Grand Hotel Wien - News

The hotel ‘gardens’ have opened

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:06:00 GMT

From March until October the so-called 'Schanigarten-tradition' plays an essential role in everyday life in Vienna. Tables are set up on the sidewalks and people rejoice in sitting in these 'gardens' in front of the cafés and coffeehouses and enjoy small snacks and drinks.

The term 'Schanigarten' probably originates from an apprentice boy to a waiter, called 'Schani', being told to "Put up the garden!" as soon as spring arrived. He then dutifully obeyed the order by carrying chairs, tables and flower boxes outside.

Grand Hotel Wien and The Ring, Vienna's Casual Luxury Hotel, have opened a total of seven 'Schanigärten' in Vienna. This overview shall be of assistance to you to choose your favorite one for your personal culinary sunbath.

The Traditional

The 'Schanigarten' of the Grand Hotel Wien at the famed boulevard Ringstraße looks back on a great tradition. About 100 years ago the terrace in front of the hotel has already been one of the hotspots of the city during summertime. To sit in the sun, see and be seen, and enjoy one's favorite coffee was then and is today one of the most popular leisure activities.

The best view

Sitting here brings you a little closer to the sky - not only the culinary creations are heavenly on the terrace of the gourmet restaurant Le Ciel on the 7th floor of the Grand Hotel Wien but also the breathtaking views over the city of Vienna.

The Japanese

Unkai Sushi on the ground floor of the Grand Hotel Wien in no time came to be a favorite meeting place among all fans of Japanese culinary art. Unkai Sushi's 'garden' ideally matches the best of the Viennese 'Schanigarten-tradition' with the tradition of Japanese Sushi-art in its highest form.

The Chic

Casual Luxury - This promise made by The Ring hotel is also kept by its two 'Schanigärten'. Nowhere on the famed boulevard Ringstraße is it possible to relax classier than it is in the new 'gardens' of the restaurant at eight and the bar Drings.

The Cultural

Here, nature, history, architecture, and art blend together into one fascinating whole - while coffee blends are being served in the gardens. The two 'Schanigärten' in the beautiful Castle Belvedere invite to linger and enjoy after a walk through the baroque gardens or a visit in the art gallery.

K Hotels International presented

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:44:00 GMT

Starting in 2010, a new, seminal cooperation will enrich the hotel market: The Austrian subsidiary of JJW Hotels & Resorts, owner and operator of Grand Hotel Wien and Hotel The Ring, and the American hotel representation company K Hotels are kicking off the strong partnership "K Hotels International".

K Hotels International is opening an office in Vienna

K Hotels, an international representation company of more than 50 hotels in 16 nations that is based in Los Angeles and JJW Hotels & Resorts, a collection of more than 60 luxury hotels in Europe and the Middle East, will join forces from spring 2010. The joint venture "K Hotels International" will open a sales office in Vienna in order to extend the system of sales and marketing support for the more than 110 hotels involved worldwide. The joint venture is aiming towards an exponential increase in overall sales and a larger outreach on the US and European market. Another strong focus lies on the acquisition of new member hotels that are not yet part of a marketing platform and match the "K Hotels International" portfolio.

"This strong relationship between the two groups will provide various new opportunities and improve the fruitful cooperation between our hotels throughout the world", says the founder and chairman of JJW Hotels & Resorts, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber. "K Hotels brings a wealth of experience in sales and marketing especially on the US market and is therefore the perfect addition to our past activities for our properties in Europe and the Middle East."

"We are thrilled and proud to announce this long-term partnership with the exclusive group JJW Hotels & Resorts," emphasizes Michael Palmer, CEO, K Hotels. "The creation of K Hotels International is an important step to increase K Hotels" worldwide presence and create new relationships in Europe and the Middle East."

"This new strategic partnership creates a win-win situation for both groups," states Karim Jalloul, Austrian Representative of Sheikh Al Jaber and Managing Director of JJW Hotels & Resorts Austria and Eastern Europe. "Tourism is a worldwide business and with the exchange of our know-how and our respective advantages in the European and the US market, we will create a strong and worldwide network with mutual benefits for the more than 110 hotels."

Find further information on www.k-hotels.com and www.jjwhotels.com.

