Welcome to the five-star hotel Gran Meliá de Mar Mallorca and the bay of Illetas!

It is no secret that the Mallorcan government wants to enhance the image of the popular Balearic island. More luxury tourism instead of the typical S’Arenal tourism. Instead of building new hotels, the existing buildings are renovated and new standards are set for old houses.

The five-star resort Gran Meliá de Mar is located directly by the sea in the bay of Illetas, away from the buzzling city of Palma – not far from the marina Puerto Portals and the Real Bendinat Golf Club. An oasis of peace in the middle of a garden lined with palm trees and pines. And a predestined location, which the hotel owes to its origins in 1964, when building near water was still permitted.

Ingenious: The chocolate-brown hotel façade with its filigree wooden trellises.The building dates from the 60’s, designed by the renowned architect José Antonio Coderch

Four years ago, the award-winning Spanish team of architect Alvaro Sans gave the listed building new splendour and ingeniously staged the chocolate-brown façade with filigree wooden trellises. Since then, the 142-room and suite hotel has belonged to the luxury category and offers sophisticated gastronomy in three restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, gym, a spa and wellness area.

Pleasant atmosphere: The modern, bright lobby with its casual lounge furniture

Welcome to paradise

In the modern, bright lobby with its casual lounge furniture and Mediterranean colour concept, the friendly doorman welcomes arriving guests with a glass of sparkling Cava. Cheers! My spacious suite is located on the second floor and offers a magnificent view of the turquoise Mediterranean from both the king size bed and the balconies. Simply unbeatable.

From my suite I enjoy the spectacular view of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea.

Waking up at the Gran Melia de Mar

How do I organize the day? Once on the treadmill in the hotel’s own gym while looking at the sea? I could also book a private yoga lesson, take a few lanes in the sky pool or jump from the hotel’s private beach into the Mediterranean Sea, in order to doze lazily on the comfortable loungers at the pool afterwards. From there I get up at best to have a delicious lunch in the chic “Bardot” bistro – consisting of fish tempura  and chicken wok. By the way, the demanding audience appears here for lunch in well-groomed clothes.

I particularly like the “Bardot” bistro in its black and white retro design

Speaking of dozing: In the Gran Meliá de Mar, one finds enough lying and sitting areas, whether in the idyllic garden, on the luxurious daybeds around the pool or the romantic rock bay with its small private beach. I could easily spend the whole day here, which I additionally enrich with a massage in the “Clarins” Spa. And although Palma attracts with its charming old town, the impressive cathedral, the sophisticated shops, cafés and restaurants, I do not want to leave the Gran Meliá de Mar. I decide on freshly caught fish in the highly acclaimed gourmet restaurant “Arrels” (Spanish for roots). The culinary concept of the “Arrels” – one of three restaurants in the Gran Meliá de Mar – comes from the Majorcan top chef Marga Coll. After this culinary delight I end my perfect evening with a Rosato and this incomparable view to the sea. BvH

If you want to be spoiled all around, book the Red Level Card and enjoy the benefits of the lounge with e.g. VIP check-in and late checkout

Gran Meliá de Mar Insider Tip:

If you want to be spoiled all around, book the Red Level Card and enjoy the benefits of the lounge with its non-stop food and drinks. Here I can have breakfast in a relaxed atmosphere, order eggs as I wish from the butler while I study the daily newspaper of my choice. The Red Level Card also includes VIP check-in and late checkout, free parking, coffee and tea making in my suite or free access to the spa area and “Spa by Clarins”.

The View from the Red Level Lounge to the ocean. So cool!

In the Red Level Lounge I also can enjoy a wonderful breakfast in quiet atmosphere

Hello ocean!

How nice: Delicious macarons are ready to welcome me

My suite is equipped with a kitchenette, Nespresso machine and kettle …

…and from both – the bathroom and the comfortable king size bed – I can look out to the Mediterranean

In the bathroom there is a big whirlpool and XL products by Clarins

Gran Meliá de Mar – an oasis of tranquillity and silence – and therefore exclusively reserved for adults

Let’s go from the hotel’s beach directly into the Mediterranean Sea…

…which is only a ten minutes drive by car from the centre of Palma, located the southwest of Mallorca

Nestled by massive rocks, I enjoy the privacy of the small, dreamy bay

In 2016 the impressive 14,000 square metre garden was redesigned. Here I found various terraces, pools and numerous lying areas…

…as here by the pool which is surrounded and equipped with üItalian and Spanish furniture design

The Gran Meliá de Mar is one of The Leading Hotels of the World. A double room starts from 390 Euros

I particularly like the “Bardot” bistro in its black and white retro design:

For lunch I have delicous Fish Tempura (22 Euros)…

…followed by a yummy Chicken-Wok (26 Euros)

Once again the beautiful private bay

Shadows in front of a the 60s façade which is, by the way, under monumental protection

The “Spa by Clarins” has a sauna, a steam bath and a small indoor pool. A 60-minute massage costs 100 Euros, facials from 140 Euros

After my massage, I relax on one of the comfortable daybeds and enjoy the unique view

The Gran Meliá de Mar is also known as the “Chocolate Hotel” because of its peerless chocolate brown façade made of shiny ceramic tiles

For a nightcap I recommend the chic “Amaro-Bar”: Salud!

Contact:

Gran Meliá de Mar Mallorca

The Gran Meliá de Mar invited me.
More of my personal travel tips you can find here.

Do not miss: The special Mallorca report “A perfect day in Palma” – coming soon on MyStylery!

