RUBY MAG

Six Hotels and three new destinations till end 2017

We are over the moon, dancing with joy and bubbling with anticipation: Ruby is expanding even more! We have packed some cool design ideas, found super central locations and are on our way to new destinations: Munich, Düsseldorf and Hamburg, here we come

Top of the list: Ruby Lilly. The construction of the 174 rooms in Bavaria’s beloved capital Munich has already begun. With the historic Königsplatz just around the corner, the bustling student and nightlife scene at our doorsteps, and public transport only a stone’s throw away Ruby Lilly fulfills the typical Ruby Style central city location. Spread out over eight floors, you will definitely find a room with a view and have a glance of one or the other famous sight.

Right in the center by the Königsallee street life bustle is where Ruby Coco will be putting down roots in Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf’s nicest bars, restaurants and popular sights surround us and the Rhine is just a short walk away with a fabulous river promenade. 79 lovingly furnished rooms will be waiting for you here.

One, two, no three Ruby hotels will soon be hosting guests in Vienna. Ruby Lissi is on the way to the first district of Vienna, moving into a 13th century former monastery. 107 rooms will be treated to some fabulous redesigning and soon be ready to be discovered. Of course, the first Viennese district is cream of the crop making it a prime location for visiting Vienna.  

Hamburg will charm you, as will our latest addition to the Ruby family.  The majority of our 289 rooms will offer charming views of the typical Hamburg river channels known as “Fleet” making the hotel an authentic base for your trip. You will find some of Hamburg’s most creative gastronomical hotspots around the hotel, as well as the city’s most glamorous shopping venues. The town hall, the popular Jungfernstieg with its urban promenade at the Binnenalster lake and the world-famous Hamburg harbor at river Elbe are just a few minutes walking distance.

Doors will be opening, one by one, till the end of 2017! Stay tuned, discover the hotels soon and see where the journey will take us next…

German Press Release

Photo credit:

Ruby Coco, Düsseldorf: ECE Projektmanagement GmbH & Co. KG

Ruby Lissi, Vienna: IFA Institut für Anlageberatung AG

Ruby Hotel, Hamburg: PATRIZIA WohnInvest Kapitalverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH

All other photos: Ruby Hotels & Resorts

The blunt Viennese life

3 June – 2 November 2016

Horses playing concertina, clichéd moments and situations reflecting epochal style - The Kunsthaus Wien presents the new photography collection of Martin Parr about Vienna as well as selected classics of previous exhibitions, including some of his most famous pieces from his international breakthrough “Last Resort”.

Martin Parr is an expert in capturing absurd and peculiar situations on his photographs. By observing every-day life and characteristics in different groups of society he is able to show frank situations that have a touch of humor to them. This bluntness of photography gives Martin Parr’s work an entertaining cultural edge. Through a strong focus on colors in his photography style, Martin Parr adds his personal creative touch to the collection.

For his special Vienna exhibition “Cakes and Balls” in the Kunsthaus, Martin Parr visited famous Viennese sites, typical Viennese wine gardens and cafés, allot settlements and other places that characterize the people living here. The result is a combination of unexpected encounters, historical buildings and unadulterated scenes of society at cultural events. You might even recognize one or the other building, sculpture or person portrayed in the photographs.  

Our Ruby Hotel guests will get a special discount on the Martin Paar exhibition, all you need to do is show your room card at the museum counter. 

Photo credit:  

Vienna, Austria, 2015 © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

Ausstellungsansicht "Martin Parr - A Photographic Journey" © KUNST HAUS WIEN 2016, Foto: Eva Kelety

New Brighton, England, GB, 1983-1985 © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

Yay, our efforts have been rewarded! The Stafa Tower, home to Ruby Marie, has been honoured with the LEED platinum certification for the buildings’ sustainability. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate is awarded to outstanding buildings that meet the criteria for sustainable construction and operation. Many details play a role when an energy efficient and environmentally friendly building is planned.