Guglhupf designed by Gustav Klimt

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Guglhupf is one of Austria's most traditional and best liked pastries. The Viennese enjoy the sweet delicacy for breakfast, as a dessert or as part of a coffee or tea break during the day. The cake in its distinct round shape has been known for quite some time. Already the Romans used to bake cakes in forms similar to those used for today's Guglhupf. At the time of the Austrian Monarchy Guglhupf was known as a dish for the common people until Emperor Franz Joseph chose it to be his favorite pastry and had a piece a day.

Secret Recipe

At the Grand Guglhupf is being baked after a secret recipe that gives it a delicious moist and fresh taste. For the Grand Guglhupf, no artificial additives or flavors and only the best ingredients are being used. And this can be tasted!

Gustav Klimt Limited Edition

For a short period of time, the Grand Hotel Wien Guglhupf is now available in combination with "The Kiss", the famous painting of the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. In cooperation with the Austrian Gallery Belvedere a special "Klimt-Box" has been created for the delicious cake. This way the Grand Guglhupf can still give you joy long after it was enjoyed to the last crumb.

The "Klimt Guglhupf" can be ordered at info@grandguglhupf.com, one box including a Guglhupf of 380 gramms costs € 16,-.

www.grandguglhupf.com

World Travel Awards 2009

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:31:00 GMT

Grand Hotel Wien named "Leading Hotel in Austria" at World Travel Awards 2009

The Grand Hotel Wien has been awarded the "travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars" (© Wall Street Journal), the World Travel Award 2009, as Austria's Leading Hotel. Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards annually acknowledge and celebrate excellence in all sectors of the travel industry.

This year 183,000 travel agents und industry professionals took part in the world wide voting process. Some of the inherent principles under which all nominations are judged are consistent overall performance and success, understanding visitor needs and expectations for a supreme customer experience, high level of customer satisfaction, and fostering innovation and creativity.

The Grand Hotel Wien on the world famous Ringstraße was voted Austria's Leading Hotel. "We are very proud about the award," states Carl-Peter Echtermeijer, Assistant General Manger of the Grand Hotel Wien. "The Grand Hotel Wien looks back at 140 years of history and one thing that makes it so special is the fact that the Hotel managed to keep up its great tradition in combination with state-of-the art service."

World Travel Awards 2009 Winners

Gault Millau 2010 places the restaurants of the Grand Hotel Wien among the best ones in Austria

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 9:15:00 GMT

The Grand Hotel Wien celebrates four toques

The restaurants of the Grand Hotel Wien, Le Ciel and Unkai, were ranked among best restaurants in Austria by the famous gourmet guide Gault Millau. The culinary figureheads of the Hotel were each awarded with two toques.
"We are taking great pride in the excellent ranking of our restaurants in the Gault Millau 2010", states Siegfried Pucher, F&B Director of the Grand Hotel Wien and The Ring Hotel, his delight about the awards. "The fact that we were able to further strengthen our position among the best restaurants in Austria is due to the hard work, the creativity and the never-ending dedication of your teams. My congratulations to all staff members and colleagues, especially to our chefs Jacqueline Pfeiffer and Hiroshi Sakai. This award will be our motivation to improve ourselves even more for our guest next year."

Jacqueline Pfeiffer at Le Ciel - two toques are acknowledging the continuingly high quality

"Attentive, kind and well trained - simply perfect service, beautifully set tables and interesting sounding dishes [...] Jacqueline Pfeiffer keeps up the classical, french-inspired cuisine but doesn't forget to occasionally use local products."© Gault Millau 2010

16 points by the Gault Millau reinforce the extremely high level and the creative variety with which head chef Jacqueline Pfeiffer has been pampering her guest for so many years now. The dedicated kitchen and service teams have transformed the Le Ciel on the top floor of the Grand Hotel Wien into a culinary must-be place in Vienna.

Hiroshi Sakai at Unkai - two toques for the best Asia address in Vienna

"The service-team, especially the team leader, scores with friendliness [...] the kitchen with an incredible fish-competence. [...]" © Gault Millau 2010

The Unkai with chef Hiroshi Sakai with 15 points and two toques confirms its position as the best and most authentic Japanese restaurant in Austria. "Unkai" means "sea of clouds": The name refers to the location on the 7th floor of the Grand Hotel Wien with an wonderful view over the roofs of the inner city. Head chef Hiroshi Sakai offers sushi, sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes like the fantastic Kaiseki menu in their highest perfection and turned the restaurant into a hotspot for friends of Asian cuisine.