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Hotel Schloss Fleesensee in Germany’s North, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

The luxury hotel Schloss Fleesensee resides in the land of 1,000 lakes and amidst the beautiful nature of the Mecklenburg Lake District. In 2014 Schloss Fleesensee was taken over by the Düsseldorf investment group 12.18. and awakened from its slumber. The neo-baroque castle with its 3.5-hectare park has been lavishly renovated since its reopening in 2016. I already knew the hotel from times when it was managed by the Radisson Blu Group. And I was curious about what would await me in the middle of the natural landscape of Müritz. I didn’t get disappointed.

…lavishly renovated since its reopening in 2016: Schloss Fleesensee

With 179 rooms and suites, the hotel was given a completely new concept based on three pillars: Schloss Hotel, Schloss Spa, Schloss Golf*. In the spa of the castle, those seeking relaxation can expect an innovative sauna landscape, various beauty and massage treatments, a gym and a 25-metre-long, heated outdoor pool on three floors with a total area of 2,500 square meters (more on this soon on MyStylery).

Me in front of the imposing park backdrop with adjacent golf course

The history of Schloss Fleesensee would be the perfect material for an exciting film project: built in 1842 by Ludwig Graf von Blücher, completely destroyed by fire in 1912, the building experienced an eventful history after its reconstruction. After the end of the Second World War, the castle had been converted into a military hospital by the Soviet army. During the GDR era, the venerable walls accommodated several families, the municipal administration, a nursery school, a consumer shop and an egg collecting point. Immediately after the fall of communism, the first investor attempted to run a hotel business – and failed. It was only in the last few years that tourism in the Mecklenburg Lake District really began to gain momentum. A region with potential, which the new owners realised.

The imposing staircase including the gallery. In the lobby, circular light installations set modern accents. And the deer trophy welcomes arriving guests

Even the entrance of the castle is fascinating: a large hall with floor to ceiling walls and an eye-catching spiral wooden staircase with an adjoining gallery welcomes the visitor. My gaze scurries past impressive hunting trophies and remains on the large open fireplace, in which a cosy fire crackles. And I immediately notice: I feel comfortable here, I want to stay where I am.

The library “Wine and Book”

Also in the library and winter garden – my favourite rooms at Schloss Fleesensee with a view over the extensive park – a cosy fireplace keeps you warm. Can there be anything better than getting warmed up after a long walk in the winterly nature around a fireplace? Even in the spa area, the design team of the Düsseldorf architect Kitzig skilfully installed fireplaces as room dividers. A colour concept in warm earth tones and an elegant, classic interior underline the feeling of well-being.

Breakfast is served until 11 am in the Orangery. A very welcoming option for me as a late riser

Hungry? Well, then off to the restaurants Blüchers, Orangerie or Schlosstafel. Especially the gastronomy concept with numerous products from their own cultivation and meat from their own cattle breeding convinced me. The vegetable beds on 3,000 square metres are located directly on the castle golf course. Regional fruit and vegetable varieties thrive in a 1,200-square metre greenhouse. For breakfast, fresh eggs from the South American Araucana chickens are served to the guest in Schloss Fleesensee. There is no question that even the chickens at Schloss Fleesensee are housed in first-class accommodations – after all, they are kept in a modern chicken mobile. At this place, the world still seems to be fine. BvH

The gourmet restaurant “Blüchers” now resides in the former castle chapel,where guests can choose between menu and à la carte dishes

Culinary info:

Georg Walther, chef at Schloss Fleesensee, focuses on regional products and has been awarded 15 points by the French Gault Millau for his reinterpreted classics as the newcomer of the year. This makes the “Blüchers” one of the best restaurants in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Since Schloss Fleesensee has been run under the direction of its new operators, sustainable agriculture has been practised on almost five hectares of land at Schloss Fleesensee.

My suite in the main house of Schloss Fleesensee, where apple juice from the own farm is available for the guest

My tip:

Treat yourself with a suite in the main building of the castle with separate living room and bedroom. This is where the first 22 rooms were designed according to the new interior concept. Here you dream on luxurious box beds, whose headboard is covered with soft Alcantara. The walk-in wardrobe with generous storage space and the chests of drawers made of fine wood are adorned with leather handles. The salon features velvet armchairs, leather sofas and velvet curtains in warm earth and cognac tones. I find the colour-changing carpet very beautiful, which picks up baroque patterns in a washed-out look. The walls are partly wallpapered, partly in a soft grey tone, on which the black-and-white photographs with nature and animal motifs come out well. In the black and white marble bathroom, there is an XL shower, a bathtub and Molton Brown products, hair dryer, bathrobe, slippers and enough towels.

The black and white marble bathroom with XL shower, bathtub and Molton Brown products

Master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe

One of three oval windows of my suite with a view over the castle driveway

The winter garden – my favourite room…

…and a view into the 3.5-hectare castle park

The “Wine and Book” library, in the background the “Bar 1842″…

… where delicious aperitifs are mixed

No worries, the wild boar doesn’t do anything anymore

The Outdoorpool at the Schloss Spa

Comfortable ambience inside the spa

The 179 rooms and suites hotel Schloss Fleesensee in its neo-baroque style is located in the northern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Info Schloss Golf*:

72 greens and five golf courses: This makes Schloss Fleesensee one of the largest golf resorts in Europe. Directly adjacent to the castle is the Schloss Platz, a golf course that demands a high standard of performance from its players. On the other hand, the 18-hole course offers historical views into a fantastic landscape architecture, which goes back to the famous landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné.

Four more courses await golfers at the Fleesensee Golf and Country Club: Two 18-hole courses and two 9-hole courses in different game levels. If you want to improve your tee, you can do so under the guidance of golf pro Sven Strüver or refresh your skills in the Golf Academy.

