Singer Sporthotel & SPA, Berwang, Austria

Singer’s Gäste-News Spring, summer & autumn 2016

ANNIVERSARY NEWS

10 years Dedicated to your wellbeing!

Dear guests and friends, 2016 is a very special year for us as we look back on 10 wonderful and exciting years, a decade that began with the construction of our SPA building where we offer our guests wellbeing, tranquillity and profound relaxation. We are also celebrating a very personal anniversary: 10 years ago we were privileged to welcome Sebastian Vogt, our Reception Manager, and Christina Kochlöffel (now Mrs Singer) to the Singer team. On the occasion of their 10th anniversary at Singer’s they have kindly granted us some personal insights on life in our hotel. In this edition of the Gäste-News, we also look ahead to a magnificent Berwang mountain summer, the latest developments here at Singer’s, and special ‘thank you’ offers in honour of our anniversary for our lovely guests.

‘Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life’ Mark Twain

Your hosts Florian, Christina & Gerti Singer

Spring, summer & autumn 2016

Singer’s Gäste-News

Celebrating 10 years of Singer’s SPA 05 to 12 June 2016

Join us for a week of sensational prices to celebrate 10 years of Singer’s SPA: • Stay four nights or more and enjoy 10% off your total bill • A packed programme of events: - Cocktails with the Singer family - Alpine breakfast at the Kögele mountain hut - Daily sauna events - SPA night with canapé-style dinner - Pool party & DJ • Additional highlights are charged separately: special treatments including Singer’s Golden Divine massage and Jubilation facial· Caudalie Day with our first SPA manager Yvette Starke· Dîner au Champagne for a grand finale Price example per person:

Total bill €2,480 -10% = €2,232

Singer’s Gäste-News

Spring, summer & autumn 2016

Tyrolean mountain joy 26 May to 09 October 2016

• 7 nights indulgence half board for the price of 6 • Seasonal fruit basket & Singer’s skin care set in your room on arrival • 1 x Alpine power facial (50mins) • ‘Roter Stein’ SPA ritual (approx 130mins) in Singer’s private SPA suite (as a couple or on your own) - Private herbal aroma sauna - Singer’s Alpine herb & blossom bath - Aroma oil massage - Herbal tea preparation from our own gardens - Tyrolean ‘Brettljause’ • One Alpine hike with our guide

Celebratory walks for our anniversary year LEISURELY HIKES & ALPINE TREKS IN THE BERWANG VALLEY

from €930 pp The Berwang valley is one of Tyrol’s most beautiful walking regions. Over 300km of signposted footpaths and mountain trails allow walkers to experience a pristine natural world with incomparable landscapes, diverse natural habitats and majestic peaks. Fresh mountain air, lush meadows, extraordinary rock formations, fragrant herbs, meadow hay and forests make up the stuff that Berwang is made of. We have compiled a small preview of our magnificent summer in Berwang, the highest village in the Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena. ‘I’m happy when I’m hiking, pack upon my back.’

Kögele Hütte

‘I’m happy when I’m hiking, pack upon my back.

I’m happy when I’m hiking, off the beaten track’

The Kögele Hütte is one of the Zugspitz Arena’s most rustic huts. Although the hut, which is entirely constructed of wood, has been refurbished many times over the years, it has lost none of its charm. An added bonus is its unique location – in the middle of a flower meadow. On warm summer days you can enjoy hearty local delicacies outside on the terrace, while inside the hut there is plenty of space to seat around 40 guests.

The walk to the Kögele Hütte is suitable for children as well as less able walkers, and makes a great day out for all the family.

Florian Singer’s gourmet tip: ‘Our favourites at the Kögele Hütte are their excellent snacks, as well as a scrumptious dessert of buckwheat, nuts and chocolate.’

Route: walking time approx 45 minutes to 1 hour From the outskirts of Berwang – going towards Rinnen – before the last house on the left take the wide forest path that gently rises uphill towards Rastkopf. From there, walk along the gorgeous meadow path until you get to a fork in the path. Take the right

path and walk for an hour or so to reach the Kögele Hütte. The path is also pushchairfriendly.

Ehenbichler Alm

The comfortable dining room seats up to 35 guests for a tempting menu of delicious, homemade regional dishes: perfect fuel for hungry walkers. Enjoy magnificent views of the mountains and the village of Rinnen from the sun terrace.