Catering contract with FK Austria Wien

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:32:00 GMT

The football club FK Austria Wien has appointed the catering department of the Grand Hotel Wien, "Grand Catering" with the catering of all home matches at the Horr Stadium for the next three years. The contract was signed on July 14th, 2009 at the Grand Hotel Wien by Thomas Parits, Corporate Management Sports, Markus Kraetschmer, Corporate Management Finance and Carl-Peter Echtermeijer, Assistant General Manager of the Grand Hotel Wien.

With immediate effect, Grand Catering is in charge of all home matches played by the first team (regular and friendly games), by the ÖFB-Cup, the UEFA Europe League and the Champions League. Two different areas are being catered at the stadium, the Business-VIP and the Classic-VIP-area. About 700 people are being expected at each match.

"We are very proud of taking over the catering for the FK Austria Wien. It is a pleasure to become active with catering in the field of sports now, too, next to economy, society and culture", says Carl-Peter Echtermeijer, Assistant General Manager of the Grand Hotel Wien.

Austrian delicacies and snacks

"The challenge for our catering team during the matches is to serve a lot of people in a very short period of time and with the quality and the service you would expect from a Grand Hotel", says Siegfried Pucher, Food & Beverage Director of the Grand Hotel Wien. "We offer Austrian delicacies and snacks, bearing seasonal specials and the regions of the opposing team in mind. In winter for example we will serve hot wine punch on the tribune, or when the FK Austria plays against a Styrian team we offer a typical Styrian dish."

About the FK Austria Wien

The football club Austria Wien was founded in 1911. It is one of the most successful football clubs in Austria. The team became cup master for 27 times and Austrian master for 23 times already.

The Grand Hotel Wien started with its own catering department in 2008. "Grand Catering" is the right partner, when a classy event is in demand! The clients can book caterings only or full service event organization. Well-known events like the Women World Awards at the Vienna city hall or the Soirée Fantastique at the Austrian Galleries Belvedere were catered by Grand Catering.

For further questions please contact Céline Brigg, PR & Communications Manager: +43 1 515 80-761 or cbrigg@jjwhotels.com.

New Director of Sales & Marketing

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 9:27:00 GMT

Since July 1st, 2009 Roland Hamberger (31) is in charge for both hotels of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, the Grand Hotel Wien and "The Ring" hotel, as Director of Sales & Marketing. In this position he is responsible for the development of sales, the marketing strategies of both luxury hotel at the Viennese Ringstraße and a team of 11 people.

Roland Hamberger was employed at hotel "Das Triest" for the last eight years, thereof the last four years as Director of Marketing & Sales. Before working for "Das Triest" he was employed at "Radisson SAS Palais" hotel.

"After eight years at 'Das Triest' hotel, changing the job was tough, of course. But the chance to work for these two very different hotels felt extremely right and I had to seize it. I am very much looking forward to this new challenge, which I will face together with my team," says Roland Hamberger.

"We are delighted to have Mr. Hamberger joining our team. He is characterized by extensive sales experience in the hotel industry, excellent managerial skills and an enormous amount of creativity," says Carl-Peter Echtermeijer, Assistant General Manager of both hotels.

Roland Hamberger, born in Upper-Austria, is single and preferably spends his spare time with his friends, good food or with doing sports.

For further information please contact Céline Brigg, Communications & PR Manager: +43 (0)1/515 80-761 or: cbrigg@jjwhotels.com

Emballissimo Award

Wed, 13 May 2009 10:42:00 GMT

At this year´s "Emballissimo" award, the award ceremony of the Austrian paper industry, the Sushi Take Away Box of "Unkai Sushi" restaurant was awarded in the category "folded items".

This premium packaging was specially designed: up to 5 boxes can be arranged in a pile, and thanks to the innovative flap, the boxes can be carried home like a handbag.

"We were inspired by the design of the Sushi Take Away Box from the beginning on", says Siegfried Pucher, Food & Beverage Director of the Grand Hotel Wien. "The agency identity has created an outstanding design and at the same time a product of highest functionality!"

The print office E. Schausberger & Co KG was responsible for the printing process.

"Unkai Sushi" restaurant is a modern Japanese sushi bar and the newest restaurant of the Grand Hotel Wien. Offering the best sushi and sashimi in town, the restaurant represents the equal addition to the Japanese luxury restaurant "Unkai" on the 7th floor of the Grand Hotel Wien. Unkai Sushi offers the same high quality as Unkai, but a smaller menu with the focus on sushi and sashimi. The ambience is modern, the service personal and quick. Strong emphasis lies on the take away business. Beginning of 2009 the agency identity was entrusted with the creation of an innovative packaging, which should be visually appealing and at the same time functional.