Golfing at Schloss Fleesensee: Tee-off with a view

Contact Schloss Fleesensee:

schlosshotel-fleesensee.com

More travel reports you can find here.

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Welcome to the Roomers Munich! The heart of the Roomers lobby is the round reception desk in green marble and mat brass

The Munich Oktoberfest started already, and thus the question as to where to best stay emerges. You still have no place to stay? Maybe there is still an available room in the trendy Roomers Hotel. Landsberger Straße is close to the main train station and Theresienwiese (where the Oktoberfest takes place). Opened in September 2017, the hotel is centrally located in Munich’s Westend district. An area that is gilded as a new in-quarter of the Bavarian metropolis. But that – as to my impression – seems to be something of the future.

The Roomers in Munich: the right address for design lovers

After six years of refurbishment, the successful hoteliers Micky Rosen and Alex Urseanu – the creators of the Gekko Group (including the Roomers Hotels in Baden-Baden, Frankfurt and the Provocateur in Berlin), took over the former office complex. In the 80s building with its rather unspectacular façade, the two entrepreneurs installed a design hotel consisting of 281 rooms and suites ranging in size from 25 to 155 square meters, as well as various banquet rooms for events.

My Deluxe Premium Suite at the Roomers Munich

The Entrée of the Roomers welcomes the guest with a round reception, with the Roomers bar at the back. The center of the lobby is flanked by two room-high fireplaces and various inviting seating arrangements. In general, the architects at Concrete-Design Amsterdam have created a true feast for the eyes with the Roomers, according to the motto: Adieu, purism! Hello, comfort! Modern yet warm materials such as dark wood, cognac-colored leather, green velvet, mat or polished brass and marble pillars of the interior concept. Mirror effects provide selective optical enhancements.

Let’s take a selfie …

But the first thing that comes to my mind is the friendly smile of one of the receptionists who must have inhaled the DNA of the Roomers. How else could you explain her commitment and warmth? Overall, I experience attentive and competent staff during my stay, which obviously fulfilled their job with fun and joy. Incidentally, the dress code of the employees provides an official business jacket, which combines jeans and sneakers, underscoring the unconventional, casual character of the hotel.

My luxurious bathroom … I love the glass lamp on the right in the photo!

My room of the category Deluxe Premium is located on the 2nd floor. My glimpse immediately falls on the extremely comfortable king-size bed on a pedestal and a freestanding bathtub positioned in front of it. Gorgeous! In the black marble bathroom, I like the XXL rain shower, where the care products of the label Dead Clean exude a tart scent. Big plus: The separate toilet; skillfully located behind a mirror wall. The interior concept of the lobby and the choice of materials are consistently continued here. As a contrast to the black wooden floor, the walls were half-height boarded up with white wooden panels. Above, black and white photographs by Roger Weber. In the brass shelves, I find next to a Nespresso machine and the minibar decorative art by ZooZoo & Friends and an iPad for the hotel navigation. Of course, the rooms of the Roomers are equipped with high-speed internet, a Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth sound system and air conditioning. However, my personal highlight is the lighting system: annoying tinkering with which light switch belongs to which lamp is no longer necessary. Here easy-to-understand symbols on a central keyboard control the light intensity.

Easy-to-understand symbols on a central keyboard control the light intensity

The Roomers in Munich receives culinary support through the Izakaya restaurant and its upscale Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine (more on this soon in a separate article on MyStylery). The outdoor area has just opened with 30 seats. At the Izakaya, too, the Concrete Amsterdam design team created an extraordinary atmosphere with a huge, floating fish made from light beech wood as an eye-catcher. The Roomers guest is offered a breakfast buffet of the extra class. From the extent and the diversity of the food there is hardly anything comparable: From quinoa salad, beetroot humus, filled vine leaves and baked cauliflower – in line with the Israeli cuisine – the standards such as fresh fruit and juices, cereals and yogurt in all variants, Cheese, salmon, salami … And of course Leberkäse, sausages and pretzels. Because after all, we are in Bavaria.

For breakfast I treat myself with waffles with maple syrup and fresh fruit

The bigger the choice, the harder it is to choose: Eggs Benedict or rather avocado toast? I opt for the fresh waffles and love the organic Earl Gray of the label Belmondo. So much, that the friendly waitress surprised me with a sachet of tea for home. Even my favorite colleague at the front desk hands me a small bag with provisions for the journey home. “For the train ride,” she says, smiling at me. I am touched and wonder again if all this can be true? It can.  BvH 

Info Roomers Munich:

The rooms vary in sizes from 25 to 155 square meters, the latter being accounted for by the Roomers Suite on the sixth floor. This is also equipped with a Jacuzzi on the private roof terrace and – if you’re lucky – the view of the Alps. A room in the Deluxe Premium category costs an average of 320, – Euro per night. The room rates start depending on the season from 220, – Euro.

Small but nice: The rooftop bar of the Roomers with views over the rooftops of Munich

Comfortably hanging out in the Roomers lobby …

… with its elegant design …

… and provided selection of sweets

The Roomers Bar – known for its bartenders and creative drinks – also serves small snacks

In the “Crazy Library” are selected books, personally collected by the hotel owners

The bar at Izakaya restaurant…

… where you can dine excellently (more on MyStylery soon!) and also breakfast is served. And of the finest, by the way

Nice for lunch: The outdoor terrace of the restaurant with 30 seats

Cozy luxury on 28 square meters: My Deluxe Premium Suite …

… and a selfie in the black marble bathroom

A welcome from the hotel’s management: small gesture, great effect!

Need a break? Then go to the Roomers Spa by Shan Rahimkhan and let yourself be pampered. All about my wellness treatment soon on MyStylery!

