Project worth millions

The Russian touch now gives way to modern design

The main building (right) has already been renovated and the extension is currently under construction.(Bild: Michael Werlberger)

The Grand Tirolia Hotel in Kitzbühel - which was in the hands of Russian billionaire Yelena Baturina for many years - will be completely refurbished at the end of the year. The owner reveals all the details to the "Krone".

Othmar Seidl is a successful real estate developer who has 25 years of experience in Berlin. He is also a trained cellar master, so he also knows his way around wines. "The only thing I wasn't quite as familiar with was the hotel industry," he admits.

Nevertheless, on April 3, 2018, he bought a hotel in Tyrol - and not just any hotel, but the Grand Tirolia in Kitzbühel. "The hotel belonged to Russian billionaire Yelena Baturina. When I bought it back then, everything was broken. There were problems with the building and planning permission, among other things," Seidl recalls. But that didn't dampen his spirits: "It was still incredible that such a hotel with one of the most beautiful golf courses in Austria was being sold. It is one of the top 3 golf courses in the country every year."

Lower Austrian Othmar Seidl is certainly a brave man.(Bild: Jasmin Steiner)

Two setbacks, then happy coincidences
The Hotel Grand Tirolia is not in the center, but on the outskirts of the Gamsstadt. "But that's not required in our category," says the owner. Impressive: the standard room size is 63 square meters on average.

However, there were two bitter setbacks immediately after the purchase. "With Hilton, we chose an operator that was a misstep. He pursued a different philosophy and strategy," explains Seidl. And during the Covid pandemic, he also lost his business partner, who died of coronavirus.

After every low, however, comes a high - and the Lower Austrian is no exception. "I found a new partner in the form of a German insurer. In times like these, that's an advantage because the project is built on a solid foundation." And in 2021, he met the current leaseholder and operator - the well-known German Dorint Group with its premium brand Hommage Luxury Hotels Collection. It is owned by the private Honestis AG around Dirk Iserlohe. "The direction is clear, we have a close commercial relationship and I feel very comfortable," emphasizes Seidl.

The direction of travel is clear, we have a close economic connection, I feel very comfortable.

Othmar Seidl

26,000 cubic meters of rock were blown up
Back to the multi-million euro construction project - which, incidentally, is taking place during ongoing operations: "In 2022, we blasted around 26,000 (!) cubic meters of rock for the new building. Here, we are increasing the 69 rooms to date to around 150 rooms. And there will be a 1700 m2 spa area, an outdoor swimming pond that will become a naturally frozen ice rink in winter, a children's area with a climbing hall and even a cinema!"

The existing building has already been renovated and offers everything your heart desires, such as a ballroom with a 15 (!) meter rotating LED wall. "We're not having a children's birthday party here, but are definitely setting new standards by Kitzbühel standards," says Seidl.

The renovated suites are a sight to behold.(Bild: Hotel Gran Tirolia Kitzbühel)

According to the owner, the hotel's golf course is one of the top 3 in Austria every year.(Bild: Hotel Gran Tirolia Kitzbühel)

The jazz club already shines in new splendor.(Bild: Hotel Gran Tirolia Kitzbühel)

The hotel is in the luxury segment, explains assistant manager Monika Hechenberger from the Hommage Luxury Hotels Collection, "and we are currently in the certification process, as the 5-star hotel is to be given a 'plus' in the future. We are making very good progress."

"Security is not a given on many levels"
Seidl is not losing sleep over the large-scale project: "But it's something we think about time and again. Because we are living in a phase in which the security behind what we are doing is unfortunately no longer a given at many levels - for example, politically or economically."