Austria's Capella Schloss Velden Earns Second Michelin Star Award for Top Restaurant Schlossstern

VELDEN, AUSTRIA – January 14, 2009 – Within just 18 months of opening, Schlossstern, the signature, fine dining restaurant of Schloss Velden, a Capella Hotel in Velden, Austria, has been awarded its second Michelin star rating. To date, only a dozen international restaurants have been awarded a second Michelin star within two years of opening and this year, Schlossstern, a top Velden restaurant, has been recognized along with only two other restaurants in Austria. Led by rising culinary star Chef Silvio Nickol, the team at Schloss Velden continues to strengthen its standing as an alluring destination for gourmands.

Schlossstern restaurant received its first Michelin star award in November 2007, only six months after the resort's opening. For the second consecutive year, Schlossstern has successfully surpassed the Michelin Guide's list of essential criteria which includes five categories: quality of products, mastery of flavor and cooking, "personality" of cuisine, value for the money and consistency between visits. The second Michelin star award joins a host of other important accolades the resort has garnered since debuting the Capella brand last year. Schlossstern's top restaurant in Austria earned an extraordinary 18 points out of a possible 20 from Gault Millau, one of the world's most significant restaurant guides. Additionally, Silvio Nickol, was honored with the "Newcomer of the Year" award by Fallstaff Magazine, the most widely-read gourmet publication in Austria, which also rated Schlossstern the number one restaurant in Carinthia. Most recently, Condé Nast Traveler named Schloss Velden as Austria's "Hot Hotel" on its annual Hot List, the magazine's prestigious guide to the world's hottest new hotels, spas, restaurants and nightclubs. The resort was named one of Robb Report Luxury Resorts' "100 Ultimate Escapes."

"When Capella Hotels and Resorts launched in May 2007 with the opening of Schloss Velden, we promised to deliver unprecedented service and the highest quality amenities, including the finest epicurean offerings," said Bob Warman, executive vice president and COO, Capella Hotels and Resorts. "We're proud to continue delivering on that promise."

Schlossstern's dinner prices start at €95,00 per person and accommodations start at €250,00 per room. For more information or to make a reservation at this top Michelin star restaurant, please call (877) 247-6699 or visit www.schlossveldencapella.com.

Schloss Velden is located in the breathtaking Austrian lakeside village of Velden and is a renowned landmark in the Carinthian region. Schlossstern restaurant serves dinner nightly Wednesday through Saturday and lunch on Sunday afternoons. In addition to world-class, award-winning dining in Schlossstern, the hotel offers guests a selection of local and international fare at Gault Millau-recognized Seespitz, its sleek and modern lakeside restaurant.

Capella Hotels and Resorts serves today's top-tier travelers and residential property owners and is setting a new standard in the hospitality industry. Capella promises the unique benefits of the finest boutique hotels, including superb architecture and interior design, privacy, individualized service and attention to detail – combined with the amenities and activities of the world's great luxury hotels and resorts. Capella, led by founder Horst Schulze, is a brand focused on customer choice, and offers choices that no other hotel company in the world can match. Capella is opening world-class properties in gateway cities and high-profile resort destinations around the world. Learn more at www.capellahotels.com


MEDIA CONTACT:
Kate Wark
+43 4274 52000-0
kwark@mg-pr.com