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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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

Merken

Merken

Merken

Merken

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The Battery – Private memberclub in a former marble factory in San Francisco: discretion inside and outside

What do you do if suddenly you are richer by $ 850 million? This question had to be faced by the British entrepreneur Michael Birch and his wife Xochi 2008, when they sold their social network startup ‘Bebo’ to AOL, which in England, Ireland and New Zealand was bigger than Facebook. The studied physicist and the business owner did not have to think long. Michael and Xochi love English pubs and bringing together people. And where can both be better united than in a private members club? How the Germans love their lives membersclubs, so love the English their club culture: apparently a genetic predisposition. Thus, the art-loving Internet-millionaires bought a turn of the century-factory in the Financial District of San Francisco, renovated the five floors, the new home of The Battery.

Livingroom and bar in The Battery*

Where marble used to be processed, The Battery has been living in the street of the same name near the waterfront with its piers for three years. An elegant club on over 5,000 square meters with restaurant, four bars, wine cellar, library, gym and spa as well as a courtyard with garden and 14 hotel rooms which can also be booked by me as a non-member. Just like the glass penthouse on the roof, which offers fantastic views of San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid and the Bay Bridge. The interior design of the former factory hall has preserved the old building elements such as visible redstone walls and steel beams and has been cleverly integrated into the interior concept. The American interior designer Ken Fulk is responsible for the successful, eclectic mix of boho, industrial and vintage styles.

One of 14 suites in The Battery: The interior design of the former factory hall has preserved the old building elements such as visible redstone walls and steel beam*

If it were for the owners, the club would be a meeting place for artists, philanthropists or even drag queens. In fact, the nerds and technology freaks of the Silicon Valley are lolling between plush velvet sofas and sweeping leather chairs in front of rustic wood paneling. Even Germany’s former Minister of Defense, Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg – now on the road to the Internet – is happy to make a reservation at The Battery. With an annual contribution of 2,400 US dollars, the club is probably not for everyone. Especially since future members must be nominated by an existing member and a committee decides who will be accepted. A procedure similar to the Soho Houses, a successfully established club culture also from the United Kingdom. Exclusiveness has its price. BvH

The Reception: Welcome to The Battery – you would say. I think the staff could be a little more friendly*

My „Battery“-Suite and my open suitcase…

… with design chairs from Platner

Pleasant luxury on 55 square meters

The rooms are equipped with nice details and high technology

Black-and-white photographs about the velvet sofa:

The Battery has its own art director, the German Thomas Moller, who is responsible for curating changing exhibitions and events for the club

Spacious bathrooms with Frette luxury towels and Molton Brown products pamper the guest

The library has an impressive ceiling lamp …

… and inviting leather sofas! The perfect cozyness

The Musto bar*

The green room*

In the restaurant 717B, leather armchairs and velvet sofas invite you to sit comfortably, on the walls art in gold frames and lamps by Serge Mouille

Contact The Battery:

thebatterysf.com

Pictures marked* from The Battery

Merken

Merken

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The 200-year-old manor house Gut Bliestorf …

Recently our friends Sabine and Rudolph invited us to their manor house Gut Bliestorf in Schleswig-Holstein. I asked in advance: “What are you celebrating?” The immediate answer was: “Life!” What a great occasion to drive back to my old homeland Schleswig-Holstein! Celebrating in the countryside usually also means staying in the countryside.  And this works particularly well at manor house Gut Bliestorf, because the von Schröders transformed the house into a charming boutique hotel in 2008. Embedded in an English landscape park, the guest experiences a 200-year-old manor house culture.

… embedded in an English landscape park

With over a century, the mansion Gut Bliestorf, which Rudolph’s grandfather Baron Johann Rudolph v. Schroeder bought in the early 20^th century, is family owned. It was built in Swiss style in 1843 by landowner and chief forester August Luis Detlev von Schrader. Later, influential families like family von Tode, von Köhler and von Wickede, who were the majors of town Lubeck, resided here. Today’s owners derive from a merchant dynasty that is rooted in Hamburg since the mid 18^th century. Nowadays, the estate operates besides conventional agriculture also a Demeter farming and a Demeter gardening center. As well as the said boutique hotel.