Christina Singer’s gourmet tip: ‘Almgartopf is a delicious stew cooked in a special pot, and Florian and I also love their cheese spätzle.’

Route: walking time from Rinnen approx 1.5 hours; via Rieden, near Weissenbach approx 2.5 to 3 hours The fastest ascent to Ehenbichler Alm is along a signposted footpath from Rinnen and takes just under 1.5 hours. From Rieden near Weissenbach, the walk leads first to a reservoir. From there walkers take the signposted path for approx 2.5 to 3 hours before reaching the Ehenbichler Alm. Tip for mountain walkers: if you fancy even more mountain air, truly awesome peaks are accessible from the Ehenbichler Alm. These include the Abendspitze at 1,962m (walking time approx 1.5 hours) and the Galtjoch at 2,109m altitude (walking time approx 2.5 to 3 hours). The front and rear of Steinkarspitze and the 2,378m high peak of Knittelkarspitze also await intrepid walkers.

Circular walk: this short walk leads you from the chapel on Berwang’s outskirts (going towards Rinnen) along the right side of the road and then onto footpath no.

7 beside the stream for around 2km until you reach Rinnen. Then follow the Rotbach stream to the hamlet of Rauth. From there, a level path leads to the Rotbachbrücke

bridge approximately 1km further along.

Cross the bridge and keep going, following signpost no. 614 for around 2 hours until you reach Sennalpe Raaz. From this idyllic spot, it is just 15 minutes along a wide path to the Ehenbichler Alm where you begin the descent to the valley and the hamlet of Rauth. Then return to Rinnen and onwards to Berwang.

Distance 12.5km Walking time approx 4.5 hours Elevation gain 708m on the way up Elevation loss 889m on the way down

Jausenstation Wechner

Rustic and cosy, the Wechner family’s restaurant in Mitteregg, at the end of the Rotlechtal valley, is 6km from Berwang.

Tyrolean, Austrian and the finest game and venison dishes are their speciality. On sunny days we recommend you grab a table on the large terrace, and when outside temperatures begin to drop, enjoy the warmth of the traditional, tiled stove and convivial atmosphere of the restaurant.

Florian Singer’s gourmet tip: ‘Drop in for great game and venison and their excellent cheese dumpling soup!’

Route: walking time from Rinnen 1.5 to 2 hours Around 100m beyond the Hotel Rotlechhof in Rinnen, a forest path with a signpost to Kelmen/Namlos leads to Mitteregg.

Continue approximately 100m along the main road until you reach the sign, then take the tarmacked road to Mitteregg. The walk to this village at the end of the Rotlechtal valley takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. It’s an easy walk, and suitable for children and pushchairs.

Spring, summer & autumn 2016

Singer’s Gäste-News

Themed walks

Mitteregg nature trail: find out about the local fauna and flora along this easy walk that takes around one hour to complete.

Start: Jausenstation Wechner, Mitteregg – walking time approx 1 hour.

Travel to the Middle Ages – Schlosskopf Fortress and Ehrenberg Ruin: a footpath leads from the Klause museum to the Schlosskopf Fortress where interesting displays as well as a 360° view of the Lech Nature Park await.

Look for the ‘magic sword’ on the walk to the Ehrenberg Ruin.

Start: Klause museum, Reutte – walking time approx 2.5 hours.

path at the other end of the meadow. The walk through the forest takes you towards the southern reaches of the Thaneller mountain. Along the way you are rewarded by lovely views towards Berwang and the Zugspitz. After around 2 hours you reach the Thaneller’s ridge and get a first view of the Lech valley. After the tree line, the route takes you across clear terrain on gravelly ground to the lower summit and finally to the top where an amazing panorama awaits: across Reute and Lake Plansee to the Ammergau Alps, the Zugspitz and Mieming Range in the west, the main chain of the Alps in the south, and the Lechtal and Allgäu Alps in the east.

Map: Kompass map 24 – Lechtal Alps, Hornbach chain

Moosle’s Forscherpfad nature trail: marked stations including a treehouse, biotope, animal competition, forest experience, water playground and a lookout tower turn this nature trail into a great adventure – fabulous fun for everyone’s inner Indiana Jones!

Start: Brettlalm (Grubigsteinbahn midway station), Lermoos – walking time approx 1.5 hours.

