Frequent Business Traveler » Austria

9 Countries in Euro Zone Downgraded by S&P

Paul Riegler — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:24:23 +0000

Standard & Poor’s stripped France of its AAA credit rating, also cutting eight others in the process. Portugal’s credit rating fell to junk status and Italy’s was lowered by two steps, as S&P sent a signal that Europe’s sovereign debt crisis was far from over.

In announcing the changes, which have further weakened the effort of the euro zone’s bailout fund, Standard & Poor’s said: “Today’s rating actions are primarily driven by our assessment that the policy initiatives that have been taken by European policy makers in recent weeks may be insufficient to fully address ongoing systemic stresses in the euro zone.”

Responding to the news, France’s Finance Minister François Baroin said: “It’s not good news,” on France television, adding that it is also “not a catastrophe.”

Last December, S&P had warned it was conducting a review of the credit ratings of more than a dozen EU countries including Germany and the Netherlands, which have triple-A ratings. Those two countries were not included in today’s announcement and their credit ratings remained unchanged.

Spain (now A) and Cyprus (BB+) saw their ratings cut by two steps, and Austria, Malta, Slovenia, and Slovakia were each lowered by one. The ratings of Belgium (AA), Estonia (AA-), Finland (AAA), Ireland (BBB+), and Luxembourg (AAA) remained unchanged, as was Greece’s (CC), which was not cited by S&P in its review. Italy’s rating was lowered to BBB+ and Portugal’s to BB. The United States’ rating of AAA was lowered by S&P last summer, in an move unrelated to the euro crisis.

In response to the announcement, the euro hit a new 16-month low in trading against the U.S. dollar.

Dinner for One: The Same Procedure As Every Year On New Year’s Eve

Paul Riegler — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:41:27 +0000

Around this time of year, if you are meeting or chatting with colleagues from Central Europe or Scandinavia and the topic of “dinner for one” comes up, they are probably not talking about dining alone. If they say “the same procedure as last year?” and laugh or reply “the same procedure as every year, James,” they are not talking about how they close the books at year’s end or perform surgery either.

Instead, they are talking about a New Year’s Eve tradition that has permeated most of Central Europe and Scandinavia, namely watching Dinner for One, an 18-minute black-and-white comedy sketch also known as Der 90. Geburtstag (The 90th Birthday).

Dinner for One is the story of the 90th birthday dinner of Miss Sophie, an upper-class English woman who hosts such an event every year for her close friends, Mr. Pommeroy, Mr. Winterbottom, Sir Toby, and Admiral von Schneider. Miss Sophie, as moderator Heinz Piper points out before the skit starts, has outlived all of her friends, however, so her butler James stands in for each guest. This ensues with hilarious results.

Throughout the skit, James enquires of Miss Sophie, “the same procedure as last year?” to which Miss Sophie consistently and emphatically replies, “the same procedure as every year, James.”

More than half of the entire German population will watch the program before proceeding to other festivities to ring in the New Year. Interestingly enough, the entire skit is broadcast in its original English language version although the dialog is fairly simple and easy to comprehend. Many fans have memorized lines from the skit and, especially around the end of the year, will respond with Miss Sophie’s answer to anyone saying “the same procedure as last year?”.

Some fans not only watch the broadcast, but also prepare a meal that mimics Miss Sophie’s anniversary dinner, including Mulligatawny soup, North Sea haddock, chicken, and fruit for dessert.

Dinner for One is performed by British comedians Freddie Frinton and May Warden. It was first aired in 1963 and recorded in a single take in 1963 by the Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), but it didn’t find its way onto Silvester or New Year’s Eve television schedules until 1972, and it’s been a fixture there ever since. It’s also watched in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland and is a staple in Australia and South Africa.

Dinner for One was written by British author Lauri Wylie in the 1920s and was performed on stage in Britain by Frinton and Warden as early as 1945. Frinton acquired the rights to the play in the 1950s. The recording took place in the Theater am Besenbinderhof in Hamburg and was directed by Heinz Dunkhase. It remains virtually unknown in the English-speaking world. When a 2004 article in Der Spiegel looked into the mystery of Dinner for One’s cult status, it found that not only had the BBC never aired it, but the BBC spokesman had never even heard of it.