Sushi Cooking Courses with Head Chef Hiroshi Sakai

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:27:00 GMT

During this cooking course you will learn how to prepare sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes!

In 2009 the popular sushi cooking courses at "Unkai" restaurant at the Grand Hotel Wien will be continued. These hands-on courses are meant for those people, who want to learn how to make sushi, maki and other Japanese dishes themselves.

The courses take place once a month at the famous Japanese restaurant "Unkai" under the special direction of Chef de cuisine Hiroshi Sakai and Grand Hotel Wien Food & Beverage Director Siegfried Pucher.

To start with, the participants get a verbal introduction in Japanese cuisine, become familiar with the ingredients and get a lot of tips where to shop. Afterwards, they learn and practice, while rotating 4 different stations in the kitchen, how to cook sushi rice and miso soup, how to roll sushi and maki and how to prepare Japanese omelet.

As the highlight of the Japanese Cooking Course, all self-made dishes are enjoyed together!

In 2009 sushi cooking classes will take place on the following days, from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.:

14th Jun 2010
30th Aug 2010
13th Sep 2010
27th Sep 2010
8th Nov 2010
29th Nov 2010
13th Dec 2010

The price is € 135,-- per person including food tasting, a recipe book and an apron.
For Unkai Japanese Cooking Courses reservations please contact:

Sonja Chadim
Tel: +43 1 515 80-1850
Email: schadim@grandhotelwien.com

www.unkai-grandhotel.com

Grand Hotel Wien goes Art Catering

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:57:00 GMT

With great pleasure, the Grand Hotel Wien presents its own catering department "Art Catering by Grand Hotel Wien".

The well-known Viennese company "Art Catering", established by Erich Bauer, was taken over by the Grand Hotel Wien and integrated as a separate catering department. Basically, a win-win-situation for both parties:

The Grand Hotel Wien, known for its premium service and exclusive gastronomy, is pleased to have its own catering department.

Erich Bauer and his team now have all resources for their passion "art cooking", an extraordinary cookery school, at their disposal.

The Grand Hotel Wien is aiming at a top-position in the deluxe catering segment. Events of all kinds will be arranged with high professionalism, esprit and commitment.

"Art Catering by Grand Hotel Wien" offers a high degree of flexibility, culinary diversity and excellent quality, in terms of cuisine as well as in terms of service.

For more information visit www.art-catering.at.

Opening of 'The Ring'

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:14:00 GMT

On the evening of November 6, 2007 the new Viennese 5-star hotel “The Ring” was openened personally by its owner, Sheik Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber in the presence of numerous prominent guests. 250 guests participated, from Austria as well as from abroad, among others the Director of the Vienna State Opera Ioan Hollender, the president of the Chamber of Commerce Brigitte Jank, Director of Belvedere Museum Agness Husslein, author Elfie Donelly, film producer Karl Spiehs, the pop band “No Angels”, actress Marion Mitterhammer, designer Atil Kutoglu, actress Susanne Wuest and many more. The house-worming party was produced deliberately casual in style of a “Back Stage Party”. Guests were all excited about the new building and its luxurious ambience on Vienna’s Ring-Boulevard.

After a building period of 13 months the hotel “The Ring”, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel was opened on November 6, 2007. 250 opening guests assembled in the open at 19.00 on the “turquoise carpet” in front of the building and awaited the ceremonious opening with a cocktail reception. Exactly at 19.30 two men lowered themselves on a rope from the roof of the building during a spectacular fireworks production and passed the house-key to hotel-owner Sheik Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber and the Managing Director Karim Jalloul. Finally the house was being unlocked, lighting turned on and the guests could enter.

At first the groundfloor lobby with its wide fire place as an eyecatcher was presented, followed by the restaurant “at eight” and the bar “Drings”. Artist Hans Dietrich has designed particularly for this evening a somewhat different guest-book. On a large picture, specially designed by him, the contours of the hands of the guests and their signatures were immortalized.

Rooms and suites could be visited on all floors. Some of them allowed a look “Back Stage” into an occupied room.

An X-Ordinary room represented the “Music Room”. A musician played together with a saxophonist according to individual wishes, while guests made themselves comfortable in this room.

