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| Parkhotel
Sonnenhof |
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| Vaduz -
Liechtenstein |
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Extraordinary - Society
May - 2007 |
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5 Stars
& 6 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and
Stripes® |
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A proud and independent people settled in the
precipitous area along the border of Switzerland and Austria, legendary for
being the last vestige of the Holy Roman Empire. In a setting reminiscent of
the "Sound of Music" sits the Park Hotel Sonnenhof framed by craggy peaks,
dense forested slopes punctuated by wide-open meadows and tree-lined streets
leading gracefully down to the mighty Rhine River. A quick walk down a rustic
sylvan path behind the Sonnenhof leads you to Vaduz Castle, the storybook home
of the ruling family of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Along the way, you
find the forest floor covered with bärlauch, a leafy wild variation of
garlic in a convenient location for the creative chefs at Park Hotel Sonnenhof
to further their 'culinary manifesto'.
Getting to the Lilliputian
nation in this idyllic setting is a mere one hour drive from Zurich on the
autobahn, which tantalizes your senses through a series of close encounters
with alpine lakes, villages and mountains before arrival at the seamless border
across the Rhine. Our experience at check-in was like wayfarer discovering a
hidden gem, both welcoming and relaxing while professional and efficient.
Personnel at Sonnenhof seem to have a glowing tranquility while going about
their work as if part of an extended family. A family it is of course, who are
the proprietors of the Park Hotel Sonnenhof since 1952, when the elder
statesman Emil Real and his wife Jutta fell in love with the then private
residence and turned it into a guesthouse. The tradition of catering to all
guests from nobility to the commoner in the same gracious and compassionate way
trickled down to their son Hubertus and put new meaning into the word
'hospitality'. As GM and Executive Chef of Park Hotel Sonnenhof, Hubertus Real
acts more like a benevolent aristocrat than hard-nosed boss and conveys a sense
of individual empowerment to his team allowing them to become part of the
solutions to any situations that may arise. |
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| A quick glance around the
front desk immediately focuses the eye to a photo wall of fame depicting
various famous heads of state, royalty, stage and screen celebs and other
notables posing with members of the family. It is a testimonial of sorts
although more like a silent certification of the benefits of staying at
Sonnenhof. A walk to the suites led us through spotless corridors decorated
with fresh floral arrangements taken from the abundant selection on the
grounds. |
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| As a member of the Relais e Chateaux association, Park
Hotel Sonnenhof has maintained a level of quality and creativity that has
attracted guests from all parts of the globe. Our comfortable suite was well
suited for business travelers as well as vacationers with Wi-Fi connection
throughout the hotel allowing me to work diligently at a fine desk while
communication with my New York office. |
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| 2007 Seven
Stars and Stripers® - Award-Hand-Out at the Parkhotel Sonnenhof |
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| Of special interest to guests attending a business
meeting or workshop is the attention to the special needs of companies looking
to complete a productive conference. All matters relating to business meetings
are built into the Sonnenhof 'successful conference' concept of wellness,
gastronomy and service factors. Spa people can relax with the myriad of
treatments packed into the area next to an innovative indoor pool. Picture
this: a laptop; a Wi-Fi connection; a chaise lounge by the pool; a bottle of
Crémant Champagne and fresh OJ along with three house made sorbets! If
that isn't heaven, then just look outside and realize where you are!
Liechtenstein! |
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“As GM and Executive Chef of Park Hotel Sonnenhof, Hubertus Real
acts more like a benevolent aristocrat
than hard-nosed boss and conveys a
sense of individual empowerment to his team allowing them
to become part of
the solutions to any situations that may arise.” ~ TB |
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by
Thorsten Buehrmann & Marcus Schuhmacher
Editor: John
Lomitola
Editor-in-Chief: Ingrid Lemme |
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| © 2007 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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