From all of us at Frequent Business Traveler, Bonne Annee, Boldog Új Évet Kivánok, Gott nytt år, С Новым годом, Felice anno nuovo, Prosit Neujahr, and Happy New Year.

DINNER FOR ONE

Munich Airport VIP Wing – Review

Jonathan Spira — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:01:52 +0000

Air travel – and airports – once were indeed glamorous, but today, long security lines, crowded airline lounges, and indifferent staff make that image seem like another world.

It is possible, however, to recapture some of that glamour – for a small fee. Airports in cities from London (Heathrow) to Singapore (Changi) to Munich offer a very different arrival and/or departure experience for those willing to foot the bill.

This past June, Munich Airport opened up the VIP Wing. Designed by Erich Gassman and Tina Aßmann, the expansive building is located next to Terminal 1 and is a 1,200 m²(13,000 sq. feet) oasis, identified by a discrete sign at the end of the terminal.

CHECK-IN

The rainy night of my Lufthansa flight from Munich to Brussels on the first day of Oktoberfest, my driver, Rolf Raffelsieper, approached the front entrance. A VIP Wing staff member, dressed in a Dirndl (a traditional dress worn in Bavaria and Austria), met my car with an umbrella, taking my luggage from Rolf and escorting me inside.

The first step was to go through security. After all, this is an airport. But here, I had three members of the airport security team all to myself. My large suitcase had already been whisked away (and presumably checked) so all that I had with me was my Tumi backpack . I was through the metal detector in seconds and this all happened so quickly I almost didn’t notice it.

THE VIP WING

Once inside and since it was my first visit to the VIP Wing, my escort showed me around, pointing out the bar area and the adjacent dining area, the various lounge spaces with ultramodern (and rather comfortable) chairs, and the suites (including the Schloß Schleißheim conference room and three private suites, also named after nearby castles). There were quiet places to work, free Wi-Fi, a smoking lounge, an interdenominational prayer room, and a genuine feeling of tranquility.

Did I have any value-added tax (VAT) forms that required a customs stamp, I was asked. No, but I had a few that had already been stamped for which refunds had not yet been obtained. About 20 minutes later, I was discretely given an envelope with my refund, roughly €75. I sometimes end up forfeiting my VAT refunds when lines are long, which is usually the case at London-Heathrow.

That evening, I was one of perhaps half a dozen passengers at the VIP Wing. Since I was giving a speech in Brussels, I shifted to one of the semi-private alcoves and got to work. The Wi-Fi was fast (and free) and the workspace was comfortable.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Pre-Flight Dining, Boarding, and Virtual Tours of the VIP Wing

New Vienna Luxury Hotel To Be Ritz-Carlton Instead Of Shangri-La

Paul Riegler — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:46:23 +0000

Ritz-Carlton will operate a new 202-room luxury hotel situated in two historic palaces on Vienna’s Schubertring that was originally scheduled to open earlier this year as the Shangri-La chain’s first hotel in Austria. It will be the Ritz-Carlton’s first hotel in Austria as well.

In February of this year, two months before the planned opening and after over 100 employees had been hired, Shangri-La withdrew from the project.

The developer, BAI (Bauträger Austria Immobilien), has sold the property to Kazakhstan-based Verny Capital, which in turn engaged Ritz-Carlton to manage the hotel, which will open in the second quarter of 2012.

The hotel will feature a fitness center, gourmet restaurant, bar, conference and meeting rooms, and a ballroom.

A court case between BAI and Shangri-La is still ongoing.

Etihad Airways to Add In-Flight Internet and Mobile Phone Service to Widebodies

Paul Riegler — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:32:52 +0000

Etihad Airways will add in-flight entertainment and in-flight Internet and TV to its new Airbus A380, Airbus A350, Boeing 787, and Boeing 777-ER jets as well as to its current fleet of long-haul, wide-body aircraft, for a total of 100 planes.

Etihad will deploy systems from Panasonic Avionics, including the company’s eX2 and eX3 platforms, over a ten-year period and will use AeroMobile for in-flight telephony. The deal has a list price of more than $1 billion, including maintenance.

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and, from its hub in Abu Dhabi, flies to 68 destinations across the globe, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, Australia, and Germany.