The green building movement – a movement that has developed over the past years, where construction is more then just building a house and where many mechanisms come together that enhance sustainability in long run. Through clever design, detailed construction and efficient maintenance a building becomes a sustainable whole. Also, a buildings’ ecological footprint is determined through many criteria of construction and usage.

How does the Stafa Tower fulfill these criteria? A site in the heart of the city enables fast and easy transport around town through shorter distances, water-saving fixtures reduce water consumption, and materials and resources are carefully selected according to transportation routes and usage. Even the history of the Stafa Tower plays a role – the former warehouse style is reintegrated into the design of Ruby Marie, making history alive again.

Pop-up store opening at Ruby Marie, Vienna

21. April – 15. May 2016

Double creativity for our pop-up store opening at Ruby Marie. Fashion label Biaschtlbude and temporary tattoo designers Young & Smitten will be moving in next week. Yay!

It probably is Vienna’s only non-food sausage booth. Biaschtlbude: a young company that shows what one can make of a sausage besides enjoying some food. Cool fashion with sausage motifs: Biaschtlbude chose the Viennese street food epitome as their fashion inspiration and has created a truly amusing collection.

Biaschtlbude’s love for sausages is obvious. In their collection sausages are everywhere you look, on the shirts, caps or phone covers. You will even find stern-looking Kaiser Franz Josef eating a bratwurst. Simply hilarious!

You are vegetarian? Then choose one of the funky pickle designs.

The second genius, young company moving into the pop-up store is Young & Smitten. With their temporary “real fake tattoos” they prove that nothing has to last forever. Perfect if you constantly change your mind or simply have a needle phobia.

Whether rock concert or hippie party, you have the choice of over 40 tattoos lasting for 3-5 days that will definitely pimp up your outfit. Come by at the Ruby Marie pop-up store and get your first one, two or even more temporary tattoos.

Forward Festival Vienna 

7. – 9. April 2016

Collecting inspiration, sharing success stories and moving forward – this festival brings together enthusiastic personalities in the areas of design, communication and creativity. It is a platform for exchanging experiences and building bridges in the creative industry.  

Well-established companies and creative individuals will give insight into their work from international and local projects. Whether graffiti and street art, illustrations or various print technics, new insights from successful projects further improve creativity in many different ways. Photographers, agencies and magazines demonstrate how vast the landscape is for people to become creative and move to the next level with their work. Solving problems and finding new paths through networking is what the Forward Festival is for.

To enhance the networking and learning attribute of the Forward Festival, workshops and speeches will be held to spread ideas and trigger innovation. It is the so called “state of the art update”, a platform with speakers that address topical issues. Lots of new input from many different creative origins will definitely be a conversation topic on one of the get-togethers.  

Learn, network and create space for new creative ideas – be part of the move forward!

Interested? Anyone who wants to be part of the event can still buy tickets online.

Don’t be disgruntled about the cold winter days. Be positive! It is the best time to test some of the snuggest cafés in Vienna. We’ve put together a top 5 list of cafés you shouldn’t miss this season.

Want to try something new? Visit Ruby Marie’s rooftop bar on the eighth floor and enjoy your cup of coffee from a different perspective. Watch the busy goings-on in the streets from a comfy chair and a relaxed atmosphere.

A combination of colorful mosaic tiles, golden lamps and well-chosen objects with patina give the Balthasar its unique look. Together with its own roasting house Balthasar is not only a stylish café but also has quality coffee.  

Our all time favorite Café Phil is best enjoyed with a good read. Don’t have a book with you? Not a problem, Café Phil basically consists of bookshelves and thereby spreads a certain comfy living room flair.

Coffee culture at its best – Jonas Reindl is the place to be to experience the culture of coffee brewing. Different traditional coffee brewing methods and certified organic coffee are definitely worth a visit.