A room party particularly to the taste of female guests was celebrated in the “Ladies Room”. A tub filled with ice served as champagne-bar. On the plasma-TV-screen in the room “Sex and the City” could be watched, while top fashion and jewellery were presented to the ladies. Designer Andreas Eberharter, known under his brand name “And I”, presented his collection “Shimmer”, already shown in New York, now available in internationally accredited fashion stores. Fashion expert Edith A’gai, an Austrian-Hungarian designer presented her “a little black dress” collection.

In parallel gents enjoyed themselves with tabletop football at the beer bar and watching sports-TV in the “men’s room”.

Albert Gesellmann, frequently awarded Austrian wine producer, invited guests to a taste-tour through the small but exquisitely equipped wine cellar, where more than 700 fine bottles are being stored. But there where also further prominent Austrian wine producers present: Willy Bruendlmayer offered his outstanding sparkling wine as aperitif and colleaque Martin Pasler poured his excellent white wines.

The real gem of the hotel, the “Ring Suite”, 120 sqms large, was shown, too. Guests were enchanted by the staggering flair of this suite, with its ceiling-stucco (officially protected as part of an historical building), the balcony directly over the Ring Boulevard and the luxurious furniture. During this presentation Whisky-cocktails were offered and singer Jengis entertained the guests.

The spa and wellness area presented a particular highlight. In the sauna with direct view to the beautiful “Karls”-Church guests could foresee their future with the help of a fortune teller. In the treatment room head-, spine- and footreflex massages were offered. In the fitness section an herb-expert served various sorts of teas and snacks and explained the effect of the different plants.

Guests celebrated till late at night with Vodka-drinks in the bar “Drings” and delicacies from the aroma cuisine of the restaurant “at eight”, acompanied by a DJ and saxophone music . The international guests had then the pleasure to spend the first night in the just opened hotel “The Ring”.

Concept and planning of this openening-event were developed by the experienced Viennese agency “pi-five”. Already at the early stage of planning the extraordinary invitation idea attracted attention: The invitation card was embedded together with “The Ring” ties of friendship into a symbolic box of chocolate. On top there was a picture of the Viennese Ring Boulevard on which representatives of the surrounding buildings welcomed with their signatures the new member of the Ring-family. Already weeks before the opening the facade of the hotel was flood-lit in pistacio colour. Cardboards of prominent “tourists” i.e. Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow or Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft were positioned along the Ring Boulevard, requesting “Show me the way to The Ring” and finally pointing out ”Follow me to The Ring”.

Triad for Vienna

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:43:00 GMT

On February 26th, 2007 the long-term partnership between the princely family foundation Schwarzenberg and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, Chairman of the JJW Group, was determined and the contract signed. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, who owns the Grand Hotel Wien and the hotel „The Ring“ in Vienna, was entrusted the right of use of the hotel `Palais Schwarzenberg'.

The reason for the acceptance of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber was the strong anchorage of the family Schwarzenberg within the project, the sensible strategy for the historical substance as well as the positioning of the hotel „Palais Schwarzenberg“ within the existing portfolio together with the Grand Hotel Wien and the hotel „The Ring“. Johannes Schwarzenberg, Managing Director of the Palais Schwarzenberg Betriebsgesellschaft m.b.H., added: „We favour doing business with a personally known owner. This has advantages compared to big, anonymous companies.“
„I am pleased to add the wonderful hotel `Palais Schwarzenberg' to our Luxury Collection, I express my thanks to the family Schwarzenberg for their confidence in our work and I look forward to a long-term partnership,” says Sheikh Al Jaber proudly.

Now a big solution for the hotel „Palais Schwarzenberg“ will be realised. Probationary boring for the underground garage will start immediately. If no archaeological risks appear, the extensive reconstruction can start promptly. It was agreed on the construction of an underground garage, the renovation of the palace, the realisation of the winner project of the international architect contest for the development of the glasshouses, from which further rooms will emerge, as well as the construction of a spa area. The reconstruction will be realised in close cooperation with the authority for monument conservation. The re-opening of the palace hotel is planned for 2011.

„We will position the hotel `Palais Schwarzenberg' as high-end-product. It will become the most beautiful hotel in whole Europe!“ says the Representative of the Sheikh and Managing Director Karim Jalloul.

With the new 6-Star-Deluxe-Hotel 120 new, safe and long-term jobs will be provided.