Bye bye Roomers! I’ll be back – for sure …

Contact Roomers Munich:

roomers-munich.com

Here you find more travel tips!

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Caribbean feeling on Portugal’s Atlantic coast Alentejo, which stretches from Troia to Melides. Here you can see the dream beach Praia do Pega in Carvalhal

I must admit that last summer I was a bit limited in my enthusiasm for my favourite island Ibiza. Apart from the ever-increasing party tourism, the island has developed into a high-priced, overcrowded in-spot. Tables in the restaurant must be ordered weeks in advance. Hotel rooms during the season often cost 500 Euros and more per night. The beaches are full and the streets are congested. Equipped with tips from my Dusseldorf friend Guido, I went to Portugal instead of the Balearic Islands. More precisely to the Alentejo coast, a good hour’s drive south of Lisbon.

The turquoise sea, almost for me alone

First realization: They still exist, the – almost – undiscovered landscapes. Fine sandy, deserted beaches, unspoilt nature. A 60 (!) kilometre stretch of coast that was previously privately owned by Portugal’s largest banking family, Espirito Santo, and since its insolvency a few years ago has been developed gradually and under considerable environmental conditions. Whoever comes to Comporta expects NOTHING. Except pure nature. Hip nightlife, natty restaurants, glamorous luxury boutiques or award-winning seven-star hotels can’t be found in Comporta and its surroundings. Here the motto is: ociosidade relaxada – sweet and relaxed idleness. This special kind of seclusion has attracted some celebrities to the area. The painter Anselm Kiefer, shoe designer Christian Louboutin, the Cinzano family, Princess Caroline von Hannover have their latifundia in or at Comporta. Since it is known that pop star Madonna has an eye on the area, others are taking a closer look as well.

The beach bar of the restaurant Sal

These include investors who have quickly recognized the potential of Comporta and now commercialise it as the Hamptons of Europe. I don’t think the comparison is appropriate. Neither a million-dollar villa is lined up along the coast – it is not allowed to build here within a kilometre of the waterline. Still one gives something on other status symbols in Comporta. The pine forests and sandy soils remind me, as a North German, in their barrenness, rather of the North Sea island of Sylt. Passing cork oak groves, the journey from Lisbon to Comporta leads along endless rice fields in which the sky reflects and gives the impression that the rice is growing in the clouds.

How about having lunch with a view?

At Praia do Pega in Carvahal I walk in the soft, white sand into infinity, accompanied by the surf of the Atlantic Ocean, until a wave washes me into the restaurant Sal, one of only three beach restaurants in the area. In flip flops and windbreakers you are by no means underdressed here. On the contrary. The other lunch guests don’t care. And the freshly caught sole, which is served here with lemon and delicious olive oil, certainly not at all. I sit with a fantastic view of the sea and in the midst of many French people, whole clans with whom Comporta has enjoyed great popularity since its opening. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is especially nice, the food is great. So are the prices. In the otherwise rather inexpensive Portugal some restaurants as well as the only hotel near Comporta, the Sublime – a chic boutique hotel in the Cabana style – have already arrived in the upper segment.

A hint of romance in Comporta, a 1,500-inhabitant village on the coast of Alentejo

But it still exists, this originality, where the village elders sit on the market square and sip their coffees, only observed by the many storks nesting here on roofs and chimneys.  In the neighbouring village of Carvahal the espresso is still available for less than one euro and in the small restaurants you don’t pay more than five or six euros for a meal. You communicate with the older villagers with a smile and sign language – if you don’t speak Portuguese. But tourism is on the rise. In Café Eucaylptus Pastelaria, where the French interior icon Jacques Grange also likes to stop by for an espresso, I watch the landlady’s granddaughter. She counts the change in perfect English on the counter. The signs in Comporta are pointing to change. Hurry, before it happens.  BvH

In Comporta and the surrounding area bicycles are very popular

How to get to Comporta

An hour’s drive from Lisbon to Comporta. Tip: Take the ferry from Setubal to Troia. This saves time and is also a wonderful experience. Then take the N253-1 towards Comporta.

Reminds me to the restaurant Sansibar on Sylt island in Germany’s North, but infact it’s the Restaurante Sal in Carvalhal and the best address for fresh fish and delicious tapas …

… yummy yummy, the fried cuttlefish with homemade aioli …

Vegetarian options with goat cheese are also available …

…followed by a freshly caught sole. Enjoy – Aproveite sua refeição!

Nice, the striped awnings, right? In general, I like the interior concept in the Sal restaurant

The small, white houses with the terracotta-colored roofs are very typical of the area and Comporta

A hundred-year-old institution in Comporta is the shop Gomes, called “the little Harrods”. Owner Carlos Gomes offers luxury goods on demand: from pink Himalayan salt to fancy gin varieties …

… but also wines, olives and cheeses from the area. Be sure to drop by!

Fashionistas will find nice stuff in the pretty little boutique Cabeleireira…

…or at Briffa, a treasure trove of clothes and accessories with mainly Portuguese brands. Here I could rummage for hours!

Aw, if I only had a house in Comporta! Then I would shop furniture & Co at Vintage-Department, until I drop

Pure romance: Clothesline over a flowerbed in the middle of Comporta village

Since my last visit to Marrakech I have not seen as many storks as in Comporta. Tchau, tchau and adeus. I’ll be back…

More tips for Comporta

Where to stay: Sobreiras Country Hotel or the Herdade, both in Grandola

Breakfast: Colmo Bar in Comporta

Where to eat: Sem Porta Sublime, Cavalarica or Restaurante Museu do Arroz in Comporta

Where to shop: Ethnic chic at Manumaya, Cushions and more at Cush Cush, Pop-up Shops at Casa da Cultura, Decorations at Marta Manteros Rice – all in Comporta

More MyStylery travel tips you can find here.