Winter garden and terrace of the manor house

Sabine Schröder is responsible for the special style and the harmonic ambience of manor house Gut Bliestorf. With a keen sense of materials and colors, the Baroness gave new life and breath to the manor. Since then, the snow-white mansion and the English landscape park are unique settings, also for events. The Baroness got the idea of “renting-a-mansion” in England, where she was fascinated of the concept “First Class Bed & Breakfast”: “It exited me to live in castles or mansions and feel like home.” Thus, a mansion got turned into a boutique hotel with 13 individual rooms, in which one can wonderfully celebrate and stay overnight. I tried it myself after a long party night and the celebration of life. Just lovely! BvH

Present owner, Baron Johann Rudolph v. Schröder (on the right), took over the manor house in 1974 of his father Baron Hans Rudolph v. Schröder. Today Sabine and Rudolph von Schröder inhabit the renovated foreman house, which is located opposite the mansion

View from my antiquities equipped suite – the park room …

… into the spring like garden. Morning sun included!

Sabine von Schröder has set up the rooms of the manor house with family antiques

The Baroness has a special knack for decorations …

A dreamy stay at the Manor House

… which can be found all over the house

Very classy: The breakfast room in Lavender color

Festive layd boards with matching flowers

A great location – also for weddings

The ancestor of the Schröder family guarded sternly about the guest book

Cozy chill in salon

From the salon you can enjoy the magnificent view into the park

Baroness Sabine von Schröder conceived the concept “rent-a-manor”

At the park borders a nature reserve with its old tree population, where you can watch rare water birds

The manor house Gut Bliestorf was awarded with the World Luxury Award for the best wedding destination 2016

What you can do here? Sleeping and enjoying the peace. The Bliestorfer forest also invites to long walks and bicycling tours

Contact Manor House Gut Bliestorf

www.herrenhaus-gut-bliestorf.de

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Ibiza Love Part III: In no particular order here are tips for an awesome stay on Ibiza

Even from outside the Giri Café looks inviting

I still remember when I drove to San Juan five years ago, a small, sleepy village in the north of Ibiza. It was early afternoon, the streets were empty, the houses and a few shops closed, the sun burnt hot – deadly silence. Only one café was open and turned out to be the rescue – to all intents and purposes.

What a great mix of materials and furniture

Towards the church situated on an idyllic place of San Juan, the Giri Café is immediately visible: in front of the door of an old, ibizan townhouse, elegant wicker furniture instead of cheap plastic chairs invite to stay and to chill. Inside the Giri Café itself you’ll find modern architecture, different, small rooms with cosy seating corners, a successful mix of materials and furniture. Great drinks and cocktails are being mixed at the bar – who would have thought that?

Good idea: The patio is optically magnified by mirrored windows

View into the kitchen: Soul-Food cooked with Love

The actual highlight – besides the extraordinarily good cuisine – is the bordering garden with additional comfy seats, daybeds and a children’s corner (in hay!), which is atmospherically illuminated in the evening. Here one will experience real holiday happiness at the latest.

Chill time: Between beds with organic vegetables there are sitting areas and daybeds

The interior partly documents that the owner of the Giri Café is Danish, as it seems pretty Nordic. Rosa came as a child through her hippie parents on the island, where she’s living with her own family for 15 years now. Everything started with a beautiful boutique-hotel, The Giri Residence. The idea of The Giri Café developed in order to host the guests appropriate. By the way Giri – el guiri – actually stands for ‘foreigner’, ‘stranger’, which Rosa – whose children grow up on Ibiza – is not at all anymore.

The Scandinavian-inspired design is reminiscent of the roots of the Danish owner

The Giri is more than only a café that offers breakfast and lunch. There, friendly staff is serving modern, Mediterranean cuisine of highest standards with fresh ingredients from the region. A lot is handpicked in the own bio garden, in which herbs, salads, strawberries, tomatoes and other vegetables and fruits are being grown. Here I like to sit with a glass of Rosé – my favourite is the “Ibiskus” – and can hardly believe my luck.  BvH

Inside the Giri Café, there are several sitting areas …

… where you can sit comfortably while enjoying Snacks and Tapas

I like the Giri Café especially in the evening …

… when the setting sun creates a special light in the garden …

… and you really want to be nowhere else

Tip:

Every Sunday San Juan transforms itself into a colourful market with live music. On the place and along the small streets handicrafts, jewellery and ceramics are being offered.