The Rotlech river

Zugspitzi am Gaisbach water adventure trail: 2.5 hours of fun, play and exhilaration – a wide variety of entertaining and educational stations as well as a circular waterfall trail make this a favourite for the whole family. Clues lead to treasure, and there’s a board at the end where you can check your solutions.

Etymology: according to the latest research, the word Lech derives from the Indo-European ‘uleik’, which translates as ‘to wet’ (Albert Greule: Deutsches Gewässernamenbuch (book of German waterway names, 2014). Rot (red) may have been added to the name of the Lech to refer to the reddish rock in the water. The suffix ‘wang’ in Berwang comes from the Old High German ‘wanga’, meaning ‘steep, grassy slope’, ‘narrow water margin’ or ‘gentle incline’. The prefix ‘Ber’ clearly means ‘bear’, the powerful animal immortalised in Berwang’s coat of arms.

Magnificent peaks

Thaneller – 2,341m Walking time approx 4.5 hours – 1,000m elevation gain Suitable for: fit, surefooted walkers suitably equipped for walking in the mountains Route: set off from Berwang car park towards the hut by the ski lifts. Turn right to the meadows, the fence and then straight ahead towards the signpost. Turn left and follow the signposted

Worth knowing: the Rotlech is a familiar sight to Berwang region walkers and has its source to the north of the Heiterwand in the municipality of Tarrenz. At Rinnen it turns into a waterfall and then flows into the 1km long Rotlech reservoir.

In Weissenbach the Rotlech joins the Lech. One of the Rotlech’s tributaries is the Rotbach, which winds its way through Rinnen.

Legendary:

The ghost rider of Berwang valley ‘Old people tell of a man on a dazzling white horse who used to be seen riding through the valley during moonlit nights. It was thought that the ghost rider had been of high birth. Late one night, a young man was walking to his father’s dwelling having had business in the hamlet of Mitteregg. Along the way he encountered the ghost rider and was able to view him at close proximity. He bore golden spurs on his riding boots and a breastplate of silver. Whenever the ghost rider appeared, the weather would turn abruptly and bring snow.’

Singer’s summer appetiser Sous chef Max Korschinsky recommends: Alpine salmon variation with gin & cucumber The Alpine salmon is a native char, famous for its firm texture and aromatic flavour. Rich in fatty acids and high quality proteins, our Alpine salmon is sustainably sourced from Austrian farms. The combination of aromatic Alpine salmon and comb honey offers a pleasant contrast of flavours. The addition of gin in the form of espuma, and cucumber as a granita creates a sensational appetiser with a variety of textures and nuances of flavour. The careful selection of local products is of prime importance.

Harmonious companion As a perfect accompaniment to the Alpine salmon, Sommelier Thomas Rückhörmann recommends a light Riesling Zöbing 2013 from the Hirsch Estate in Kamptal. The wine’s crisp minerality and light apricot notes are perfect complements to this delicate fish.

Chef Thomas Kunath and Sous chef Max Korschinsky

Singer’s summer recipes Cured Alpine salmon – serves 4 4 Alpine salmon fillets with skin intact, 80g each 20g salt 10g sugar Juice and zest of 1 organic orange and 1 organic lemon Coarsely ground pepper ½ bunch of fresh coriander Pat dry the fillets and place in a flat dish. Combine salt, sugar and pepper, and sprinkle over the fish. Pour over the citrus juice, add the zest and coriander, then cover the dish with cling film. Place in the fridge. After 6 hours turn the fillets, replace the cling film and return to the fridge for another 6 hours. Remove the cling film and herbs, rinse the fish and pat dry.

Gin espuma 50ml gin 20ml lime syrup 75ml tonic water ½ bunch of lemon balm 1 egg white Star anise, cardamom, whole peppercorns Bring the lime syrup, star anise, cardamom and pepper to the boil, then leave to infuse for an hour with the lemon balm. Strain the syrup and allow to cool. Top up with the gin and tonic, mix in the egg white, pour everything into a siphon bottle and cool.

Cucumber granita 2 cucumbers, peeled, seeds removed and chopped 30g sugar 5g salt Juice and grated zest of 1 organic lime 20ml gin Coriander, lemon balm, cayenne pepper Peel, remove seeds and chop the cucumbers. Place in a blender with the salt, sugar, cayenne pepper, juice, zest and gin and mix together quickly. Pour into a shallow container and place in the freezer. Add whole lemon balm and coriander, and stir every 30 minutes with a fork. Remove the herbs and serve in chilled glasses.

