Our department heads are here to answer your questions

Dear guests!

Behind every one of your stays are people who, with passion and dedication, ensure that you feel completely at home. Today, we asked our department heads some questions and they’ve answered them. In this blog, you’ll get to know our team leaders on a personal level. They’ll reveal their favourite spots in Vienna, share their culinary recommendations, and tell you what inspires them and what makes them laugh. Look forward to fascinating insights, personal stories and a few genuine insider tips for your next visit to Vienna.

Here is the team of department heads in alphabetical order:

Ali - Head of Building Services since 2005
Ines - Managing Partner since 2008
Ingeborg - Director since 1988
Nataliia - Head of Breakfast since 2022
Ramira - Head of Housekeeping since 2005
Sabrina - Head of Reception since 2023

What is your absolute favourite spot in the hotel when the guests are still asleep?

Ali: I don’t have a favourite spot in the hotel; I actually like every corner of it.
Ines: I love the peaceful courtyard with its cosy breakfast terrace, as well as the rear hotel lobby with its light-filled bay window, where you have a lovely view of our history display.
Ingeborg: The breakfast room, because it already smells wonderfully of coffee when I arrive!
Nataliia: My favourite spot in the hotel is the breakfast room. It’s fascinating to watch how it changes. From being completely quiet in the early hours of the morning, during breakfast it’s like a beehive full of hustle and bustle, and as soon as breakfast is over, calm returns.
Ramira: The courtyard in the morning, with our breakfast terrace and the colourful flowers, exudes a sense of peace and cosiness. I particularly love the courtyard during Advent when everything is beautifully lit up and the hotel entrance is festively decorated.
Sabrina: Personally, I’m particularly fond of our terrace on the first floor. The peace and quiet, the view over the courtyard and the chirping of the birds make this place very special to me.

Welchen Moment mit einem Gast wirst du nie vergessen?

Ali: Just last week we had a guest who was a master painter and runs his own business. He watched me painting our fire door and told me it looked very professional and perfect. That compliment made me very proud.
Ines: Recently, I was approached by a couple who wanted to know if I was the manager here. They were keen to tell me how satisfied they were with our hotel, what a brilliant team we have, and how happy they were to have found us. Best of all: they’d only stayed with us three weeks earlier and had booked straight away again! Even their friends chuckled that they’d travelled back to Vienna and to exactly the same hotel after such a short time. That completely took me by surprise and, of course, made me absolutely delighted!
Ingeborg: Many years ago, when a guest’s electric razor switched on inside his travel bag and he rang reception to report a possible bomb discovery.
Nataliia: Once, I accidentally bumped into a guest in the breakfast room. To my surprise, he took it in good humour and, over the following days, our ‘Good morning’ was symbolically accompanied by a little bump.
Ramira: Every time I see our regular guest Christian S and his colleagues, I can tell how comfortable and welcome they feel here. It makes me feel that we, as a hotel, are doing everything right.
Sabrina: A particularly lovely moment for me was when guests showed me so much gratitude for something I didn’t even consider to be out of the ordinary. As a token of their appreciation, they even gave me a bouquet of flowers! That was really lovely!

What is the one essential quality someone needs to have to work in your department?

Ali: Solving problems, whatever they may be!
Ines: Everything works together here: whether it’s problem-solving (the technical services team with Ali), patience and precision (the management team with Inge), friendliness and energy (the breakfast team with Nataliia), an eye for detail (the housekeeping team with Ramira) or communication and supervision (the front office team with Sabrina). The most important quality you absolutely must have at our hotel is a genuine passion for hospitality and warmth. Because only with your heart in the right place can we ensure that our guests feel completely at home.
Ingeborg: Patience, lots and lots of patience
Nataliia: Friendliness, attentiveness, patience and you have to enjoy keeping on the move.
Ramira: An eye for detail and the ability to turn every room into an oasis of well-being.
Sabrina: Checks and good communication are vital for a smooth check-in process. Only in this way can we ensure that our guests feel like they’re on holiday from the moment they arrive.

What goes on in your department that, ideally, guests wouldn’t even notice?

Ali: Coordination, problem-solving and attention to detail are important. You often have to react quickly and be on hand.
Ines: Behind the scenes, we ensure everything runs smoothly through seamless organisation, forward-thinking planning and swift problem-solving. Whilst our guests are relaxing, we prepare everything in the background – so that potential problems don’t arise in the first place and the holiday gets off to a carefree start from the very first moment.
Ingeborg: In the hotel office, I work on planning, organising and coordinating, and I try to prevent situations that might affect guests from arising in the first place. It’s also known as ‘troubleshooting’.
Nataliia: You have to work in a coordinated manner; whilst our guests are enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we’re already preparing everything for the next day behind the scenes – so we’re essentially always one step ahead.
Ramira: Perfect organisation, working quickly and efficiently, and teamwork are essential when we have lots of arrivals and departures. Our aim is to offer our guests the best possible service, even in stressful situations.
Sabrina: Checks and good communication are vital for a smooth arrival process. This is the only way we can ensure that our guests feel like they’re on holiday right from the moment they arrive.

