THE STYLEMATE - Secret Places, The LIFESTYLEHOTELS Magazine Issue 02|2017

STYLE
MATE
THE
NEWS ABOUT LIFE, STYLE & HOTELS
ISSUE NO 03 | 2017
SECRET
PLACES

THE STYLEMATE ISSUE NO 03 | 20172
| 2 | Foreword . Imprint
| 3 | Salzburg . Grossarlvalley . Nesslerhof
The guest whisperers of the Nesslerhof
| 4 | Cover
Precious secrets
| 8 | Upper Austria . Innviertel . Geinberg5
Privacy at the highest level
| 8 | Vorarlberg . Mellau . Sonne Lifestyle Resort
Sunshine for the soul
| 9 | Burgenland . Deutschkreutz . Weingut K+K
Our lifeblood flows into every wine
| 10 | Florentina Welley
Unreachable places
| 12 | Salzburg . Saalbach/Hinterglemm . Hinterhag
Winter magic for body and soul
| 12 | Tyrol . Fiss . Alpslodge LIFE.STYLE.HOTEL
Relaxed alpine attitude to life
| 13 | Salzburgerland . Leogang . PURADIES
Quite simply puradisical!
| 14 | Harry Schiffer . Mustang
Secret at the end of the world
| 17 | Essay . Franzobel
Secret locations: Stranger than paradise
| 18 | Specials
Nidum . Das Wildkogel . Alfa Hotel .
alpina zillertal | family lifestyle kinderhotel
| 19 | Tyrol . Jagdschloss Kühtai
Noblesse oblige
| 19 | South Tyrol . Puster Valley . Hotel Tanzer
Beneath the Kronplatz
| 20 | Travel . Cornelia Pichler
Let’s Go West: A triple dose of California
| 23 | Panorama Obertauern
100 kilometres of pistes right outside the hotel
| 23 | Aparthotel Pure Resort Lermoos
Dive into the Tyrolean winter wonder
| 24 | Switzerland
Winter – Quite simply celestial
| 24 | Parkhotel & Spa Bellevue Adelboden
Grand old lady
| 24 | Switzerland . Zermatt . Matterhorn Focus
In focus: the Matterhorn
| 26 | Nice to have
Things
| 28 | Stuttgart . V8 Hotel Superior
Opening extraordinaire
| 28 | Salzburg . Bramberg
Freshly hatched – the Waldvogel
| 29 | Hochkönig Region
Where winter is at home
| 30 | Hotel Directory
IN THIS ISSUE
STYLE
MATE
THE
Imprint:
Media Owner & Publisher: Prime Time Touristik & Marketing GmbH,
Schmiedgasse 38/1, 8010 Graz.
Responsible for Content: Thomas Holzleithner & Hardy Egger.
Editor in Chief: Martin Novak.
Managing Editor: Susanne Riegler.
Editors: Mag. Ursula Jungmeier-Scholz, Dr. Walter Hoch, Min Li.
Cover Design: Gerhard Gauster. Cover Photo: Bas Meelker/Shutterstock
Art Director: Gerhard Gauster. Printed by: Medienfabrik Graz, 8020 Graz.
Published in: Graz. Publication: 3 x yearly.
Secret secrets
We have a deep yearning for secrets. Anyone who looks for «insider
tips» on tourism websites will find them in their thousands. But –
these secrets can’t be so secret if everyone can see them.
So our secret tip is this – ask your hotelier what sort of secrets can be
discovered around your holiday resort. With a bit of luck, they’ll give
you insider knowledge that you can’t find on websites and in travel
guides.
Thomas Holzleithner & Hardy Egger
Editors

THE STYLEMATE ISSUE NO 03 | 2017 3
The guest whisperers
of the Nesslerhof
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/hotel-nesslerhof
| SALZBURG . GROSSARL VALLEY . NESSLERHOF |
Many people know that the Skiwelt amadé is a special kind of winter destination. But fewer know that there are also great
health and fitness facilities in the Grossarl Valley. At the Nesslerhof, you can choose between the two – or simply indulge in both.
If you’re watching a passionate skier flinging
her arms enthusiastically around the rosy
neck of a complete wellness freak after a
wonderful day of skiing or listening as a
snowshoe hiker recounts of his latest nature
adventure to an enraptured ski tourer, then
you’re probably in the Nesslerhof in the
Grossarl Valley.
«Diversity instead of mono-cultures doesn’t
just do nature good», say Tina and Hermann
Neudegger, the hosts of the establishment.
And: Grossarl and the Nesslerhof can – quite
naturally – play all the parts. This not only
applies to the plethora of services offered
by the Nesslerhof and the natural landscape
that surrounds it. It also applies to the guests
themselves. This establishment is just as per-
fect for singles or couples looking for rest
and relaxation as it is for families: Loving
childcare during the main holiday periods,
Nintendo Wii, billiards or ball pool,
a sauna which is suitable for children aged
over 3 and a farm with rabbits, chickens,
ponies, cats and sheep offer enough excite-
ment to fascinate even the liveliest of child-
«The Neudeggers are guest whisperers.«
Wood, loden, leather, warm colours – stylish comfort meets alpine charm.
Captivatingly catered for
Photos: Heldentheater
The Swiss pine sauna lives up to its name.
ren. The «Water World»
lives up to its name: a
generous panoramic indoor
pool with heated outdoor
pool, 8 types of sauna,
facials, body wraps and
whole body treatments will
stimulate the indulgence-
seeking bodies of Alpine
freaks, carvers, ski tourers,
cross-country skiers and
snowshoe trekkers alike.
But back to Tina and Her-
mann Neudegger: Actually,
they are more «head guest
whisperers» than hosts as
they have created sworn «guest whis-
perers» from their team – and their service
providers: «We listen when you say nothing.
We can see your dreams through your eyes.
We feel your desires when you are far
away and then try to think, to live
and to act», promise your two hosts.
This applies to the Neudeggers them-
selves, their team and their partners,
like Toni the baker, Lenz the butcher,
Anni the milk farmer, Elisabeth the
cheese farmer and Christoph the egg
farmer. And: This makes a stay in one of
the 62 rooms or suites of the Nesslerhof
a very special experience.
When it comes to cuisine: At the Nesslerhof,
everyone will find what they’re looking for –
from bar flies and lounge slouchers to calorie
counters and dessertaholics. They cook, bake
and fry at the Nesslerhof until every single
guest has a blissful glimmer in their eyes as
they take the first bite. This is very
important to Hermann Neudegger,
even though he no longer directs the
kitchen team as he once did …

| COVER . SECRET PLACES |
If you want to get into the Uffizi
in Florence, you’ll need a lot of
time. To marvel at the works of
Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci
and Michelangelo too, of course.
But visitors normally spend
more hours waiting than in the
halls of the museum. It can take
many hours. If you haven’t
bought an online ticket (pro tip)
for a couple of extra Euros.
In other museums that are not
so on demand, waiting is the
exception. For example in the
famous New Sacristy of
the Medici Chapel with the
tombs of two Medici rulers,
designed by the very same artist,
Michelangelo, whose work is so
hard to view in the Uffizi. The
problem: Those who are short on
travelling time concentrate on
the attractions that are listed
first in the travel guide – and
this is not just the case in
Florence. They don’t deviate
from the beaten tracks which
they’ll have to share with lots of
others. And they mainly travel
at the same times as others. And
then wait alongside them …
The simplest piece of advice for
travellers is not to travel during
those times when everyone does,
www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/medici-chapels.html www.callanishvisitorcentre.co.uk/
The discovery of secret places requires patience and luck.
Photo: Shutterstock
Text: Martin Novak
Precious secrets

www.tragoess-gruenersee.at www. nationalpark-neusiedlersee-seewinkel.at
in the popular but dreaded
«peak season». But it’s easier
said than done. Because not
everyone has the privilege to
pick their own travel times.
School holidays and annual
company shut-downs specify the
dates when holidaymakers can
strike out. If you’re not affected
by such restrictions, and yet
still travel at these times, then
you only have yourself to blame.
It also helps a little to know how
ill-advised it is to travel through
Venice in August or to hope for
solitude in a Tyrolean or Salz-
burg ski resort during Austrian
semster breaks. And yet some
things can only be experienced
at certain times. You will find a
Christkindl market just in the
run-up to Christmas, not in Ja-
nuary. And if you travel all too
anticyclically, you’ll realise that
even the most heavily-travelled
regions have quiet times, when
tourists are not welcomed with
open arms. But there are also po-
sitive surprises. During times
when there aren’t two guests
fighting for every hotel bed and
when there are spaces available
in restaurants, those who are
there are appreciated far more.
Then a quick refuel is transfor-
med into a nice restaurant with
traditional regional food and
staff, who barely have chance to
breathe in the peak periods,
you can experience authentic
hospitality instead of professio-
nal friendliness.
Are you familiar with Callanish?
Callanish is similar to Stone
henge, the mighty megalithic
stone circle in the south-west of
England. It is just a little smaller
and, admittedly, far more diffi-
cult to reach, in the far-flung
Outer Hebrides. But the flight
from Glasgow to Stornoway, the
capital city of Lewis and Harris,
only takes an hour. From there
to Callanish isn’t even another
30 kilometres. And the tourist
stampede to the rocks of Calla-
nish is quite definitely far less
than to Stonehenge.
Secrets
stay secret
«My secret tip: The European
Nature Reservation is an abso
lute paradise for nature lovers
and peace seekers. Over 300 spe-
cies of birds can be seen thron-
ging about at ‹peak times› –
particularly in autumn, nature
casts a magnificent coat of
colour over the nature reserve.»
Theresa Humer from the Spa
Resort Therme Geinberg5
ans-
wers eagerly when asked what
secret delicacies the region in
the Upper Austrian Innviertel
has to offer its guests. Only:
Secrets you could find easily on
a website are not what we con
sider to be a secret. We would
really like to keep it a secret. In
another region of Austria, which
is also known for its opulent
«An open secret loses its innocence easily.»
«Those who are short on travelling time
concentrate on the attractions that are listed
first in the travel guide.»
No, it’s not Stonehenge.
It’s actually the stone circle of
Callanish in the Outer Hebrides.
Photo: Conclusio
You can observe grey geese by
telescope on Lake Neusiedl – as well
as from the loungers of some hotels.

