Central curtain surrounds emergency exit, hiding whilst revealing.

Moving up from reception the first floor (second if you are from the USA, where ground is one to our zero)contains the conference rooms and the restaurant, and is hybrid in design with the timber panneling and carpet of the Reception, whilst the restaurant is a very successful design mix of the bright and cheerful with the sophisticated.

One side has booths in cheerful colours making an area that works well at breakfast but provides private areas for children or others separate from the main dining area. The main area has a wave effect blue ceiling with fibre optic lighting relieving its darkness and helping the sophisticated effect achieved through the use of rich fabric colours balanced against the gleam of the chafing dishes, cutlery and crockery. Enhanced by superb service from friendly and effective multi-lingual staff (the Hilton team here is a cut above other hotels staff)this provides for a service that happily works for sophisticated casino players as well as family groups.

The design effectively integrates the operational, with the design allowing the buffet chafing dishes to become a feature. Whilst service is excellent and staff here exceptional the effective inclusion of the operation in the design makes it easier to achive pride in perfomance.

Corridors have been given new signage and lighting, and at their ends are views at right angles to the bedroom across to the mountains in all direcions as well as down into the streets of Innsbruck. Rollover to see the lift and other side of the same corr

Moving on up to the bedroom floor the design changes become more apparent. A cooler colour scheme has been used with a more restrained contemporary design ethos being evident. New signage is also restrained whilst clear in use and the overall effect is clean and contemporary.

Space is quite generous and the 'H' floor plan makes corridors short, whilst the windows at the ends give beautiful views across the city to the mountains and the vertiginous Olympic ski jump.

One notable introduction the hotel has made is an effective high speed internet connection. Free to use, this relies on the mains electrical system, and the in-house expert loves the system, as it enables him to plug a wireless router into any power outlet in the building to create a local intranet for conferences or business meetings. A guest receives an access code from reception, based on date and room number, that enables them to simply plug in their laptop and get online. Using the mains cabling kept installation costs low and avoids the interference spread of signals resulting from a wifi installation. It is very efficient and works well in use. The fact it is free enhances the competitive appeal of the hotel.

The connection is hidden in the back of the bedroom workdesk providing a neat installation where it is needed and the desk itself is large and well lit - part of a large and well lit bedroom, as the room plans are generous with space.