A concierge takes care of your luggage and the cab to the airport. If you put “Experience” in front of the job title, you get what is probably the coolest job in the Dolomites. This has been snapped up by 36-year-old South Tyrolean René Castagnaro, who ensures that adrenaline junkies and sports fanatics get their money’s worth at the new Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz.
FACES: How did you get into the hotel industry and your job as an Experience Concierge?
René Castagnaro: That’s actually a very funny story. I got bored during the first lockdown and browsed Instagram. An advertisement with the slogan “The dream job for summiteers” appeared out of nowhere! Done Deal. (laughs)
F: What exactly does an Experience Concierge do, and what does a normal working day look like for you?
RC: The mission of an Experience Concierge is to make your guests’ vacation as unforgettable as possible with unique mountain experiences and moments. Exceeding expectations, creating memories!
F: Why should we definitely stay with you?
RC: Because we have a unique and the coolest hotel structure in South Tyrol. This includes a super innovative F&B concept (7Summit), an experience concierge who plans unique and tailor-made experiences and a design by star architect Matteo Thun. We are also located right at the foot of Kronplatz, the number one ski and adventure area in Europe.
F: What do hosts need to think about that others don’t?
RC: Sustainability and ethics.
F: What are you worrying too much about?
RC: About the future.
F: What are you like as a host?
RC: Unique and attentive!
F: What qualities does a good host need?
RC: A really good host sees when a guest is looking for attention and satisfies it. He also sees when a guest is looking for peace and quiet and keeps a low profile.
F: What do you like most about guests?
RC: What I like most about our guests is that they are enthusiastic about the hosts’ innovation and relaxed manner. There are never any guests who are more or less popular, all guests in the house are treated equally.
F: What do you dislike in guests?
RC: Arrogance perhaps and a matter of course.
F: How have the demands of your guests changed in recent years?
RC: Our guests come to me with lots of questions about our activities and experiences, which is why my activity program and the partners and third-party providers need to be very well prepared. Standards have risen considerably; the five-star hotel industry and our slogan “Unique Mountain Experience” set the bar very high.
F: As an Experience Concierge, you will experience an exciting daily routine. What story do you have to tell us?
RC: When we had planned to land on the summit of the Peitlerkofel during a video shoot and let me climb up there to take a really stunning shot. It even required a permit from the aviation authority. Once we had really completed all the red tape, we flew there at sunrise and couldn’t land at the top because an elderly couple were enjoying the view and I didn’t want to disturb them. So fail. (laughs)
F: What do you look out for when staying out yourself or putting yourself in the hands of other hosts?
RC: Cleanliness, cool design and the bar.
F: What experience is still on your bucket list?
RC: Standing on the highest peak in the world!
F: Where is your own bed?
RC: In Elvas near Brixen, in our family home with a beautiful garden and my own barbecue hut.
That’s what René Castagnaro from…
Cruise ships…
lacks the freedom of the mountains.
Buffet meal…
I love our breakfast…
Tip…
is nice.
Dogs in the restaurant & hotel…
even get a treatment in their room.
Children in the restaurant & hotel…
welcome from the age of 14.
Dress codes…
are not available in our company.
TripAdvisor…
is informative.
Sustainability…
is indispensable.
Skills shortage…
requires creativity and flexibility.
Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz
Five stars illuminate the name of the Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz in South Tyrol. And the adults-only hotel has not only earned this with its design by star architect Matteo Thun. In addition to the stylish 97 rooms and suites, guests are treated to culinary delights with the hotel’s own slow food concept (which includes its own bakery and a perma herb garden) and unique sporting experiences that Experience Concierege René Castagnaro tailors to guests under the motto “By mountain lovers for mountain lovers”. In addition, the 25-metre-long rooftop pool with panoramic sunbathing area, its own indoor climbing wall and the Acquapura Mountain Spa ensure that every desire for relaxation is fulfilled here.
Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz, Seilbahnstrasse 1c, 39031 Reischach/Bruneck (BZ), South Tyrol, Italy, falkensteiner.com
René Castagnaro
René Castagnaro is the first ever Experience Concierge. Normally, the 36-year-old South Tyrolean scrambles around in the Dolomites and eats his Nutella bread on the summit early in the morning at sunrise. Before his employment, he scored goals as a professional player in the Italian Hockey League and then coordinated the Freestyle Snowboard FIS World Cup. His circle of friends consists of the boys and girls who regularly stand on the podium for South Tyrol in various sports. René Castagnaro gives his all for his guests – despite his fear of heights.