Marine iguana meets
tourist. The two live in
a sensitive symbiosis.
It is worth preserving
for both parties.
Not far from the Uffizi in
Florence, visitors will find
impressive Michelangelo
sculptures in the Medici Chapel
– here on the tomb of Giuliano
de Medici.
«When the magic of a place can be cultivated, the risk
that it will be destroyed drops.»
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock

fauna, Lake Neusiedl, guests
arm themselves with heavy
telescopes to catch sight of wild
geese and herons, accompanied
by local guides. But the very
same creatures also wander
around the loungers of some
hotels (names will not be revea-
led; it’s a secret after all) and
can be observed close-up with
the naked eye. It’s just less of
an adventure than the guided
tour.
Patience & Luck
Locals are not stupid: They pre-
fer to reveal public secrets, while
keeping some things to them
selves. These treasures cannot be
found through the most meti
culous internet research and the
reading of all the guide books
in the world. You need two
things to discover them: luck
and patience. Luck to stumble
across them and patience to
wait for this luck. It´s like in the
casino: The right number might
turn up immediately or not at
all.
Which is also good in some way:
An open secret loses its innocen-
ce easily. For decades, very few
people knew «Grüner See» lake
in Styria, a natural treasure fed
by snowmelt. Until Hollywood
star Ashton Kutcher discovered
it and posted a picture of the
lake with the caption «Magic
Moment» on his Facebook page,
which had 17 million fans.
However, this very disclosure
endangered the magic. Since
then, those responsible have had
their hands full, ensuring that
masses of curious visitors do not
overburden the magic of this
location. Bans and various res-
trictions are meant to ensure
that the «Grüner See» remains a
green lake and does not become
an unsightly brown puddle,
Primeval forests often protect themselves – by being hard to access.
Some are also protected by the forest authorities, who disguise their location.
where there are no more magical
moments to experience.
Hide-and-seek
However, the best protection is
not prohibition signs, access
restrictions and barriers. The
best protection for a secret
is that it remains a secret. In
2015, Austrian natural photo
grapher Matthias Schickhofer
published a spectacular photo
book about the primeval
forests of Europe. But the risk
that millions will strike out into
the Bavarian Forest, into the
Spessart Mountains, the Ukrai-
ne or the Mountains of Bosnia
and overrun these primeval fo-
rests is luckily low. They are too
remote and it is too difficult to
reach them.
But some of these precious pla-
ces are located quite close to
metropolises. In these cases,
people make do with games of
hide-and-seek. For example, a
primeval forest near Vienna is
not labelled, so that it is not too
easy to find: «The forestry office
wants to prevent the forest
being trampled by Sunday wal-
kers», said one media report.
But: Tourism also protects.
When the magic of a place can
be cultivated, the risk that it
will be destroyed drops. «In
stead of cutting down the pri-
meval forests, tourism could be
much better developed there»,
says environmental activist
Schickhofer, explaining his
commitment. It’s always about
finding the right balance. If
no one were interested in the
breeding sites of the grey geese
in the reed belt of the «Neusied-
lersee», it would be dug out or
used for grazing. If too many
are interested, then it loses its
protective function.
Over 200,000 people visit the
Galapagos Islands every year.
And make life difficult for the
animals. Quite innocently, be
cause the ships on which they
arrive introduce parasites and
they alter the ecological balance.
Only: It wouldn’t work without
any tourists at all either. When
there were no sardines because
of systematic fishing, then the
blue-footed boobies that attract
the visitors would lose their
food source. And if there were
no more blue-footed boobies,
Galapagos penguins, giant tor-
toises, sea lions and marine
iguanas, the visitors would stay
away.
For the people on the islands,
this would mean that, as fisher-
men, they would hunt sardines
more and probably have the
upper hand as competition to
the boobies. And would ulti
mately oust them …
«Locals are not stupid: They prefer to
reveal public secrets, while keeping
some things to themselves.»
Photo: Shutterstock

| UPPER AUSTRIA . INNVIERTEL . GEINBERG5
|
Privacy at the
highest level
The amenities of a luxury hotel and the intimacy of
a secluded island can both be enjoyed in one place:
at the Geinberg5
in the Innviertel. Here, where time
can be turned completely upside down ...
Refuel your joie de vivre in a
private atmosphere – Geinberg5
offers this with its 300 m2
luxury villa and suites – in
the heart of the gently hilly
landscape of the Innviertel. If
you spend some downtime
here, you’ll be as undisturbed
as on a secluded island, where
wishes are granted as if by
magic. Your private butler pro
vides ice-cold champagne as
well as a message in a bottle
for your loved one. Villas and
suites have a private spa area
with sauna, steam bath and
indoor and outdoor pools. De
signer furniture is pleasing to
the eye, while allowing you to
sleep on cloud 9. When the
snow falls thickly outside, the
fire in the open chimney within
will warm you.
Food as the whim
takes you
You can also take a break from
the inflexible routine of every-
day life: The à la carte break-
fast with refinements such as
Eggs Royale and coconut rice
pudding is available until 18:00
– and if you want, you can
make a late lunch of it. In the
award-winning Aquarium Res-
taurant, head chef Peter Reith-
mayr provides insights into his
open kitchen, where delicacies
such as sheatfish on purple
carrots or black Angus with
truffle and wild herbs are served
until 22:00 alongside vegetarian
creations. If you prefer private
dining within your own four
walls, you can rely on your
butler.
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/geinberg5-private-spa-villas
«Refuel your joie de vivre in a private atmosphere.»
| VORARLBERG . MELLAU . SONNE LIFESTYLE RESORT |
Exterior area of the private spa
Photo:www.GregorHartl.at
Sunshine
for the soul
Irrespective of the weather, a holiday at the Sonne
Lifestyle Resort lights up the hearts of the guests:
with style and comfort, attentive service – and salon music.
Best combined with the snowy magic of winter.
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/sonne-lifestyle-resort
The egg came first. At the
Christahof in Bezau. Then onto
the breakfast buffet at the
Sonne Lifestyle Resort – with
other regional delicacies. And
just as it takes a special kind
of egg to be served here, every
one is a special guest at the
«Sonne».
«Our employees are like rays
of sunshine, which conjure
warmth into the hearts of our
guests every day», emphasises
Natalie Läßer, the manager. She
took over and developed the
establishment from her grand-
mother, the «sunshine-hostess»:
Modern wooden architecture
kisses a traditional guesthouse,
stylish design meets black-and-
white photos of alpine farmers,
and from the spa you can see an
enchanting alpine backdrop.
Adults only
The secret to the peaceful atmo-
sphere is found in the concept
of the establishment, which
only accommodates guests aged
14 and over. «90 percent of our
guests really value this», says Lä-
ßer. As well as her know-
ledge of how to manage a tradi-
tional yet modern establish-
ment, she uses her musical
talent to indulge her guests. She
presents her latest CD «sonne
live» during salon music eve-
nings – when the guests return
wearily from the ski slopes.
Because in the winter, a stay in
the «Sonne» is best combined
with an extra helping of snow:
The ski bus stops directly before
the guesthouse; up to 400 kilo-
metres of piste await guests.
«Our employees are like
rays of sunshine, which
conjure warmth into
the hearts of our guests
every day.»
Natalie Läßer spoils
her guests with her
own music.
The Sonne Mellau stands for tradition and design.
Photo: Sonne Lifestyle Resort/Marcel A. Meyer