What ritual or greeting do you and your team prefer to use to welcome guests?

Ali: A “Good morning” always goes down well.
Ines: I greet our guests in a very personal way, depending on the time of day, and when I bump into them – for example, in the lift or in the lobby – I like to ask if they’ve slept well. That immediately creates a warm atmosphere – right through to saying goodbye and wishing them a safe journey home.
Ingeborg: When guests arrive, I actually always say, “A very warm welcome! It’s lovely to have you here!” and I really mean it. Otherwise, depending on the time of day, I’ll say a cheerful “Good morning” or even a friendly “Hello” when I bump into guests in the lobby.
Nataliia: A friendly “Good morning” chases away worries and troubles.
Ramira: A friendly “Good morning” brings a smile to almost every guest’s face.
Sabrina: A friendly, warm and sincere welcome – we at reception make the first and last impression on our guests.

Wiener Schnitzel or Sachertorte – what must our guests definitely try whilst in Vienna?

Ali: Everyone should try a proper Viennese schnitzel – made from veal, of course. I can highly recommend Gasthaus Hansy, opposite the hotel. When it comes to sweet treats, I’m all for ‘Kaiserschmarren’.
Ines: For me, a perfect day in Vienna absolutely has to include a Viennese Melange and a traditional apple strudel in the afternoon. Later on, for an aperitif or in the evening, I recommend the ‘Schwarze Kameel’: there you can enjoy excellent open sandwiches and a glass of Grüner Veltliner (or a white spritzer), whilst watching the colourful hustle and bustle of the Viennese scene over a little Punschkrapferl.
Ingeborg: Wiener schnitzel, definitely! Personally, I find Sachertorte a bit too dry. And of course, you absolutely must visit a sausage stall (but preferably off the beaten track!). That’s where you’ll still meet the real Viennese! And Palatschinken with apricot jam are also very good!
Nataliia: Every guest should try the pork knuckle at the ‘Schweizerhaus’ in the Prater, of course. For a sweet dessert, try a Kaiserschmarren or apple strudel.
Ramira: For me personally, it’s definitely Tafelspitz at ‘Plachutta’. Served traditionally in a hot copper pot with a hearty beef broth. The meal follows a set ritual with several courses served directly at the table. It was Emperor Franz Joseph’s favourite dish, by the way. For a sweet dessert, I recommend the rolled apple strudel from ‘Aida’. It tastes wonderfully juicy, delicately tart and wonderfully buttery.
Sabrina: For those who prefer something savoury, I can highly recommend Salmbräu for delicious spare ribs, but anyone who can’t resist a sweet treat simply must try a Tichy ice cream in the summer.

How do you like your coffee at the hotel, and which Viennese coffee house would you recommend to your guests?

Ali: I prefer my caffè latte without sugar, and it tastes best here at our hotel.
Ines: At the hotel, I prefer a classic ‘Verlängerter’ – perfect for waking up. To give my guests that authentic Viennese coffee house experience, I like to recommend the ‘Kleine Kaffee’ on Franziskanerplatz in the Innere Stadt. Its tucked-away location, away from the tourist crowds, makes it a real hidden gem for a quiet break over a Melange and a slice of Sachertorte with whipped cream.
Ingeborg: At home and at the hotel, I like to drink a caffè latte without sugar. In my free time, I like to go to ‘Café Sluka’ on Kärntner Straße and have a Viennese melange. Whilst I’m there, I watch the hustle and bustle in the pedestrian zone and eat a Punschkrapferl.
Nataliia: I always drink my coffee black, without milk or sugar, preferably at Konditorei Oberlaa.
Ramira: Prepared the classic way with a dash of cold oat milk. My personal ‘ideal Melange’. For our guests, I’d recommend the Melange at ‘Aida’ – it goes wonderfully with the apple strudel and is just round the corner.
Sabrina: I prefer my coffee with oat milk, a bit of cocoa and a pinch of cinnamon! A brilliant mix – my team also calls it ‘witch’s brew’! Anyone who prefers it the traditional way can sit down at the Oberlaa Konditorei in a quiet side street in Vienna’s city centre.

Which Viennese word should our guests definitely learn for their stay?

Ali: I actually really like the word ‘owazahn’, even though it doesn’t really reflect my nature at all. It means putting off work.
Ines: I love the word ‘Beisl’, which refers to a small, cosy Viennese pub, and of course ‘Sackerl’ for a carrier bag. So when our guests ask for a good pub or go shopping, they know straight away how the Viennese speak!
Ingeborg: You can’t get more Viennese than “Oida”. I don’t use it very often myself, but I love it because you can express so much with it – depending on how you say it. The word “Sackerl” is brilliant too, and it really confuses the odd guest from Germany!
Nataliia: You often hear “I a” from the Viennese. It sounds a bit odd, but it means “me too”.
Ramira: I think the word “Schmäh” is absolutely brilliant, and a pinch of Schmäh never did anyone any harm.
Sabrina: “Leiwand” – easy to say – with this, you could feel just like a proper Viennese straight away!