A small but high quality range of ten different coffee beans from all over the world are sold and served in the Wiener Rösthaus. The café is an authentic reflection of the coffee itself and to guarantee the quality, the coffee beans are roasted in-house.

Snuggle in and enjoy some coffee, you deserve it!

Belegkontrolle (Document Control) – Peter Piller exhibition at the Kunsthaus Vienna

22. January – 22. May 2016

A journey back in time might be the most suitable description for Peter Piller’s exhibition “Belegkontrolle” (Document Control) currently hosted in the Kunsthaus Wien. It is a collection of old magazine adverts that have a special authentic touch to them and convey more then just an advert message.

Everyone has a different source of inspiration and Peter Piller’s were the archives of a press clipping service in Hamburg. Flipping though the advertisements from the 20th century stocked in this service, he was fascinated by the images and the accompanying text.

To some these old adverts are nondescript, but Peter Piller brings the hidden beauty and nuances to the foreground and creates a new piece of art. He took the opportunity to create his own archive of long forgotten advertisements and has created a lively and historic exhibition.

But, not only advert images are shown, Peter Piller also exhibits some of his own photographs. His images are a merge between magazine adverts from 1960 to 1980 and his own perspective.

Peter Piller finds new inspiration in old times – this exhibition is definitely a place to reminisce!

Our Ruby Hotel guests will get a special discount on the Peter Piller exhibition, all you need to do is show your room card at the museum counter. 

Goji berries, chia seeds and moringa algae – you have probably seen one of these superfoods in your breakfast muesli or green smoothie before. No wonder, superfoods are the secret energy and high dose vitamin providers that have become a contemporary trend.

Only a couple of years ago superfoods were a typical vegan phenomenon and were associated with health fanatics. However, this prejudice has been overcome and superfoods have made their way onto many kitchen shelves.

Some say that the new exotic berries and seeds are the superfood must-have, while others claim that regional products, such as linseeds and blueberries, are as good. But, maybe it is more a balanced diet that will boost your health and superfoods are a varied add-on for a nutritious diet.

Whether superfoods or not – isn’t a healthy diet still the best way to stay fit? And the most important meal to start your day right is a balanced breakfast that will give your body the energy it needs.

Try the breakfast in our Ruby Hotels – a guaranteed fresh and healthy breakfast where you might find one or the other superfood.

Enjoy!

Looking for an alternative to the classical Viennese ball? After all it’s carnival season, so why not be a bit crazy. Vienna has some of the most eccentric, colorful and vibrant balls that are an exciting variation to traditional ones.

Have a look at our list of top balls that have an edge of craziness to them –worthwhile for sure!

Life Ball is an homage to diversity and a sign of equality that takes place almost every year with the main aim of fighting aids & celebrating life. Love of life, glamour and extravagance determine this very popular event that is celebrated in the Viennese town hall. If there is one ball you should definitely know, this is this one. Unfortunately, it won’t take place in 2016. But in 2017 it should be back.

For all those that prefer a mix of elegance and urban flair should visit the HipHop Ball – no classic opening dance, but a street style hip-hop performance. A whole range of hip-hop artists, DJs and performance art groups will make this ball a highlight.  

If you’re not really the hip-hop fan, but fancy techno then the Technoball will be your place to be. An extravagant evening where modern techno beats encounter classical ball standards and artsy light installations create a crazy ballroom atmosphere.

Bright colors, wicked outfits and fancy drinks – the Rosenball is probably the craziest of all balls in Vienna. Based on the inspiring world of fairy tales, the Rosenball is a colorful journey into an evening of creativity. Dress up and come by!

Vienna’s ball season has begun – extravagant ballroom gowns, grandiose locations in Vienna’s most ostentatious buildings and the special flair of feeling like the nobility of the 18th century.