| BURGENLAND . DEUTSCHKREUTZ . WEINGUT K+K KIRNBAUER |
Our lifeblood flows
into every wine
… that is the motto of the Kirnbauer’s – passionate winemakers, who have been cultivating and developing outstanding red and
white wines on 40 hectares in Deutschkreutz in the heart of Burgenland for decades.
300 days of sunshine a year.
A plateau high above «Blaufrän-
kischland». Heavy loess and
loamy soil. Warm, dry wind from
the Pannonian lowlands twinned
with the special impression of
Lake Neusiedl. Endless, intricate
manual work. Decades of expe
rience combined with up-to-date
knowledge. 1,000 first-class bar-
rique barrels in the cellar … and
what is the result? Distinctive-
ness. Strength. Structure. Diffe-
rentiated harmony of wine and
wood. In short: The finest wines.
«The phantom» is at the helm:
30 years ago, Walter Kirnbauer
gave this red wine cuvée its own
brand name as the first of its
kind in Austria, sounding the
starting pistol as it were for
Austrian cuvée culture. The
«Phantom» is still the flagship
of Weingut K+K Kirnbauer, pro-
ving that tradition can grow
from innovation.
Because such a flagship cannot
plough the ocean alone, it is
dependent on an equally high-
calibre companion fleet: This is
made up of the GIRMER, for
example, an excellent Zweigelt
grape variety, which comes from
the Hochbaum vineyard and is
harvested from vines that were
planted out almost 60 years
ago. Or the palate-stunning
cuvée FOREVER (Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet
Franc), or KONQUEST – a
pure Cabernet Franc – and
twelve other exquisite red or
white companions. Monovarie-
tal or artificially married. With
or without fizz. Spirits inclu-
ded. Together, they take a total
of 36 scents from banana to
cinnamon out into the world
– and turn tasting – even in the
otherwise fragrance-free sphere
of the worldwideweb – into a
promising enjoyment.
Walter Kirnbauer and his son
Markus have a lot of support
from the family when it comes
to producing these high-quality
vintages. The prerequisites for
high-quality grapes are created
in the vineyard due to cultiva-
tion and crop reduction. High
vine densities, restrictive grape-
vine pruning, green harvesting,
deciduous work and selection
carried out solely by hand
form the basis for the out
standing quality. Afterwards,
the vinification requires the
highest standard and lots of
time – some of the wines are
stored for three years before
they are even supplied. The re-
sult looks great, smells deli-
cious and tastes incredibly
good.
What hides behind the follo-
wing description? Dark gar-
net-red marriage of Blaufrän-
kisch, Merlot, Cabernet Sau
vignon and Syrah with notes of
bilberry and cranberries, fine
roasting aromas, delicate floral
hints, elegant cassis fruit: a
Phantom perhaps?
«Tradition can grow from
innovation.»
www.phantom.at
A kingdom for a grape – the dreamy location more than satisfies the maxim
of the Kirnbauer establishment!
Photo:AlexanderGliederer
Photo:MatthiasBrei

| SELECTION . FLORENTINA WELLEY |
Unreachable places
Not all secret places are places that people yearn to visit. But «an enchantment dwells within every beginning» and that is what drives
Harry Haller to open a secret door in the wall in Hermann Hesse’s «Steppenwolf» – a door that then disappears at that very moment.
Some places are right in front of our eyes but we don’t see them. Others appear unreachable and remain that way for most – and that
is a good thing. Because they all tell stories that fascinate and inspire our fantasy.
Global Seed Vault, Spitzbergen, Norway
The name conceals a Global Crop Diversity Trust. The future of the world is located on the island
of Spitzbergen belonging to the Svalbard island group – in the form of 850,000 types of plant seeds.
But the Noah’s Ark in the Arctic region is threatening to thaw due to climate change. Only the
security personnel can gain access.
Royal Air Force Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire, England
This military base is said to be the headquarters of ECHELON, the spy
network of the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New
Zealand. In 1954, the base was set up to spy on the Soviet’s communication
during the Cold War – the world is still listened in on from here today.
Only employees of ECHELON and NSA have access here.
Text: Florentina Welley
Mount Weather, Virginia, USA
If the end of the world is nigh, the American elite have taken care of their retreat.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency operates this secret facility, which looks
like a small village from above. In case of a nuclear war, the elite will be evacuated and
protected in the nuclear shelter. Access is impossible! Wire fencing and security personnel.
Objekt 6, Stiftskaserne Military Barracks, Vienna 7
Grown over with ivy in an almost romantic manner, the enormous former
flak tower, which is not particularly noteworthy from the outside, houses a
government crisis room, its own television studio which can broadcast in case
of emergency and emergency accommodation. In Objekt 6, the mining law
prevails – the important rooms face up. Behind 3.5 metres of thick concrete
walls, there are 400 workstations that you are allowed to visit on request.
Photo:Kurier/JuergChristandl
Photo:DagTerjeFilipEndresen
Photo:publicintelligence.net
Photo:MattCryptoEigenesWerkGemeinfrei
Pharmaceutical & Chemist Museum, Vienna 9
The small rooms on the first floor exude a flair of Sigmund Freud.
There is even a «Resorbiteur», a strange powder puff which was used for
contraception around 1900, here in the glass cabinet. As well as herbarium
specimens, dragon’s blood and mummies dust, an Egyptian mummy’s head
is also stored here. Collected previously for research purposes, over 10,000
exhibits now wait to be discovered. Almost unnoticed in the centre of
Vienna, Währinger Straße 14, Wien 9, www.drogistenmuseum.at
Photo:NikiLappas

| SELECTION . FLORENTINA WELLEY |
Varosha, Cyprus
Anyone who loves the films of Andrei Tarkovsky should make a pilgrimage to Varosha.
But you can only get as far as the beach. Behind the fence in front of the restricted military
zone in Famagusta, a fantastic ghost town stretches out as far as the eye can see. Since 1974,
the former tourist stronghold has been off-limits – and is said to have been retained almost
as collateral to solve the Cyprus issue ever since.
Jewish Cemetery, Seegasse, Vienna 9
Is it a coincidence that the view from a retirement home
falls onto the oldest cemetery in Vienna? No, as the Jewish
cemetery from the 16th century is located in the 2,000 m2
grounds of the retirement home, where a Jewish infirmary
once stood. In 1984, the cemetery was reconstructed after it
had been destroyed in the Nazi era. Secret access through
the retirement home.
Ni’ihau, Hawaii, USA
Sold to plantation owners in 1863, practically no one else has been able
to set foot on the small island since 1915. Only those who get an invitation
from an islander are allowed to visit Ni’ihau. The official reason:
The language, a Hawaiian dialect, culture, flora and fauna must be
preserved in their origins.
Area 51, Nevada, USA
UFO crashes? Alien abductions? Area 51 in Nevada is one of the
most secret places in the world if you believe that the United States
Air Force and American Department of Defense store UFOs and
land secret jets here in the military exclusion zone. Entry only for
authorised personnel – illegal routes in are perilous.
Vatican Library, Rome, Italy
Legends surround this secret library and many an Illuminati film has been
shot here. But only those who submit a written request or a letter of recommen
dation in advance have the chance to enter the secret archive of the Pope to look at
the 1,200 year old documents. If you were to put the files about the Order of the
Temple, Marie Antoinette and the rest end to end, you would have a snake of
books that was 85 kilometres long. In 2020, the last, as yet unopened, part of the
archive about Pius XII (1939 to 1958) is meant to be opened.
Photo:JonnyBrazil–EigenesWerk,CCBY-SA3.0
Mag. Florentina Welley
mainly writes about her favourite
subjects for the KURIER Freizeit:
Fashion and travel mixed with a
pinch of lifestyle in the web 2.0
era and social responsibility. She
is a font of knowledge and a jack
of almost all trades: She has wor-
ked in film, in the advertising and
media industry, as a stylist, an assistant director and in
props and costume design. And she was head of fashion at
WOMAN. Oh yes, and then the journalist designs fashion
productions for Freizeit and works on designer events and
more as a freelancer.
Photo:Tim1337EigenesWerk
Photo:PolihaleNiihau_sep_2007
Photo:TomasNYvaroshaPhoto:VideoofVaticanTelevisionCenter

| SALZBURG . SAALBACH/HINTERGLEMM . HINTERHAG |
Winter magic for
body and soul
With a historic tradition and an extreme affinity with art
– the Art & Ski-In Hotel Hinterhag creates the perfect
symbiosis of rustic cosiness, art and winter enjoyment.
As you enter the lobby of the
Art & Ski-In Hotel in Hinter-
hag, the interior made of old
wood and modern art exudes
pure cosiness, with humour and
alpine charm. Relaxing on loun-
gers made from rustic wooden
toboggans, inspired by the in-
terplay of light from Evi Ferste-
rer’s Mirror Tree – that’s
a blessing for the mind, body
and soul.
Breakfast is served until 11:00 at
the front cooking station. There
are two à la carte restaurants for
those with a ravenous appetite:
At Muzi’s, traditional cuisine
celebrates its resurrection, whi-
le Seppi’s conjures specialities
from Tuscany onto your plate.
Beginners and more advanced
skiers alike will find the right
track for them from over 270
kilometres of slopes in Saal-
bach/Hinterglemm. Right next
to the piste, the organic Restau-
rant Hinterhag Alm provides
refreshments before you lite
rally ski into the hotel.
After the après ski, a trip to
the in-house panoramic sauna
is recommended: High over the
rooftops of Saalbach, you can
enjoy a Finnish sauna and relax
with a great view. Then there’s
nothing standing in the way of
a very relaxed night in one of
the suites, double rooms or
family rooms furnished with
recycled wood.
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/art-ski-in-hotel-hinterhag
«Interior with recycled wood and modern art: pure
cosiness with lots of humour and alpine charm»
A dream of snow, wood and glass
Art by the
pool too
Photos: Michael Huber
Relaxed alpine
attitude to life
Directly next to one of the great slopes of Tyrol’s
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis Ski-Dimension, the many advantages
of the alpslodge LIFE.STYLE.HOTEL.FISS await its guests –
from the fireside lounge to the sky relax zone.
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/alpslodge
On the high plateau of Fiss,
hospitality of the highest level
will be your host again from
7 December: in the alpslodge.
The stylish hotel right next
to the ski piste offers all the
comforts you can dream of after
a day of carving, boarding,
cross-country skiing, tobogga
ning or snow shoe hiking. In
the fireside lounge, traditional
Chesterfield leather armchairs
await their guests, while health
and fitness fans might prefer the
new waterbeds of the freshly
renovated adult-only sky relax
zone. New acquaintances can be
made in the alpslounge’s lifesty-
le bar, over a regional hazelnut
schnapps maybe.
Anyone who prefers to retreat
to their own four walls can
refuel with a relaxed alpine atti-
tude to life within subtle na
tural interiors, combined with
wood, leather and fur. In the
penthouse suite, guests are
greeted with an open fire and
a relaxation area on a floor of
its own.
The panoramic view from the
sky lounge on the rooftop ter
race is unforgettable. Or the
Alpslodge breakfast: In the
newly renovated ambiance, you
will find everything the heart
desires, from fresh pomegrana-
te to the finest selection of
cheeses.
«Hospitality at the highest level –
from the fireside lounge to the new sky
relax zone»
| TYROL . FISS . ALPSLODGE LIFE.STYLE.HOTEL |
Directly into the
hotel on skis
Photos: praxmarer.net
Chilling in the waterbeds
of the Snake Caves

