KEMPINSKI PALACE PORTOROŽ PRESS KIT Contents Page Welcome to the Kempinski Palace Portoroz 2 History of the Palace Hotel 3 Accomodation 4 Dining at the Kempinski Palace 6 Hotel Services 9 Kempinski Rose Spa 10 Conferences and Special Events 11 General Manager 12 Summary 13 1
WELCOME TO THE KEMPINSKI PALACE PORTOROŽ The place where guests can relax at the Adriatic Sea, invigorate at the Rose Spa, savour at the Sophia and Fleur de Sel restaurants, glide the business breeze at the Levante and Ponente meeting rooms, sense Istria at the Wine cellar and la Dolce Vita at the Crystal Ballroom. The Kempinski Palace enjoys a unique location in the very heart of Portorož, which centuries ago was the most important European seaside resort and health spa. Elegantly nestled in a historical park, the luxurious hotel dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1910, and behind its grand Habsburg facade there is a unique blend of traditional and contemporary design. The official opening ceremony of the Kempinski Palace Portorož was held on 18 October 2008 after 20 years of closure of the hotel. The hotel is close to the medieval pearl of Piran and just a short drive from Trieste, Ljubljana and Venice. The Kempinski Palace is situated in the enchanting region of Istria, which attracts many with a wide variety of activities like yachting, sailing, scuba diving, biking and golf, in addition to cultural sightseeing and gourmet experiences with olive oil, wine degustations and truffle hunting. The hotel s interior was designed by the Paris-based DESSEINS Interior Design Studio, with Jean-Claude Laville as the head designer. He has created a successful symbiosis of historic architecture in the Palace wing and modern influences with the crown motif of roses in the new wing. 2
HISTORY The Palace Hotel was built during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a tourist facility of the highest category. Along with Grado, Venetian Lido and Opatija, Portoroz was the most important European seaside resort and health spa. Upon its opening on 20 August 1910, after the Excelsior Hotel in Venice the Palace Hotel was the largest and most beautiful hotel on the Adriatic Sea. The development of tourism in Portoroz stems from the discovery of the healing power of the mud and brine of the local Saltpans, the clean sea, the sheltered position of the town and its close proximity to Trieste. The hotel s design was conceived by an Austrian architect of Italian origin, Johannes (Giovanni) Eustacchio, whose idea was to create a colossal building blending various architectural styles with the elements of the Vienna Secession. The Palace Hotel was closed for the first time in 1980. Three years later, some parts of the hotel were proclaimed cultural monuments (the architecture) and man-made landscape monuments (the park) by the Municipal Decree on the Proclamation of Cultural and Historical Monuments in the Municipality of Piran. In 1987, the Palace Hotel was closed for the second time; after reopening for a short time, it closed for good in 1990. The renovation of the Palace hotel started in 2005, and after 3 years Kempinski and Istrabenz Hoteli Portoroz signed an agreement for the 20-year management of the hotel in June 2008. In August, Thies C. Bruhn was appointed General Manager of the Kempinski Palace Portoroz. The official opening ceremony of the Kempinski Palace was held on 18 October, 2008. 3
In its rich history, the hotel has hosted many statesmen and film celebrities, including Sophia Loren, Josip Broz-Tito, the film actors Marcello Mastroianni, Yul Brynner, Pierre Brice and Lex Barker, the American actor and film director Orson Welles, the Croatian pianist Ivo Pogorelić, the Greek composer Mikis Teodorakis and the popular Italian singers Rita Pavone, Patty Pravo, Mina, Adriano Celentano and Bobby Solo. ACCOMODATION The hotel boasts 164 Superior and Deluxe rooms, 17 exclusive suites, including a luxurious 230 sqm Presidential Suite and two rooftop Laguna Suites with open-air Jacuzzis. All rooms and suites are spacious, superbly furnished in modern or traditional design with a park or a sea view and appointed with air- conditioning, bathrobes, selected toiletries, a minibar, an in-room safe, LCD TVs and broadband Internet access. The rooms and suites in the traditional part of the hotel have a vintage look, which is reflected in the furniture and warm colours. On the other end of the spectrum is the style of the rooms and suites in the modern part of the hotel, where every room has lively colours and a large picture of a rose above the bed. Every floor in the modern wing is presented in a different colour; on the first floor the colour is fuchsia, on the second floor it is violet, on the third orange and on the fourth floor the colour is a light pink. 4