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View to the Main Barn, where breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served. And at the bar you can taste local beer. Cheers!

Life in the big city can sometimes be quite exhausting. And the longing for peace, green and rural life is growing: many metropolitan residents want only one thing on the weekend: Get out of the noisy din. Nick Jones, British hotel entrepreneur and founder of Soho Houses, recognized the needs of the troubled urban man years ago when he opened his first country hotel, the Babington House, in the east of London in 1998. Three years ago, another country retreat was added to the Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, a 90-minute drive northwest of London, in the romantic Cotswolds countryside. Here, the big city-battered experiences country life by joining, touching or just diving in.

The Soho Farmhouse has a lot to offer for the city tired vacationer. Here you can see the lake overlooking the outdoor pool and boathouse

I’m not the fan of British left-hand traffic and opt for the convenient arrival on the regional train GWR, which stops from London Paddington in an hour and twenty minutes at the station of the idyllic village Charlbury. From here, another 15 minutes by taxi through the hilly landscape of Oxfordshire, which even in January is lit up in green. In addition a bright blue sky – which is not natural for local weather conditions. Almost a shameless luck!

On the left the steam sauna with whirlpool, in the background boathouse and gym

Past the stately, (currently still visible) property of football star David Beckham and fashion-creating wife Victoria, I get to the hidden grounds of Soho Farmhouse. Nick Jones, visionary and inventor of private Soho House membership clubs, is opening his 22nd Soho House in Amsterdam this year. The self-made man operates outlets worldwide, for example in Berlin, Los Angeles or Istanbul. Many of them with an attached hotel, in which also non-members can check in. With the Soho Farmhouse, Jones created a resort in the country according to his ideas: the centerpiece is an 18th-century farmhouse that sits amid 50 acres of land. In between, cultured stream courses and small lakes with 40 cozy, wooded cabins situated in the landscape.

The 50-acre property with cultivated streams and small lakes, in between 40 very cozy, in the countryside sprinkled wooden huts

The so-called “cabins” are of different sizes, some with separate living room and several bedrooms. Wood-paneled walls, gnarled floors, inviting linen couches and cuddly velvet armchairs make each of the cabins comfortable. Including a large bathroom stocked with a rich selection of personal care products from their own brand “Cowshed”. Some cabins have a zinc outdoor bathtub, which can be used in this cold season. But you can warm up after by your own stove and pattering fire wonderfully. Or you can make a tea in your own kitchenette before the comfortable XXL bed, equipped with seven pillows, invites you to take a nap.

Me on a stylish retro bike by the brand Foffa

In the afternoon I explore the surroundings with its picturesque landscape. In good weather, rowboats invite you to take a round on the lake. A personal butler, who is called “Farmhand” here, asks me if he can book me a massage appointment in the “Cowshed Spa”. He could also reserve a small round of golf, a riding or tennis lesson or trapshooting. I opt for yoga at the gym and then swim a few laps in the heated outdoor pool. For accompanying children there is an adventure playground and hourly child care. The ponies and chickens are just another attraction for city kids, so that the farmhouse enjoys great popularity even among young families – with the associated noise level. If you like it a little quieter, I recommend a stay during the week.

Tip Soho Farmhouse: Avoid weekends!

In summer, the indoor pool opens up and, together with the outdoor pool, creates a great swimming and splashing paradise

It is the small details that make the Soho Farmhouse so special: Infront of the door of each cottage, the guest will find his personal bicycle for the duration of the stay. Right next to it some gumboots, because it usually rains pitchforks here. Of course, in the right shoe size, which was previously requested by email. Every morning fresh milk in glass bottles is stored on the veranda. And on request, the breakfast comes to bed – by a mobile cooking bus, the so-called “float”.

19 mint-colored electric vintage cars – former milk trucks – serve as a shuttle and means of transport

Those who prefer to eat in the restaurant can do so either in the “Main Barn”, serving Soho House classics like wood-fired pizzas, giant burgers or grilled chicken. At lunchtime I like to sit in the bright “Pen Yen” restaurant overlooking the outdoor pool and terrace. There are delicious sashimi and sushi variations here. In the evening, the sleeker “Fancy Farm” restaurant offers additional seats. A nightcap in the “Mill Room” is always a good idea. I look into the crackling fire of the large, open fireplace, try a whiskey from the area and think: It could stay that way.  BvH

One of 40 so-called cabins, equipped with one or more bedrooms, living room, kitchenette or large country kitchen

In front of the rustic wooden huts, Wellington boots are ready for the guest. And logs for the cabin-own stove

A peek in my kitchenette. The larger cabins offer fully equipped country kitchens. But even here I can prepare small meals, tea or coffee

So comfortable: My XXL bed with seven pillows …

…from here I can enjoy the view outside and into the stove

Cowshed care products in a range of styles and different scents are available to guests during their stay

A bath in the outdoor tub? That was to me, frankly, too cold in this season!

Chilling out on your own veranda: It’s no coincidence that the cushions harmonize in color with the door frames

Ready for terrain exploration with my chic retro bike …

…which is even provided with my name

Passing endless pastures and vegetable fields…

…and visiting the ponies in the stable. Excursions can also be made with the carriages

Forgot the scarf or hat? Does not matter. “The Store” offers cuddly and relaxing stuff for the country style. Because even here (as in all Soho Houses) the dress code is casual. If you want to adapt the farmhouse style for your own four walls, you can buy crockery, bathrobes, pillows, lamps and even furniture in the Farmhouse shop. Here the deli…

…where one can also be snacked

The boathouse has an indoor pool and a spa area

Next to it the Japanese restaurant Pen Yen…

…where I order sushi and sashimi variations. A portion of Edamame must not be missing!