Contact The Giri Café:

Plaza Espana 5
07810 San Juan
Ibiza, Spain
(from April until October)

+ 34 971 333474

www.thegiricafe.com

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The hotel lobby, designed by fashion designer Christian Lacroix

First of all, I love, love, love Paris! The “savoir de vivre“, the elegance of the city and its inhabitants, the cultural offerings have already fascinated me when I lived in Paris as “Au Pair” years ago. One of my favorite places in Paris is in the heart of Saint-Germain-Près: The boutique hotel “Lebellechasse”. The 33 rooms created by fashion designer Christian Lacroix afford a lavish elegance with rich brocade fabrics, heavy velvet and creative murals that invite you to dream: Lacroix chose a great material-mix for the equipment of this four-star hotel in the seventh arrondissement.

Double room with open bath*

The standard rooms are small – but nice

As everywhere in the French capital, the rooms are very small and even in a double room you have to be very well organized, to not step on your own feet. Still, I’m happy here and this is not only because of the central location. Institutions such as the “Café de Flore” on the Boulevard Saint Germain are within walking distance, as is the nearest metro station “Solferino”. The RER (line C) is diagonally opposite the hotel, right at the Musée D’Orsay. The other side of the Seine – the Louvre and the Rue de Saint Honoré – are easily accessible from here.

The open bathroom ensures more generosity

The single room offers an open bathroom and separate toilet

The breakfast room is located in the basement

However, I do not really like the breakfast rooms in the basement. I prefer the small cafés and brasseries in the quarter, which are more individual and also cheaper – and much more “typiquement français”.

Tip:

I was positively surprised when I booked my room directly on the hotel’s website, where I found the best deals and prices.

Nice view from my window to the beautiful roofs of Paris

Contact Hotel:

8, Rue De Bellechasse
75007 Paris, Frankreich

www.lebellechasse.com

*Photo and featured image: Lebellechasse

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All Guerlain Spas are equipped with elegant crystal decorations. The guest chooses between classical cosmetic and anti-aging treatments. There’re also Gym-, Pilates- and Yoga-offers

Are you still looking for a special present for your best friend or simply want to relax after the stressful advent time or the upcoming feast days? Then I have the ultimate tip for you: a Spa-Treatment in the Guerlain Spa Waldorf Astoria Berlin – plunge, immerse, dream.

Before and after the treatment, Laura serves me a cup of tea

In the middle of the pre-Christmassy advent hurly-burly a heaven of silence welcomes me in the luxury hotel Waldorf Astoria Berlin – opposite the Memorial Church and the Zoo train station. Lots of spas exist in the dark vaults. However the Guerlain Spa in the Waldorf Astoria resides at about a 1,000 square meters, light flooded fifth floor with a view over the city. Each of the lavish rooms has daylight, which both people and employees appreciate a lot.

My personal changing room with my own, private bath

A spa treatment at Guerlain Spa Waldorf Astoria Berlin is a journey into another world. At the wardrobe I’m getting rid of my coat and the other ballast. I drink a tea and choose under the Guerlain perfumes the traditional scent Shalimar, which accompanies me during my stay.

Welcome to the footbath- and relaxation lounge

In my personal changing room with my own, private bathroom I cuddle myself into a fluffy bathrobe of the brand Boco Terry and am first led into a footbath-lounge. After the footbath it gets onwards into the treatment room that is held in comfortable, warm colors. And of course it smells like Shalimar.

At first my feet are getting bathed …

My today’s fairy godmothers name is Laura and she indulges me with a 1½ hours facial treatment – the Complete Facial – with Guerlain products, which includes a cleaning, a peeling, massage, mask and Hyaluron-eye pads. They work true miracles! In the end I get a light day makeup and am again ready for the outerworld. Unfortunately. Because my scent-journey is over and I have to go back to the wild life of Berlin. BvH

… and then massaged by Laura

This is where I’m getting spoiled: one of the six treatment rooms with body- and facial treatments. A big plus: every treatment room disposes of daylight

Whilst Laura’s applied moisturizing mask spoils my skin, I dream myself onto another planet

In the end I get a light day makeup and am again ready for the outerworld

Tip I:

So much luxury has its price: the Complete Facial costs 170 Euros. The price includes the usage of the thermal spa area. For hotel guests the Guerlain Spa costs 15 Euros per day. The spa area is inclusive if you book an application from 60 minutes onwards. External guests use the thermal bath in connection with a booked application for a surcharge of 40 Euros. There is no need for an extra charge from a 90 minutes application onwards. It’s best to book during the week, then the thermal bath won’t be crowded.