The Equinox Resort, Manchester, Vermont – Hotel Review

Jonathan Spira — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:54:57 +0000

Since 1769, the Equinox Resort has been a meeting place, first for America’s founding fathers, and now, as part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection of hotels and resorts, for vacationers and business travelers who have sought it out, in part for its idyllic New England location but also for the interesting and unusual activities the resort offers its guests.

On the eve of a major winter storm, I drove up to Vermont as the storm seemingly followed. This was good news as I was going to attend the Land Rover Experience Off-Road Winter Driving School. At the Equinox I was greeted warmly by one of the bellmen, outfitted in jodhpurs and knee-high argyle socks.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

The storm made it to Manchester later that evening and I woke up to find over a foot of fresh powder outside. For most meetings and activities, this would have been bad news but the additional snowfall seemed to delight the driving school’s instructors. During the spring, summer, and fall, instructors teach off-road driving, but it’s in the winter where the school really comes to life with snow and ice driving instruction. The school uses a variety of Land Rover vehicles including the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover LR3, and Land Rover LR2.

On day one, I found myself on trails through the Green Mountains, where over two feet of snow had fallen by then (and this was on top of accumulated snow and ice). On day two, I was the only student at the school and, behind the wheel of a Land Rover LR4, I spent hours driving the 80-acre course, completely unplowed, under the guidance of my instructor, Tim.

Another activity I tried at the Equinox was falconry, courtesy of the British School of Falconry, also located at the resort. Falconry, known as a sport of kings, can include hawk walks and training. In the winter months, the training is held in the barn, where these magnificent birds reside, and I learnt how to handle and fly a Harris hawk.

THE ROOM

My Deluxe Room had a king-sized bed and was very spacious. The best feature, however, was the magnificent view of Equinox Mountain.

Despite wintry conditions and the fact that I was in a building dating back to the mid-1700s, the room was warm and cozy. Climate controls were clear and easy to adjust.

The bed was extremely comfortable and I woke up refreshed and ready for the challenges of driving Land Rovers through the snowy forest.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

Internet was fast and free. The writing desk was generously sized and the wooden chair was surprisingly comfortable, although I admittedly spent relatively little time at my desk given the array of activities I wanted to take advantage of.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Dining and Virtual Tours of the Hotel

Photo Contest Winners: Scenic Views

Paul Riegler — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:55:50 +0000

From the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Großglockner in Austria, or the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, there’s always a jaw-dropping view for our readers to photograph.

This made the task for our judges, Basilio Alferow, Shannon McClatchey, Clark Rendall, and Greg Spira, all the more difficult.

From the hundreds that were entered, three of our readers’ outstanding photos stood out to our judges more than the others.

Our First Prize winner is Timothy Harwood, who took his magnificent photo in Manarola, Cinque Terra. Timothy wins a pair of Revo Slot Titanium sunglasses.

Second Prize goes to Jim Hill, who shot his photo in Dinkelsbühl. Germany. Jim wins a pair of Revo Waypoint sunglasses.

The Third Prize winner is Alan Dalsass, who stopped to take his photo in the Hohe Tauern on route 108 just after going through the Felbertauern tunnel.

Congratulations to all of our winners, who will be eligible for the Grand Prize as well.

The final phase of the My European Vacation Photo Contest starts this week. For the Grand Prize drawing, each prize winner will submit 1.) An essay discussing the place where the photograph was taken and 2.) Three travel tips. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a three-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic. The second Grand Prize winner will receive a Hewlett-Packard Projector Companion.

Good luck to all finalists!

BMW X3 xDrive35i Review and Road Test

Jonathan Spira — Wed, 11 May 2011 00:43:54 +0000

First introduced in 2003, the BMW X3 is all new for 2011. While over 600,000 original X3s were sold, including 150,000 in the U.S. Production in Graz, Austria ended on August 31st of last year and production of the next generation X3 started the very next day, at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.

The redesigned X3 neatly addresses the two criticisms that we had for the earlier version, namely insufficient legroom in the rear and a harsh ride (although based on the prior generation 3 Series platform, its handling was anything but 3 Series-like).

The new X3 is immediately recognizable as a BMW with a forward-slanting twin-kidney grill and bold contour lines that meet at the grill. Typical of BMW’s Sports Activity Vehicles (which include the X1, X5, and X6), the twin round headlights with round fog lamps form a pattern characteristic of the line. Other familial traits include flared wheel arches with a short overhang both in front and in the rear.