Piran Suite The Piran Suite is a stylishly designed and furnished suite, extending over two floors and located in the modern wing of the hotel. The Piran Suite features 85 sqm of space and is complemented by two spacious balconies, each of which offers stunning views of the sea. The balconies, one on each floor, are 40 sqm each. The living room, the dining room and separate toilet facilities for guests are located on the first floor, whereas the second floor features a bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe and a luxury bathroom with a Jacuzzi and a shower. The Piran Suite is situated on the third and fourth floors of the modern hotel wing and provides a view of the entirety of Piran Bay. Presidential Suite The luxurious Presidential Suite, situated in the historic hotel wing, features 230 sqm of space and is thus the largest and the most sumptuous accommodation available in the hotel, and is in fact the largest suite in all of Slovenia. It offers a large anteroom, a spacious and lavishly furnished living area featuring a Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, a separate dining area for six, two opulent bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a library and a fully equipped private kitchen. It also has separate toilet facilities for guests and a separate walk-in wardrobe. The spacious terrace provides a magnificent view of Piran Bay. Laguna Suite The two exclusive Laguna Suites feature 70 sqm of space and a private roof terrace of 55 sqm. The suites include spacious living and working areas, a separate bathroom for guests and a private Jacuzzi on the open-air terrace. The luxury Laguna Suites are situated on the top floor of the historic hotel wing and have breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea. 5
DINING The hotel boasts exquisite cuisine and is known for its innovativeness and its appetising mélange of culinary delights. The hotel restaurants offer refined Mediterranean cuisine, complemented by local ingredients and flavours from all around the world as well as a delicious collection of desserts. Restaurant Sophia A double miracle the beauty of Sophia Loren, who stayed at the Palace hotel and will always be remembered as a moment of la Dolce Vita, and the miracle of the menus. The former reception area is now the fine dining Restaurant Sophia, designed in affectionate tribute to the beauty of the Italian diva Sophia Loren. The stone pillars, vintage chandeliers and a large fireplace with a painting are original items from the old Palace hotel and were restored during the renovation. The menus features exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, including a rich blend of Italian flavours and local ingredients complemented with a selection of international and Slovenian wines.restaurant Sophia, was named by the influential French restaurant guide Gault Millau as one of the best restaurants in Slovenia in 2014 with a rating of 15 points and 2 chef's hats. Impressed by the sophisticated creativity of our young Chef, Igor Delak, evaluators described their visit as one of the most enjoyable surprises in Slovenia. Restaurant Fleur de Sel Fleur de Sel is the crème de la crème of sea salts, and Portorož has always been famous for its salts. Today, Restaurant Fleur de Sel offers a combination of local modern food and a laidback lifestyle. The restaurant has a white interior with modern furniture and details such as small crystals embedded in the bar, representing the salt flower. Located on the first floor and with a terrace overlooking the Adriatic Sea, it is the perfect venue to have a romantic dinner or a martini while watching the sunset. 6
Private dining in the Wine Cellar When someone loves fine wines, the Wine Cellar is the ideal place to appreciate a great vintage with a group of friends. It offers a wide selection of premium wines in a rustic setting. The Wine Cellar can accommodate private group gatherings of up to 15 persons and is the ultimate venue for a romantic dinner, wine and olive oil degustation or any other event. Crystal Hall Ballroom The Palace is a hotel with views of the Adriatic Sea, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand led the waltz in the grand ballroom for the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy. The fully refurbished Crystal Hall ballroom, adorned with restored crystal chandeliers and gilded ornaments on the ceiling from 1910, is the heart of the Palace hotel. Nowadays, it serves as a breakfast lounge for the hotel s guests and as the venue of the most prestigious events, balls, parties and weddings. Breakfast at the Kempinski Palace is available from 07:00 until 12:00. The lavish buffet offers warm and cold dishes, a broad selection of freshly prepared egg omelets, fresh fruits and juices, breakfast pastries, crunchy home-produced cereals, an assortment of cheeses and cold cuts, delicious yogurts, a range of homemade marmalades and honeys as well as sparkling wine and a selection of coffees and teas. In addition to the Crystal Hall guests can take a seat on the terrace, which is surrounded by a park that is 100 years old. 7