| SALZBURGERLAND . LEOGANG . PURADIES |
Quite simply
puradisical!
The first rays of morning sun rise delicately over the great Asitz Mountain, conjuring up a glittering blanket of sparkling
crystals on the dreamy snow-covered landscape of the Leogang Mountains. Radiant winter sun, crystal-clear alpine air and
this very special stillness – this must be paradise. Indeed, it is. But here, it’s called PURADIES.
Winter in the alps – for some
that means romantic horse-
drawn sleigh rides under cosy
blankets, while others prefer to
set off on the quiet soles of
their snow shoes through
snow-covered forests or carve
over the perfectly prepared
cross-country ski runs. Bold in-
dividualists whoosh over snow-
covered slopes or race into the
valley on toboggans. Not to men-
tion those who carve their way
elegantly over perfectly prepared
pistes – some (still) with more
elegance than others. Saal-
bach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fie-
berbrunn is one of the most
attractive locations when it
comes to winter sports – and the
PURADIES is the perfect base
for all kinds of enjoyment on the
slope or otherwise in the winter
landscape: Ski in – Ski out.
Beam on beam, shingle over
shingle – in the heart of the pic-
turesque backdrop of the Leo-
gang Stony Mountains, you will
find PURADIES, a first-rate cha-
let village: Protected from the
outside by rustic, sun-scorched
old wooden façades, the chalets’
interiors are surprising with
their progressive alpine design
on one or two storeys, with tra-
ditional tiled stoves and private
spas.
4-star superior
facilities
In the connected 4-star superior
hotel, you will find comfort
rooms, family apartments and
deluxe suites for a mountain
holiday par excellence – thanks
to the secluded location in an
enormous area, you will have a
view of the unspoilt backdrop
of the majestic mountain world
of the Salzburg Alps.
The SPA «Innere Mitte» is avai-
lable to all hotel and chalet guests
aged over 16 – with a 360 degree
view of the sky, 4 saunas, yoga
studios and fitness rooms.
Health, well-being and enjoy-
ment also define the cuisine in
PURADIES: Vegetables, fruit,
eggs and meat come from the pri-
vate organic farm, where Se-
nior Sebastian Madreiter really
cares for animal welfare. The
fact that the in-house grocery
store stocks delicious products
from the farm and the region
including a choice selection of
Austrian wines makes staying
here pure pleasure for self-
caterers – and you can take your
favourites home with you, too.
A first-class eye-catcher is the
«Freiraum» bar & lounge – made
from 16,000 blocks of oak, 40
metres of seating snakes through
a room made of glass, steel and
stone: No wonder that a sophi-
sticated Scottish whisky tastes
particularly good here – perhaps
accompanied by a fine cigar.
This enjoyment is simply an ef-
fect of the excellent architecture
combined with the beautiful
landscape.
«Secluded location in an
enormous area beneath the Asitz»
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/puradies
Heavenly winter in PURADIES
Innere Mitte
– in the heart
of the snow
«Freiraum» made of steel, glass, stone & wood
Photos:PeterKuehnl

| HARRY SCHIFFER . MUSTANG |
Secret at the
Images from the former Kingdom of Mustang – today, part of Nepal, one of the most hidden parts of the world.
In the rain shadow of the Annapurna – mystical but difficult to climb –
there is a small spot of the world that hardly anyone knows about: Until 1992,
foreigners were not allowed to enter the former Kingdom of Mustang on
the border of Tibet. Even now that Mustang has lost its autonomy as part of
Nepal, it remains a hard-to-reach location. Only a few foreigners are permitted
to enter with a special permit. One of these was Graz-born travel photographer
Harry Schiffer. Together with Graz-based rug gallery owner Harald Geba,
whose products are made in Nepal, he was permitted to visit the region and was
able to take breath-taking pictures of the landscape and people.
Harry Schiffer (left) with Thartse Khen
Rinpoche, one of the highest spiritual leaders
in Mustang
Photos: Harry Schiffer
www.photodesign.at/

| HARRY SCHIFFER . MUSTANG |
end of the world

| ESSAY |
Bob Dylan, a master of all classes, has never
spoken at either the Nobel Prize award
ceremony nor at the presentation of any
other award. Even at concerts, they say, he
does not speak to the public, yes, not even
to his musicians, who only find out what
they’re playing next shortly before they
start. Perhaps, the master no longer speaks
at all, an idea that makes his mind into an
extremely mysterious place. Is there only a
gelatinous mass there now, destroyed by
drugs, like you see with Ozzy Osbourne or
some brain-damaged boxer? Or does a
highly sophisticated circus of nerve cells
play under the pavilion roof of the Zimmer-
mann skullcap?
There are lots of secret locations, but that’s
not saying that you would want to get to
know them all. For example, the secret
locations of the body? The pubococcygeus
muscle may very well be sexually stimula-
ting, but you don’t need to know of the
adductors, much less feel them. Or the
pineal gland, which some philosophers
consider to be the hub of the soul? Not to
mention the periodontal pockets, heart
valves, kidney shadows – all kinds of secret
places, strange and far away planets.
Even the world outside your body is full
of undiscovered places; even in Manhattan,
a place which has been documented on film
Franzobel is an Austrian
writer. He has published
countless plays, prose and
lyrics. His plays have been
performed in Mexico,
Argentina, Chile, Denmark,
France, Poland, Romania,
the Ukraine, Italy, Russia and
the USA among others. His
great historical adventure
novel «Das Floß der Medusa»
(The Raft of the Medusa)
reached the shortlist for the
German Book Prize in 2017.
millions of times, there are still corners that
hardly anyone knows of. The same applies
for Venice when you head off the beaten
track – by the way, late autumn is not a bad
time to visit either city. Recently, I was in
Salzkammergut and found an idyllic path to
the lake in Traunkirchen, with a fantastic
steak restaurant. How long did I have to
explore Vienna to find the Wotruba
Church? Or St. Marx Cemetery and the
Narrenturm Museum? This year, I saw Retz,
a town straight out of «Vicky the Viking»,
the Nock Mountains and the salt mines in
Altaussee for the first time. In Tyrol, I liked
the mystical Hall Valley. There are alpine
lakes that make your jaw drop; enchanted
alleys of wine cellars, where your dropped
jaw has a silver lining. The world is wonder-
ful, it changes and there is always some-
thing new to discover. You just have to
be curious.
As soon as something is secret, then people
want to know about it. Children still
earnestly believe that pirates from the
Indian Ocean have buried their treasures
in their grandparents’ garden, in a workers’
settlement in Leoben, on a farm in Sankt
Georgen or next to a fire-fighting pond in
Probstdorf. For adults, this naive hope is
often jaded, but it is this curiosity that is
responsible for the progress of mankind.
Mathematicians look for secret places in
numbers, physicists search for particles
or dark masses and medics for the gene
to make us live longer.
On the other hand, my search for idyllic
places, good restaurants and new words
seems trivial, but the childish passion for
discovery is the same. It is important not
to lose it. And perhaps Bob Dylan will say
something again one day too?
Secret locations:
Stranger than paradise
Photo:LukasBeck/PaulZsolnayVerlag
Illustration: Fotolia

