Me in the bathrobe mode: Arriving in the SpaSphere of the Vienna House Andel’s Berlin and firstly drinking a tea

A city trip to a city such as Berlin can sometimes be quite exhausting. Sightseeing and miles of running around, plus the permanent noise level. Phew, that really takes it out of you. My tip: Book a hotel with a spa – like the Vienna House Andel’s Berlin. The advantage is the combination of location near the city and the possibility to retreat in a relaxing oasis, which is equipped with everything to relax for a few hours.

Then I explore the sauna area of the SpaSphere

The Vienna House Andel’s Berlin is located in Berlin-Lichtenberg, less than ten minutes from the center and the vibrant Alexanderplatz. Known for its star restaurant ‘Skykitchen’ on the twelfth floor, also the hotel’s SpaSphere on the second floor offers views over the capital. Anyone who sweats in the Finnish sauna – or as I prefer the moderate temperatures of the biosauna – can enjoy the look over Berlin. For me, by the way, always a big plus, if spas and gyms are not banished into the deepest catacombs and thus benefit from the light of day. Speaking of gym: In the Vienna House Andel’s Berlin, one trains on equipment by TechnoGym. If you like, hop in the large Jacuzzi, or get some fresh air on the roof terrace and then visit the steam room. After that I am ready for a beauty treatment of a special kind.

Silva, the head of the SpaSphere, is my fairy godmother of the day

My fairy godmother on this day is Silva and expects me already with a “Mountain Herb” tea from Ronnefeldt, before she leads me into my treatment cabin. Here I give away, together with my bathrobe, the daily ballast. I am bedded on a wonderfully comfortable – and heated – couch and let myself go for the next 55 minutes of total deceleration. “Velvet and silk” is the name of the treatment for which Silva first washes the body with sea foam, which is massaged into the skin with a peeling glove. With practiced hands and pleasant pressure Silva begins with the legs and then goes up to the back and décolleté. Showering is not required: the vitamin-rich sea foam is removed with moist compresses – and I am allowed to keep lying down.

My skin turns to velvet and silk: a feel-good treatment that should not end. By the way, SpaSphere uses products from Thalgo

The blood circulation of the skin is now running at full speed and is ready for the pack of  maritime algae, jojoba and almond oil, which smells wonderful. The defenses of the skin are thus mobilized, which is quite an advantage in this autumnal season. In the meantime, I have transformed myself into a wrap, thanks to Silva’s packaging arts with tiling and towels. But before I get to see this look, I prefer to leave it in Silva’s care. As the pores of the skin open up and the pack turns my skin into velvet and silk, it gets to your face. A gentle cleansing is followed by a moisturizing mask, which Silva – fascinatingly, because totally in sync – applies with two brushes. In gentle, flowing movements, the substances remaining on the skin are finally massaged in. Then, a day care is applied on the face. And I’m ready for the big city jungle again.  BvH

A look into one of a total of five treatment cabins…

…with beautiful details and candlelight

Info SpaSphere:

The 550 square meter SpaSphere at the Vienna House Andel’s Berlin is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, on Sundays and public holidays from 9 am to 8 pm. The fitness area is available to hotel guests 24/7. When booking an application SpaSphere and fitness room can also be used by external guests. Towels, bathrobe and slippers are ready for the guest.

Between the sauna sessions, I enjoy the fresh air on the roof terrace…

…before it goes into the bubbling Jacuzzi

A footbath in between brings my circulation up to speed

Relaxed and silky-velvety, I feel after the treatment

Contact SpaSphere:

viennahouse.com/de/andels-berlin

The Vienna House Andel’s Berlin invited me to visit SpaSphere.

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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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IBIZA LOVE Series

Bougainvillea everywhere: The Hotel Atzaró in Ibiza Island

I am often asked, what is the best place to stay on Ibiza? To be honest – I have no answer to this. There are just too many great places on this fabulous island. Let me put it that way: The choice of accommodation depends largely on what you want to do on Ibiza. Party animals better choose a hotel in Ibiza town, such as the ‘Ocean Drive’ in Ibizas Marina Botafoc, which I recently introduced in MyStylery’s series IBIZA LOVE. Or you book a room with a view (to the pool side, where things are happening!) at the Hotel ‘Ushuaia Tower’. For those of you who prefer a more quiet, relaxed vacation there is only one place to stay: The „Atzaro Agroturismo“ in the heart of the Island.