To serve Thinly slice the cured salmon, arrange on plates with a glass of granita on each, add a spoonful of espuma, and garnish with lettuce and fresh coriander.

Singer’s Gäste-News

Spring, summer & autumn 2016

In tune with nature

OUR SPA MANAGER THERESA GERLACH IN HER OWN WORDS...

Then as now, our SPA philosophy is to transport every guest to a deeply pleasurable realm tailored to suit their individual wishes. For 10 years we have remained faithful to Singer’s SPA’s dedication to nature and harmony, whilst constantly seeking to develop our skills and respond to fresh challenges. Ten years ago Yvette Starke was the first SPA Manager to welcome our guests to this sanctuary of wellbeing. Today, I’m privileged to put a smile on our guests’ faces with relaxing moments at Singer’s SPA. Yvette Starke is still closely involved with us as a Caudalie representative, and it is always a pleasure to talk to her about the changes we have made in recent years. However, we mostly enjoy talking about the things that have remained constant, including our beloved Caudalie products and treatments. Only we, Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spas and selected pharmacies are authorised to offer this exclusive brand.

The Three Pillars of Singer’s SPA

Caudalie characterises one of the three pillars of our SPA: wine.

The second pillar too is a feature of Singer’s SPA from its start: our local herbs and aromatics. There’s usually something cooking in our ‘herb kitchen’. In May, for instance, we make spruce tip honey for use in winter. We also serve freshly brewed teas made from herbs grown in our SPA garden, mix our own herbal scrubs, and make use of various organic essential oils extracted from native plant species to relieve sore muscles and tension. My personal favourite is the soothing, local pine that is present with us throughout the Singer’s SPA: in the relaxation rooms, bathrooms, and even in the drinking water.

Our third and final pillar consists of the minerals that form part of our massages, sauna additives and Tyrolean shale oil vitality baths.

We pamper our guests with all that nature has to offer, using the tools we were born with – our hands – and our undivided attention.

Even after 10 years, the ultimate priority is to take the greatest care of our guests’ time with us.

SPA Manager Theresa Gerlach

Info

Every day a different SPA highlight, special sauna events and specially created cocktails in the SPA Bistro during our anniversary week!

SPA anniversary specials Singer’s Golden Divine massage An exclusive full body massage that begins with a Divine scrub for velvety-soft feet, and is followed by the golden glow of Caudalie’s Divine range of products: Divine oil nourishes and hydrates the skin as its heavenly fragrance transports you into Caudalie’s world. To finish, we indulge you with a body fluid for that caramel touch. A relaxing massage that keeps on giving, caring for skin long after your treatment has ended. » 50mins at our special anniversary price of €70 Combined with a Divine scrub full body exfoliation » 80mins €109

Singer’s Jubilation facial Indulge yourself with unique anti-ageing products developed

by Harvard University and Caudalie for fresher, younger looking skin. Our skilled beauticians add definition to your facial contours. The first treatment already results in firmer and more radiant skin. » 50mins €70

Deluxe Jubilation facial – includes a special lift-off mask and a decongesting massage with rose quartz and rock crystals. » 80mins €109

Singer’s Gäste-News

Spring, summer & autumn 2016

10 years ago, Christina Singer and Sebastian Vogt began their careers at Singer’s. Back then, Christina Singer was still known as Christina Kochlöffel and little did she know that she would one day become Mrs Singer ...

10 years with heart and passion

3.

Woche

Third Bärige Woche

18 to 25 September 2016 ‘The best week of the year in Tyrol’s most beautiful mountain village’

• 7 nights indulgence half board • Starlit walk with headlamps • Guided walks with a range of culinary highlights in our mountain huts • Guest Party in the village square with musical accompaniment by Musikkapelle Berwang • Culinary Tour of Berwang • Oktoberfest at the Singer Sporthotel & SPA on 24 September – and many more highlights Stay 7 nights or more for free tickets to the Culinary Tour and to the Guest Party (value €40). from €875 pp

ON THE OCCASION OF OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY, CHRISTINA SINGER AND SEBASTIAN VOGT SAT DOWN FOR A CHAT. HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR VERY PERSONAL INSIGHTS ...

Christina Singer: Sebastian, do you remember when we both started here at the Hotel Singer? What are your memories of your first day?