Photo: k. alpinahotel gmbh
Photo: Nidum
Photo: Michael Huber
All-inclusive price per person per night from € 124
There’s no such thing as a holiday hotel that is family-friendly and stylish, is there?
Yes there is! The «alpina zillertal . family lifestyle children’s hotel» in the heart of the
Ziller Valley’s ski resort.
alpina zillertal . family lifestyle
kinderhotel | Zillertal
+43 5288 62030 | info@alpina-zillertal.at | www.alpina-zillertal.at
 All-inclusive accommodation
 Indoor activity pool with water slide, baby pool, family sauna (clothing required)
 Penthouse spa with pool, saunas, relaxation rooms (for ages 14 and above)
 Free entrance into the Zillertal thermal bath complex – 5 minutes on foot
from the hotel
 FAMILY Lifestyle: baby care, baby equipment, indoor play area, gym,
free ski meadow and much more.
WINTER SEASON: 15 December to 15 April 2018
Price per apartment per night from € 160
The Wildkogel |
Bramberg in Oberpinzgau
+43 656 620404 | info@wildkogelresorts.at | www.wildkogelresorts.at
 Apartments & chalets with full, modern equipment
 Spa area with indoor and outdoor pool, spa, fitness area and sauna
 Restaurant and cafe bar in the resort
 Breakfast service can be booked if required
 Player's lounge for children
WINTER SEASON: 1 December to 29 April 2018
Apartments, penthouses and chalets in an exquisite yet alpine design offer the
freedom to enjoy the splendour of winter in Obertauern National Park in a com-
pletely private atmosphere.
Price per person per night including half-board from € 145
Nidum | Mösern Seefeld Tyrol
+43 5212 20300 | info@nidum-hotel.com | www.nidum-hotel.com
Alfa Hotel | Serfaus
+43 5476 6280 | info@alfahotel.at | www.alfahotel.at
 Tyrol’s Ski-Dimension Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis with 214 kilometres of pistes & 68 lifts
 Modern and straightforward design in the 4* hotel, newly renovated in 2012
 Indoor swimming pool and a varied sauna complex
 Cuisine with breakfast buffet, traditional après ski snacks and
sophisticated 5-course menu in the evening
 Great offers (even for short stays) on request or available online
WINTER SEASON: 8 December 2017 to 8 April 2018
Modern alpine hotel flair embedded in the wonderful alpine landscape of Serfaus.
In the best position – just a few minutes on foot to the ski lifts and into the village
centre.
Photo: Andreas Schalber
From € 115 per person per night including ¾ board
 Accommodation including half-board with 5-course meal
 Infinity pool and spa spread over 1500 m² including outdoor sauna
 Nidum activity programme
 Personal locking cabinet for ski equipment
 Free transfer to the ski regions in the Olympiaregion Seefeld
during shuttle times
WINTER SEASON: Continuously open until 8 April 2018
A holiday at the Nidum Casual Luxury Hotel high above the roofs of the Inn
Valley in Tyrol offers unlimited freedom, fun and surprise: the relaxed ambi-
ence – combined with luxurious furnishings, designer furniture and gentle na-
tural colors – ensures a relaxed feel-good atmosphere.
| SPECIALS |

| TYROL . JAGDSCHLOSS KÜHTAI | | SOUTH TYROL . PUSTER VALLEY . PFALZEN/ISSING |
Beneath
the Kronplatz
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/hotel-tanzer-issing
Noblesse
oblige
new members
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/jagdschloss-innsbruck-kuehtai
The Baumgartners promise you hospitality that gets under
your skin in their gourmet and boutique hotel Tanzer in
the idyllic Puster Valley – and they keep their word: With
South Tyrolean passion & real gourmet expertise.
On one hand, the new «Tanzer»
– nestled between the small
church and barn in the heart of
tranquil Issingen – enchants
with its modern style: really
cool, you might think. But
blond wood is actually not cool.
It’s very very warm. But at the
«Tanzer», it’s also extremely
cool! This doesn’t just apply to
the structure, but far more to
the people who manage this
special establishment.
Christel and Hans Baumgartner
live hospitality, which literally
gets under your skin. Son Han-
nes – who has received a num-
ber of awards, by the way –
works in the kitchen and
son-in-law Michael is responsib-
le for the exceptional cellar. So
it’s no wonder that the Risto-
ranti d´Italia by Gambero Rosso
also praises «the Tanzer», as
does Gault Millau with 14
points, the Michelin Guide, the
Schlemmer-Atlas and the Var-
ta-Führer. Anyone who enjoys
with passion will be just as
passionately and excellently
cooked for at «the Tanzer».
The suites and rooms leave no-
thing to be desired either:
Blond wood, clear layout and
panoramas to bring you to
your knees, such as over the
beautiful «Kronplatz» moun-
tain, create an inspiring and
cosy ambiance – and this is
naturally also the case for the
sauna and private spa.
The wintery Puster Valley is
perfect if you like to sneak off
to explore – marked and unmar-
ked snow shoe paths provide
access to the most beautiful cor-
ners of a veritable winter won-
derland. It is well-known that
the Kronplatz with its 100 kilo-
metres of slopes is one of the
most beautiful ski destinations
of South Tyrol – 100% snow-sure
and easily accessible with a free
shuttle from «the Tanzer». 300
kilometres of cross-country ski
runs lead through the largest
cross-country ski carousel in
South Tyrol. And there is the
Sellaronda for anyone who
likes it a bit wilder: The 40 kilo-
metre tour leads through 4 of
the most beautiful Dolomite
passes, the Sella, the Prodoi-
joch, the Grödnerjoch and the
Campolongo pass. Really cool:
the new Tanzer
«Anyone who enjoys with
passion will be just as passionately
and excellently cooked for at
the new Tanzer.»
Photo: Matthias Grasser & Rupert Mühlbacher
Who doesn’t know the Austrian legend Kaiser Franz Josef
with his luxurious sideburns? At the Jagdschloss Kühtai, the
former imperial gem near Innsbruck, you can get an
intimate look at the legend.
2020 metres up and on a
sun-drenched south-facing slo-
pe – surrounded, of course, by
majestic summits – the Jagd-
schloss Kühtai invites you to
marvel at the magical pistes
eye-to-eye with the summits of
the Ötztal Alps. Oh yes, his
majesty knew where the best
spots were hidden …
With majestic generosity, the
estate from the 17th century is
divided into three wings, the
«Jagdschloss», the «Elisabeth
flügel» and the «Dependance
Kühtaier Hof». 39 rooms have
been created in the magni-
ficent, listed building, demons-
trating the bold step into the
present day without losing any
of the aristocratic tradition.
The Regency Rooms in the
Jagdschloss with their princely
furnishings, carpets and pine
wood panelling radiate aristo
cratic charm and relaxed non-
chalance. In the Earls’ Rooms
on the floor above, gold cei-
lings inspire imperial dreams
in the soft bed of clouds. In the
Elisabethflügel, female refine-
ment is married with modern
design – wall-to-ceiling por-
traits of Empress Sissi are cont-
rasted with cosy sloping roofs
in a charming and slightly ec-
centric manner. The Finnish
sauna, known literally as the
«Wood Sweating Cabin» in
good old Tyrolean, and a steam
bath with selected herbal aro-
mas will pamper your body,
while your mind and soul can
find peace at a mass in the
palace chapel.
Food fit for an earl in the Earls’
Lounge – that’s the popular
5-course gala dinner made by
head chef Johannes Klein
bichler in the ideal location for
an exclusive evening meal,
discreetly in pairs or in happy,
festive (wedding) company.
The exquisite creations by
pastry chef Johann Köck taste
as if they came from the royal
confectioner. The bar enchants
with its straightforward, con
temporary design in a dignified
ambiance. On the sun terrace,
with the splendour of the
unspoilt Alps in front of you,
you can look forward to wal-
king the Kaiser-Franz-Josef
trail to Marlstein or boldly de-
scending from the summits of
the Ötztal, just like the Kaiser
did in his days.
«His majesty knew where the best
spots were hidden.»
Winter at its finest: Jagdschloss Kühtai
Photo:Weiberwirtschaft

