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.

The post Hotel Schloss Fleesensee in Germany’s North appeared first on My Stylery.

Indian Wells is set in the California desert and is known for its international tennis tournament

Parts of the Coachella Valley in California – known for the famous Coachella Music Festival – are cities like Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells. The latter also famous for the ‘BNP ParibasTennis Open’ and since 2013 the home of Jana Neudeck-Helmig, a native from Dresden in Germany. She left Dresden in 1984, before the wall came down. And for the 15 year old it was the first step into many adventures. She started in Hamburg with her training to become a Journalist and Editor and moved to Los Angeles in 1993. In 2010 she went for two years to Mexico, and in 2012 she sold her house in L.A. and came to the California desert, where celebrities like Bill Gates, Pete Sampras und Leonardo DiCaprio keep residences, where president Obama loves to play golf. The real estate expert lives on the 15th green of the famous Indian Wells Country Club.

Lives in the USA for 22 years: real estate broker Jana Neudeck

MyStylery: How do you like living in the desert?
Jana Neudeck: It is better than I thought. I am here two years now and rented to see if I could stand the heat. But it is dry and of course there is an air condition and a pool to cool down. I changed my rhythm a little bit. Get up very early, take a hike or walk, then I meet clients or look at properties. To break up the day in the summer I sometimes catch a movie in the afternoon, where it is always nice and cool. And I work a little more in the evenings.

The real estate expert lives on the 15th green of the famous Indian Wells Country Club

MS: The area around Palm Springs is known for its over 120 golf courses. Your terrace backs right into the Indian Wells Country Club. Seems perfect for a spontaneous round?
JN: Yes, right? I am not a member of the club, but nobody minds when you hit a few balls in the evenings. Golfing is very time consuming and as a real estate broker time is luxury for me. But my business partner, she is actually a member, and I sponsor the ‘Snowbird Open’ tournament at the club since 2014. Snowbirds are Americans and Canadians, who are coming south for the winter season and go back north in spring.

The Livingroom: “The French Louis XV armchairs I got from the auction house ‘Butterfield & Butterfield’ over 10 years ago in L.A.”

MS: How different is your life here compared to the life you had in hip Los Angeles?
JN: When I came back from a two year stretch on the Mexican island of Cozumel to Los Angeles in 2012, the traffic and smog was just too much. One hour in the car to see a friend for lunch, it made me crazy. So I sold my house in ‘Hidden Hills’ and started the real estate company ‘Modern Properties’ in Palm Springs with a good friend.

Jana Neudeck bought her restored antique pedestal desk in England

MS: You are a journalist by trade – how did you get the idea to become a real estate broker?
JN: Long ago, when I was looking for a house with my then boyfriend in 1996, I ran into an agent who was not very qualified. So I saw an opportunity. As editor and detail oriented German I always was curious and worked hard. In a short time I got my license and knew my real estate. A license in the US has to be renewed every four years and real estate professionals, especially after the crash in 2008, have to follow tough laws and rules.

The brass Victorian fireplace fender Jana Neudeck spotted in England

MS: How is the real estate market different than in Germany?
JN: We, in the US have a different mentality when it comes to home ownership. Many Americans move every five years. And since you can write off a big portion or all the interest on a real estate loan from your income taxes, it is also a good investment to own your home. When you have the income, buying is often better than renting. After the 2008 house market crash the prices in California have recovered a lot, also in the desert, which is for many only a vacation home or winter residence. Many Canadians and Europeans buy as if there was no housing crisis. And cash is king.

Coffeetablebooks and sculpture ‘Brass Monkey on marble’

MS: You must have had some interesting encounters in your 18 years as an agent?
JN: Sure, from the NVA-Uniform, the East German Military, in a closet of a client on ‘Mulholland Drive’ in L.A. and the acompanying German Shepard to Marilyn Manson with no makeup. Last week I showed a client the 1925 built love-nest of Carole Lombard und Clark Gable, that is now owned by the Douglas family. Amusing is also the story of Max Hushahn, a German who has been in L.A. forever. He owns the best Harley Davidson shop. I found him a property on Santa Monica Boulevard. When he built his project, he was required to have 19 parking spots. In the middle of planning, the city did not want to allow an in- and egress from the lot. Absurd. Was he supposed to fly the cars in by helicopter? In these situations you just have to stay calm.

Dining area with antique, American wooden chairs

MS: What do you miss in your new homeland?
JN: Totally cliché, German bread. A good Wiener Schnitzel. A traditional christmas market, snow melting on the ground. But most of all my family and friends, my three godchildren. By now I have lived in four countries – if I can say politically incorrect that the former GDR (East Germany) was a separate country – sometimes I feel as if I don’t have roots anywhere.

“The French Club Chair from 1920 I bought on the antique market ‘Marché aux Puces’ in Paris,” says Jana Neudeck

MS: Is that one reason some of your furniture and accessories have special meaning?
JN: Exactly. Pieces like the ‘Brass Monkey on marble’, which I found in England. I also bought my restored antique pedestal desk there, which I use daily. The French Louis XV armchairs I got from the auction house ‘Butterfield & Butterfield’ over 10 years ago in LA. A bronze Victorian fireplace fender I couldn’t resist buying in one of my favorite little stores named No.19 in Notting Hill, London. I would not want to part from those, they hold memories.  BvH

Jana Neudeck‘s ultimate sightseeing-tips

Who knows the architecture scene of Palm Springs better than a local real estate broker?
Jana Neudeck presents her personal architectural highlights:

Hi Leo! Actor Leonardo DiCaprio moved into this fabulous villa one year ago. The Hollywood star bought the property, which is located in the old part of Palm Springs, for 5.2 million US Dollars

Alexander Estate: The so-called ‘house of tomorrow’ was the honeymoon residence of Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla. Even today, images and accessories remind of the King of Rock’n’Roll

Richard Neutra designed the ‘Kaufman House’ in 1947. It is one of the sought-after and therefore one of the most expensive architectural monuments in Palm Springs

Palm Springs – a paradise for architecture lovers

Today a monument: The former town hall of Palm Springs

‘Twin Palms House’ by Stewart Williams: Here the US actor Frank Sinatra lived with his wife, the Hollywood star Ava Gardner in the 1940s

Formerly a gas station, today it is the Visitor Center of Palm Springs: ‘AM’ by Albert Frey

The ‘Elrod House’ by John Lautner: In 1968 this futuristic architecture design used to be a film set for the James Bond movie “Diamonds are forever”

Villa with a view: The Swiss architect Albert Frey built the fully glazed ‘House II’ in the mountains of San Jacinto in 1964

Tip:
Organized architecture tours in Palm Springs offered by
www.palmspringsmoderntours.com
Contact Jana Neudeck:
www.ourmodernproperties@gmail.com

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