A Vichy-shower is also offered – for everyone, who likes a showering-off whilst lying – as well as a bathtub for hydrotherapy

Tip II:

‘Beauty Revelation’ is a combination of facial- and body treatment, exclusively created by Guerlain for the Waldorf Astoria in Berlin. During the whole body massage, muscle relaxation and manual lymphatic drainage are combined.

A pool shaped as a cloud: the thermal bath presents itself like a heavenly kingdom with sauna, steam bath, ice-fountain and adventure showers …

… and a whirlpool

This is where it goes to the sun deck in the sixth floor with a view over Berlin

The Guerlain Spa at Waldorf Astoria Berlin is the only one in Germany. Here you can see the lobby with comfy chairs

One is more beautiful than the other: The Guerlain perfume flacons with classics like Shalimar, Chamade, Aqua Allegoria or La Petite Robe

The Guerlain products

Afterwards I feel deeply relaxed and visibly refreshed

Contact:

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Baron Enno von Ruffin says about himself that he’s a ‘car-driving rambler’

“The baron is coming in a second”, says the friendly woman and pleases me to wait. And then he’s standing in front of me – in red cords, a for him typical cardigan, of course with a breast pocket handkerchief: Baron Enno von Ruffin falls down on his sofa in his salon. “There was a problem with the cables for the Christmas illumination”, he explains his delay whilst being a little bit out of breath. But everything is sorted now. Like always. Even after 2 a.m., when a hotel guest stands in front of his door – without a key. Then it’s Ennos mobile phone that rings.

Since 400 years, Gut Basthorst is the home for the Ruffin family

Since 35 years Enno von Ruffin is leading Gut Basthorst in Schleswig-Holstein, a 650 hectares big estate, which includes next to its agriculture a company for gardening and landscaping, as well as a hotel and gastronomy with its own Basthorst Bier. And since 400 years, Gut Basthorst is the home for the Ruffin family that originally comes from Bavaria and Meran in Tirol. This is where Enno was born. Where he was raised. He knows every corner, every tree, and every shrub. He went to the village school, pending between mornings and afternoons, because there was only one classroom. Afterwards Enno has been sent to boarding school. At this stage he was only ten years old. He couldn’t really cope with the rough world of boarding. Suddenly there were different rules. Rules, which didn’t include cigarettes, beer or girls – Enno was, as a lover of liberty, truly not a fan of these rules. “In fact I was an easy child”, says Enno and grins. “Others probably saw that differently”. So he changed the boarding schools in periodically intervals, “I have no idea how many.” His protest against the establishment, “but never against the family.”

The manor: in the former private rooms of the old Baroness – the mother of Enno von Ruffin – today the hotel resides

After school he went to Bavaria, was lieutenant for the mountain infantry, completed an agricultural apprenticeship earlier. And spent one year near Dallas, where he dealed with the American agriculture. It seemed to be fascinating and deterred at the same time. This anonymity. “There was no caregiver, nothing familiar.” Instead there were miles of fields. “This literally broadened my horizon.” Enno von Ruffin returned to Germany to his home in Schleswig-Holstein. Because it was clear; he as the male heir takes over the farm and the responsibility for the business and the therefore involved people. At just 27 years of age. He structured, modernized, rented the empty buildings to craftsmen. The former horse stable nowadays contains an inn; events take place in the barns, from dog competitions to the ‘Players Night’ – a night where the polo cup, which regularly takes place at Basthorst, is celebrated.

In the former horse stable – built in 1913 by the ancestors of the Ruffin family, the Brusselles – visitors will find a comfortable restaurant, in which German cuisine is served

Basthorst is popular for its seasonal markets. Next weekend starts this years Christmas market. Ten thousands of visitors will come to attune themselves to the Advent season with Negus and deer-sausages. And to sing Christmas songs with Vicky Leandros. In the mid 80s Enno von Ruffin gets to know the famous singer in the once legendary Hamburg nightclub ‘Insel’ (island). First he didn’t know who she is; he did one of his flippant slogans, which she skillfully parried. He introduced her to his – luckily relatively liberal – parents so that Vicky’s Greek origin or the “standardized marriage” were no obstacles. Today they are amicably seperated.