Sebastian Vogt: I’d only just finished my training, and everything was completely new to me. A new environment, new colleagues, new area, and different ways of doing things. Also, we were off season at the time, so the hotel was closed. That was quite a lot to take in! Nevertheless, I arrived with high expectations, over the moon at having found work after qualifying – and at such an amazing hotel ...

Christina Singer: The SPA was about to be completed. Be honest; did you think it would get done before the opening?

Sebastian Vogt (chuckles): Not really. Just after you and I started here, we were given a tour of the SPA. There were workmen everywhere and it looked more like a building site than a relaxing SPA area. It was incredible how quickly work progressed, although over here, on the ‘other side of the road’ as it were, we didn’t notice much. One thing was noticeable though: Florian Singer was rarely in the hotel, he’d only appear at 4pm for a quick coffee break in his construction worker’s gear. On opening day, as the last seats were being delivered and the first guests arrived, everything was ready – and everyone loved it.

Christina Singer: During these 10 years we’ve had some fairly bizarre and also funny experiences.

What’s your personal favourite?

Sebastian Vogt (chuckles): I can think of a few, but some are best left unmentioned! A particularly exciting episode occurred when a large family of 12 to 14 who had been regular guests for many years arrived a day early – during the high season! On arrival, the head of the family simply said, ‘The weather was so lovely, we thought we’d make tracks. So now we’re here …’ – and

somehow we actually managed to accommodate everyone without having to make too many compromises in comfort. Or there’s that time when a guest drove to the castles in Füssen. And we still had the car key. He rang us from Füssen to say that he couldn’t lock the car because he didn’t have the key. I stuck a hand in my pocket and said, ‘Oh yes, it’s in my hand. Stay by the car, I’ll drive over with it!’ – such are the pitfalls of new technology!

Christina Singer (laughs): Ah yes, I remember that very well! The plan for both of us was to just spend a season here, but in the end this is where we forged our careers. In 2010 you were promoted to Reception Manager and I took on the role of Assistant to the Managing Director, which is how I got to know my husband rather better than before ...

Sebastian Vogt: In the summer of 2010, I’d made up my mind to move to another hotel, and it was with a heavy heart that I decided to leave the Singer. However, things turned out quite differently. Two weeks after turning my back on Berwang I called Mr Singer and asked him to take me back on for the winter. I really didn’t like the place I had moved to! Even though the Singer family already had more than enough staff on reception they gave me a job. Then their new Reception Manager left unexpectedly, so I got a stab at his job just before Christmas.

Christina Singer: The hotel has experienced quite a few changes in recent years. What do you consider the most important change, the one that guests have benefited from most?

Sebastian Vogt: Definitely the best thing to have happened to the SPA building is the construction of eleven new rooms in 2014. The other renovations have also been central to both the hotel and our guests, but it is often the small, less obvious things

that matter most: the way in which the teams work together and relate to management, and the working atmosphere, which has gone from great to brilliant!

Christina Singer: What is the main reason for your continued loyalty to the Singer Hotel?

Sebastian Vogt: I love this hotel, I love working with the Singers, I’ve made some great friends, and Berwang is a great place to be. This sedate little village has become my second home.

Christina Singer: What in your view sets us apart from other hotels?

Sebastian Vogt: It’s the personal touch. Guests are not just room numbers to us, but people who spend the best time of their year with us. One of the ways this finds expression is in the friendships that have developed with guests.

Christina Singer: What’s your greatest everyday challenge, and what has changed in the last 10 years?

Sebastian Vogt: Reception work has become much more complex over the last 10 years. Social media, online booking websites, constant accessibility, last-minute bookings and the fast pace of life have a huge impact on our work. The greatest challenge we face is finding good staff, training them, helping them develop and motivating them to remain loyal to the hotel and to Berwang.

Christina Singer: Sebastian, thank you for the interview. I look forward to many more years of working with you at Singer’s! And thank you for taking such good care of our reception and our guests – and for being a wonderful friend.

Sebastian Vogt: Thank you!

Imprint: Singer Sporthotel & SPA | Singer Family | 6622 Berwang | Tyrol | Austria | Tel +43 5674 8181 | Fax +43 5674 8181 83 | E-Mail office@hotelsinger.at | www.hotelsinger.at © www.marketing-deluxe.at, Photos: Singer Sporthotel & SPA, Felder Images, Fotografie Michael Huber, Tourismusregion Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, Piere Etienne Vincent