Testimonials

The architecture in this holiday region is either “hyper-Tyrolean” or modern with overly strict lines, says Bea Mitterhofer, who as Head of Design at the Falkensteiner Group is responsible for architecture and furnishings. Instead, she aims to offer a contemporary look that is both cosy and creates a feel-good atmosphere for guests – a home away from home. The CEO of beainteriors recounts that this aim was achieved particularly successfully in Montafon in collaboration with the Milan-based planning team Vudafieri Saverino Partners for interior design and Snohetta from Innsbruck for architecture.

Robust parasols that last

The Falkensteiner Group has been using Glatz parasols for some years now – on account of their high-quality workmanship, long-lasting design and ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. The parasols are even passed from hotel to hotel as and when needed – when a hotel undergoes a redesign, for instance. “This ensures sustainability, which is also very important to Falkensteiner”, says Mitterhofer.

Outdoor area welcomes guests

Twenty-four smaller Alu-Smart parasols are used flexibly in the spa area to shade the loungers, while six giant Palazzo Royal parasols provide shade on the bar and lounge patio. The parasols have a permanent ground fixation wherever possible, as an above-ground base would pose a tripping hazard for the waiters. “In line with the general trend in the hotel and catering industry, the indoor area will be extended to the outside for guests”, says Mitterhofer, explaining the plans. “For Falkensteiner, both the inside and the outside are important for making our guests feel at home.”

Professional support from Glatz for planning and implementation

Extensive planning took place at an early stage prior to implementation, with Glatz’s Contract business unit, headed by Maximilian Andys, supporting the Falkensteiner team in all aspects of shading. Summing up, Mitterhofer says: “Whether it was the planning or the follow-up, we always had the feeling we were in good hands. Everything went really smoothly during the implementation.” This excellent service, along with the premium parasols available in a wide range of colours and sizes, the quality of the materials and workmanship, and the heavy emphasis on sustainability, are the main reasons behind the long-standing collaboration with Glatz. Another advantage of Glatz parasols is that they are supplied with a wide range of accessories such as side walls, radiant heaters and rain gutters.

Based on our requirement of solar protection as “our hotel’s business card”, we chose Glatz as our partner for individual shading solutions due to its large selection of colour nuances for the canopy and standard colours for the frame. For the Rosenheimer Hotel, the black parasol roof canopy was combined with a frame in a matching gold tone. “The parasols are also top in terms of their functionality and technology. For me, it’s also important that a certain value be reflected in the entire colour scheme”, says Managing Director Gerhard Maier.

For parasol specialist Glatz, the hotelier’s special colour preference was easy to meet: We are able to supply our parasols, i.e. the mast and frame, in any RAL colour and thus adapt them to our customers’ own colour concepts. The parasol roofs can also be tailored precisely to the individual shading requirement in the outdoor area. Equipped with a remote-controlled motor, lighting and heating, the large parasols enable hospitality operations to run smoothly and thus create an inviting ambience for guests – and not just on sunny days.

In total, there are 36 Glatz Palazzo giant parasols and four smaller Glatz Fortino models installed at five different locations on the hotel grounds. On the patios in particular, the parasols had to be positioned in such a way as to never impede the hotel’s excellent waiting service. The parasols help ensure that everything flows smoothly thanks to their multifunctional features. During the planning stage, it was crucial that we were able to emphasise our essential criteria as hosts. Starting the process by first taking account of the sun’s path and determining the best position for the parasols before planning the seating areas, lounges and spa facilities, etc. was the ideal approach. This was also confirmed to us by Glatz, the sun-protection experts with a wealth of experience gained from managing projects in the contract sector. Once you have optimally set up the shaded areas, you have achieved your goal as host of creating spaces that guests will enjoy spending extended periods of time in. However, as hosts, it is not just shelter from the sun that we have to worry about. In poor weather, the shade-providing parasols must also protect our guests from the rain, wind and cold – an aspect that is especially important given our altitude.

Another crucial factor for smooth service is the position of the tables, as the patio is a source of revenue and must be logistically optimised. Thanks to our input, the planning stage also took account of our hotel’s workflows, which, for example, resulted in the parasols’ concrete bases being sunk into the ground to prevent guests and staff alike from tripping on them.

We invested in especially high-quality parasols that also reflect the sophisticated ambience of our hotel. The main challenge was to also instil this high quality standard in the minds of our employees when handling the parasols – like not closing a parasol too early if the heater hasn’t yet cooled down sufficiently, for example. Providing training on how to operate and handle the fully equipped parasols is therefore a good idea, and is something that Glatz also offers.

Glatz’s products – i.e. the quality, functionality, format and design of the giant parasols – were a perfect fit for our standards and needs. One deciding factor, in particular, was the large selection of parasol accessories, such as heaters, LED lighting integrated into the parasol ribs, and rain gutters, as well as the option of custom parasol solutions. With an order volume in the mid-six figures, this was incredibly important to us. During the period from 2014 to 2019, when we completely redesigned our outdoor spaces, Glatz was a helpful point of contact, always offering expert and friendly service. We felt very well looked-after.

The primary criterion for implementing this kind of project is, of course, budget. Once the money is available, the issue of added value comes into play. In terms of an investment that provides long-term value, the durability of the equipment and how it makes guests feel are important. An example: is the guest sitting under a white fabric that is letting the sunlight through and dazzling them, or are they sitting under a grey, thick fabric and feeling comfortable? It was essential to us that the parasols’ features reflected our discerning standards.