ABOVE THE CITY'S ROOFTOPS
LOCATION
The Schlossberg Castle Hill is an icon of Graz, towering over the old city centre. At the foot of the castle, a legend of the hotel business in Graz, Helmut Marko, opened one of the most outlandish hotels in Central Europe. The hotel found its home in a house mentioned as early as 1596. It is about five hundred metres from the main city square and in the immediate vicinity of the beloved funicular that takes visitors to the top of the hill. Alternatively, a picturesque stairway with 260 steps leads to the top. Guests will find some of the city’s best-known museums, including the Kunsthaus on the other side of the Mura River, within spitting distance of the hotel. The hotel’s scenic terraces elevate the hotel towards the hilltop. Ascending the stairs to the hotel’s highest terrace will reward you with stunning views and an exhibition of unusual sculptures. The hotel seems like an art oasis for curious wanderers in the heart of Graz.
ACCESSIBILITY
Graz is an integral regional traffic crossroads, especially because railways and motorways converge in this part of Austria. Thus, most guests opt to drive to Graz. Luckily for them, the hotel takes care of their beloved vehicles and parks them in the nearby sister hotel. On the other hand, air accessibility seems to be the city’s Achilles heel. With only a few flights to Vienna and some European traffic hubs, paired with charter flights to faraway destinations, opting for train or car seems the preferred option. Public transport in Graz needs no introduction, as it serves as a best-case example for countless smaller and larger destinations. Guests can easily walk from the hotel to several landmarks, all close by. Not least, taxis are decent and relatively affordable. Graz is a prototype of a walkable city.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The building where the boutique hotel greets guests today dates to 1596. Through the centuries, the house changed hands several times and served miscellaneous purposes. Architects retained the external facade of the building in its entirety, only deciding to refine and polish its patina. Upon stepping foot in the lobby, a new world awaits, strewn with boutique atriums, terraces and an ingenious architectural homage to Schlossberg. The historic part, renovated in a minimalist style, boasts luxurious materials and designer lights by Flos. Wood, stone, copper, brass and glass form an instantly likeable whole. Each room is unique, featuring a distinct view, layout and artwork. As hotel guests, we yearned to stay in a different room every night. Kai 36 Hotel is an institution with soul and alluring energy. It is soul-fulfilling to wander the labyrinthian hotel and sit in the neat atrium. The hotel, like many others under the brand Marko Hotels, bears the stamp of architects Nicole Lam and Birgit Kilzer. Original artworks are one of the reasons for the undeniably great ambience in the hotel. A whopping 163 of them are scattered all around the hotel. Another eye-turning feature is the surprising combination of flooring and materials that create a wonderful tactile experience. The hotel’s design is phenomenal and has been awarded in numerous international competitions. Simply WOW.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
Original and boutique? Indeed, everything is authentic in this hotel. The staff, too, aspire to make your stay as memorable as possible. We were most impressed by the genuine hospitality, entirely unfaked. We adored the excellent coffee and vegan desserts in the hotel bar. We can say with certainty that the hotel is a match made in heaven for urban explorers. Likewise, the holistic offerings cater to their needs. Did you know Graz boasts the most vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Austria? Breakfast in this hotel would be better labelled as brunch, lasting up to 2 PM. You can have a lie-in and still enjoy the superb cuisine. We relished the eggs benedict and shakshuka. In the afternoon, a tasting of the local biodynamic wines is a must. Should you express specific, more demanding gourmet ideas, the staff will altruistically direct you to the best gastronomic hotspots in Graz.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The boutique hotel offers 21 original rooms entirely different from the otherwise omnipresent generic architecture characteristic of chain hotels. Each is, in its own right, an art gallery that adapts to the hotel’s architecture with its design and size. We stayed in perhaps the most eye-catching room, room nr. 21 – directly under the poolhouse. The room’s unique feature is its intimate, secluded terrace with great views and a large panoramic glass window that blends the interior with the hotel’s original architecture. The room’s elegant wooden floor stands out. The minimalist design can make the guest shine or let the imposing picture of Laura Stadtegger do the talking. When staying in such a room, you forget about the commodities usually associated with a hotel room – a mini bar, classic closet or bulky furniture. Here, a fantastic bed and a well-equipped bathroom are all you need. The rooms in this hotel are a sort of canvas that you can paint on according to your preferences and time of year. We can easily imagine spending longer spells in winter months or enjoying the blissful, almost surreal ambience of the pool in the summer. The rooms of this hotel transport guests into a parallel world that stays etched in their memories. Astonishing.
Meetings centre
The hotel has no classic conference halls. Instead, the terrace, coupled with a pool, serves as a forma viva. You will not find a more outlandish event space in Graz. Still, the terrace is limited to use in the warm summer months. We believe 50 guests can squeeze into the unique space.
DESSERT – The extras
The super cool pool with views overlooking Graz’s rooftops is unforgettable and a balsam for soul and body.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
We respect the hotel’s decision not to include mini bars in the rooms. Nonetheless, a fridge would be appreciated, especially in the summer months.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Helmut Marko created an ad-hoc forma viva perched atop the rugged stones of Schlossberg. As expected of the owner, Formula 1 elements make an appearance, too.
SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES
According to reassuring comments by the staff, all food served at breakfast is local. We have only praise for the farm-to-fork concept. In addition, the eco shampoo dispensers are praiseworthy. For us, though, the owner’s story makes a world of difference. Purchasing artworks of up-and-coming and established artists alike is 100% socially responsible. The hotel aligns with Helmut Marko’s philosophy, who once said: “Others buy yachts – I buy art.” The hotel’s sustainable initiatives easily cover some SDG criteria.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Kai 36 Hotel & Cafe Bar is a stunning canvas that guests can paint on with the stories they bring to one of the twenty unconventional rooms. The style of the hotel is neither overwhelming nor are the colours pushy. The hotel lets you breathe and live any way you like, all the while inviting you to stay longer. Graz is in the palm of your hands when staying here. You can traverse its alleys and explore it on foot or admire it from a distance from the hotel terrace. This characteristic makes the hotel unique and popular among guests who cherish such stories. Kai 36 Hotel & Cafe Bar is not among hotels that sell square metres or bet on their generic IKEA-inspired design. This hotel aims to craft experiences and seems to appreciate its guests, regardless of why they visit Graz. We personally felt incredibly welcome in the hotel. Guests will long remember their stay at this hotel. The high average score of 9.3 on Booking reflects that. Kai 36 Hotel & Cafe Bar is stunning, if not game-changing.
FINAL GRADE: 4.94 GOLD Boutique Meeting Hotel
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