The pond of the village lies romantically in the middle of the hundreds of years old building-ensemble

35 employees and a diversity of temporary workers take care of the farm estate. “I am farmer”, says Enno von Ruffin, “I don’t want to look after chair covers.” The animal husbandry – pigs, cows, sheep, chicken with which Enno grew up – have been abolished in the 60s. Now there are horses again, because Ennos companion, the Swedish Estelle Rytterborg, is a passionate show jumper. A passion that unifies both and nearly leads to a disaster: in fast gallop Enno fell from his horse, suffers from a life-threatening breach in his lungs. “Such incisions make you humble”, he says in thoughts. Since then he doesn’t smoke anymore. “Sometimes I drink enough”, he laughs. Enno enjoys skiing in Kitzbühel during his holidays and says about himself that he’s a ‘car-driving rambler’. “I got calmer, don’t have to attend every party.” The wild times are over now.

Enno von Ruffin with companion Estelle Rytterborg

What is from true importance? The family. Of course. The children Leo, Milana and Sandra. His companion Estelle and her daughter Pauline. Friendships. Basthorst. Milana, who’s meanwhile mother of two children, is going to take over Gut Basthorst one day. Gradually, how Enno von Ruffin emphasizes. Sometimes. Because he cannot completely release: “I always have an ear on the yard.” If it’s raining inside or if the wind whips off the tiles of the roof: it will be his phone, which rings. BvH

Christmas market in Basthorst

Tip:

The Christmas market at Gut Basthorst is one of the most beautiful in North Germany. It starts on the 20th of November (except the 22nd of November) and will be open all Advent weekends: from Friday until Sunday 300 exhibitors offer handcrafts and regional specialties in harmonic atmosphere.
Friday the 27th of November Vicky Leandros is doing a Christmas benefit concert in favor of ‘Ein Herz für Kinder’ (‘a heart for children’). You can auction a VIP-Christmas Tree that will be signed by celebrities like Udo Lindenberg, H.P. Baxter, Johannes B. Kerner, and others.

About the antique secretary the coat of arms of the ancestors

“I’m a human of yard and family, this is what makes my day”, says Enno von Ruffin, who is accompanied by the two Jack Russell terriers Lion and Trouper at every step

Shopping at Gut Basthorst: in the outbuildings of the yard are several shops that invite to further shopping experiences

Over all reigns the neo-Gothic, evangelist Granit church St. Marien – with Baron Enno von Ruffin as patron

Diverse trades have been established at Gut Basthorst: a shoemaker and bassoon-maker, a glider and a felt maker …

… There’s an antiques shop and boutiques for fashion, presents as well as a distillery, a bakery and a whisky-storage

Always with Enno von Ruffin: Lion and Trouper. Sweet!

Pure nature: Gast Basthorst in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Accession at Gut Basthorst is an original ‘Holzhäuserl’ (house out of wood) from Tirol …

… marvelous lodge-feeling – for this no one has to drive to Austria

Impressions of the countryside …

… and one photo opportunity more beautiful than the other

Enno von Ruffin and me

Contact:

Gut Basthorst
Auf dem Gut 3
21493 Basthorst, Germany

www.gut-basthorst.de

The post At home with Enno von Ruffin appeared first on My Stylery.

The 200 years old manor Le Manoir de Contres, built in the style of Louis XII, is nowadays a charming hotel with eights rooms and a separate pavilion

I love France! The language and culture, and not to forget the food! And when the best friends invite you for a weekend to France into the valley of the Loire to celebrate a special wedding day, then this is très chic and lets my heart leap with joy. Especially now in autumn when the nature turns into a blaze of color and the sun still caters for warm moments under blue sky.

Hotelier-couple Maria and Victor Orsenne, the ‘Chef de cuisine’*

About two hours by car in the southwest from Paris lies the Manoir de Contres, a family-run, down-to-earth hotel in a 200 years old, charming manor that is owned by Victor Orsenne and his wife Marie – the sister of my friend and host – and is ideally the trailhead for diverse trips into the cultural assets and small, idyllic places along the countryside of the Loire.

