SACHER HOTEL’S MATTHIAS WINKLER: REAL LUXURY IS ALWAYS CONNECTED TO PEOPLE

RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

Matthias Winkler, CEO of Sacher Hotels, talks to TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE about what is all about Sacher Hotel that gives to its guests the kind of authenticity they are looking for. An epitome of Vienna, Sacher Hotels are deeply rooted for generations in the cities’ economy, society, politics, art and culture. “To us, the Gürtler and Winkler family, Sacher is home – and we are happy and proud to open our doors for every single guest, welcome him or her in, and make them feel right at home,” he says.

Nevertheless, travel behaviors changed since pandemics. “At Sacher we had to react: Especially in a time, where Covid-19 keeps the world in suspense, our main goal is to ensure a carefree and safe stay for each of our guests. All of our employees are tested weekly, we do offer testings for our guests too and put our hygiene standards to an even higher level,” Winkler says. Asked about competition, Winkler said that Sacher Hotels have always been pioneers in the hotel industry: the first electric chandeliers, the first bathrooms in the room, the first spa in a city hotel, the first with free Wi-Fi. Today, we keep moving with the times by implementing digitalization which is, of course, very highly demanded. In 2020, we introduced a mobile phone app that can unlock the room doors and offers a 24/7 chat function.”

Hotel Sacher Wien, Wagenmeister Front

Hotel Sacher Wien, Bildergalerie

During the last century, what are the changes that Sacher Hotel has achieved and in what way they have made this Hotel so unique?

Sacher’s roots reach deep down within the monarchy, we are consciously ensuring that we conserve such a unique heritage. Nevertheless, tradition to me does not mean worshiping the ashes, but passing on the fire – a principle we have been living by since 1832! Digitalization helps us keep the fire burning: of course, computers cannot provide as excellent a service a human being can. However,

“Digitalization helps us keep the fire burning”

moving forward within the digital realm helps us better understand our guests’ needs. I am sure, that modern technology will not flourish at the cost of such a cherished history. Indeed, it supports us as we head towards an exciting future. What is the Viennese Art of Welcoming at Sacher Hotel according to Matthias Winkler? To us, the Gürtler and Winkler family, Sacher is home – and we are happy and proud to open our doors for every single guest, welcome him or her in, and make them feel right at home. However, our hotels, cafés and restaurants are not only part of our personal family history, they have been deeply rooted for generations within their cities’ economy, society, politics, art and culture. This gives our guests the kind of authenticity they are looking for – and leaves us incredibly proud.

Has the famous Original SacherTorte made the Hotel or has the famous Sacher Hotel made the Original Sacher-Torte?

We have a historical accident to thank for the success story of our Original Sacher-Torte: one day in 1832, the court of Prince Metternich wanted a dessert to be created for discerning guests. It just so happened that the chef de cuisine was ill at the time and 16-year-old apprentice Franz Sacher filled in for him.

The young man created a wonderful cake that left nothing to be desired. This night marked the birth of the Original Sacher Torte – and until today, the recipe of our Original Sacher-Torte never changed. The son of Franz Sacher, Eduard Sacher, who opened the Hotel Sacher Wien in 1876, also contributed to its success, as he was a gastronome who worked internationally. He helped to extend the fame of the Original Sacher Torte to a wider and more global market as a result.

Talking about the Original Sacher-Torte what makes it so internationally known? How can VIPs or other top people order one?

Since 1832, the Original Sacher Torte is made per hand in 34 steps, approximately 360.000 Original Sacher-Tortes, many different Original Sacher Products and nearly 1 million Original Sacher Cubes are manufactured per year. The secret recipe has been passed down from generation to generation and kept securely locked away in a safe. Only the family and the head pastry chef of the Manufactory do know the original recipe to this every day.