It is the time of the year when history comes back to life in Vienna and the city turns upside down. The tradition of the Viennese Ball goes back to the 18th century when the upper class societies arranged mask balls to entertain and socialize during the carnival season. What remained of this time are many exuberant balls with classical music and dancing throughout January and February – it’s the Viennese way of celebrating carnival!

Here are some of the most famous and prestigious classical Viennese balls you should definitely know about:

The most talked about event during the ball season is the Opera Ball, locally known as “Wiener Opernball”. Taking place in the famous Viennese State Opera, this ball attracts eager spectators and well-known people alike.

Dance with the musicians at the Vienna Philharmonic Ball – here the famous musicians celebrate a ball dedicated to their orchestra. This ball is hosted in the grand “Musikverein” music halls.

Another one of the most traditional balls is the Coffee-house Owners’ Ball, taking place at the Imperial Palace in Vienna. Coffee houses have a long history in Vienna and are seen as part of the local culture, a ball dedicated to them is therefore essential.

Almost as famous as the Viennese tradition of coffee houses is the matching confectionery tradition. A ballet performance, the traditional opening dance of the debutantes and some of the cities best confectionery creations make up the Confectioners’ Ball, known as “Zuckerbäcker”.

Waltz away!

Let’s not curse the bad winter weather, but enjoy it with a cup of Løv organic tea.

Løv is Good, Løv is Pure, Løv is Zen

Løv comes from the Scandinavian and means “leaf”, the basis for most of the teas produced by the company. Scandinavia is also the source of inspiration for the colorful brand. Not only because of the cold weather, but also through its sleek design Løv regularly wends through Europe’s north.

Fruity infusions, herbal blends and in-house creations – Løv organic tea offers a great range of teas produced without artificial additives or chemically processed ingredients. Solely natural products from organic cultivation are used for the creation of the tea collection and Løv has therefore also won international certifications for the organic production. Taste the tea and you will know why.

Loose tea or tea bags, which ever you prefer – Løv is available online or in one of the stores popping up in major cities around the world. And don’t be shy buying Løv organic tea, the sustainable packaging can be recycled. You need a refill? No problem. Just take your Løv tea container to the next store and fill it up.

Get a taste of Løv tea at Ruby Sofie or Ruby Marie.

2016 – new year, new start, new challenges. But before the serious part starts, we should all have a blast at one of Vienna’s New Year’s parties. Here are our suggestions for your perfect party night:

Join us for a few drinks and watching the fireworks on our bar terrace at Ruby Marie. Grab a drink at the bar and enjoy the color explosions in the sky with some good music in the background. It is still the secret new hotspot of the city, be the first to ring in New Year’s Eve at Ruby Marie (check out the Facebook Event)

„Take a mask and wear it well, so your identity no one can tell“ - You are the show!

Masquerade Society is the New Year’s party theme of Lutz Club. Mystical masks, hidden thrill and a lot of excitement awaits you at this party… The best preconditions for an intriguing 2016!

Enjoy an eclectic party night at the Volksgarten - the legendary New Year’s Eve party with top house DJ’s on three floors is a spectacular start to 2016. Be part of a miraculous party!

The best comes last – the fabulous New Year’s Eve Gala will be taking place for the last time at the Pratersauna. Time to say Goodbye and rave into the new year with more than 30 artists on four floors. It will be a legendary closing party, don’t miss it.

Happy New Year 2016!

Dream-realizers, risk-takers and adventure-seekers listen up!

Have you always dreamt of launching your own retail business? You have the spirit to make it happen? And you have already vigorously worked on your own product or service and the only missing part is an area to present it offline? Then Brickspaces is the right place to find your pop-up store area!

Pop-up stores are a simple and fancy-free way to effectively gather information from customers. Represented in 420 locations in Germany and Austria, Brickspaces has a variety of stores, showrooms, yards and event locations for your business with short and long term retail areas. Especially start-ups will profit from the Brickspaces network with business connections, which offer paying systems, temporary staff and feedback collecting platforms.

What’s in it for you?

