Umhausen, in Tyrol’s Ötztal valley, is THE place where eagle and toucan say goodnight to each other! Wait a moment - toucan?! Yes! Absolutely! At the LifeSteil apartment hotel, this flamboyant bird from the rainforest has found just the right nest for a holiday in the mountains. Completely different from all the rest, and yet right in the middle of the Tyrolean idyll. A great deal here is “steil”, the German word for steep: the greenery in the lobby shoots steeply upwards, your excitement climbs just as sharply when you study the fancy cocktail list in the bar, and everyone who simply wants to unwind here for a few days ends up on a proper vertical climb. Instead of cosy mountain-hut charm, guests can expect the true jungle of life - where you either hang out on a vine like Tarzan or bask elegantly by the pool in the wellness area like Jane. And how do you underline such a fantastic jungle feel in the middle of the Ötztal Alps? With the right scent, of course! And around every corner here it caresses the beaks of the birds of paradise, tailcoat-wearers and odd birds who flutter in and out - thanks to AROMEA scent marketing! We spoke to managing director Janine Scheiber about the hotel and the scent of the jungle.
A modern apartment hotel with jungle flair, plenty of bird-related raptures and hip architecture - how does that fit in the Ötztal?
Scheiber: It doesn’t fit in the Ötztal at all. It’s something that doesn’t yet exist in our region - I think even in the entire Alpine region - and that’s exactly what defines us and is our USP.
What can guests experience at LIFESTEIL?
Scheiber: Our guests stay in superbly equipped apartments and can enjoy the freedom that comes with them. We also offer services you’d normally find in hotels. We have a spacious wellness area with an infinity pool, saunas, a steam bath and several relaxation rooms. Guests are welcomed at reception, with no self check-in or check-out; a personal touch and direct contact with guests are very important to us. In the morning we serve a colourful à la carte breakfast, and in the evening guests can wind down at our BOTANIK Bar & Bistro with a delicious cocktail and snacks. Plenty of benefits you wouldn’t normally expect in an apartment resort.
The hotspot and place to be is the BOTANIK bar at LIFESTEIL - why should you be sure to drop by?
Scheiber: BOTANIK is definitely the coolest cocktail bar in the Ötztal; the special jungle flair and the ambience invite our guests to put down roots. Our head bartender spoils guests with delicious LifeSteil signature cocktails you won’t find anywhere else.
Thanks to AROMEA, some of the hotel’s nooks and crannies smell seductively tropical. How did the partnership come about?
Scheiber: From the very beginning I wanted to do scent marketing, and then we happened to meet AROMEA at a trade fair and it was “love at first sight”.
Why are scents so essential for the apartment hotel?
Scheiber: First impressions count and they last. We cast a spell over guests with the tropical scent the moment they arrive. The smell goes down very well and stays with every guest as a positive memory.
And how do guests and staff respond to the scent concept?
Scheiber: LifeSteil combined with the scent is HOLIDAY! Most guests mention it and ask about the fragrance, and at check-out every guest gets a fragrance to take home, so that we keep coming back to mind. The staff love the scent and are glad to be able to work in such a great atmosphere.
ScentFacts:
At the LifeSteil apartment hotel, every corner seems to smell of tropical summer and relaxation. No wonder, because our powerhouse is on duty here. The AROMEA POWER welcomes guests in the green lobby with “Tropical Sunrise” and “Mulled Spices” - completely invisible in the ventilation. The AROMEA FLEX is also installed in the washrooms and in the ski storage, where it declares war on unwanted odours. In the spa area, the AROMEA PRO TOWER pampers visitors’ little noses with “Coconut Paradise”. And in housekeeping, the AROMEA CUBE and the fragrance “Clean Cotton” pitch in with the daily cleaning routine!
Janine Scheiber on AROMEA