You can buy the Original SacherTorte at Sacher hotels in Vienna and Salzburg, at Sacher cafés in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck and Parndorf, and via our exclusive partner Heinemannn at the airports in Vienna, Salzburg and Frankfurt. Lastly, you can also order it via the Sacher online shop: sacher.shop.com.

Sacher Hotel is seeing more and more international clientele. How is the Hotel adapting to that?

Sacher Hotel in Vienna is the only family owned hotel in the city of Vienna and one of the few in Salzburg, thus, it is important for us to welcome our international guests in a private

“Sacher Hotel in Vienna is the only family owned hotel in the city”

house where the traditions have been kept since many years. Thanks to its intimate connection to the history of its surroundings, Hotel Sacher is truly beloved among guests coming from different areas of the world and various backgrounds.

Nevertheless, travel behaviors changed since pandemics. At Sacher we had to react: Especially in a time, where Covid-19 keeps the world in suspense, our main goal is to ensure a carefree and safe stay for each of our guests. All of our employees are tested weekly, we do offer testings for our guests too and put our hygiene standards to an even higher level.

What do you recommend to the new investors of the top or high deluxe hotels to do so as to achieve high standards and top services like Sacher Hotel?

At the end of the day, luxury is not only about marble, historic wooden panels or about crystal chandeliers – real luxury is always connected to people.

This is why my first question to future employees always is: do you love guests, do you love being their host? And yes, we all do: we love our guests and we want to make everybody’s dream come true.

Being in the heart of Vienna, where the cultural and social life beats, how is it to be among the high luxury branded hotels? What are your key cards to compete with these key international hotel chains within the same category?

Hotel Sacher started in 1832 with the Original Sacher-Torte. We are an establishment with a lot of tradition as well as, very importantly, a focus on the future. Reinforced with a rich history behind us, we are aiming at a balance between a luxurious institution central to the local history and culture of Vienna and digital savviness. Sacher Hotels have always been pioneers in the hotel industry: the first electric chandeliers, the first bathrooms in the room, the first spa in a city hotel, the first with free Wi-Fi. Today, we keep moving with the times by implementing digitalization which is, of course, very highly demanded. In 2020, we introduced a mobile phone app that can unlock the room doors and offers a 24/7 chat function.

Can you already share some of the highlights of your program for the incoming festive season?

The Festive Season is always a highlight of our year. In the build up to this very special season, we have Pre-Christmas reception with punch, which leads onto a Christmas Party and a very exquisite Grand Gala evening. We are very happy to support any individual planning of any event with a customized offer for guests who should seek such an experience. Both hotels, in Vienna and Salzburg are littered with Christmas decorations, flowers, festive background music, scented candles to suit the occasion and personalized menu cards for that extra touch of care for our guests.

“The Festive Season is always a highlight of our year”

Moreover, we introduce special opening hours of our outlets, in order to share the festive sensations with more guests. One can also invite his or her dearest by ordering a gift voucher available at the Sacher shop in Vienna and Salzburg, as well as at Café Sacher Graz and Café Sacher Innsbruck and online via www.sacher.com.

Additional Information: “Sacher – for Safety’s Sake!”

Covid-19 turned each and everyone’s life upside-down. Many travelers feel uncertain: Will I be able to travel? Am I safe to stay healthy? What is done to make my vacation secure? And: How can I look forward to a holiday if I can’t be 100% sure that it will even take place? At Sacher, there is no need to worry! This is why: Our hygiene-standards have always been very high and nowadays exceed the requirements of Austrian government. Sacher is the only 5*S Hotel in Austria, where cancellations are possible until 12 pm at the day of arrival. We adapt to our guests’ travel plans in a straightforward and flexible manner. Each and every staff member voluntarily gets tested on Covid-19 once a week.

We can now offer a Covid-19 express test for our guests, directly run in the Hotel Sacher. Our employees are hygiene-heroes! Internal training, ongoing updates, new measures and safety checks help us maintain standards of excellence! Please find all information about Sachers‘ hygiene standards on our website: www.sacher.com