| |
Nevertheless,
this Hilton is rated as a four star hotel, which,
for a regular spoiled business traveler wouldn’t
stand to reason, as the hotel lacks of in my eyes
fundamental, convincing things. It neither offers
an executive lounge, which is known under the
Hiltons as an indispensable service, nor has typical
chill-out bars or relaxation areas.
However, not without reason, this hotel achieved
the best rankings in whole Europe and Africa,
what staff friendliness (and whatever you understand
under it) concerns! The employees, from whom most
are young and approached by their forename, are
extremely friendly, motivated, helpful, very obliging
and courteous, but also unobtrusive. For example,
we once asked the receptionist for further information
about how to get up on a mountain called “Haferle
Kar” during the night. She not only handed
out tourism sheets, but also gave the cable company
a call right away to get more precise details
for us.
Whenever we requested something, the staff was
charming and polite. We weren’t helped just
simply because they need to, but more because
they treat you like a guest whom they care for.
We could really appreciate that.
What we enjoyed as well was the relaxing, chilled-out
atmosphere throughout our stay – surely
you are seen as a VIP, but they don’t give
stiff service. That’s what we, by the way,
have experienced in so many Hiltons already –
this attentive personal, charming and “relaxed”
service. From our side, we 100 percent can subscribe
the award!
As already said, even though the hotel doesn’t
offer lounges & co, which can be took as a
drawback, but the staff equalizes it with additional
service – just these small things, which
make your stay to be remembered for a long time.
| |
 |
King Hilton Deluxe Room
The Hilton Innsbruck has 176 renovated and refurnished
rooms (also non-smoking), divided on 14 levels.
As a regular Hilton guest, you will of course
recognise the style, design and arrangement, and
further long will admit: “Ah well…
it’s a Hilton!” However, isn’t
it convenient to know that it doesn’t matter
which Hiton you’re staying at, you can expect
a certain and appropriate level of comfort and
luxus?
The spacious room (1405) on the “Business
floor”, which features around 30 square
metres and thus is among the biggest rooms in
Innsbruck, is well composed and held in a modern,
comfortable style. It is given an extra cosy touch
by the warm colours and the light spots.
| |
 |
Apart from that, the room looks
jovial and clear. The King Hilton Deluxe Room
is furnished by a King-Size-bed, a working and
a sitting area. Plug and use high-speed internet
access is also available, the price for it surprisingly
moderate – we haven’t figured out
yet why it just didn’t work. There’s
also a little minibar (with normal prices, same
as for the room service), but I doubt you will
use it, as there are two additional soft drinks
which are refilled daily.
The morning newspaper service was great, as well
as the pillow-service – you can choose out
of four different fillings. The marvelled bathroom
is small (for all we care, so is the shower!),
but well arranged and well thought-out, with floor-heating
and all those little but useful Hilton amenities.
Overall, the room was comfortable
and clean. We additionally were welcomed by a
little fruit-plate, a bottle of ice-cooled champagne
and a personal written card by the manager. But
what should be really pointed out here is the
amazing panoramic view – we kept waiting,
watching aircrafts from the highest hotel in this
city landing in the red-orange sunset– heavenly!
Floor-to-ceiling windows would have been the last
straw.
You can also open the window, but we just managed
to tilt it – the description how to do it
was too little for us.
However, what I find remarkable is that the room
was very quiet – neither disturbing noises
from the outside, nor from the other rooms. In
the scope of the renovation process, they could
have also replaced the TVs, which flicker and
make unpleasant, high sounds. As experienced in
other hotels as well, key-cards are more practical
than keys – but would you change your mind
if the card-reading station at your door can’t
read the card nine out of ten times? Apart from
that – although the air conditioning was
running quietly and smoothly, it didn’t
really cool down the room, but more just whirled
the warm air around.
To finish up, the room was good, the service above-average
and the panoramic view striking.
 |
Panoramic
view, facing the west of Innsbruck from
room 1411 |
Suite:
This Suite, located on the 14th floor, has a separated
living- and sleeping room, as well as a bigger
and more spacious bathroom, with shower and a
whirlpool which, as we were told, “has nothing
else but the bubbles”.
