You can’t be what you can’t see
Barbara Göttling is celebrating a significant anniversary this year: the ten-year anniversary of Park Hyatt Vienna, marking a decade of great moments. In an interview, the new General Manager of the Park Hyatt Vienna reveals what she and her team have planned for the hotel’s milestone anniversary.
Text:
CLAUDIO HONSAL
Photos:
HERBERT LEHMANN
Barbara Göttling, a true “innkeeper’s child” from Weinviertel, was born into the hospitality industry. Gastronomy and hotel management have always been her dream jobs. After completing tourism school and working in various 5-star luxury hotels in St. Moritz and Berlin, Göttling began her rapid career within the Hyatt Group in Vienna, starting at Park Hyatt Vienna in 2013. By 2018, she was the Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing for both Park Hyatt Vienna and Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere, and in 2021, she was promoted to Hotel Manager of Park Hyatt Vienna. Last year, at 40, Göttling became the new General Manager of Park Hyatt Vienna.
You’ve been the General Manager at Park Hyatt Vienna for a year now. What has changed for you personally since taking office?
Incredible, it feels like a week. Well, it was an exciting year in this new position with even more responsibility and a slightly different approach to problem-solving. And, after the challenging past years – I’d prefer to erase the word ‘pandemic’ from my vocabulary – it was probably the first “normal” year for all of us with intense staff training and further quality optimization. I had to learn to delegate more tasks and view the operation as a whole business case. However, I continue to maintain direct contact with our regular guests and love making my rounds through the house. I’m not a director who hides!
Has anything changed in the hotel this year?
You are celebrating ten years of Park Hyatt Vienna this year. What specific plans do you have for the anniversary celebrations?
Exactly on June 2, 2014, we had our very first guest here at Am Hof. I was already involved in the preparation work and final renovations of the former bank building. We will start celebrating directly into June 2 on the first weekend of June. Live music, great food, here in The Bank Brasserie & Bar. It will be a celebration for everyone who ultimately made the success of Park Hyatt Vienna possible – from regular guests and spa members to suppliers, customers, partners, etc. We have also created a unique Park Hyatt Vienna collection in cooperation with “Mode Wien,” which will only be available on this anniversary evening. The proceeds from the design pieces – ready-to-wear fashion such as coats, scarves, etc. – will go entirely to MOMO Children’s Hospice.
Has everything you envisioned for Park Hyatt Vienna been realized over these ten years?
Absolutely. Following the motto “You can’t be what you can’t see,” we have been able to implement all our plans and especially establish a luxury hotel in the heart of Vienna that has been fully embraced not only by tourists but also by the Viennese with our restaurants, spa, and bar. Mission accomplished!
Thank you for the interview.
BIOGRAPHY
BARBARA GÖTTLING, born in 1983 in Vienna, grew up in her parents’ restaurant business in Weinviertel. After attending tourism school in Vienna, she worked in St. Moritz, Palais Coburg Vienna, Grand Hyatt Berlin, helped establish the restaurant and event location Badeschiff Vienna, worked at Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom, and in 2013 returned to the Hyatt Group at Park Hyatt Vienna and later at Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere. In June 2021, Göttling took over as Hotel Manager at Park Hyatt Vienna, and since April 2023, she has been working as the General Manager. Göttling is married and loves sports and traveling.