In warm temperatures, meals are also served on the outdoor terrace

This cabin has a steam sauna and a whirlpool

With the sunset…

…it is time for an aperitif at the Mill Room bar

Later we will have dinner in the Main Barn…

…where the separate restaurant Fancy Farm invites you to fine dining

…before you get tired after a lot of idleness, but happily fall into a cuddly bed

How to get to Soho Farmhouse:

Arrival in London Heathrow: Take the Heathrow Express (£ 25) to London Paddington (taking 15 minutes). Hourly regional trains of the Great Western Railway (GWR) to Charlbury (16 £), travel time 80 minutes. It takes 15 minutes by taxi and 25 pounds to the Soho Farmhouse. A taxi ride from Heathrow to the Soho Farmhouse costs around £ 130. The Soho Farmhouse also has a helicopter landing pad. Room rates in Soho Farmhouse from about 400 Euro per night.

London Paddington: From here there are hourly regional trains of the Great Western Railway (GWR) to Charlbury

Contact Soho Farmhouse:

sohofarmhouse.com

More Mystylery-hotel tips about the Soho Houses you can find here.

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The Outdoor pool of Bleiche Resort & Spa in the winter time. Of course heated…

One and a half hours drive from Berlin, lies the Hotel Bleiche Resort & Spa in Brandenburg Spreewald. Here the outdoor pool in summer

To encapsulate right away: with this story I’m neither looking for the not yet found hair in the soup, nor am I the investigative journalist finding something previously undiscovered. This text is my personal homage to a place and its landscape, which has grown on me over the years and my many visits: the Hotel ‘Bleiche Resort & Spa’ and the Brandenburg Spreewald.

The Bleiche is always decorated according to the season …

… here the ‘Grünes Gewölbe’-Restaurant in Christmas decoration

Every time the rumble of wooden planks wakes me up when passing the driveway to the hotel grounds and the red-white boarded wooden facade in front of me opens, when I walk into the hotel lobby and hear the splashing of the fountain, then I know: I have arrived. My Berlin-stress I leave at the front desk, am grateful to not have to fill in any incredibly long forms, or being asked for either a credit card or if I had a “pleasant journey”.
“It’s great you’re here.” Here, I don’t have to do anything. Here I simply am.

Arrival: In the lobby of the Hotel Bleiche Resort & Spa it ripples from the impressive fountain

By now, I’ve got my little rituals, which I sometimes pursue more, sometimes less: I let myself drift, I let go, enjoy the sweet idleness. Sometimes I swim my laps in the outdoor pool before breakfast; usually I sleep till all hours. The breakfast in the ,Grünem Gewölbe’ (‘green vault’), I am celebrating extensively with seven minute egg and morning tea ‘Morgentau’. Even at 12 noon that is still possible here. I read the newspaper (which I ‘m rarely able to do at home), which I can find by my bedroom door every morning.

Here I’m having breakfast in the ‘Grünes Gewölbe’ (Green Vault):

I love morning tea ‘Morgentau’, seven minute egg, whole wheat bread, croissants, cheese, melon and – believe it or not – Spreewaldgurke (‘Spreewald cucumber’)

One look into the eyes of my two four-legged travelling companions and it’s decided: Off it goes into the nature, past fields and canals. The network of adjacent trails can also wonderfully be explored by biking or jogging. When it rains, I confine my outdoor activities into the hotel’s private, 17-hectare park, in which my doggies have already chased one or two balls. Then I limber up with some tea and homemade cakes, discover an interesting book title in the well-stocked book shop or exceptionally check out my mails, which is only possible in this one area, because there’s no Wi-Fi in the rooms.

Regulars Willi and Franz in the provided baskets. Here one also takes lovingly care of the four-legged guests

Then I slip into the bathrobe and keep wearing it for the time being. Here, everyone is the same wearing the bathrobes, whether they’re called Heike Makatsch, Model Eva Padberg or German actor Matthias Schweighöfer. My range of motion involved the route room – spa – room. By the way: with 5,000 square meters it is one of the largest spas in Europe. In my opinion, it’s also one of the finest.

Swiming, while watching the crackling fire in the fireplace – where do you find something comparable?

Many spas reduce their appearance on the mere expediency, as if the applications were processed like illness certificates: indoor swimming pools with tiles up to the stop and above all a pungent smell of chlorine. In the Bleiche, it scents like fireplaces, like lumbers, herbs and apples. A treat for my nose, used to capital odors. Apart from this, there are plenty of chairs, cozy sofas, inviting sitting areas with comfortable wicker chairs, in which I do like to sink into, because a sauna, massages and Haman are well known to be quite tiring. My favorite room? Clearly and absolutely unrivaled: The ,Kräuterkammer’ (‘herbal chamber’), a around 45 degrees tempered sauna, very cozy like a mountain lodge. How many hours have I probably already spent here?

The ,Kräuterkammer’ (‘herbal chamber’), a around 45 degrees tempered sauna in the wellness area, very cozy like a mountain lodge

I lie and listen. Sometimes to the sounds of classical music – in the large indoor swimming pool also under water – sometimes the chirping of crickets, the inhabitants of ancient timbers. For me, this is the most beautiful way of meditation, even though it is also offered here professionally: With or without singing bowl. Speaking of lying: On the big screen of the professionally equipped cinema, there run three movies daily, many that I always wanted to see before. Here I finally get the opportunity in XXL wide loungers.

