite exterior.

The five star hotel certainly set some amazing standards of luxury in its time. With trendy deco designs and the most contemporary enmities, the Fairmont Peace was a challenge to some of Europe's finest hotels. The Peace Hotel is even today considered to be one of the centers of Asian glamour giving shelter and hospitality to some of the biggest names in the entertainment and business world, apart from the mysterious and faceless rich personalities. The luxury hotel received a major overhaul in 2010 with modern extensions.

Read More

POUSADA DE ÓBIDOS: A ROMANTIC MARRIAGE OF OLD AND NEW

Heading off to a Portuguese village for a romantic holiday or anniversary trip is an attractive prospect and the settlement of Obidos, known as the “wedding present town”, has an interesting accommodation option on offer in the form of the Pousada de Óbidos. This small hotel, which embraces the style of the boutique pousadas, was the first of a growing line of unusual establishments to adapt and celebrate a historical landmark and has done so with Obidos castle, a site named as one the 7 wonders of Portugal.

The castle has a grand history and this is carefully reflected in the architecture and design choice of the clever restoration.

Obidos Castle has been the focal point for a number of communities and settlements over the years and while most attribute it the 14th century with the grand designs of King Dinis and King Fernando, it was originally built by the Moors after they took over the region in 713 and there is also archaeological evidence of Roman buildings and occupation. Over the centuries, the castle has been updated to meet the needs of its royal residents and even had to be restored following an earthquake in 1755; today it is awaiting World Heritage status and guests can enjoy it in its current role of hotel and stay in rooms named after the Royal guests that once occupied them.

As a pousada restoration, rather than a new build, rooms are limited and there will never be masses of other tourists around. Because of the faithful attempt to appreciate the castle's architecture, each of Pousada de Óbidos' rooms has its own charms and there are different shapes and styles across the building with different views and amenities. Some of the more “standard” rooms are quite spacious and very welcoming and the “superior” rooms naturally offer something a bit more luxurious but it is the high-ceilinged, compact tower rooms that many guests seem to enjoy the most.

The charm of this hotel is the authenticity and ability to escape to the past and this is seen in the faithful restoration of architecture and numerous features and details throughout. Instead of putting in big windows for a grand view and plastering the rooms, the designers have retained the exposed brickwork and Manueline-style windows. It feels like being in a real castle not a restoration, ignoring the modern amenities of the plumbing and electric lighting of course.

In addition to this, rooms are furnished with four poster beds and there are suits of amour, fireplaces and paintings among the many authentic features throughout the establishment. Of course one of the highlights for many foreign visitors is the scale of the castle walls and the chance to simply explore those fortifications.

The best pousada restorations are those that hold on to the charm of the original settlement while offering the comforts guests require. Holding on to the romance of the past is ideal, as seen here with the grand views from castle walls, birds of prey flying overhead and a loved one in your arms, but so is the ability to sleep in a warm bed in a comfortable room and have a romantic meal in a modern restaurant. By keeping this balance, Pousada de Óbidos has set a benchmark for those that follow and started an interesting trend of 21st century holidays in medieval locations.

Read More

REMARKABLE HERITAGE HOTELS WITH EASTERN EUROPEAN CHARM

Eastern Europe is a region full of history and mystique, something which really shows in its architecture and the historic buildings which make countries like Poland and the Czech Republic attractive to foreign tourists, even those from their neighboring countries in Europe as well as Asia.
While the everyday tourist might want to simply stay in regular accommodations in the main city areas, it is undeniably true that these countries have a lot more to offer when it comes to their beautiful and decadent historic and heritage hotels, converted from old castles, palaces and country houses.

A great example of this is the breathtaking Rübezahl Marienbad Hotel in the Czech Republic. This five star heritage hotel is located in the spa city of Marianske Lazne (Marienbad), in the Bohemian Forest, and dates from the early 20th century. One of the oldest spa hotels in Europe, this has always been considered a luxurious wellness center for travelers who can enjoy the best of the region, including its health benefits and extraordinary cuisine, while staying in the extensively renovated fairytale-like castle, which gives the experience its almost magical appeal.
The Rübezahl Marienbad Hotel is open to guests the whole year and features all kinds of commodities, from lifts and a layout suitable for disabled guests to a host of wellness and sports activities including golf and skiing. It is also a great location for weddings and conferences.
Known for its great yet troubled history, it is not surprising that a number of castle hotels can be found in Hungary. One of them is the beautiful Castle Hotel Batthyány, in the Zala County. Situated in a park which is over 300 years old, this four star heritage hotel is a relaxing retreat for those who already do or would like to enjoy thermal baths and other wellness experiences only accessible in the countryside.
Initially built in a Gothic style in 1400s, the castle ended up only being finished in the 1800s, acquiring a Baroque style. Since then, it went through several renovations, most notably in the late 1990s, after having served as a foster home for over 40 years and almost being destroyed. Today, the Castle is a premium location for wellness tourists as well as hunters and a prime location for those who enjoy historic sightings, as other castles and palaces are located nearby.

Those who’d like to experience the life or host an event in a typical 19th century Polish manor house will certainly enjoy the Chotynia Manor House, a few kilometers south from Warsaw. Built in that time’s typical style, the preserved Polish manor proudly maintained a traditional style, featuring an eclectic decoration in its interior, made up from pieces of different times and settings, which give it an eccentric appeal and complete with modern commodities so that guests can feel right at home. Aside from the very characteristic decoration, the hotel’s crown jewel is its restaurant, where a number of dishes inspired by French, Polish and Italian cuisine are served.
With a very peculiar history, Slovakia’s Hotel Sebastian is a quite unique heritage hotel. Although it was only converted into what it is today in 2009, the Modra hotel’s structure dates as far back as the medieval times and is the result of the enhancement of several wine producers and craftsmen’s houses, something clearly visible to those who visit and stay there. Aside from modern commodities such as conference rooms, which can host a number of events, the hotel also offers its guests the possibility of visiting large wine cellars, parlors and a large attic, where the rooms are situated.

 

Another remarkable heritage hotel is Castle Strmol, one of Slovenia’s most famous and the only one completely preserved among the 12 present in the Cerklje community near Ljubljana. The main feature of the castle, which dates from the 13th century, is the fishing pond with its drawbridge, once intended to protect it from Turkish invasions.
It has changed owners over the centuries, having had eccentric entrepreneur Rado Hribar and his wife as its last inhabitants during the 1930s. Due to its location and history, the Castle is now used by the Slovenian government for official ceremonies and functions.
These five historic jewels should give you glimpses of all Eastern Europe’s historic hotels have to offer. There is, however, a lot more to explore, as the region isn’t short of castles, palaces, manors and monasteries which clearly mirror the Old Continent’s rich history, providing guests with unique experiences they can’t enjoy anywhere else.

Read More