Signature dish of Kempinski Palace Portorož Our Executive Chef, Igor Delak, with a deep love for the Istrian land and a desire to take the very best from its nature, he creates healthy and fresh Mediterranean dishes based on traditional Istrian cuisine. Working with local farmers and local fishermen is the essence of his cuisine. It s the local experience of superior quality that we want to provide to our guests. Of course irreplaceable local olive oil and salt from very near Saltpans are basis of our cooking. Today our culinary team has even the Herb garden on the roof of the hotel with an irrigation system over the summer. Liguini a la Buzzara is a signature dish which is a typical local dish, consists of local fresh ingredients and it s done by our Chef s creativity with Istrian touch. Handmade Liguini with a sauce a la Buzzara consists of fresh mussels from Adriatic Sea, fresh herbs from our garden, local olive oil, fresh charlotte and tomato. Liguini a la Buzzara with freshness of Adriatic Sea and wealth of Istrian nature. 8
The Kempinski Palace has its own branded local products, and thus guests can experience local tastes. The products are available for purchase but they are also essential components in the hotel s menus and wine list. House wines of Kempinski Palace are made by the best wine producers in Slovenia, house wines of Coastal region are MOVIA, Simčič, Klen'art, Vinakoper and Vinakras. The branded Kempinski Palace olive oil is produced by the Lisjak mill, a leader in Slovenian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Not only do the Chefs use the oil in the kitchen when preparing the dishes, but guests can also find it on the table and taste it during their dinner. A constant presence on the menus is Piran sea bass, fresh from the local and organic Fonda fish farm. This local product has a recognisable mark of origin and a quality guarantee; the fish contains high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids and 15 times lower amounts of mercury than wild ocean bass. Last but not least, the Kempinski Palace has its own branded coffee, Antica Tostatura Triestina, which is produced in Trieste, Italy and is the finest line of coffee developed by the Hausbrandt coffee house. The coffee is produced only in a special limited edition. HOTEL SERVICES At the Kempinski Palace Portoroz, the staff s only concern is making sure that the guests have a good time. With 24-hour assistance and 5-star service, the Kempinski Palace team ensures a memorable visit for every guest, whether they are coming for leisure or business purposes. The Kempinski Palace is within driving distance of a number of commercial airports and the Portoroz marina. For guests coming by plane, the hotel provides a luxurious BMW limousine transfer. Moreover, concierge services are always available to the guests for dinner reservations, ticket bookings, sightseeing suggestions or any other requirements or requests. The guests can enjoy the Mediterranean and still keep an eye on the world markets with an assortment of complimentary daily newspapers and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, in addition to wired Internet and broadband access in the meeting rooms. Even the little ones are well taken care of. Every child receives a special kids treatment upon arrival and the kids room is accessible every day from 07:00 to 22:00, filled with special furniture and toys. Babysitting services and kids car seats for transfer services are available as 9
well upon request. The dining outlets offer special kids menus and a kids corner can be found in the breakfast area. In the rooms, child-sized bathrobes and slippers are available as well as baby bath amenities, nappy wrappers, bottle warmers and a baby cot with special bed linens and pillows. Even at the end of the day, there are still more surprises to come! With the turn-down service, guests will return to a refreshed room every evening with the lights dimmed, the curtains closed and the bed linens turned back; everything is ready for a good night's sleep. KEMPINSKI ROSE SPA Portorož has been famous since the 13th century for its rich spa tradition, where the Benedictine monks treated their visitors with seawater and salts. In the 19th century the cream of European society came to take the waters. Today, the Kempinski Rose Spa, situated on 1500 sqm, offers luxurious and quality services. It is located in the modern part of the hotel and extends over two floors. Connected indoor and outdoor swimming pools with seawater, Jacuzzis and a sauna area which features a Finnish herbal sauna, an aromatic steam sauna and an infra-red sauna are positioned on the ground floor. Next to the pool is the pool bar, with a broad selection of high-quality bottled waters, fresh