1. Who are you?
Hardy Egger, CEO & Owner of LIFESTYLEHOTELS www.lifestylehotels.net.

2. What do you like about what you do?
I love developing our “baby” LIFESTYLEHOTELS each day!

3. What don’t you like about what you do?
Nothing – also “unloved” tasks have their own appeal if they support success.

4. Please tell us about ‘Lifestyle Hotels’ and your aims?
LIFESTYLEHOTELS is a positioning platform for individual, design oriented and stylish hotels worldwide. We communicate to some 50.000 Lifestyle aficionados through various channels. 1½ year ago we started with social networks, most important: facebook with some 9.000 fans.

5. Are you working with blogs and if yes, what is your favourite blog?
Not yet!

6. Tell us about your current and future projects!
We continuously extend our portfolio with new LIFESTYLEHOTELS. One of the next important steps is our new website.

7. Tell us about your favourite hotels!
I love all of our LIFESTYLEHOTELS because of their individuality and authenticity.
Each of them has a certain lifestyle and its own spirit that makes a stay very special.

8. Are there any trends you see in the hotel industry and which you want to share with us?
The decision for a specific hotel is made by 75% of all guests in the internet.
For this reason it is important to present pre-selected choices to the guests, like we do on www.lifestylehotels.net.

9. Any comments you want to share with us?
Broaden your horizon and discover the world. So travel, travel, travel!

“Upside down you turn me”

Enjoy … and many thanks Susanne!

Credits: NAME IT ISSUE # 20 August/September ´11
Name It Magazine
“Upside Down You Turn Me”
Photo by: Julia Spicker
Model: Mario Loncarski @ Wiener Models
Producer: Susanne Gosch
Grooming: Patrick Glatthaar
Styling: Angelika Königseder (Making Of) & Christoph Nardeaux (Making Of)
Styling Assistant: Julia Rupertsberger
Special Thanks to: The Ring Hotel, Morisson Club, Szene Wien, Seca-Security

Where can you ride a luxury car? Well, we have looked at some magazines and of course searched through the web, here are our results:

The Emirates Palace in Dubai offers a chauffeur-driven Maybach, it is part of a very exclusive and also expensive package. The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong has an incredible pool of 14 (!!) Rolls Royce Phantoms and 2 customized Mini Coopers. At the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg in Moscow you can choose between a BMW 7 or if you like it more sporty to drive to a ‘Dacha’ you can also take a BMW X1 or X5. The hotel chain Kempinski does offer at some hotels a luxury car, at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul you can hire a Maybach including driver. The Grand Hotel Wien offers next to BMW 5 and 7 also a Mercedes 500 S class.

We actually wanted to show you the car brand that is part of The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel as well as Lake’s – my lake hotel & spa, both in Austria. Both hotels do have a completely branded Fiat 500 and use them partly internally or for transfer purposes.

The Fiat 500 of The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel has been delivered in 2009 and is branded with the logo and the color scheme of the hotel. Believe it or not but this car makes people turn their head around when driving through the city of Vienna.

The Fiat 500 C (Cabriolet) was delivered to Lake’s – my lake hotel & spa during the opening beginning of July 2010, this is a very nice example on how to brand a car and also providing the guests with a typical ‘summer feeling’ when taking the roof off.

Fiat stands for technology, Italian design, dynamism and versatility. Guests sometimes ask us why we decided to take Fiat and the question is, it has a sign of recognition and both hotels aim for the same.

Come, see, taste and enjoy our new Ring Doughnut!

The most important “10 Festival” dates:

June 4^th : VIP Party@Drings / The Ring, Vienna´s Casual Luxury Hotel (only by invitation)
June 7^th : Festival & Guerilla Store Opening at Liska
June 8^th : Vernissage “Eight Views” at Contemporary
June 10^th : “Cinema Photographique” party at the Pratersauna
June 12^th : Azubis 01-party at “The Loft”
June 14^th : “departure fashion night” at the Semperdepot
June 14^th : “Sand People” a multimedia art fashion event by Andreas Waldschuetz
June 15^th : Show Liska by Thomas Kirchgrabner “Apokalypse” at the Semperdepot (only by invitation)
June 16^th : “Awards 10 – AFA Austrian Fashion Awards”-show at the Semperdepot (only by invitation)
June 16^th : “Awards 10 –Afterparty” “The Black Lodge Party” at Celeste
June 16^th : “peng!” party at the Pratersauna?

The Ring Hotel, Vienna´s Casual Luxury Hotel, is partner of the 10 Festival for Fashion & Photography in Vienna.