Fundraising Dinner at the Belvedere

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:47:00 GMT

On September 11th, more than 500 guests gathered at the Belvedere for a spectacular evening in the splendor of the twenties and for the benefit of the "20er Haus". The "Grand Catering" was in charge of the fulminate catering.

A palm-fringed red carpet led the elegant friends and sponsors of the Belvedere, dressed in the style of Great Gatsby and Co., towards a champagne reception. Bentley vintage cars, ladies with vendor-trays equipped with chocolates and cigarettes, conjurers, poker games, chansons and swing music took the guest straight into the world of the Roaring Twenties. Taking part in the gala diner of the Grand Catering and the ensuing fashion show by the Hungarian star designer Katti Zoób, were among others Ingrid Flick, Franziska Meinl, Gary Keszler, Oliver Voigt, Katja Burkhard and Hans Mahr, Adolf Krischanitz, Thaddaeus Ropac, Hubertus Hohenlohe and Valie Export.

The "20er Haus", built in the 1950ies as the Austrian Pavilion for the world exhibition in Brussels by Karl Schwanzer, is currently being adapted according to plans by the Austrian architect Adolf Krischanitz. From 2011 the "20er Haus" will serve the Belvedere as exhibition space and will also accommodate the collection of the Fritz Wotruba-Foundation and the Austrian federal artothek.

Links:
Grand Catering (www.grandcatering.at)
20er Haus - Belvedere (www.belvedere.at)

Besuchen Sie die Grand Catering Website um Bilder von diesem Event zu sehen.

Unkai Sushi Bar - Now Open

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:29:00 GMT

Grand Hotel Wien just opened another restaurant called "Unkai Sushi".

The Grand Hotel Wien just opened another restaurant: "Unkai Sushi". The restaurant, located on the ground floor with a separate entrance from the corner Akademiestraße / Kärntner Ring offers a great view on the famous Viennese boulevard "Ringstraße".

The "Unkai Sushi" is a traditional sushi bar. It offers the best sushi and sashimi in town - an equal extension of the famous Japanese luxury restaurant "Unkai" on the 7th floor of the Grand Hotel Wien. Unkai Sushi is offering the same high quality, but a smaller menu with focus on sushi and sashimi, in a modern ambience and with quick service. That makes it a good location for a fast lunch, too.

On the wine menu you will find white and red wines from the vineyard Salomon. The wines come from the Austrian region Wachau and from Australia. They were tasted and chosen with the owner Berthold Salomon in order to offer those wines, which accompany the dishes best. As the only restaurant in Austria, Unkai Sushi serves Asahi-Bier on tap. For those who prefer the traditional Japanese way, an enormous number of different sake is offered. The Japanese staff is very friendly.

With the Unkai Sushi the Viennese city centre finally has a small, quick restaurant for demanding fans of Japanese specialties. Daily 11.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. Dishes also for take-away.

Reservation: +43 1/515 80-9773
www.unkai-sushi.at

140 Years of the Grand Hotel Wien

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:11:00 GMT

Vienna's first luxury hotel

When the Grand Hotel Wien opened its doors in 1870, it was Vienna's first luxury hotel and the first of the famous hotels on the prestigious Ringstrasse boulevard.

After four years of construction, originally as a maison meublée based on a design by the architect Carl Tietz, its owner Anton Schneider converted it from a private house to a hotel as soon as it was completed. It was the Habsburg Empire's first hotel to have the word "GRAND" in its name - an attribute it rightly deserved since it set entirely new standards in the then booming city of Vienna.

Offering far more than comfortable beds and wellappointed rooms, it featured restaurants, a coffee house, a bar, salons, an in-house laundry service, a carpentry workshop, and stables for guests' horses. The hotel was also situated in an exclusive location: a year before its opening, the new imperial Opera House, today the Vienna State Opera, opened only 200 meters from the hotel. The nearby Musikverein concert hall was inaugurated in 1870 as well.

Lake´s opens in Pörtschach am Wörthersee

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 9:42:00 GMT

Lake´s - my lake hotel on Lake 'Wörthersee' in Carinthia unites modern luxury with the historic appeal of the Austrian Riviera

On July 8th, JJW Hotels & Resorts opens Lake´s - my lake hotel in 'Pörtschach am Wörthersee', Carinthia (Austria), offering a modern take on the traditional summer resort experience.