Wherever I go, inviting sitting areas always await

The decor is right up my alley: sophisticated country-house style, using French linen, rough wood and roughly plastered cob walls, combined with selected antiques and a pleasant lighting concept. It’s the passion for detail that I like so much and this is actually what’s the real secret of the Bleiche. Here and there are a couple of candlesticks, vases and stacks of books. All wisely collected in legwork and over the years by the Bleiche-owners – the Clausing family.

Traditional decoration ‘Herrgottswinkel’ in the cheese chamber

In the evening I preferably sit in the cozy ,Fischerstube’ (‘Fishers parlor’) or in the quaint ,Kahnschuppen’ (‘fishing boat shed’) – in the summer it’s also nice in beer garden under the old chestnut trees. Gourmets get indulged in star restaurant ,17fuffzig’. The food is delicious – I have never been disappointed. I love the Mosel Riesling from the winery ‘Kallfelz’ and especially a regional goat’s cheese at the end, which the rustic cheese chamber holds behind its doors. Maybe I treat myself with a nightcap at the bar. Maybe I’m still sitting at the large fireplace, looking into the fire and imagining how the linen fabrics for the ‘Old Fritz’* were bleached here more than 260 years ago. BvH
*nickname of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia

Here I can spend hours looking into the fire – and it never gets boring to me in any way

Tip:

Especially in fall or winter a boat trip is an experience, as you mainly have the channels for yourself and the pasture- and moorlands of the Spreewald are worth a look at – even in the cold season. Ask for Hagen, he is the best tour guide and knows all secrets and things to know.

Fancy a boat trip? The hotel’s boat harbor offers individual journeys – also during the winter season

Christmas Decor at Bleiche Resort & Spa

Summer impressions

In the beer garden, one can wonderfully sit under old chestnut trees

From the herb bed directly into the pot: Star chef René Klages gets his ingredients from the hotel’s herb garden

The secret of the Bleiche is the love for detail

In the book shop of the Bleiche, I love to rummage through the current book titles and make readable discoveries

Almost like home

Beautiful interior: One of the cottage suites with a private sauna, separate bedroom and living area

The beds are especially comfortable and cozy

Relaxing in the bathtub with a glass of Prosecco and candlelight – Good as it gets

Bye, bye, stress!

Me in bathrobe-mood in front of the fireplace by the indoor pool

The Whirlpool

A seperate bath and wading area for families with children

You simply do not want to leave

One out of eight restaurants: The ‘Weißbiereck’. Comfortable, right?

For cheese lovers this is the culinary paradise at Hotel Bleiche Resort & Spa: The cheese chamber

On a night cap at the bar …

… or again to the fireplace? The cozy atmosphere ensures a great feel-good factor

Contact Bleiche Resort & Spa:

Bleiche Resort & Spa
Bleichestraße 16
03096 Burg im Spreewald, Germany

www.bleiche.de

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Berlin’s new Asia restaurant: The Nithan Thai in Mitte on Chausseestraße

Since one year in Tel Aviv, now also in Berlin: Recently, in the middle on the Chausseestrasse, the Thai restaurant Nithan Thai opened its doors. I love the Asian cuisine and was especially excited about what awaits me. To start with, my culinary excursion was pretty much the best I’ve been able to enjoy lately.

The interior designers from Tel Aviv understand their craft

Right at the entrance of Nithan Thai, the visitor awaits a stylish ambience. The bar is located In the center of the 120 square meter restaurant, the walls are decorated with warm wood with matte brass elements, Asian art on brickwork, cozy seating groups on different levels. The interior designers from Tel Aviv understand their craft. This is also where the Chef Shahaf Shabtay comes from, who founded the Nithan Thai Restaurant in Israel’s trendy coastal town a year ago. Now Shabtay, who collected his culinary experiences in Japan, New York, Mumbai and Amsterdam, brought the royal Thai cuisine to the capital with international influences: a real enrichment.

My Favorite: The lightly fried ‘Thai Roll’ with sashimi of tuna and salmon and an unbeatable sesame sauce

To start with, I chose a refreshing, ‘Nithan Thai Fuzzy ‘cocktail with Riesling champagne. Then I got a hot cloth and a Kaffir-lime-leaf, which, when rubbed between the hands, unfolds its spicy-fresh fragrance. Amazing! What followed was a delicious menu of fish and meat dishes. In between a vegetarian corn soup and a papaya salad with coriander sauce. My Favorite: The lightly fried ‘Thai Roll’ with sashimi of tuna and salmon and an unbeatable sesame sauce.

Cozy seating groups inside the Nithan Thai

The menu of the Nithan Thai is based on five Thai cooking elements: under “Sunrise” you will find the starters. ‘Golden Sun’ stands for crisp fried and ‘water’ for fish dishes. ‘Sound’ offers grilled meats and ‘Inner peace’, everything what makes you stronger. The service team is friendly and fast. My wish for an extra portion of coriander was immediately fulfilled. The Maestro comes personally to the table and likes to tell you about the history and philosophy of offering food at star level but still at affordable prices.