I was surprised at how much bigger the new X3 was when I first got into one. It turns out that its dimensions are close to the first generation X5. As a result, rear seat occupants won’t have to bang their knees against the front seatbacks.

The new X3 is half an inch (12 mm) taller, 3.36” (83 mm) longer, and 1.1” (28 mm) wider. Ground clearance has increased by half an inch (12 mm) and the 110.6” (2810 mm) wheelbase is 0.6 inches (15 mm) longer.

The interior befits a BMW and is markedly improved from the previous generation, which I had criticized as Spartan and inelegant. The driver-oriented cockpit is complemented by the Central Display in the center stack, which features an 8.8” high-resolution trans-reflective screen, making it the largest such display in its class.

I found ample storage compartments, trays, and cup holders throughout the vehicle. The cargo space is versatile. Depending on how you arrange the rear seats (both up, one up, etc.), the cargo volume ranges from 19 to 56.6 cubic feet (550 to 1,600 liters). If you specify the optional rear seats with ski pass-through, they have three segments, making a variety of configurations possible.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Driving the BMW X3 xDrive35i

Hilton Vienna Review, Austria

Jonathan Spira — Sun, 01 May 2011 04:03:18 +0000

The Stadtpark, which opened in 1862, was the first public park in Vienna and is frequented by tourists and Viennese alike. It is at the edge of the First District, known as the Innere Stadt, and it has always been one of my favorite places, in part because, when I was little, my parents allowed me to roam the park freely, knowing I would be safe amongst the statues of Beethoven, Lehár, Mahler, Schubert, and Strauß.

Directly across from the Stadtpark is the Hilton Vienna, also known as the Hilton am Stadtpark, a location that gives guests of the hotel an exclusive backyard to visit and explore. The Hilton’s location couldn’t be better, Practically every destination in the Innere Stadt is within walking distance from the hotel, be it the Opera, the Kärtnerstraße for shopping, Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s cathedral), or one of the many excellent restaurants in the city. A streetcar (Tram) stop is conveniently accessible if you need to travel greater distances.

The Hilton Vienna is directly across the street from the City Airport Train or CAT, which whisks visitors from airport to downtown in 16 minutes. Although I was driving from Bratislava, from past experience I know the CAT to be a very convenient option.

THE ROOM

My executive-level room was modern and airy. Lighting – including individual reading lamps by the bed and an adjustable desk lamp – was superb. The hotel promises (on its Web site) an “easy to set” alarm clock and delivers on that promise quite nicely.

The bed was quite comfortable and I felt rested and refreshed the next morning, ready for the long day ahead.

Each guest room bathtub comes with a rubber ducky, a nice touch. This time my duck was green, while prior ducks were yellow. I like variety.

An electric kettle with a supply of tea and coffee is thoughtfully provided

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

The glass-topped writing desk was one of the best I’ve seen and electrical outlets were on top of the desk and easily accessible. The Aeron chair, similar to the ones I use in my home office and at work, provided excellent support and was very comfortable.

Internet access is fast (I clocked it at 4 Mbps download speed and 1.5 Mbps upstream) but expensive at €27 for 24 hours. One staff member told me I would get a code for the Wi-Fi system from the executive lounge but it turned out that all the executive lounge would provide was access to two desktop computers, which were almost always in use by guests anyway. When I was ready to purchase Internet access and enquired in the lounge, the gentleman who was manning the desk there failed to tell me about a less expensive option that would have cost €5 less.

The Hilton Vienna was designed with large meetings in mind, although it nonetheless has a warm and intimate feel. The hotel can accommodate meetings of up to 1,800 people and 17 rooms are available.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Dining and A Virtual Tour

Kempinski Hotel River Park Bratislava, Slovakia Review

Jonathan Spira — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:56:53 +0000

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, has long been overshadowed by other major cities in Central Europe but the city has many unique attributes and historic sites that make it worth a visit.

Bratislava’s strategic position (it sits astride the Danube River and is the only capital city in the world to border two independent countries, Austria and Hungary) and multi-cultural history have lured many global companies to the city, bringing many business travelers with them.