Which neighbourhood in Vienna do you most enjoy spending time in when you’re out and about in your free time?

Ali: I like the 20th district best because I feel at home there.
Ines: I love spending time in Leopoldstadt (2nd district) after work or during my break – after all, that’s where our hotel is. The little alleyways leading towards Taborstraße or the Karmelitermarkt are incredibly fascinating, and there are loads of great places to eat and hidden gems to discover there. In my private life, I live in the 13th district (Hietzing) and love its very special suburban charm: you can get to the city centre quickly, but at the same time you have beautiful green spaces right on your doorstep.
Ingeborg: I live here in the 2nd district (Leopoldstadt) and love this district. The Prater is just round the corner; I can highly recommend the Karmelitermarkt and the bars along the Danube Canal. That said, I also really enjoy spending time in the 1st district. I’m particularly fond of all the beautiful old buildings, the wide variety of shops, restaurants and cafés, and the narrow little alleyways.
Nataliia: I really like the 1st district. It combines history and modernity.
Ramira: Personally, I really like Vienna’s 19th district, as it combines nature, culture and enjoyment. Wine lovers in particular will be in their element there.
Sabrina: Personally, I really like both the Favoriten district and Donaustadt. Why? Because here you can switch from nature to the hustle and bustle of city life in just a few minutes. Whether it’s a relaxing afternoon by a lake or pond, or a walk in the woods, here you’ll find the perfect blend of relaxation and active city life. The perfect day: What does your personal dream Sunday in Vienna look like? Brunch, a walk, a snack, and taking in lots of wonderful impressions of the city of Vienna.

The perfect day: What does your ideal Sunday look like?

Ali: Riding my motorbike towards “Kalte Kuchl” is always something special for me.
Ines: Sleeping in, going for a quick jog in Schönbrunn Palace Park, and then having a leisurely breakfast with the family. After that, a quick tidy-up and a wash of the laundry. In the afternoon, a bike ride along the Liesingbach, and rounding off the day with a cosy dinner at a Viennese Heurigen.
Ingeborg: Sleep in, have a good breakfast, and then head into town for a long walk through the narrow streets. There, you sometimes forget that you’re in a city with 2 million inhabitants, and in some parts you even forget that it’s the year 2026. I’m particularly taken with the area behind St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Nataliia: It all depends on the weather and the time of year. On a sunny, warm day, a bike ride with a lunch break in a little café is just the thing. In the colder months, I tend to sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, read a book or pursue another hobby (knitting, for example).
Ramira: For me, the perfect Sunday starts with a leisurely, drawn-out breakfast, with absolutely no time pressure. After that, I head to the Alte Donau. A relaxed stroll, a leisurely bike ride or a romantic boat trip make you forget the daily grind in no time. The perfect way to round it off is a delicious dinner in a lovely restaurant by the water.
Sabrina: Brunch, a walk, a snack and taking in lots of wonderful sights of the city of Vienna.

Where in the hotel or in Vienna is the best place to relax after a long day?

Ali: Spending time with my family, having deep conversations with my daughter, and relaxing whilst watching MotoGP.
Ines: My favourite thing is going on a short bike ride with the family to a Heuriger, and in winter, taking a lovely walk to Schönbrunn, finishing off at the Christmas market. As a guest, I’d probably go for a meal at Gasthaus Hansy opposite and then round off the day in our courtyard with a cocktail or a nice glass of spritzer.
Ingeborg: On a walk along the Prater Hauptallee or with a glass of wine on my balcony.
Nataliia: On a walk along the Alte Donau.
Ramira: I prefer being out in nature. Going for a walk along the Danube or relaxing in a park with a book.
Sabrina: I love taking a quiet walk for a few stops after my working day and strolling along the Danube Canal.

What always makes you laugh straight away in your day-to-day working life?

Ali: My ‘special’ work colleagues.
Ines: Our team is incredibly diverse – we work with people from over 15 different countries. Good communication is therefore our top priority. This makes our day-to-day work very varied and requires a lot of flexibility. At the same time, it often leads to so many funny situations that we all end up laughing together.
Ingeborg: When I read reviews like, for example, ‘The toilet seat wasn’t comfortable enough!’ and, of course, when the banter’s flying around the team!
Nataliia: Really funny things happen sometimes, like that time a guest mistook the little bin on the breakfast table for a coffee pot.
Ramira: My colleagues’ creativity is truly unbeatable 😄
Sabrina: My colourful team-mates and wonderful guests who feel at home with us and aren’t shy about saying so.

What’s the first thing you always pack when you go on holiday?

Ali: My mobile phone charger is the first thing I pack.
Ines: The first things I always put in my bag are my charger, my AirPods, a good book, my reading glasses and tissues. To make sure I never forget anything, I have a digital packing list on my mobile, which I simply adapt depending on the trip – whether it’s summer or winter.
Ingeborg: I always get my money, credit card and passport ready first.
Nataliia: My passport and wallet are always the first things I pack.
Ramira: My personal tip is to always be prepared for anything and not to forget the sun cream.
Sabrina: My swimwear and loads of clothes – usually too many :)