| TRAVEL |
Yucca Valley
I start my mission in Yucca
Valley, a small town in the
Mojave Desert, about two hours
from Los Angeles. My first
impression is a mixture of Wild
West romance and Footloose,
seasoned with American friend-
liness and hippy charm. The
town about 1,000 m above sea
level is dominated by the colour
beige, the Cactaceae family of
plants and a friendly inertia that
alleviates my arrival and jetlag.
It’s «low season» here, as the
temperatures reach their climax
in August and many leave or
avoid the desert. I myself battle
the 40 °C heat with the help of
masses of iced blended lattes
from the local Frontier Café,
while I rummage through thrift
Let’s Go West:
Yucca Valley
www.cafefrontier.com
www.facebook.com/
thiswaytotheEND
www.pappyandharriets.com
Encinitas
www.instagram.com/
moonshadowpch
www.salt-culture.com
www.loftycoffee.com
www.encinitastemple.org
Los Angeles
www.giusta.com
www.abbotkinneyblvd.com
www.thebutchersdaughter.com
www.thepiececollective.com
www.ilandeivenice.com
www.thisisaust.com
www.shangrila-hotel.com
shops (like «The End»),
which offer everything
to make a vintage-
loving heart beat faster
– from cool second-
hand clothes to furni-
ture. However, the high-
light of the region is
the Joshua Tree Natio-
nal Park. The unique
stony desert landscape
with its imposing rock
formations and an-
cient Joshua trees is
reminiscent of films
where gigantic prehis-
toric creatures wander sedately
across the screen. At the mo-
ment, there’s only me walking
about, experiencing an unparal-
leled exclusivity, even if it is
accompanied by excessive swea-
ting. Afterwards, I yearn for a
hearty meal and decide to test
out the tip of my landlord who
recommends Pappy and Har
riet’s in Pioneertown as the
number 1 location for barbecue
meals and live music. The baby
back ribs with grilled asparagus
are actually a dream and the
exuberant atmosphere in the re-
staurant is infectious. The mix-
ture of restaurant / bar / stage is
particularly popular for indie
rock bands as well as famous ar-
tists such as Paul McCartney and
Coachella acts who give great
concerts here on a small scale.
Pioneertown is said to be the
new hip weekend spot for LA
hipsters looking to slow down
and live the simple life. Maybe
they simply like roads without
traffic jams and rejoice about
finding a parking space right
outside the door.
Encinitas
I get the beach feeling in Encini-
tas, a romantic beach town near
San Diego. You’ll search in vain
for high class brands and high
heels here as surfers and beach
lovers dominate the scenery and
sports clothing and flip-flops
reign. Nevertheless, the range
of shopping and gastronomy
on offer is still remarkable and
I fall in love with the gypset
fashion, which blends so well
with the Californian lifestyle.
My favourite shops are Moon
shadow and Salt, both located
on the North Coast Highway
101. After a quick breakfast in
Lofty, I visit the garden complex
of the spiritual organisation,
«Self Realization Fellowship»,
which is not just a place of peace
and serenity, but also offers
beautiful garden art, Koi carp
ponds and a magnificent view of
the Pacific Ocean. Afterwards,
I top up my tan on nearby
Swami’s Beach, a popular natu-
ral beach and surf spot. There’s
nothing but sand, waves and the
cliffs at your back here. You can
switch off perfectly and watch
how the local surfers become
at one with nature. On this
strip of the coast, tacos enjoy
culinary domination as I am
very close to the Mexican bor-
der. The locals’ tip is Bull Taco.
The restaurant is essentially a
snack bar and yet still worth a
visit, as the tacos are tasty and
extremely reasonably priced. In
addition, the evening offerings
include a picture postcard view
over the ocean with a fireball
sinking into the sea.
«My first impression is a mixture of
Wild West romance and Footloose,
seasoned with American friendliness
and hippy charm.»
Yucca Valley – the desert lives.
Beach feeling in Encinitas
«There’s nothing but
sand, waves and the cliffs
at your back here.»

| TRAVEL |
Cornelia Pichler
is a self-confessed lover of American
culture and its «Think Big» principle.
After spending a year in New York,
Carinthia-born Cornelia studied Eng-
lish and Spanish and now works as an
author and translator. For the last four
years, she has spent several weeks a
year in the sunshine state of Cali-
fornia and gathers the best impres-
sions the Golden State has to offer
in terms of geography, culture and
cuisine. Her approach is always a mix-
ture of quality, authenticity and indivi-
duality.
A triple dose
of California
Another side
to Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, I’m staying in Ve-
nice, where I start every day in
Gjusta, a traditional bakery
which offers everything from
desserts, meat products, smoked
fish to pizza in exciting versions
with first-class quality. It is not
easy to grab a seat but the wai-
ting pays off. Before ordering,
don’t forget to take a number.
Then I visit my favourite road,
Abbot Kinney Boulevard, where
there are attractive shops (my
tips: The Piece Collective, Aust
and Ilan Dei Venice) and a
variety of culinary highlights,
dominated clearly by the healthy,
i.e. organic lifestyle. My preferred
restaurant for any time of the day
is The Butcher’s Daughter, a mix
of very cool ambiance and inter
esting meals. My next adventure
is then very «hot» again, as I am
taking part in a hike to the Holly
wood sign, led by Ranger Ted, a
mountain guide by trade who has
been – how could it be any
different? – an actor for the last
twenty years. Aside from his in-
formation about flora and fauna,
we find out that Lady Gaga be-
headed him in the 6th season of
American Horror Story. Nice!
The walk, which takes about
three hours, is absolutely recom-
mended, but perhaps not in 30 °C
heat. The Hollywood lettering,
which has been inaccessible for a
number of years now, has ador
ned the mountain for almost 100
years, but has been renovated
countless times since then. One
of the greatest promoters of the
emblem was Hugh Hefner, which
proves that all the Playboy Bun-
nies are actually good for some
thing. I also recommend the Pa-
seo Miramar Trail, on which you
can hike along the mountain ran-
ge through Santa Monica for
about eight kilometres, awarded
by a breath-taking view of the
ocean.
My favourite beach in LA is El
Matador in Malibu. The descent
down steep wooden stairs can be
a bit stressful but it is definitely
worth it to lie on soft sand be
tween mighty rock formations
and be lulled to sleep by the thun-
derous waves. The scenery is remi-
niscent of old James Bond films
and you unconsciously wait for
Ursula Andress to rise from the
surge in a white bikini at some
point. On the rooftop bar of the
Shangri-La Hotel in Santa Moni-
ca, I say goodbye to California.
When the sky finally turns into a
cheesy, orange backdrop, all the
Text & photos: Cornelia Pichler
tourists pull out their mobiles and
create a new Instagram moment.
As do I of course – including the
hashtag #iwillbeback.
The Butcher´s Daughter
Can Los Angeles look like Havana? Yes.

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Alpine elegance awaits the
guests of the Panorama Ober-
tauern, whether they’re staying
in the Tower Suite or the Bay
Window Deluxe Room. The es-
tablishment, which is managed
by the Storch family, impresses
with exclusive cosy suites for ro-
mantic holidays à deux, with a
spa oasis of more than 1,000
square metres over two floors –
together with saunas with
mountain views, indoor pool
and honey massages and, last
but not least, the unforgettable
proximity to the piste in the
winter. Directly outside the ho-
tel, you can ski to the Gamslei-
ten ski lift and the famous «Tau-
ernrunde» route with more than
100 interconnected kilometres
of pistes. The in-house ski inst-
ructor can provide you with
sporting tips. The service at
the Panorama Obertauern is
complemented by a first-class
à-la-carte restaurant, where
head chef Andreas König prepa-
res delicacies such as corn-fed
chicken supreme and Lungau
medallions of venison.

| SALZBURG . OBERTAUERN . PANORAMA OBERTAUERN |
new members
100 kilometres of pistes
right outside the hotel
The «Panorama Obertauern» is the smallest four-star superior hotel in the famous Salzburg ski resort.
Family-run – for select connoisseurs.
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/pure-lermoos
A hotel for romantics
Photo: René Marschall
| TYROL . APARTHOTEL PURE RESORT LERMOOS |
Guests will encounter a stylish
interior made of wood and sto-
ne as soon as they reach the
lobby, enabling them to dive
immediately into the region’s
atmosphere. Here in the heart
of the Tyrolean «Außerfern» at
the «Zugspitz Arena», watches
are in sync with nature and peo-
ple can relax. Especially in the
spacious luxury chalets and
apartments of the Pure Resort
Lermoos, which are characteri-
sed by traditional Alpine ele-
ments and pure elegance.
Under the starry sky
The «Wetterstein» Mountains
call winter holidaymakers out
into the snow; and not just skiers
by any means! Whether on a
board, on cross-country ski runs
over the mountain tops and th-
rough the valleys, snow-shoe hik-
ing or on more than 60 kilomet-
res of cleared hiking trails. You
can access the Tyrolean winter
wonder from right outside the
door – whether you’re looking
for romance with torch-lit hikes
and carriage rides through the
snow-covered landscape or
powerful speed on the «Pisten-
bully Tour». The winter wonder-
land is absolutely magical on an
evening toboggan ride or when
you’re skiing under the starry
sky. Then you need to warm up:
in the sauna, infrared cabin, in
the aromatic steam bath or in
the 30-degree panoramic pool. A
special advantage: From 18:00,
the spa complex of the Pure Re-
sort Lermoos is for adults only.
In-house delicacies
If you prefer to self-cater, then
the perfectly equipped kitchens
of the chalets and apartments
provide the perfect infrastruc-
ture to brandish a wooden
spoon whenever the mood takes
you and feed your nearest and
dearest as they are accustomed
to. Nevertheless, we
urge you not to miss
out on the delicacies of
the in-house «180˚» re-
staurant. Theo Hofherr, the boss
of the establishment, is the chef
and confectioner and is assisted
by his team in the preparation
of delicacies for lunches, eve-
nings and, of course, in between:
Tyrolean homemade sausages
with Vinschgau bread, veal pail-
lard on flower butter and ba-
sil-flavoured spaghetti … – it
goes without saying that vegan
connoisseurs will
also be spoilt when
it comes to the cui
sine. The patisserie
of the hotel offers
dessert in the form
of sweet tempta-
tions – from traditional strudel
to colourful macarons. Even the
breakfast pastries are prepared
in-house – and for those who
like to enjoy breakfast in their
pyjamas, it can simply be left
outside your room door.
«Relaxing in the heart of
the Außerfern»
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/panorama-obertauern
«Cosy suites for romantic
holidays à deux»
Alpine charm – stylishly elegant
Theo Hofherr’s exquisite cuisine
Photos: Daniel Zangerl
Dive into the Tyrolean
winter wonder
The «Pure Resort Lermoos» impresses with its luxurious Alpine elegance, lots of space
for living and comprehensive service from fresh breakfast croissants to evening adult
time around the panoramic pool.

