“Creating an odor-free cigar lounge has benefited everyone, including our bank balance,” says Holger Schroth, general manager of Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, in Munich, Germany.
The 305-room hotel was built in 1858 as the guest house for those invited by Emperor Maximilian II. On Munich’s important Maximilianstrasse, named in honor of its owner, the hotel has always been a trend-setter – when it opened it had more light bulbs than the whole city.
A few years ago an intimate room set discreetly behind the lobby was converted into a Davidoff Cigar Lounge, but as all non-smokers know, often to their distaste, memories of even one cigar linger for a long time. This was also a health hazard for the teams from the 360-strong staff complement who had to clean that space.
In 2018, then-CEO of Kempinski Hotels S.A., Markus Semer, suggested a partnership with Airkel, a circulation air-flow company. The lounge’s floor and ceiling are punctured with minute holes that allow air to move upwards continuously. Clean air is blown up through the entire surface of the floor, taking smoke and odor up, to be extracted through the ceiling.
Interior designer Colin Finnegan created a traditional club space, with lots of wood, leather and copper highlighted by hand-blown lamps from the Czech Republic. There are, in addition, 15 private humidors, which aficionados can rent to store their precious cigars. The hotel also partners with Max Zechbauer Tabakwaren GmbH & Co. KG, a company started in 1860: Its main store is a quarter of a mile away.
Kempinski Cigar Lounge by Zechbauer opened in August 2018. It is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m, and it seats 20 at any one time. Under German law, all patrons must be at least 18 years. Although no exact records are kept, every weekday an average of 50 to 60 cigar smokers patronize the lounge, with weekend numbers going up to at least 80 a day. About 30% of those using the lounge are staying in the hotel, with 70% coming in from outside, at no entry charge. They can also bring in their own cigars.
“Entry to the lounge is, however, through our Zechbauer Cigar shop, which we actively promote as much as we can. The shop is open 12 noon through to 8 p.m. – outside of those hours, people can enter the lounge direct,” Schroth explained. The shop stocks such brands as Arturo Fuente, Davidoff, Cohiba and Daniel Marshall, alongside Zechbauer’s famous Royales, from Costa Rica.
It is difficult to measure return on investment, since legally only beverages, no food, are permitted in the lounge. The hotel’s Lobby & Bar and restaurants all notice extra business from those who have been smoking in the lounge.
“We do absolutely think the lounge encourages people to stay at Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski rather than with competitors,” said Schroth.