Whether you have your own label, need an exhibition area or want to present your craftsmanship, we want to hear from you! Let the creativity flow and inspire us with your entrepreneurial ideas – together with Brickspaces we offer three of the most promising ideas a one-month free pop-up store space in our new Ruby Hotel Marie in Vienna. Hand in your proposal here and keep your fingers crossed for the online voting.

Stay tuned!

A neighborhood of contrasts in the heart of Vienna

Where urban nomads mingle with like-minded folks and culturepreneurs trend scout, where modern art encounters neo-renaissance architecture and cobblestone paved side streets lead the way to graffiti painted house walls. Simply, where contemporary meets tradition and does not clash, but smoothly merges.

Bourgeois clichés are part of Vienna’s past: have a traditional cup of Viennese coffee in one of the small individual cafés and take in the eclectic mix of bohemian flair and historic charm in the 7th district. The young and trendy restaurants blend in with the surrounding and create a haven for locals and travellers alike. Wirr is one of those restaurants where you can enjoy a good meal and dip into the modern Viennese lifestyle.

The diversity of fashion stores is a trademark of the 7th district. Second-hand vintage stores line up next to boutiques with the newest national and international labels. For instance, Burggasse 24 is a vintage fashion store with an industrial design. Burggasse 24 is also a concept store, so while you shop, you can also enjoy a drink. Strolling through the streets of this district will definitely inspire your wardrobe.

Mariahilfer Straße is the most popular shopping street of Vienna and runs through the 7th district. With its vibrant atmosphere and range of stores it is definitely a place to be. Also check-out some of the side streets for individual boutiques and concept stores that essentially characterise this district.  

Make sure to also visit the Museums Quartier, an artsy square encircled by modern art museums. It is a cultural highlight of Vienna and located in the heart of the city, the 7th district.

And, of course, stay at Ruby Marie – our newest hotel in Vienna opening next week! Discover Vienna and book your stay here: http://www.marie.ruby-hotels.com/

When the smell of gingerbread is in the air, the sparkling lights are up in the streets and Last Christmas is, once again, endlessly played in the radio, then the festive season of the year has begun. But, now is also the time for some hot Glühwein, Christmas shopping and socializing on one of Vienna’s fabulous Christmas markets. 

Vienna offers a multitude of diverse Christmas markets meeting everyone’s taste – from traditional and classical markets to artsy and crazy ones. And should you have more time, why not discover Vienna in a Christmas Market tour?

Here are the top 5 Christmas Markets in Vienna you shouldn’t miss this year:

Six artsy ice pavilions and innovative light installations are the MQ Christmas market trademarks, making it a popular alternative Christmas market. And a varying DJ program adds the perfect sound. Don’t miss out on this: The Q21’s ArtBox presents “A Pretty Christmas Mess” exhibition by Daniel Spoerri. As a Christmas treat for all visitors, this exhibition is free.  

Opened from 5th of November to 23rd of December at the MuseumsQuartier, 1070 Vienna

Pink Christmas – this so called rainbow Christmas market brings color and diversity to Vienna. Enjoy your Glühwein watching music performances on Vienna’s most famous Christmas market location, the Naschmarkt, and experience a crazy version of a Christmas market with over 60 Christmas stalls.

Opened from 20th of November to 23rd of December at the Naschmarkt, 1060 Vienna

Schloss Belvedere is a famous attraction in Vienna, but is even more worthwhile seeing during Christmas. Enjoy a stunning view of the illuminated castle with a cup of Glühwein and some traditional culinary delicacies. A classical and romantic Christmas Market only a couple of minutes away from Ruby Sofie.

Opened from the 20th of November to the 23rd of December at Haupttor Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, Tor Südbahnhof, 1030 Wien

Austrian craftsmanship and art are in the center of the ART Advent Market – handmade products, a live music program and theatre shows comprise the framework program. The perfect place to get some gift inspirations!