Lake´s - my lake hotel, situated on the most beautiful spot on Lake 'Wörthersee', awaits you with refined chic, casual sophistication and a contemporary architecture, that integrates the magnificent landscape and azure blue water of the lake with the interior. It features seventy studios and suites and two penthouses, each characterized by a spacious, open feeling, modern maritime design and state-of-the-art entertainment technology with LCD TVs, complimentary internet access, and iPod docking station. High quality details like a personal espresso machine, an open fireplace and exquisite beauty and wellness products further contribute to a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.

All this is complemented by a full service spa, a state of the art gym, in- and outdoor pools, a Beach Club, Lounge & Bar and a restaurant.

The small but lively town of Pörtschach first became popular in the early 1900s, when Austrian, English, and German aristocrats discovered it as a desirable summer resort destination. Lake´s - my lake hotel is surrounded by enchanting villas, boat- and bathhouses built in the famous Wörthersee style of this era and by the breathtaking vista of Austria's picturesque southern Alps and the azure blue water of the lake.

For more information please visit www.mylakehotel.com

Unkai shines in new splendor

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:03:00 GMT

Old strong points clad in a new Kimono - that's how the changes of new Unkai are summed up at best. When the then owners of the Grand Hotel Wien, the Japanese Airline All Nippon Airways (ANA), opened the Japanese Gourmet Restaurant Unkai (= sea of clouds) fifteen years ago, they introduced a hardly known, new culinary world to Vienna. Since then the Unkai on the 7^th floor of the Grand Hotel Wien has built up and kept a reputation as the most authentic and best Japanese restaurants in Austria.

In 2010 Unkai and its head chef Hiroshi Sakai were awarded two toques by the most important Austrian Gourmet Guide Gault Millau and restaurant manager Fumiko Kato and her team operate the restaurant according to all laws of Japanese hospitality.

"The restaurant's reputation has always been undisputed with regards to our cuisine," explains the Food & Beverage Director of the Grand Hotel Wien, Siegfried Pucher. "But the interior and the furnishing definitely grew old and it became clear to us that there was a need for action. So we decided to level the old furnishing with the high standards of cuisine and service."

A contemporary, Japanese Design for Unkai

In order to achieve this goal, friends of Japanese cuisine in August 2010 had to make do with the Sushi Bar on the ground floor of the Grand Hotel Wien. In the meantime, the Viennese architects office Baumann und Partner, responsible for the new concept, implemented the rebuilding on the top floor.

"Our starting point was classic Japanese design from the end of the 80ies, dominated by the covering of most of the roof windows and a rather intricate architecture. We wanted to transform that into a contemporary, open and light flooded restaurant, as they are standard in Japan these days as well." explains Ralf Baumann his concept.

The new restaurant first and foremost is now characterized by lightness and openness. Because of the exposure of the roof windows Unkai now lives up to its name 'sea of clouds' and is grander and friendlier. With regards to furniture and interior design Ralf Baumann stayed true to the materials that had already been used for the original Unkai, wood and stone, and combined them with a new floor plan and an innovative light concept. The restaurant now offers various different seating qualities: from withdrawn tables that offer more privacy to an area in the middle of the room with tables for a quick business lunch. The popular Teppanyaki tables right next to the entrance and the traditional Tatami rooms in the back of the restaurant are also still available. Perfected is the new concept by especially designed lamps for the walls and the ceiling, Bonsai trees, two Japanese gardens and a water installation at the entrance.

Sake-Sommeliere and a vegetarian Kaiseki Zui-Un menu

Next to the new interior design, Unkai currently also features exiting new culinary highlights. The traditional 'Kaiseki Zui-Un'-Menu for the first time is also available in a purely vegetarian sequence of courses. 'Kaiseki' means 'stone in the stomach' and originated from the 16th century when Zen priests put hot stones in their kimonos to reduce the feeling of hunger during their hours of prayer. Today the term is a synonym for the highest culinary art of Japanese cooking. A "Kaiseki Menu" consists of several courses, all of which are prepared differently: pickled, raw, grilled and roasted delicacies are combined with a special focus on seasonal specialties.

Starting from the middle of October, Unkai will furthermore feature a new selection of sake specialties served by a sake sommelier. The new sommelier will assist the guests at Unkai to choose from the vast selection of sake, among them rare and delicious sorts like cherry blossom sake. And for those who would like try many different tastes, a special degustation menu is available.

Those who would like to enjoy a great deal of different sushi should definitely try the famous and popular Unkai Sushi-Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. And if one would like to not only eat sushi but also learn where they come from and how they are prepared, the cooking course at Unkai is the place to be.