The terrace in the garden, beautiful for a breakfast in the morning sun, in the summer there’ll be BBQ for lunch, in the evening with an aperitif

Someone lucky starts the day with a coffee in the sun on the wonderful terrace of the Manoir de Contres. And listens to the small anecdotes, which Victor, the patron, has to tell, whilst enjoying homemade marmalade, delicious croissants and fresh fruits: how he, a French, got to know Maria, a native of Hamburg, in a hotel management school in the Swiss Lausanne. How both of them led two small boutique-hotels in Paris and someday asked themselves, whether life offers something new. When the manor in the little town Contres, which was previously inhabited, was on offer; the Orsennes didn’t hesitate long, renovated all eight rooms. Adieu metropolis, bonjour country life. This happened four years ago and was a good decision.

Whilst the fire place crackles, I look at the for the region typical, colorful ceiling paintings*

Because the Val de Loire in the heart of France is a popular travel-region, not only for gourmets and wine lovers, but also for fans of the French cuisine. More than 300 castles and fortresses – built by emperors, kings and the French aristocracy from different epochs – of which about 100 can still be visited, string together, like pearls on a cord.

The last summer flowers from the hotel’s internal park

At this time of the year the endless columns of bus-tourists already left, one has the region mostly for oneself. Famous is the Château de Chambord, former hunting castle of Louis XIV, which is the biggest château at the Loire under the renaissance castles with its 400 rooms, crenellation and towers on the largest park-area Europe’s with 5.440 hectares. But there’re also some real insider tips, in which one can amble along the halls just by oneself and seems to hear the haunting castle ghost giggling behind the screen. For example the Valençay or the castle Cheverny (more soon). Indeed there’s a numerous amount of castles that are lead and inhabited by aristocratic families since generations.

View on the one-hectare big park with its old tree population*

In order to get not sick of all the castles I recommend to narrow down the choice to a couple of castles – otherwise you’ll end up with a real castle-marathon: it’s best to focus on one to two castles per day. Then in the evening you’ll still be able to assign the castles that you saw during the day.

The restaurant of the Manoir de Contres, in which one can excellently dine*

Apropos evening: Victor, the Maître of the Manoir is a gifted cook and his magic arts at the stove are not only reserved for this hotel guests. We got spoiled by a salad of green beans and crayfish tails, followed by scallops with rose pepper, veal medallions in clear estragon sauce and the delicious potato gratin, which I ate. In conclusion goat cheese from the Loire valley and ‘Framboisier du Manoir’ out of white chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries. Accompanied by wonderful wines from the in-house, comprehensive cellar of the Manoir de Contres and its perfect, attentive service, which couldn’t be better even in four- or five-start-hotels: Savoir vivre! What else could you wish for? BvH

Et voilà, le menu:

Scallops with rose pepper …

… followed by veal medallion and potato gratin …

… and ‘Framboisier du Manoir’ out of white chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries. As you can see, I already have tried it

Bon appétit!

View from my room

The pavilion

Portal of the Manoir de Contres: this is where we sadly have to say ‘au revoir’!

Exclusive tips by Maria Orsenne …

… for a perfect day in and around Contres. How about a trip to the famous limestone caves, the so called ‘caves-troglodytiques’, in which different wineries store their wines, for example the winery  Monmousseau with its wonderful Crémants near Château de Chenonceau. The wine tastings take place inside the illuminated rock caves.

Learn more about the famous limestone caves: ‘caves-troglodytiques’

A friendly lunch address is the ‘Les Trois Marchands’ in Cour-Cheverny. From there you can drive onwards to the chocolate manufactory Max Vouché in Bracieux (near Chambord). On the weekend it’s worth to visit the Sunday market in Amboise between 8 am and 1.30 pm directly at the shore of the Loire with up to 200 market stands. What will you find there? Everything!

Lunch address: ‘Les Trois Marchands’ in Cour-Cheverny

More information: maxvauche-chocolatier

Château de Chambord, the biggest château at the Loire, with its 400 rooms, crenellation and towers on the largest park-area Europe’s Château de Chambord

Contact:

Le Manoir de Contres
23, Rue des Combattants d’Afrique en AFN
41700 Contres, France
www.manoirdecontres.com

Don’t miss:

The castle posts about Cheverny and Valençay. Soon on MyStylery!

Featured pic and pics marked* by Giacomo Morelli

The post Savoir Vivre in the Loire Valley appeared first on My Stylery.