The other day I was leafing through a magazine at the dentist’s office – a place I dread – and along side an article about Heidi Klum, glowing and composed as always, was an ad for a weekend in Bad Ischl, the legendary Spa town of the Habsburgs. It promised to provide “relaxation fit for an emperor.” I sighed, dreaming of those simpler times when “taking the cure” fit into anyone’s calendar. My name was called: I closed the magazine, setting my fantasy aside, knowing it was too late to escape.

In an ideal world, of course, city people would be more sensible and get some obliging doctor friend to treat their bad back with the respect it deserves; write them a prescription and send them off to the mountains for a cure. But one’s conscience doesn’t always cooperate. But what is possible is to take off just an afternoon, and head down to the Day Spa, where you can check ambitions at the reception and spend a few hours remembering what it means to be human.

This is a time honored tradition in Austria, as it is across the Continent. European spas have their roots in ancient towns like Bad Gastein, so high in the mountains that you are “beyond the clouds” or Bad Vöslau where ancient Romans are said to have come to “take the waters” and restore their health. The practice has persisted through the centuries, through wars, pestilence and economic upheaval, so the Roman must have been on to something. However, in today’s hectic work environment and city-centered living, this pastime has come to seem extravagant, unthinkable for most.

So we have to thank Catherine Atzen, inventor of the term “Day Spa,” This clever creature journeyed to the United States from France in the 1980s to found such a retreat in New York, taking pleasures of this time-consuming relaxation and compacting it into an easy-access, efficient way to reboot your operating system, at a health center right in the middle of town. Since then, the concept has spread like a virus.

And happily for me, I caught it.

After making my appointment, rescheduling a few meetings was easy when I thought of the treats to come. No shame in a little fib to get myself back running on all four cylinders. My destination: The Ring, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel, which has created a day spa experience that must be hard to match. At the spa “Casual Luxury” gets a whole new meaning.

As I entered, swiping my key-card and pushing open the heavy door, the scent of essential oils permeated my senses. The mellow music and calm lighting immediately transported me into an oasis of serenity. My to-do list was forgotten as I changed into the robe waiting for me by the steam room. I was early, but that was just as well as gave me time for a quick shower and steam to get my pores ready for the yummy oils that awaited me. After 10 minutes of steam I sidled over to the treatment room where my masseur was already warming his hands.

The treatments are manifold. The hot stone massage, or Anti stress Dreamland will allow you to escape for an hour of utter recreation. The full body massage is not merely a rubdown, but the masseur responds to your body’s personal needs, working especially on the areas where attention is most needed. For me, someone who is always on her feet, this meant intense work on my lower legs, which felt divine. And of course in our wonderful world of a computer-based workday, the treatment of my neck and shoulders took quite a while as well. But the charming masseur was kind, explaining that my obvious hard work meant I deserved to be pampered. Little did he know I was “skipping school” – although now that I think of it, I was probably not alone.

In the aftermath of utter relaxation, I found I couldn’t bear to leave, or I felt rooted to the spot. What else could I do to postpone reality a little longer? I only wanted more!

From facials and manicures, to specific treatments for men and rejuvenating remedies, the spa offers enough to make my whole family happy, and then some. One unique treatment at the Ring Day Spa, is the Chocolate Massage that any of my chocoholic girlfriends would adore, especially in winter, when the skin needs that extra portion of moisture. And the aromas may even dissuade them from stuffing themselves with the real thing and complaining about extra kilos.

No matter what those classical spa people say, I felt just like the Empress “Sissi” after my Day Spa experience. And since it only took a few hours out of a weekday afternoon, no one even had to know I was gone. As I pushed open the front door of the Ring Hotel I saw a disgruntled businesswoman shivering at the cold, I grinned, warm, relaxed, light-footed and still glowing.

Maggie Childs is a freelance travel and feature writer for publications such as Condé Nast Traveller, The Vienna Review, Gig Magazine and various in-flight magazines. She is currently working in Vienna, Austria.

1. Who are you?

My name is Suzanne Urpecz. I’m the creator of The Hungarian Girl which is a dedicated blog/website about Central & Eastern European food and culture.

I’m currently studying Culinary Arts at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. I’m preparing to open my own authentic Hungarian restaurant in the near future. As well, I operate a specialty cake business that offers the very best in Central and Eastern European desserts.

In addition, I have a background in Journalism – Broadcasting and I’m a graduate of Seneca College. Previously, I worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in their newsroom.

2. What do you like about what you do?

I’ve always wanted to have my own business. I now have the ability to combine two of my greatest passions which is cooking and writing. I also enjoy meeting new people and travelling.

3. What don’t you like about what you do?

The downside of running your own business is that it can be difficult and stressful at times. You’re the “captain of the ship” and that means you’re responsible in making all the necessary decisions. It’s also tough trying to manage a business without proper financing but it also encourages me to find different and unique strategies. Regardless, I always look forward to undertaking new challenges with my business.