fruit and snacks. The spa reception is located upstairs, as are fitness facilities and ten treatment rooms, all named after the Latin names of flowers. The name Rose Spa itself is dedicated to the rose, which is the symbol of Portorož. The Rose Spa menu offers different choices of facial and body treatments, massages, peelings, beauty treatments and baths from well-known luxury cosmetic brands such as Carita (French), St. Barth (Caribbean) and Elemis (British). The signature treatment St. Barth Chill Out fully represents the concept of the Rose Spa; to create a chilled out mood and offer complete relaxation to the guests. The spa therapist performs a hand massage with warm shells and scented oils, giving an added therapeutic effect. The free calcium ions, positioned in the shells, penetrate into the skin and leave a toned and healthy complexion. 10
CONFERENCES AND SPECIAL EVENTS A perfect venue for every event - conferences, seminars, team buildings, product presentations and gala dinners. The Kempinski Palace has six meeting rooms with natural daylight, a selection of breakout rooms, a unique ballroom, the Crystal Hall and a private 5000 sqm park for car launches and fairy-tale weddings. State-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated team will ensure that every event becomes an unforgettable experience. The explicitly Mediterranean province offers an abundance of opportunities with excellent wines, food and nature for incentives and team buildings. In keeping with the traditions of the Palace hotel Celebrating those moments when the ladies joined together for an afternoon tea in the Ladies Saloon and men for some masculine conversation and a fine cigar in the Gentlemen s Saloon. The saloons are positioned on the left and right side of the Crystal Hall and have been completely renovated to their original grandeur. The rooms are available for smaller meetings, private dinners and exclusive receptions or parties. The Ladies Saloon can be used as a gallery for an art exhibition or it can be a great location for a bachelorette party. And while ladies are having a party on one side, the gentlemen can be organising a casino night on the other side, drinking cognac and smoking cigars. 11
WEDDINGS A Real Life Fairytale - The wedding day is the one day in a lifetime of which memories will last forever; when every moment has to be perfect. For wedding ceremonies, the Kempinski Palace recommends the glamorous Crystal Hall Ballroom. With a terrace and a century-old park surrounded by greenery and blooming flowers, the Crystal Hall offers a setting straight out of a film set. For a perfect welcome reception, the roof top terrace offers a stunning view overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The glamour of the Restaurant Sophia creates a beautiful environment for smaller weddings of up to 60 people or for private ceremonies. INTRODUCING THIES CHRISTIAN BRUHN, GENERAL MANAGER Thies Christian Bruhn was appointed General Manager of the Kempinski Palace Portoroz on 1 September, 2008 after working for a short time as the hotel s Project Director. He started his professional career in the hotel industry in 1985. Born into a family of hoteliers, he has been comfortable in a hotel environment since his early childhood. He joined the Kempinski Group in 1991 after managing several hotels in Germany and working for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in the USA. He held his first general manager position with Kempinski in 1999, when he took over the helm of the Kempinski Hotel Rotes Ross in Leipzig. He successfully managed this hotel until he was appointed General Manager of the Kempinski Palace Portorož. 12
SUMMARY PROPERTY: Kempinski Palace Portoroz ADDRESS: Obala 45 6320 Portoroz Slovenia TELEPHONE: +386 5 692 7070 FACSIMILE: +386 5 692 7950 WEBSITE: TWITTER: FACEBOOK: OPENING DATE: www.kempinski.com/portoroz @KempinskiSLO http://www.facebook.com/pages/kempinski-palace- Portoro%C5%BE/168404973614 The Palace wing was built in 1910; a complete renovation in 2008 adding a new modern wing to the hotel. MANAGEMENT: Managed by Kempinski since October 2008 GENERAL MANAGER: INTERIOR DESIGNER: NUMBER OF ROOMS AND SUITES: Thies C. Bruhn Jean-Claude Laville 164 rooms and 17 suites HOTEL FACILITIES: Crystal Hall Restaurant Sophia Fleur de Sel Forma Viva Palace Club Wine Cellar Pool Bar Bubbles Bar Ladies Saloon Gentlemen s Saloon Meeting Facilities Rose Spa 13
HOTEL SERVICES: MEDIA CONTACTS: Complimentary daily newspapers Overnight laundry and dry-cleaning 24-hour room service Personal safe Twice-daily housekeeping service Complimentary high-speed wired and wireless LAN Internet Concierge service Guarded underground garage Car rental Transfer service Security Business centre Kids club Ana Golob PR Manager E-mail: ana.golob@kempinski.com T: +386 5 692 7666 Kempinski Palace Portoroz Obala 45 6320 Portoroz Slovenia 14