View to the large pool and the Asian-inspired spa

Don’t let the word „Agroturismo“ confuse you. It stands for ecological correct tourism – in a very modern sense. No Birkenstocks or jute bags. On the contrary, the Atzaró is a luxurious, gorgeous complex in the middle of a romantic orange grove with several pools, a very good Spa – including Moroccan Haman – and an excellent gourmet restaurant, where organic balanced meals are prepared mainly with ingredients from the hotel’s garden.

The hotel lobby with fireplace

The country hotel, which was built in the Ibizan finca style, also offers meditation, yoga and Qigong in a beautiful Balinese pavilion. Here everyone can find peace and ideally to himself. Bougainvillea frame the Balinese daybeds and wrap the entire Atzaró in a heady scent.

Here the romance factor is extremely high, no wonder that the Atzaró is very popular amongst wedding couples

None of the Ibizan styled rooms with an Asian touch are alike. Some of them offer a private garden, an own terrace or a fireplace. You will love the warmth of the open fire especially on cool evenings, since the Atzaró recently welcomes guests all year and the winter temperatures cool down noticeably.

Snuggling by the fire – how cozy!

What I like best about the Atzaró, are the various daybeds and sitting areas that invite anywhere on the hotel grounds for dozing and relaxing. Here I let myself fall into the lush cushions landscape and and just dream the day away. BvH

Feasting under starlit sky: Here it is possible!

In the evening, the garden of the Atzaró is romantically illuminated and the food is served in the excellent gourmet restaurant “The Orange Tree”

Daybed with water lilies

In the Atzaró is great attention to the detail …

… with an Asian touch …

The entrance of the restaurant ‘The Orange Tree’

What a super nice pool! 43 meters long – no reason to complain

What I really enjoy: After spending an exhausting shopping spee at the nearby Hippy market of Las Dalias (IBIZA LOVE Part X) …

… I relax with a delicious chicken-salad- lunch in Atzaró’s restaurant ‘La Veranda’. Here you can also have a wonderful breakfast

Nice: Furniture and fabrics are mainly decorated in white

For eleven years, the family-run hotel pampers its guests. Atzaró has been completely renovated and modernized in 2014

The hotel’s own organic garden

Another inviting lounge area

Beautiful nature with blooming cactus

Contact Atzaró:

Carretera San Juan, km 15
Santa Eularia des Riu
Ibiza, Spain
www.atzaro.com

Featured pic by Atzaró

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Kalimera, Crete! This is the beautiful bay of the luxury hotel Daios Cove

My last Greece experience lies numerous years in the past and unfortunately it wasn’t a good one: While driving on the island of Lesbos I had a horrible car accident with a threefold rollover, fell into a coma just to awake in an adventurous hospital where I had to share a room with a snoring old lady who passed away in one of the following nights and my only thought was to escape. Maybe that’s the reason why I haven’t been to the land of gods and scholars lately.

Me sitting on the terrace while enjoing the 180-degree view over the turquoise sea

But a few month ago when an invitation arrived to get to know Greece’s most beautiful hotel I didn’t hesitate for a minute: Off to Crete – to soak in some valuable last sun in October!
After roughly four hours flight I’m heading from the airport Heraklion towards Agios Nikolaos with a rental car. Here, in the northeastern part of Greece’s largest island hidden and in absolute standalone location the hotel Daios Cove is situated. With a 180-degree view over the turquoise sea – spectacular!

Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas: In 2010 the luxury resort led by the Daios family consisting of 39 villas and 261 rooms opened – 165 come with their own private pool

Actually I am rather a fan of individual boutique hotels. Large concrete hotels aren’t for me. The ‚Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas‘ with 39 villas and 261 rooms and suites surely isn’t a small hotel. But thanks to the modern minimalistic architecture of Greek architect 3SK Styliandis it looks as if the luxury resort consisting of individual, interlaced houses has been sculpted into the hillside and is successfully integrated into the landscape. The complex build from grey-brown rocks stretches on lavishing 35 hectares; club cars, three cableways, and lifts are overcoming the resulting distances. Of course it’s also allowed to go up by foot … just kidding!

Surprise: Behind this door is my villa – you can spy my private pool already and the Mediterranean Sea behind

After I had to walk with crutches for the past few months due to a broken foot, I instantaneously had the best contact to the drivers of the club cars, which made the distance to my gorgeous ‘Private Villa’ insignificant. By the way villa is the right description here: On 115 square meters with an additional 50 square meters patio – spread across two stories, I indulged in a life of pure luxury: two bedrooms with large ensuite bathrooms and an outdoor shower, a living room – everything in contemporary and cozy brown-greige shades. Honestly I don’t know what I liked better: my own little ‘private pool’ or the sensational view across the sea and bay that I could enjoy every morning when I was waking up.