| SWITZERLAND | | SWITZERLAND . ADELBODEN |
Grand
old Lady
Winter – Quite
simply celestial
The Parkhotel & Spa Bellevue in the dream location above
Adelboden is a place that true connoisseurs yearn to visit.
A trip to Switzerland is always lovely – good food, hospitable
people, great mountains ... But in winter, Switzerland is not only
beautiful, it is quite simply celestial.
www.myswitzerland.com www.lifestylehotels.net/en/parkhotel-bellevue
One of the largest ski arenas
in the world – guaranteed to
have snow because it is situated
at over 4,000 metres above sea
level – more than lives up to its
name: The «Matterhorn ski
paradise» between Zermatt and
Breuil-Cervinia offers about
360 kilometres of heavenly
pistes – one even connects the
alpine with the northern
dimension: It leads over 25 kilo-
metres, from the Matterhorn
glacier paradise to Zermatt in
the valley. Enjoy amazing cross-
country ski runs and snow
parks like the one on the Theo-
dul Glacier, snowshoe trails, a
particularly lovely one being
right below the north wall of
the Matterhorn, freeriding over
38 summits and – if that’s not
enough of a thrill – heli-sking
on untouched slopes from the
highest point in Switzerland,
the Monte Rosa … If you love
winter sports, then you’ll find
paradise on earth – in Zermatt.
But of course, that is not the
only winter paradise in Switzer-
land. Take «Adelboden-Lenk»
in the Bernese Oberland, for
example: From the Tschenten-
alp past Sillerenbühl and Hah-
nenmoos to Lenk, over 200 kilo-
metres of first-class prepared
pistes come together – and of
course, anything else to help
you speed without skis: on the
luge toboggan, the Airboard
and good old wooden sleds. The
Swiss call it «Schlitteln». If you
prefer to move a little slower,
then maybe sneak off up the
Hörnliweg to the sunny slope
above Adelboden and marvel
at the wonder of nature on
the way to Taubenfels. Or take
the enjoyable high-altitude
cross-country Haslerberg-Lenk
trail under the gentle early
spring sunshine. Winter in
Switzerland – quite simply ce-
lestial!
An authentic mountain village
as a spa resort in the heart of the
unspoilt Alpine nature in the
Bernese Oberland. A timelessly
elegant building, combining
lots of history and architecture
from the 1930s with cultivated
hospitality at the highest level.
No wonder that true connois-
seurs have been captivated by
Bellevue, this «grand old lady»
for more than 100 years. As
classic as the exterior looks, the
interior of this charming estab-
lishment is just as lively: Guests
can choose their preferred room
or suite ambiance from three
different styles: Nature (Scandi-
navian youth), Classic (with ex-
quisite vintage) or Privilege (in
the best southern aspect). The
cuisine of head chef Jürgen
Willing is creative. Many guests
consider his Swiss cuisine with
French accents to be «perfect»,
while Gault Millau has awar-
ded it 14 points. Be it a five-
course gourmet dinner or hear-
ty, down-to-earth cuisine for a
quick snack – at Willing pampe-
red palates will come once and
again at their expense.
The area surrounding the Belle-
vue also bestows euphoria: in
the Adelboden-Lenk ski region,
210 kilometres of pistes lead
over the most beautiful slopes
of the expansive winter arena.
Just eight minutes in the gon
dola lift will take you up onto
the Tschentenalp, the local
mountain. Then four different
pistes allow beginners and pro-
fessionals alike to descend in
top form. Ski race fans might be
drawn to the World Cup course
on Chuenisbärgli. Afterwards,
you should definitely stop off in
the «pour» spa at the Bellevue:
1,700 m2 of top-class relaxation
await you there. Indoors, you
can relax in the charming pool,
choice saunas and aromatic
steam baths. If you want to be
(even more) pampered, try the
aromatic, plant-based Yon-Ka
skin treatment. Before or after,
we recommend plunging into
the 34 °C outside brine bath du-
ring a snow flurry: quite simply
wildly romantic!
«At Willing pampered
palates will come once
and again at their
expense.»
Grand old Lady
«Pour» spa: quite
simply wildly romantic
Photos: Andrea Diglas
Photos:Fotolia

| SWITZERLAND . ZERMATT |
Directly opposite the Matterhorn – probably the most beautiful summit in the Alps – you will find the
Matterhorn Focus, a Hotel garni in an absolutely dream location in Zermatt.
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/matterhorn-focus
In focus:
the Matterhorn
The Noti family, who own the 4-star superior
Hotel garni made up of two houses and a
chalet connected together, have defined plain
and simple hospitality as their philosophy and
they put this into practice every single day.
The architectural concept of the building
comes from Heinz Julen, a famous Zermatt-
born architect and artist – as does the inspired
interior design with sophisticated sofas, lights
and beds from Julen’s studio.
The majestic Matterhorn – the «largest sculp-
ture on earth» – rises directly in front of this
extraordinary establishment and creates – in
the truest sense of the word – an incompa
rably imposing background for the suites and
rooms. The spa with its indoor pool, brine
Photo: joe.condron/Rockzermatt.com
A dialogue of water & mountain Drinks & snacks at the Focus Bar Inspired by fire – and art as well!
Face to face with the most
beautiful summit of the Alps
Photos:MatterhornFocus
The suites – transparent …
bath, caldarium, Finnish sauna, massages and
heated outdoor jacuzzi radiate Julen’s unmis-
takable artistic spirit in their colours, mate
rials and lighting.
When the mountain calls you, the valley sta
tion of the «Matterhorn-Express» is just a
few steps away – allowing you access into
the ski region on the Matterhorn: 100% snow
sureness, pistes, tours and slopes without
end at almost 4,000 metres above sea level
between Zermatt and Italy – a veritable para-
dise. But before you set off, make sure
you’ve replenished your energy levels – pre-
ferably with the delicious breakfast served at
the Matterhorn Focus.
… and bright
«Plain and simple hospitality and
excellent architecture meet the most
beautiful summit of the Alps.»

| THINGS |
SPIRIT OF AUSTRIA
An icon of the Austrian spirits world is celebrated its 185th birthday
with this book. The Spirit of Austria – Rum Desserts & Barfood, Drinks
& Cocktails – is an inspiring collection of recipes. Christmas is approaching
and nothing is simpler than recreating recipes & drinks by Josef Haslinger
(Meinl am Graben, Vienna) to Roberto Pavlovic (Roberto’s American Bar,
Vienna). You can find more information at www.stroh.at
The Spirit of Austria – the cult history of STROH, 128 pages, hardcover,
Edition A la Carte, € 16.90, www.alacarte.at
We raffle 3 Boxes of Spirit of Austria!
How many Austrian hotels are part of the Lifestylehotel
Group? The first three emails with the correct answer win
a STROH box:
office@lifestylehotels.net
Weingut K+K Kirnbauer/Deutschkreutz
The Phantom.
Dark garnet-red marriage of Blaufränkisch, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and
Syrah. A complex, interesting nose with notes of bilberry and cranberries, fine
roasting aromas from the barrique storage and delicate floral hints.
Elegant cassis fruit on the palate, full of finesse and full-bodied with a long finish.
Grape varieties: Blaufränkisch, Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah
Vinification: Fermentation in stainless steel, biological acid degradation in barriques
Maturation: 15 – 18 months in a barrique vessel
Soil: Heavy loam, sandy loam
Stopper: Natural cork
Drinkable: 15 years
Drinking temperature: 17 °C
Photo:HerbertLehmann
Photo:Schoendorfer
EYESHAKER BY SEEOO
A sparkling clean pair of glasses fresh from the optician – sheer
well-being! The Eyeshaker by seeoo makes that possible every day:
Glasses in. Liquid in. Shake. Rinse. Dry. Not a shred of grease, suncream
or face cream left: Glasses, frames and earpieces are thoroughly clean!
Yep, the little enjoyments in life can be super! Eyeshaker set, € 29.90,
eyeshaker.at
Photo:MarkusMansi

WIROs
NEW BEST FRIENDS.
Anyone who says «diamonds are a girl’s best friend» doesn’t know our WIROs yet!
Because the stylish luminaires by architect and designer Bernd Steinhuber will take
your heart by storm. They look like a sketch drawn in the air and can be hung indivi-
dually or as an ensemble – even in different sizes – e.g. in PURADIES, the Lifestyle-
hotel in Leogang. So pick your favourite shape and combine away! Give your imagi-
nation free rein with diamond, globe and industry. Including for the light ambiance.
Because these crazy lights are also as flexible as can be in this regard.
www.weverducre.com
| THINGS |
DOLOMITI SUPERSKI CARD
You can head out and onto the piste in Alta Badia from mid-November.
The winter season with Dolomiti Superski begins on 25 November 2017 and in-
cludes 12 ski regions with a total of 450 lifts, 1,200 kilometres of ski pistes and
30 snow parks in about 50 localities. The famous Sellaronda is open from
6 December. This year, special ski passes with special conditions once again
entice you to try out countless new activities: Dolomiti Super Première,
Dolomiti Super Sun, DOLOMITI SUPERSKI, Skisafari Dolomiti, Adventure
Ski Safari and more entice you to have adventures out on the piste. The card’s
very own app will help you get about, dolomitisuperski.com
«THE RITUAL OF ANAHATA»
We have long since wished for a candle that moisturises while also smelling
enchanting. The new Winter limited edition «The Ritual of Anahata» contains
rosewood and pine extracts. The moisturising massage candle nourishes dry,
stressed skin with intensively nurturing, essential oils, while helping the heart,
body and soul to relax. The Ritual of Anahata Massage Candle, € 21.50,
www.rituals.com
Photo:Wever&Ducré
Photo:Rituals