4. Please tell us about ‘The Hungarian Girl’ and your aims?

The Hungarian Girl aims to be the #1 portal of information about Central and Eastern European food and culture. In the future, I hope to have my own authentic Hungarian restaurant under the same name. I would also like to have my own television show that focuses on the food and culture of these regions.

5. Are you working with other blogs and if yes, which ones and why?

I’m currently working in a partnership to launch an official website called the Friends of the Tokaji Renaissance. The website will feature information, news, events, articles and reviews about Hungary’s famous sweet wine.

6. Your TOP 3 hotel experiences and why?

One of my most memorable hotel experiences was staying at a bed & breakfast located in the township of Haliburton in Northern Ontario called Swiss Acres. My fiancé and I were staying in the area to go dogsledding that weekend. They treated us like family and made our stay really special. I’ll never forget their wonderful hospitality.

Another excellent hotel experience was staying at the Hotel Palazzo Zichy in Budapest. The hotel is located in a historical building that was originally designed and constructed in the 19th century. It’s such a gorgeous place and the staff is incredibly friendly. I would certainly return to their hotel on my next stay in Budapest.

I would also really like to mention that staying at The Ring Hotel was fantastic! You’ve got a great concept that combines the best of luxury and casual in Vienna.

7. Your TOP 3 food/restaurant experiences and why?

I live in Toronto which is a very multicultural city. One of the best things about the city is the variety of ethnic food. Little India is a place I often enjoy going to which serves authentic Northern Indian cuisine. The family-run restaurant has a wide variety of dishes and the service is excellent. They also have a great lunch buffet.

Of course, being the Hungarian Girl I’m always looking for the very best in Hungarian food. During my last visit to Budapest, I was highly impressed with Bagolyvar Restaurant. I had their chicken paprikash and it was amazing! I also really liked Callas Café and Restaurant for their incredible cakes and pastries.

8. Which food/restaurant concept would you like to share with us?

Quality and service are the two most important elements to managing a successful restaurant. I also believe that going the distance for your customers is always beneficial. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and when you do something special for a customer such as offering them a free dessert or an appetizer. The customer will most likely remember that positive experience and will want to return again to your establishment. After all, you only have one chance to make a lasting impression in this industry.

9. Any comments you want to share with us?

I would really like to thank my family and friends for supporting me throughout my career.

“A young and extremely professional service crew, a performance of international par-excellence, a perfect location and an audacious and distinctive cooking – a combination rarely seen in hotel kitchens in Vienna.” This can be read in the new edition of Gault Millau as overall statement on the restaurant At Eight.

The total of 15 points for the concept of aroma cuisine of Thomas Seifried do acknowledge the excellent and fascinating combinations of menus and dishes with which he his pampering his guests. His cuisine is focusing on high quality, seasonal products, various spices and sauces as well as fresh domestic and exotic herbs which he combines with different essential/ethereal oils.

“Getting the second toque means a lot to us,” rejoices Thomas Seifried. “It states that the direction we have constantly and strategically followed since the opening in 2007 has been the right one. I am moreover positive that it will help the old and wrong prejudice that one cannot expect as much from hotel kitchens as from classical restaurants.”

Either you take the classical one with “Edelweiss” samples, the retro-styled a la “Franz Klammer” or “ready for the halfpipe” with graffiti sticks to create your own helmet … winter 2009/2010 will not only bring the highest security in the mountains but also the hottest outfits for all fans and aficionados of powder snow and heavy ski runs and slopes.

Absolutely thrilled by the newest stylish winter collection of the Carrera retro line were not only the Austrian ski star Stephan Görgl and former ski star Alexandra Meissnitzer, but also national and local celebrities like Ernst Hausleitner, Rainer Pariasek, Miriam Weichselbraun, Sabine Mord, Vera Bönisch, Diana Lueger, Sandra Pires, Susanne Michel, Andrea Hroch, the fashion designers Thomas Kirchgrabner, Marcel Ostertag and Martina Rogy, Hubertus von Hohenlohe, Universal Music Austria boss Hannes Eder with his wife Katha Schinkinger, United International Pictures boss Mark Taylor and hotel manager Eva-Miriam Gerstner of the Schlosshotel Leonstain in Pörtschach.

All photographs by Philipp Hutter- www.philipphutter.com

www.carreraworld.com
www.smithoptics.com
www.safilo.com

“Where to Stay
Stay in the city centre. The best choice is the Ring Hotel, just a block from the Opera house, and right near four wurstelstands. The Ring has clean, modern rooms at about ¤200 a night for a single. The beds are cushiony and the pillows fluffy. Breakfast is included and the waffles are delicious. Plus, Beyonce stayed there.”

Read the whole article on living.scotsman.com.