Tadaaa: My luxury two story villa with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, and outdoor shower

… Ensuite bathroom with fine marble …

A big plus of the Daios Cove is it’s own private beach at the private bay – hotel guests only. From my daybed draped with countless towels I occasionally went into the Caribbean appearing sea (the colors!) and from time to time to the beach bar. Certainly I could have pretended to be action seeking and rent one of the catamarans, jet – or water ski’s. But with my broken foot as a convincing argument I rather stayed on the daybed – until further notice.

The guests of the Daios Cove mainly come from Germany and England

But Crete really has a lot to offer. So much that it’s also a popular place for alpinists (the Ida-mountains are as far as 2.456 meters high), hobby archaeologists, and old-hippies. Well equipped with tips from Christos Tassakos, the Director of Sales of the Daios-Group, I undertook one or the other amazing day trip. A detailed to-do list is coming soon on MyStylery. But I actually wasn’t too crazy about leaving the Daios Cove, after all I could get pampered in the 2500 square meter spa, dabble in the infinity pool, play tennis or go into the fitness room. The last two options weren’t for me – unfortunately … but as I had mentioned: the foot.

The terrace of the Taverna

Instead I soon became a regular at the hotel’s restaurants. As resident of one of the villas I could avail myself with the exclusive breakfast service at the Ocean-Restaurant. This was followed by a small lunch in the tavern. I have to admit: the Pangea-Restaurant was not for me. Too big, too impersonal, the minimalistic ambience appeared sterile to me and not very pleasant. I – as an interior pro – would like to produce more coziness here. I spent the evenings at the Ocean-Restaurant – with a view at the selfsame. Magnificent! And because I haven’t seen everything Crete has to offer yet, I will come back soon. αντίο για τώρα – see you soon! BvH

Each morning my view falls from the 2.10m bed onto the hotels’ own bay …

… the second eyes fall on my pool. Should I take a refreshing morning bath here …

… or better take an outdoor-shower?

I could take a swim in the infinity-pool …

… or go directly to the beach

I opt for a breakfast in the Ocean Restaurant overlooking the selfsame and the pool

The watersports center …

… where one can book a catamaran- or jet ski tour

For lunch I go to the beach bar. Sea-air makes you hungry

A pool and another pool and then the sea – hard to decide, too many options!

The lounge- and bar area

The 2500 square meter spa with the indoor pool

My freshly pedicured feet and I

Finally a hotel boutique which offers attractive labels – like Missoni Mare – and stylish clothes

The modern executed lobby with designer furniture by Varaschin. Also the lamps by Castellani & Smith are chic. In the background the cableway with which you can get onto the other levels and to the beach with

On the way to my villa passing beds of cacti and bougainvillea. By the way: a standard room consists of luxurious 43 square meters

Who needs the Caribbean? The fine sand strand of the Daios Coves’ private beach in front of the turquoise sea and soft surf. Ideal for families with children

The Taverna

Tavern host Dimitri shows me the freshly caught seabass …

… which he is going to prepare for me now. Yummy!

Sea of lights at Daios Cove

On the 22nd April Dios Cove starts into the new season after the winter break

Tip I:

Namasté on Crete: Yoga-Fans – like me – get their moneys worth as well, for example with a one week Jivamukti-Yoga-Seminar at the end of September for 399,- Euro (plus Hotel). More infos: www.daioscove.com

Daios Cove Director of Sales Christos Tassakos and me

Tip II:

Exclusively for MyStylery Christos Tassakos recommends the most beautiful beaches on Crete

1. Not even five minutes by car the small town of Vathi is located with the bay of Voulisma: Greece has a lot more to offer than crisis, mismanagement and middle fingers á la Varoufakis

2. Crete is known for its countless, antique dig sites. When you’re on the way to Kolpos Malion you should take a detour to the long sand beach east of the town of Malia. Avoid the town itself, it is ultra touristic

3. In the south of Crete you can witness the most beautiful sunsets. For example on the beach of Tertsa – close to the little city of Mirtos – you’ll have to pass an adventures gravel road but its amazingly beautiful, not just for old hippies

4. Also located in the south close to Agia Folia a cul-de-sac winds down the hill. The bumpy road is worth it; a pebble stone beach in a romantic bay awaits the arriving visitor

Me and a last glass of wine on the beach of Tertsa. Αντιο – Bye Crete, see you soon!

Contact:

www.daioscove.com

The post Daios Cove: A chic luxury hotel on Crete appeared first on My Stylery.

