June 3, 2003 - Pack your bags and kiss your boss goodbye. In a case of Survivor meets Monopoly, one lucky winner will head to the renowned Kimberley Hotel on the Scottish coast to assume the position of new owner and manager-all taxes paid.  The property hits the market in a most unusual way-this summer the present owners will draw the name of one lucky person from 350,000 entries who pay just $11 and correctly answer three questions posted on the hotel's website. Nearly 140,000 hopeful hoteliers have already signed on for a chance to change their lives, and are waiting for their fate to be sealed in a live Internet broadcast. "After six wonderful years, my partners and I have decided that our daily jobs in Austria prevent us from spending as much time as we would like to manage this historic, panoramic and profitable

The Kimberley Hotel is a handsome Victorian mansion (1886) of classic ambience which has been completely renovated in 1997/98. At the same time the new owners have been careful to retain the traditional Scottish features of the interior, both in the furnishings and architectural features.

You can look this gift horse in the mouth. The romantic 17-room Victorian hotel, dating from 1886, was recently modernized and completely re-furbished, remaining true to the traditional Scottish furnishings and architecture.  Amenities include a highly rated restaurant, a conservatory with panoramic views, a large garden, ample parking on the grounds and even a resident ghost.  The property overlooks Oban Bay and the Hebridean Islands and is a few minutes' walk from the Scottish harbor town of Oban, which is known for its whisky and close proximity to several world-class golf courses. 

The hotel is in top condition with a net asset value of nearly $2 million (2,260,000 Euros) not including the projected earning rate of over $85,000 (100,000 Euros), and has no mortgages or other hidden costs. The winner gets the hotel complete with staff, management, suppliers and a great many bookings for summer 2003. The only condition is that the eventual winner continue to run the Kimberley as a hotel for the rest of the season before contemplating any other use.

Entries are being accepted online until June 30, 2003, and the raffle will be broadcast live on the Internet in mid-July. A notary will monitor the proceedings. In addition to the grand prize, there are 20 second prizes of a week's stay for two at the hotel. Participants' accounts will not be charged until the drawing takes place, which will only occur if a total of 350,000 virtual slates are purchased. In the event that the raffle does not draw 350,000 entrants, Baldauf will place the property on the conventional market.  Already, four potential buyers are bidding on the hotel.