Dangerous downgrading?

Lucerne/Geneva. Luxury is not the same luxury. Insiders have known this for a long time, but CEOs rarely speak of it. In recent times, Reto Wittwer has done so several times in the media and reaped headlines. Indeed, he means it seriously: Kempinski Hotels & Resorts will no longer count more properties than the group is old. In 2013, the luxury hotel group counts just 76 properties. There is still potential. However, he wishes to know nothing of mega pipelines à la Marriott, Hilton, Jumeirah or Mandarin Oriental. This self-limitation is a luxury protection, for Kempinski as well as for the guests. Since Reto Wittwer is absolutely convinced: "At some point, there'll be a Ritz-Carlton too much." A conversation about luxury on Lake Lucerne, in the heart of luxury-spoilt Switzerland, on the outskirts of the "World Tourism Forum" in Lucerne.

Vienna. Austria is proud of the new international names present on Vienna's hotel landscape. Luxury is now booming. After the opening of Ritz-Carlton and Kempinski and before that of Hyatt and Four Seasons, established luxury hotels have also begun to spruce themselves up. Then comes the new boutique hotels. But will the pie be big enough for everybody? New chains must raise their rates if a price war is to be avoided. Which luxury hotel chain will find its niche and where will it find it? A quick tour through Vienna's luxury hotel landscape.