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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20 minutes away from the cultural city of Salzburg lies the beautiful Schloss Fuschl directly at lake Fuschl

When the Salzburg Festival begins this weekend, it is also the prelude to the rendezvous of the Society in the noble hotel Schloss Fuschl in the Austrian Salzkammergut.

Rent a boat to sail on the lake: how delightful!

20 minutes away from Salzburg’s city, the Five Star Resort & Spa is built in the Renaissance style perched on a peninsula in the middle of the crystal clear Lake Fuschl. When the 1450 first mentioned hunting castle was built, the former owners chose a unique location with breath taking views on the turquoise lake, by which you don’t want to be separated.

Once the main entrance of the castle

When I first came to Fuschl over 20 years ago, the hotel was a secret retreat with a small sauna and an even smaller pool in the vaults of the castle cellar. Creaking floorboards led to the rooms in the castle tower, which served as the backdrop of the Sissi films in the 50s. I loved this original atmosphere and I wouldn’t have been surprised at that time, if Sissi alias Romy Schneider had suddenly turned around the corner.

This door dates from the 15th century and is one of the remaining historical details in the Castle Tower

Since 2004 Schloss Fuschl is part of the group of the Schörghuber companies. In 2006 there was a complete luxury renovation, including an adjacent new building, so that today 110 contemporary rooms and suites and a 1,100 square meter Spa are housed in the building complex. For romantics, the hotel offers six quaint, waterfront “Seehäusl” in a typical boathouse style.

Today a bar, in the 50s location of the Sissi adaptation with Romy Schneider: the chimney hall

In cooperation with the Munich art gallery Bernheimer, the Fuschl Collection was established; a collection of over 150 works of Old Masters from the 17th to the 19th century, which can also be admired in some of the guest rooms.

Is there a more beautiful place for having breakfast?

The new extravagance of Fuschl also attracts a new clientele. At my current stay, for example, a part of the beautiful lakeside terrace was permanently occupied by an Ukrainian oligarch. By approaching too close to the barrier, one of the twelve armed bodyguards jumped out of the bushes and asked for distance. This was also the case for the gym. It is a fundamental decision, which guests you want to have in your hotel.

Lakeside terrace and jetty … here the oligarch was sun bathing with his entourage

For me, as an avowed Sissi-fan, Fuschl is a romantic place, with its landscape in my heart. When I sit at the fireplace in the evening, with a “Glaserl”, I think of Romy Schneider, in her role as Empress of Austria through the portico of Schloss Fuschl. The checking looks of the oligarch-bodyguards can’t change anything. BvH

Isn’t that romantic?

Also this beautiful pavilion was seized for 14 days by the oligarchs

View from my window: Maybe here the treasure of the Silver Lake is hidden?

Fancy baroque or should it rather be a little Biedermeier? Located in the historic castle tower, there are the tower suites, each decorated in a different style. Art Nouveau in suite number four …

… and on the wall the painting “Der goldene Umhang” by Maximilian Lenz (1860-1945), a student of Gustav Klimt

Also in the evening atmosphere the lake Fuschl is a feast for the eyes

On 1,100 square meters the Schloss Fuschl SPA offers an indoor pool, steam room, sauna, hot tub, workout area and products of Ligne St Barth

Directly at the waterfront, there are the six lakeside cottages in the typical Salzkammergut boathouse style

There is a castle shop and the Sissi Museum located inside the “Jagdhaus”

In 2006 the new added building with additional rooms which cost between 710 and 5,060 Euro per night during the festival. Truly not a bargain!

The Diana Chapel – named after the goddess of the hunt

Contact:
Schloss Fuschl Resort & SPA
Schloss Straße 19
5322 Hof bei Salzburg, Austria

www. schlossfuschlsalzburg.com

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When Caspar Heinrich Count of Sierstorpff acquired the mineral springs in the Westphalian Driburg in 1782, he did so with the intention “to create a place of rural pleasure”.

The fountain arcades – built in 1804 – with the healing water sources

Annabelle Countess of Oeynhausen-Sierstorpff actually always dreamed of a life far away in the big world, after she finished her studies in art history in Berlin and worked for several galleries and museums. But it turned out different: the art historian – who was born in Pakistan and raised in Seville, Barcelona and Essen – fell in love and so ended up in the east of Westphalia. There, in Bad Driburg near the Teutoburger Forrest, her husband Marcus Count of Oeynhausen-Sierstorpff leads the stores of the family business in the seventh generation, consisting out of five convalescent homes, one mineral spring and the “Gräflicher Park Hotel and Spa” (Royal Park Hotel & Spa) with over 1.500 employees. Annabelle, mother of three children, is leading the business communications of the count’s business. Not to forget the special focus on art, that plays a major role in the house of the family.

