Nestled in picturesque Innsbruck and surrounded by the breathtaking backdrop of the mountains of Tirol, the Hotel Europa Tyrol remains the choice of royalty. None other than Queen Elizabeth II recently graced the richly decorated halls. But many monarchs, world leaders and famous people have rubbed shoulders and clinked champagne glasses in the breathtaking Barocksaal, while many a rock star thought better of trashing the stunning Presidential Suite. Prominent guests have included the Prince of Monaco, the shah of Iran, Sting and the Rolling Stones.

Built in 1869, the Grand Hotel de l’Europe, as it was then known, quickly became famous as the “number one house in Innsbruck,” with its popularity and place in history ensured by the railroad slicing through Central Europe and passing through Innsbruck. The hotel entered the consciousness of discerning travellers and stayed there. It remains the only five-star hotel in Innsbruck and its location across the street from the train station makes it easy to find and an ideal base for exploring the city.

The traditionally dressed staff greet you from behind a massive wooden reception desk in a spacious lobby dominated by ornate dark wood furnishings, pompous chandeliers and portraits of royalty. Often, you might be greeted by the owner Otto Platner himself, also dressed in traditional Tirolean clothing. Normally, hotel lobbies can be desolate and uninviting spaces, but the Europa’s is a warm and inviting place. Indeed, it can sometimes be difficult to find a vacant leather armchair to collapse into because so many other guests have already settled in, broadsheets in hand and a cappucino on the coffee table in front of them.

The 110 rooms, though not especially large, are well-furnished and comfortable, and decorated in three distinct styles, with each offering a unique mood. The Biedermeyer style with its soft colours and light furnishings offers quiet, understated elegance, while the Mahogany style, employing deeper, richer colours and heavy wood gives a feeling of seclusion and warmth. The traditional Tyrolean style, with its wood panels and gilded furnishings, offers a link with the past while maintaining quality and comfort.

The 12 suites, both junior and presidential, are the most sought after rooms. The marble bathrooms gleam and there is the constant recognition that you are living the life of kings and queens. With over 135 years of catering to such royalty, it’s no wonder the Hotel Europa Tyrol makes everyone feel like a visiting monarch. The Tirolean government still uses the exquisite Barocksaal and the ballroom designed by King Ludwig’s architects for its most important formal events and functions.

The award-winning restaurant, Europastüberl, is one of the finest in Tirol and serves traditional cuisine prepared using local produce. Hotel guests enjoy the sumptious buffet breakfast in the restaurant, but keep watch on your table, if you go for a second slice of Camenbert, as the staff are very quick to clear your plates away for the next guest.

The Europa Tyrol is especially beautiful in winter, when the surrounding mountains are covered in snow and the fireplaces in the lobby become meeting points where guests exchange tales of their skiing adventures. The complimentary ski bus which goes to the resorts of the Stubaital leaves from right in front of the hotel. And after a day of skiing, nothing is better than relaxing in the hotel’s sauna and steam room.

The hotel successfully combines modern five star luxury with the old world elegance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The high standard of service gives you a good reason to believe this is Europe how it used to be.

The Hotel Europa Tyrol
Sudtiroler Platz 2
Innsbruck A-6020
Austria
Tel: +43 (0) 512 5931 102
www.grandhoteleuropa.at

- Reviewed by Campbell Jefferys (c.jefferys@gmx.net)