Opened from 20th of November to 23rd of December at Karlsplatz.

The Spittelberg Christmas Market is a small journey through the cultural history of Vienna. Three streets make up the Christmas Market, guiding all visitors along kitschy but nevertheless adorably pretty back alleys of Vienna.  

Opened from the 13th of November to 23rd of December at Spittelberggasse 3, 1070 Vienna

We've teamed up with This Human World, the International Human Rights Festival taking place from 3.12. - 11.12 in different cinemas around Vienna. 

It is nothing new – human rights are violated every day around the world and making people aware of these violations is vital. With powerful visual images This Human World film festival creates a lasting impression in the minds of the audience and triggers change in the way one looks at the world.

Various international documentaries, stories and films will be shown in the course of the festival, addressing human rights issues with different social and cultural backgrounds. Individual as well as society based human rights violations find their way onto the screen and give insight into problems that are not visible at first glance.

Whether the role of women in society, the strenuous journey of immigrants or sexual orientation – the films shown at this festival offer an artistic approach and visually demonstrate how individuals struggle with their fate. The complex nature of artistic movies has the power to generate thoughts and ideally creates a discussion topic were ideas are exchanged.

This Human World also encourages young filmmakers to contribute with their own projects combining a spirit of learning with confronting themselves with social problems. Don’t look away, take action!

Find the whole film program for This Human World here.

Win 2x2 VIP tickets to the premiere on 3.12. at 20:00 in Gartenbaukino. All you have to do is LIKE and COMMENT our post on the Ruby Hotels Facebook page. 

Need some help with the content of your wardrobe? Two ladies with an entrepreneurial spirit and heaps of trendy fashion ideas have addressed this problem with their new business: Pur Style. As your personal fashion advisors, they have the tips and tricks to create your own unique fashion style.

And this is how you can fully indulge yourself: begin with a wardrobe check, continue with a styling session tailored to your personal taste and finally head off to your personal shopping tour. Of course, you can also pick one of the offers on its own.

A chat over coffee gave us some insight into trends, fashion and making every-day-life easier. Here is a snippet of the conversation with the founders Jasmin and Mojca.

You turned your fashion blog into a business. How did that come about?

We started our blog irayaa.com five years ago, and about one year ago we decided to found our business Pur Style Fashion Stylists. During the development of the business we decided to start with a second blog purstyle.net so we can make the name Pur Style previously known in Austria. That worked out well and now we finally turned our passion into a fashion business.

Personal shopping is still widely unknown – how do you proceed and who are you targeting?

We don’t share the opinion that Personal Shopping is unknown, because it’s trending online since a few years, just think of the online shop Outfittery. Personal stylists become more and more known in the fashion industry. But of course, for private people the idea of having their own personal stylists is something new in Austria - it is more known in cities like London, Paris, Berlin or New York. But as we all need to get dressed everyday and want to make a certain impression, we are offering personal styling for every budget and every occasion. Our target group are people who need a wardrobe check for example if they are moving, need a seasonal wardrobe update, a special styling for gala dinners, job interviews or weddings. We are also offering specials like finding the perfect pair of jeans, high heels shopping or style-parties.

Please, tell us a secret: where do scout for new fashion trends?

We are inspired by people in the streets, cities, vintage shops, fashion blogs, magazines, books and art.

In your opinion, which fashion must-have should every woman have in her wardrobe this winter?

This winter you definitely need to have a long oversize coat, faux fur, a sequin jacket, a velvet suit, over knee boots, dark red nail and lip colour and a pair of flared jeans.

Many women stand in front of their packed wardrobe every day asking themselves, what should I wear today? Can you give us a tip to make life easier?

You should invest in basics like black or dark blue jeans, black and white blouses and a boyfriend blazer. With all these items you can combine all your coloured or patterned shirts, scarfs, skirts and accessories. For a glamorous evening event you definitely need a little black dress.