Since 2010, there has been yet another good reason to visit the city: the Kempinski Hotel River Park. Located in the newly-built River Park business complex, on the banks of the Danube, the hotel is minutes away from Bratislava’s historic Old Town and close to the city’s castles, museums, and monuments.

As we drove up (I was accompanied by Christian Stampfer, our European Editor), the hotel’s Rolls Royce Phantom sedan, which transports guests at no charge to various destinations within the city, was parked in front. The doorman ignored the Rolls, welcomed us to the hotel, and escorted us to the front desk. As we checked in, we were offered a cup of warm tea made with fruit and wine which was so good I took another cup up to the room.

THE ROOM

My Executive Club Room, located on a high floor, was warm and inviting and had wonderful views of the Danube. A fruit platter, which welcomes every guest at the hotel, was waiting for me on the side table.

The king-size bed was extremely comfortable and I woke up refreshed and ready for the challenges the next day. The mini-bar included a choice of complimentary beverages as well as some that were available for purchase. The bath area merits special mention as the water temperature in the standalone shower (there is a separate tub) was digitally controlled (see the slide show).

The climate control was easy to use but, as Christian found out in his room (which was identical to mine), it could not be turned off completely.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

The generously-sized writing desk gave me plenty of room to spread out. The good-looking desk chair was comfortable and supportive (a rare combination). Wireless internet access was fast and free.

The Executive Lounge, in addition to being a comfortable place to relax with drinks, has two private meeting rooms reserved for Executive Club level guests.

The Zion Spa offers a variety of stress-relieving treatments but my favorite was the Alpha Sphere, which, perhaps somewhat in keeping with Bratislava’s UFO bridge, was out of this world.

The Alpha Sphere combines light and sound, a lounge-type chair, and an enclosed space. During the treatment, which lasts about 40 minutes, the sound is felt throughout one’s entire body and, when combined with the monochromatic blue color, the gentle rocking of the chair, and the chair’s warmth, serves to decrease stress and tension and (according to the Alpha Sphere’s creators) enhance creativity, lower blood pressure, and widen one’s perception. I definitely felt less stress and tension after my treatment, as did Chris after his.

For meetings and gatherings, the hotel’s 11 elegant and modern meeting and banquet rooms can accommodate as many as 340 people and as few as six.

DINING

The River Bank Brasserie serves breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. The breakfast buffet offers a vast assortment of freshly baked breads (the hotel has a German baker in house), cheeses, cold cuts, fish, cereals, yogurts, and juices as well as an unlimited menu of hot items. The waffles with warm maple syrup were particularly tasty.

The Arte Restaurant offers unique food and wine pairings in a relaxed atmosphere. The Park Lounge, located off the lobby, has a wonderful wine list (I could have spent hours examining the wine wall). I tried the Kempinski White (2009), which was half chardonnay and half rulandské šedé (Pinot Grigio), and it was the best Slovakian wine I had on my visit. It was somewhat complex with a lively acidity but extremely well-balanced.

In the Executive Club lounge, a light breakfast is served in the morning and canapés are served in the evening, along with drinks. Beverages including a variety of juices are available throughout the day.

BOTTOM LINE

Business travelers invoke multiple criteria when choosing a hotel but stress reduction is rarely on the list. Stepping into the Kempinski River Park’s airy lobby began a process that continued throughout my stay and made me feel relaxed and stress free despite a hectic schedule.

Small details make one’s stay memorable and the staff did everything possible to make our stay pleasant, in some cases going above and beyond the call of duty. When my camera’s battery lost its charge more quickly than expected (and I didn’t have the charger along since it usually lasts over a week), a member of the hotel’s staff made arrangements for the battery to be charged overnight at a local camera store and she delivered the fully charged battery to me the next morning.

The Kempinski Hotel River Park Bratislava is only 35 minutes from Vienna International Airport and is easily reachable by car or train from major European cities. I hope to be returning soon.

Kempinski Hotel River Park
Dvořákovo nábrežie 6
811 02
Bratislava, Slovakia
Tel +421 2 3223 8222
www.kempinski.de

–Jonathan B. Spira is the Editor of Executive Road Warrior and Chief Analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm.

KEMPINSKI RIVER PARK – THE ROOM

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KEMPINSKI RIVER PARK – HOTEL ENVIRON

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KEMPINSKI RIVER PARK – DINING

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