Annabelle Countess of Oeynhausen-Sierstorpff

MyStylery: When you arrived to Bad Driburg, the city didn’t really have the status of an art-mecca…
Annabelle von Oeynhausen: (laughs): … not really. That’s why my friends literally felt for myself. Today it’s the opposite. In the Diotima community that was founded by myself, we realise art projects and organise readings and concerts. That’s my real passion. The newest project is an observation deck located in a maze, for which Marcus meant, that we could hire a carpenter. With Michael Sailstorfer we could find an international artist for our design. Unfortunately this costs a lot and won’t be realisable without incentives.

View into the Lobby

Modern architecture connects the historic lodging houses

MS: The Count’s Park has long been associated rather as a place of cur than with art.
AvO: Actually the past level was rather like “men in string vests with beer bottles”. The health reform then brought the change. Cures with certificates of illness don’t exist since 1995 and all spa resorts had to reorient. We changed the whole construction eight years ago, back to its original high standards, and we established the Count’s Park to a hotel resort with spa. It was a large construction site for two years. And there’s always something to look after. One’s never done.

Extensively renovated in 2007, the four-star Superior Hotel is now one of the leading spa resorts in Europe

The 1,500 square meter big spa area with an outdoor swimming pool of 25 meters in length

Facials with beauty products by Clarins are offered in the Spa-Suite

MS: What makes your resort “Gräflicher Park Hotel und Spa“ so outstanding?
AvO: When Caspar Heinrich von Sierstorpff, the ancestor of Marcus, founded the hotel in 1782, it was a noble place just from the beginning. Our family leads it now for 233 years. And there exist only a few hotels with a private landscape park of a size of 64 hectare. Isn’t that a paradise?! Meanwhile our hotel counts to one of the best in Europe, considering its F. X. Mayr-Cures and a 1.500 square meters big spa. A steam sauna in the cellar alone doesn’t automatically make a wellness hotel.

More than 30,000 plants are planted each year always in new formations and in springtime also more than 20,000 pansies

The dutch garden artist Piet Oudolf created gardens of perennials and grasses with passable hills for different viewing angles

In the English landscape park with its partially resultant trees from 1782 twelve gardeners are in continuous use

MS: You’re not really the type of hillbilly that seamlessly integrates in a royal family and its special traditions. How was that for you?
AvO: It wasn’t easy to arrive here. We lived in a small house in a forest in the beginning. I missed the big city life. I’m now very happy with my actual living situation, in love with the landscape, the nature and my job. Nowadays I won’t be able to consist the socialising in the city.

Redesigned rooms at the Sierstorpff house come with modern, floral wallpaper and orange-green color accents

The cuddly Chinese-room – my favorite!

How about a spa weekend in the “Gräflicher Park” with accommodation in the “Red Room”? A F.X. Mayr cure should at least be scheduled to ten days

MS: In the beginning you wanted to prove yourself and you were very engaged in the family business. With a positive feedback?
AvO: I was working for ten years without any interruption. When my daughter then went to boarding school, I realised, oh now she’s gone, and I’ve missed her. I then pulled myself back and concentrated more on the private.

The “Caspar’s Restaurant” pampers guests with international dishes. In the morning, breakfast is served here …

… or outside on the terrace, when the weather is nice

The menu of the restaurant “Pferdestall” – stable – offers regional country kitchen

MS: Is there nothing that can bring you out of rage? You seem to be thoroughly relaxed.
AvO: (laughs): Oh for sure! On Easter an employee set up tons of rabbits, which had nothing special and I didn’t like them at all. Creative processes like this one have to be coordinated with myself. BvH

The “Gräflicher Park” is popular for family celebrations as well as for company conferences, product presentations and employee incentives

At bar “Oscars” you can make yourself comfortable by the fireplace

The poets Friedrich Hölderlin and Annette von Droste-Hülshoff enjoyed the effect of the medicinal and mineral springs already 200 years ago – and also the nature of the “Gräflicher Park”

Six lodging houses – each is decorated in a different style – with a total of 135 rooms

For over 230 years, the “Gräflicher Park” is already owned by the family Oeynhausen-Sierstorff

The “Gräflicher Park Hotel & Spa” …

… surrounded by a 64-hectare English landscape garden …

… with its old trees, ponds and a deer park

Contact:
Gräflicher Park Hotel & Spa
Brunnenallee 1
33014 Bad Driburg
Germany

+49 5253 95230
www.graeflicher-park.de

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