There's a new kid on the block!
Austrian Alchemy with a Bavarian entrepreneurial touch: Turning Dilapidation into Decadence in Bad Gastein, Austria
Confession of a Hotel Junkie:
Years in the luxury hotel game and, well, I've become a bit of an addict. Can you blame me? I've got a weak spot for brandspanking-new hotels. I dive in, hoping for a spark of inspiration to share with our private society. Sometimes, jackpot! Other times, let's just say my wallet feels the pinch. Especially when I forget to pull the HoteliersGuild card, where we either make it rain discounts or toss the bill out the window for fellow guild pals. Now, drum roll... The Straubinger Grand Hotel Straubinger in Bad Gastein, Austria, is rolling out the red carpet again. Flashback to some epic times at the (then dazzling, now shut since 2016) Grüner Baum resort, and I just had to check this out! For the uninitiated, picture this: Bad Gastein, a gem tucked in Austria's alpine embrace. Think postcard-perfect landscapes, soothing thermal waters, and a history so rich, it probably needs its own vault. Sure, it's got medieval roots, and it was the go-to vacay spot for 19th-century European glitterati. But let's be real: the town hit a bit of a rough patch. Its Belle Époque charm was more 'forgotten glam' than 'retro chic'. A round of applause for Christian Hirmer of HIRMER HOSPITALITY. Many thought he'd lost his marbles for buying this fixer-upper. But look at it now! After a three-year makeover, it's gone from town eyesore to heartthrob. The Straubinger Grand Hotel? Think luxury meets legacy, reimagined.
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And the pièce de résistance? The three-tiered spa, crowned with an infinity pool that's basically a VIP pass to cloud nine. With its limited 46 rooms, this boutique beauty is all about that exclusive feel. But, given the hefty investment behind it, one does wonder about the math. Whatever the numbers, dear Christian and Christiane Hirmer, here's raising a glass to the brave s o u l s b e h i n d t h i s ve n t u r e . Chapeau!
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