The Suite stretches also around the corner, which
allows you to too enjoy the view into two directions.
The big sofa with it’s black, shiny leather
doesn’t fit that well in the living-room,
so do we think.
Normal room:
The normal rooms, about the same size as the King
Deluxe Rooms but spread on the lower levels offer
two Queen-Size beds. Because of that, the room
seems a bit smaller, but stays still comfortable.
Additional remark:
Room 1411 faces the West, which further means
a sun-flooded, but also very warm room. For those
who like it sarcastically: There’s also
a room “911” available, which, ahm
yes, offers a great view at the airport.
Hilton double guest room costs from 129 EUR (summer
breaks inclusive breakfast buffet and late check-out
on Saturday and Sunday, two nights minimum stay,
five day advanced booking required) to 155 EUR
flexible rate, King Deluxe Rooms 164 EUR summer
breaks and 190 EUR flexible rate.
| |
 |
Restaurant:
The Hilton Innsbruck also holds two bars –
the “Jackpot Corner Bar”, situated
at the reception hall which we didn’t find
very tempting, the other one at the Casino, which
“takes you into the world of cocktails and
game”. In addition, two restaurants will
make sure that you don‘t get hungry.
The main restaurant is called “Guggeryllis”
– don’t ask us why, we’re still
puzzling over it – and offers tyrolean hospitality,
to every day time – from the typical Hilton-breakfast,
lunch buffets or a romantic candlelight-dinner.
They’re serving seasonal and freshly prepared
titbits from not only the regional, but also the
international kitchen.
Not to be forgotten should be the “Hilton
Innsbruck Catering Service”, which has proved
to be a reliable partner for events of every kind.
The main restaurant itself distinguishes in the
interior – one part has the real cosy, traditional
tyrolean touch and is divided in small sections
which guarantee peace and quiet. The other part
is more open which features a slightly more luxurious,
but also a bit overdone design – who needs
palm trees by the way? In the morning, the head
waitress welcomed us enthusiastically, which we
found a bit too effusive and awaken for that early
time, but who can keep her from being in her element?
We were treaten very well and enjoyed the atmosphere.
| |
 |
The breakfast was served in buffet-form.
To be honest and fair enough – nothing has
topped the breakfast at the Hilton Frankfurt so
far yet, but this was appropriate as well. You
can avail yourself of an international breakfast,
which follows breakfast concept of Hilton: Hilton
launched an extensive, new breakfast concept in
May 2002, which was based upon an 18-month guest
survey. It turned out that everybody has his own
idea of a “perfect” breakfast. After
then, Hilton changed not only its meal concept,
but also the restaurants – without any renovations.
You’re keeping an eye on your weight? You
need energetic food? Just find our “line”
and look it up at the buffet. Whoever it was who
had the idea – thumbs up!
As I’m very much into these things, I permit
myself to outline that the pastries were too dry
and tasteless, I also missed the variety a bit.
To put it in a nutshell – the breakfast
was average, but very good, the friendly interior,
the attentive service and the relaxed atmosphere
let us stay a bit longer.
Facilities:
The hotel offers meeting facilities as well. The
seven meeting rooms, which feature different sizes
(ranging from 22 square metres up to 345), are
fitted with modern equipment and are, as rooms
can also be combined, often booked for multiple
events. The skilled Hilton Meetings Management
team will give you advice and support, so that
your event will be a full success.
Apart from the possibility to hold meetings at
the Hilton Innsbruck, it also spoils you with
some wellness facilities, such as the sauna, a
steam bath and a relaxation area.
Overall:
The Hilton Innsbruck belongs to the good and reliable
addresses in Innsbruck and offers what you can
expect from a Hilton. What should be pointed out
here again is the fantastic panoramic view from
the top-floors, as well as the location which
is a big and important plus. What you might miss
what hotel service (lounges, bars etc.) concerns
will be equalized by the attentive, charming service
and the friendliness of the staff.
Rating:
Hotel: 3/5
Location: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Facilities: 3/5
Room: 5/5 (panorama)
Food: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Article by MW, pictures by MW and MH
May 2005
Hotel Innsbruck
|
