MARK ANTHONY FOX THE SMART GUIDE ISLE OF PLENTY Mamula’s luxe outdoor spaces from the fabled grande dame Bayerische Hof and historic cathedral square – combines built in the 19th century in the central location on Ringstrasse, overlooking with the opening of the 196-key Hoxton, Vienna (thehoxton.com) in the former the stately structure of the the green spaces of the headquarters of Austria’s former Bavarian State Bank, Stadtpark. The 111 rooms Chamber of Commerce. and a former palace that and suites have been given Almanac is the brainchild adjoined it, with an interior a contemporary touch by of the Haselbacher family, design motif where the Spanish designer Jaime but the Austrian clan has emphasis is on creating a Beriestain, subtly weaved visions that spread beyond home from home, rather than into an overall look that its home country’s borders. a city stopover. The signature celebrates both a storied As well as another property restaurant Brasserie Cuvilliés past and modern art by in Barcelona, last year it offers contemporary twists Austrian artists, including launched the “X” brand – on classic dishes, while Bar Gustav Klimt. Donnersmarkt, beginning with the Almanac Montez serves delightful the hotel’s restaurant, X Prague. The Czech capital cocktails in an atmosphere maintains the local flavour, has its charms, but perhaps with more than hint of a specialising – though not high-end accommodation city’s decadent imperial past. exclusively – in plant-based hasn’t been one of them. The Moving east to Vienna, dishes, with ingredients Almanac goes some way to there is a similar vibe at sourced from the rich Alpine addressing this, particularly the Almanac Palais Hotel surrounds. The hotel scene as it is located just off the (almanachotels.com), housed in the Austrial capital will famed Wenceslas Square. in two former palaces also be blessed this year A renovation of the 204- 12 NetJets
