A new three-star hotel in the picturesque lakeside town of Rust am See, in the Burgenand region of Austria, is expanding the accommodation offering for visitors to the Lake Neusiedl area. Hotel Katamaran meets the needs of cyclists, wine lovers and cultural travellers looking for a short break, and also appeals to guests at the many weddings that take place in Rust each year. The hotel was built with support from the European Regional Development Fund, and brings an extra 25 000 overnight stays a year to the town.
New hotel in Rust am See draws more visitors to Austrian lakeside town
- 21 November 2019
Without funding, I would have had to build on a much smaller scale. But then it wouldn't be so profitable, because staff costs wouldn't be reduced accordingly.
The hotel, which provides ‘bed and breakfast’ accommodation, is just over 1 km from owner Anton Polleres’ other local business, the popular Seerestaurant Katamaran. It has created the equivalent of 5.5 jobs, and is managed by the owner’s daughter, reinforcing the Polleres family’s commitment to the town.
With 44 rooms, three of which are wheelchair-friendly, the hotel can accommodate up to 100 guests. Each room has a dedicated parking spot, and for guests on two wheels, a secure bicycle room is provided, and a charging station for e-bikes. The hotel has developed links with three bicycle stores in Rust, to cater to those who want to sightsee by bike.
Contributing to a stronger local economy
The establishment of the hotel has benefited many other small businesses in the region. These include wine taverns and coffee shops, taxi companies and even the local farmer who takes the wedding parties by carriage from the hotel to Seerestaurant Katamaran, which overlooks the lake.
Hotel Katamaran also delivers a stream of guests to local restaurants. As Polleres decided not to have a restaurant at the Katamaran, guests can choose from one of the many establishments within walking distance, and enjoy a nightcap at the hotel’s bar.
Regenerating the town
Built on the site of a former restaurant that had been closed for many years, the Hotel Katamaran has contributed to the regeneration of the area. Polleres worked with a construction company from Burgenland to build the new hotel using a wood frame structure, speeding up the project.
The new hotel offers the perfect base for visiting Rust and its many architectural gems, including the Fisherman’s Church and Burgenland’s oldest, playable organ, dating from 1705. The hotel staff know the area well, and can advise guests on interesting local sights, activities and excursions.
The additional accommodation in Rust has helped the town become a popular destination throughout the year, not only during the busy summer season, when the lake and associated activities are the main draw for visitors. Rust is now home to a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including a Christmas market.
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Hotel Katamaran – welcoming visitors to Rust am SeeTotal investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Construction of the hotel "Katamaran" in Rust am See” is EUR 3 103 279, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 744 787 through the “Investments in Growth and Employment Austria” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “SMEs competitiveness”.