No two hotels alike

A notable fact – and this sounds less like marketing – is that there are hardly any establishments in Bregenz and the surrounding area that belong to a hotel chain. This is in spite of the fact that the visitors, in terms of their numbers and their needs, are not likely to differ from those who visit other towns of similar size. Why hotel chains are absent is a question that’s well worth asking. One possible answer is that the people who live here stubbornly profess the view that the strength of quality norming – at least as far as daily needs like accommodation and eating are concerned – does not outweigh its greatest weakess, namely that it applies everywhere and always and fails to take account of a place’s regional character.

It is for this reason, too, that no franchisee of any of the well known international fast food chains has yet managed to establish itself in Bregenz, which rather recalls the spirit of resistance of a certain village in Roman Gaul…

To return to the marketing text for a moment: the many hotels and bed & breakfasts in and around Bregenz try to make their guests’ stay as pleasant as possible in an individual and personalised way. End of marketing text.

Of course, similar claims are made in every tourist brochure, so let me cite one example, albeit necessarily highly subjective. It would be unfair on the others to reveal what the hotel is called and where exactly it is located, but I will say this much: it isn’t in the centre of town and guests would need about 5 to 7 minutes to get to Bregenz Festival House by taxi. It might take 10 minutes by bike – it goes without saying that bicycles can be hired from the hotel.

A few years ago the foyer, staircases and rooms were partly rebuilt, partly renovated. This was done in the style usual in the locality, preserving what is traditional, particularly in the choice of materials used, and incorporating the latest know-how when it comes to open space design and room comfort.

In addition to this, the establishment has discovered a special theme of its own: literature (which is something that, as it happens, particularly appeals to the author of this report). This choice is manifested not only in every room having a bookcase stocked with decent books, but also in the fact that literary events take place there regularly.

This is among the reasons why actors, writers and other artists are increasingly frequently to be found among its guests, mingling at the bar or in the restaurant and making their contribution to the generally convivial atmosphere. The author of this report admits to being a regular guest at the house himself, not only because of its commitment to literature but also because of the cultivated hospitality that this, in his view, encourages. Yet cultivated hospitality is not exclusive to this establishment. It could instead be the result of a trait in the local character. The people here are nice, not because they want something, but simply because they have been well brought up.

Hotel capacity 3 | 4 | 5 stars

within walking distance: 509 rooms (685 rooms from 2020)

within 10 minutes journey by city train (S-Bahn) or by car: 494 rooms

within 20 minutes journey by city train (S-Bahn) or by car: 1,000 rooms

(wm)