| SALZBURG . BRAMBERG . RESTAURANT WALDVOGEL |
Freshly hatched:
The Waldvogel
In the heart of the Wildkogel-Resort «Das Bramberg»,
a restaurant with Pinzgau charm and an urban flair will
be opening in December: the Waldvogel. Andreas Stotter,
former sous-chef at Vienna’s Steirereck, is coming home
to cook up a storm.
www.waldvogel.at
Near Europe’s only emerald
deposit in Upper Pinzgau, a
culinary jewel will open its
doors in the middle of Decem-
ber: the Restaurant Waldvogel.
Located idyllically in the heart
of «Das Bramberg» resort, it
will entertain residents at the
highest level after a day of
skiing, bringing locals together
and luring night owls in for
the last drink of the day. Inte
riors made of regional stone
and wood, supplemented by
a couple of vintage touches,
create a high-class yet cosy
atmosphere.
Sophisticated
homecomer
But the heart of it all will be
the (show) kitchen of Andreas
Stotter. The former sous-chef
of Vienna’s Steirereck will now
be cooking up a storm back
home in Pinzgau: conscious of
nature and with unmistakable
inspiration. His wife Birgit, a
former pastry chef at the Stei-
genberger, will join his team.
From amuse-gueule to dessert,
the Waldvogel offers sophisti
cated gastronomic indulgence.
Younger guests will also enjoy
the experience: They can look
forward to creative, child-frien
dly meals. And they appre-
ciate it when their parents are
enjoying a leisurely meal –
because the children’s playroom
is simply soooo cool. Even the
early bird lays an egg: Along
with the evening à la carte
delights, breakfast is also ser-
ved here.
«Andreas Stotter, former
sous-chef at Vienna’s
Steirereck, is coming home
to cook up a storm.»
Interiors made of stone and wood,
complemented by vintage touches
Photos: David Innerhofer
| STUTTGART . V8 HOTEL SUPERIOR |
www.lifestylehotels.net/en/v8-hotel
Opening
extraordinaire
Is there anything more fantastic than the V8 with its
30 Hollywood-style rooms? «Of course!» – an armada of
cylinders roars back: the new V8 HOTEL Superior!
The V8 Hotel, the newly de
signed Charles-Lindberg-Platz,
the Legend Hall and the new
V8 HOTEL Superior join to-
gether at the Motor World in
Stuttgart-Böblingen into a ring
extraordinaire for motorsport
aficionados. You hit full throttle
as soon as you enter the recently
completed V8 Superior: The
atrium draws a spectacular steep
curve up onto the 6th level – a
truly dignified backdrop for the
glittering fleet of legendary old-
timers and high-end sports cars
from Porsche to Rolls Royce.
Look, marvel, compare, pounce
– or considering these beauties
at least really start to dream …
if you love cars, what more do
you want?
The elegantly curved stripes on
the bright floor are like a racing
track, leading to the congress
and conference area on the
next level. And wow, what’s up
there!? No panic, the sport
rims gleam securely from the
ceiling. Like stars of aluminium.
If your love of automobiles goes
through your stomach, then
you’ll be able to smell the tasty
morsels as they rise from the
breakfast restaurant. Or be gui-
ded to the bar by the full-bo-
died highway-to-hell baseline.
From the second to the sixth
floor, you’ll find pure joy for
HP freaks spread over almost
6,000 m2
: 153 rooms with extre-
mely stylish furniture offer
luxury you can trust. 16 of these
– as in the V8 Hotel – with sty
listically confident, themed
interiors. Hitting the gas with
your own strength is the order
of the day in the spa – all
systems for fitness and rela-
xing: ready! As are those for
conferences, gastronomy, cele-
brations, events of all kinds
here and in the Motor World.
In December, there’s a warm-up
on a grand scale. That’s when
Karen and Simeon Schad will
be going full speed ahead with a
soft opening of their new estab-
lishment. Ready? Gooo!
«The atrium draws a spectacular
steep curve up onto the 6th storey.»
Renderings: V8 Hotel Superior

| SALZBURG . HOCHKÖNIG REGION |
Where winter
is at homeThe Hochkönig region displays the splendour of winter to the full: with amazing slopes, dream
cross-country ski runs, top tours and cuisine that really leaves nothing to be desired.
Slaloming downhill in the heart
of the Ski amadé region between
Maria Alm, Dienten and Mühl-
bach is simply heavenly: Every
one will find their ideal track on
120 kilometres of seamless slopes.
And those who are spoilt for
choice can find a few sugges
tions in the specialist packages
available at «Ski amadé – made
my day». Each of the five regions
of Ski amadé creates its own
events – the Hochkönig region
delivers a brilliant performance
«5 summits, 32 kilometres of
pistes and a 6,700 metres drop
merge into a kingly ski run.»
www.hochkoenig.at
www.skiamade.com
The King´s Tour: unlimited skiing
1st certified vegan region in Austria
with the «King’s Tour»: 5 sum-
mits, 32 kilometres of pistes and
a 6,700 metres drop merge into
a kingly ski run – in the truest
sense of the word – in the heart
of fantastic panoramas.
Those who haven’t had enough
during the day can continue to
carve down the crackling snow
crystals under the moonlight
and starry sky near the Simmerl
lift – free-of-charge with the
Hochkönig Card.
First certified
vegan region
Exercise makes you hungry:
Hearty regional delicacies, like
Kaiserschmarrn pancakes, Kas
nocken cheese gnocchi and
Germknödel dumplings in the
ski huts on the edge of the slope,
are just as tasty as the internatio-
nal treats that are also available
to enjoy. In other winter desti
nations, vegetarians and vegans
find it extremely difficult – not
the case in the first certified ve
gan Hochkönig region, the real
hotspot for health-conscious peo-
ple and animal lovers. Top-class
vegetarian and vegan cuisine is
available in numerous cabins, re-
staurants, hotels, cafes and cake
shops on and around the Hoch-
könig. Before a day of skiing
draws to a close, there is another
romantic dream panorama: Over
the mountain chain, orange,
sparkling rays spread at eye level
over the horizon for one last
time. You can watch it while
enjoying Austrian finger food
and sundowners outside or in
the cabins – because everything
remains open for a while yet ...
Another highlight for alpine
gourmets: From 10 to 17 March
2018, the highest farmers’ mar-
ket in the Alps will take place
in the Ski amadé – as a drive-in
near the cabins. More than
30 stands in all five of the Ski
amadé regions will offer cheese,
bacon, game salami, traditional
doughnuts and many other deli-
cacies from the farmers of the
region. But you don’t need to
worry what it will do to your
figure: The Ski amadé has
760 kilometres of slopes and
230 cable cars, so getting a
workout is no problem. So that
you can find your way about,
the Ski amadé has developed
smart ski goggles: Data-con
taining goggles that import in-
formation about the piste con-
ditions, weather, etc.
Photos: Hochkoenig Tourismus GmbH

The brand LIFESTYLEHOTELS®
is a symbol for design-oriented,
individual and stylish hotels in the upmarket hotels segment. For modern
travellers and sophisticated guests, LIFESTYLEHOTELS®
is a seal of
quality that represents unique aesthetic experiences in selected hotels.
LIFESTYLEHOTELS stands for a modern, individual and aesthetic
lifestyle. Our member hotels convey this particular lifestyle, which we
define by these 4 criteria:
YOUR BOOKING BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:
Handpicked hotels:
We choose the most stylish design hotels and
boutique hotels for all design lovers and
trendconscious globetrotters. Individuality,
originality, authenticity and quality are among
our most deeply held values.
Data protection:
When you book on our website, your personal
details will be automatically encrypted by our
booking tool, Availpro. This ensures that your
data is protected from unauthorized access and
improper use.
Easy booking:
You can use the possibility of an easy online
booking. You will receive information about
room categories, prices (per room) and special
offers in real time.
No booking fee:
We do not charge a booking fee nor do we have
other hidden charges.
Best price guarantee:
If you find a better offer than ours at the time you book,
we will match the price and will also give you a copy of LIFESTYLEHOTELS
The Book free of charge.
LIFESTYLEHOTELS offers an individual and exclusive selection of hotels.
The largely owner-managed houses inspire design and trend-conscious
travellers who enjoy many booking advantages:
AUTHENTICITY
Despite its own
characteristics,
the hotel is a natural
part of its surroun-
dings.
ORIGINALITY
Through special
details and innovative
concepts, the hotel
provides a unique way
of life!
INDIVIDUALITY
Lifestylehotels have a
strong expressiveness
through non-standar-
dized, individual
luxury.
QUALITY
The hotels are pointed
out by a high stan-
dard of quality and a
sense of responsibility
towards others and
the environment.
FIND THE WEB‘S MOST STYLISH DESIGN AND BOUTIQUE HOTELS.
LIFESTYLEHOTELS – individual & stylish!
THE WEB‘S MOST
STYLISH
DESIGN AND
BOUTIQUE HOTELS

THE STYLEMATE - Secret Places, The LIFESTYLEHOTELS Magazine Issue 02|2017

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