Chiefs of the kitchen: Shahaf Shabtay and his right hand Ivana

Conclusion: Fish and meat were cooked perfectly. Sauces and side dishes are harmonious and not too dominant. It is the details that convinced me in the Nithan Thai. Before the dessert – a ‘Kaffir Semi Fredo’ with strawberries, raspberries and rosemary – was served, jasmine tea soaked dessert spoons come to the table. The spoons take on the delicate aroma of jasmine and thus create a very special taste experience. More is not possible. BvH

Jasmine tea soaked dessert spoons

Kaffir Semi Fredo – Strawberries,Rasberries, Rosmarine

Dum Brulee – Sesame, Mango, Mint

Not too much promised: ‘Nithan’ comes from the Thai and translates to fairy tales

Tam Ma-La-Ko: Green Papaya, Mango, Chukka Chili, Mint, Kaffir lime, Cashew, Akaya Cham sauce

Golden Gong – Crystal Shrimps, Moto Yogurt, Long Bean, Yakitori, Thai chili

The Nithan Thai offers guests lunch, dinner and the bar. Guests are also offered breakfast and a bakery

Vegetarian corn soup

Sea C Curry – Steam Stripe Sea Bass, Thai Tomatos, Kaffir Lime, Yam Chili, Shitake, Young Coconut

Pepper Beef – Wok Fillet, Garlic Palm Thai Style

The Nithan Thai with love to detail and on expansion course: Soon to open in Prague and New York

Love the ladies bathroom!

The extensive wine menu of the Nithan Thai offers German and international wines

Contact Nithan Thai:

nithanthai.de

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Der Elefant (the elephant) is known for its extensive international range of fresh fish

A few months ago, an invitation from friends seemed like a very good occasion for a weekend in Warsaw. The metropolis on the Vistula has much to offer, also in matters of cuisine. With some restaurant tips, I coincidentally suddenly stranded in front of the restaurant “The elephant”. In the middle of Old Warsaw, already the stately, perfectly renovated facade of the historical building had a positive effect on me. An impression, which was not disappointed when entering the restaurant established in 1990.

My favorite restaurant in Warsaw? Of course The Elephant – Der Elefant!

As an interior-affine person, I was immediately inspired by the restaurant design: industrial chic meets brasserie charm. Metal windows, metro tiles, sheet metal lanterns. An aesthetic that inspired Gastronome Artur Jarczynski on his travels through the USA and Israel in the restaurants which inspired him and which he adapted for his own project “The Elephant”. There are several levels, which are differently designed with niches and cozy seats, so that the two-part restaurant – in one part there is fish, in the other meat – in spite of its size always radiates warmth and cosines.

Here emphasis is placed on local organic ingredients

The successful look is complemented by an attentive and professional service. Above all, the quality of the dishes convinced me. The fresh oysters were super delicious! A look at the menu makes you want more fresh fish of the finest: Both the grilled salmon and the meat fillet of the Black Angus were excellent. For this, the well-behaved waiter recommends a suitable wine from the extensive menu. The name “The Elephant” was, by the way, an inspiration of Artur’s wife and was based on her predilection for the gray pachyderms. BvH

Awww, the name giver! Don’t worry: the elephant head is not real!

Wines from Spain, Italy, France, Chile and Australia are stored here

Here delicious steaks and burgers are prepared

Gastronome Artur Jarczynski’s heart beats for Israel and Tel Aviv …

… and its Neve Tzedek, which is also my favorite hood in Tel Aviv

The bartender polishs the glasses

Here the motto is: Fish on the table

… and here is where the fish is prepared

The courtyard: Here you can wonderfully sit outside in the summer

Caution Burger fans! The elephant serves the best burgers in all variants

Also the restaurant furniture is ecologically correct: Recyclable materials and environmentally friendly colors have been used for the design of the rooms

The outdoor terrace

I loved the city so much that the first time in the Polish capital was definitely not my last visit

Contact “Der Elefant”

www.derelefant.com

Featured pic: Der Elefant

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In the legendary “Blue Bar” at the Sacher Hotel, where Graham Greene got his inspirations for his famous classic novel “The Third Man”

Do you know, what the English writer Graham Greene inspired to his legendary novel “The Third Man”? A drink and a talk at the bar of the Hotel Sacher in Vienna. Here Greene met a British officer, who told him about the underground passages of Vienna. Greene was intrigued and recorded his first ideas to the homonymous movie of 1949 on a napkin.

Central as it gets: The Hotel Sacher is located vis-à-vis to the opera amidst Vienna

Founded in 1876 by the Viennese restaurateur Eduard Sacher, the hotel is as before, one of the most beautiful ones in Europe. The Nobel hostel was just voted from the US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler with the “Readers’ Choice Awards 2014” to the best hotel in Austria and thus ranks third in the world of excellent luxury hotels.

In “Salon Metternich” breakfast is served

Located amidst the Danube-metropolis near by the Vienna Opera House, crowned heads, politicians and celebrities such as the great conductor Herbert von Karajan, ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, Queen Elizabeth of England, US President John F. Kennedy already lodged in the five-star luxury hotel. Even John Lennon and Yoko Ono took a break in the Sacher Hotel and invited to a press conference to one of their legendary “Bagism” – actions in their hotel suite in 1969. Lying in bed, covered with nothing but a bag, the former Beatle and his wife demonstrated to world peace this way.

Wien, Wien, nur du allein …

Finest food is served in the restaurant “Anna Sacher”, which was named after its founder

Since 1934, the five-star hotel and a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”, is guided by family Gürtler that renovated the hotel completely in 2006 and now meet the criteria of the “Leading Spa” in the wellness area, too.

For whom the hotel accommodation (from 400 Euros per night) is too expensive, enjoy a piece of the famous Sacher Torte – best in the cozy hotel lobby, my favorite place. Here I enjoy the upcoming Christmas atmosphere whilst watching the other guests. My kind of pleasure! BvH

Teatime at the Hotel Sacher – here in the “Blue Bar”

Contact Hotel Sacher:

Philharmoniker Str. 4
1010 Wien, Austria

www.sacher.com

Featured pic by Hotel Sacher Vienna

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