Author: Nina Zeller

CultureAndCream Author from Munich As a graduated art historian and archeologist I know the stories of cultures, buildings and paintings - well, most of them. My job as a beauty editor has awaken my love for creams (and tons of nail polishes). I am currently writing about medical and health topics. My favourite activities? Discovering new trends and hot spots while traveling which I would like to share with you.
Kranzbach-hotel-oberbayern-alpen-cultureandcream-blogpost

The Kranzbach – Retreat Paradise in Bavaria

There are places that have a real myth about them. For example the legendary Hotel Sacher in Vienna or the Chateaux Marmont in Los Angeles. In tranquil Upper Bavaria, among discerning travel enthusiasts, it is the adults-only house Das Kranzbach in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Even the immediate vicinity of the five-star accommodation slows you down: mountains, meadows, forests, wherever you look. In addition, the kilometer-long driveway with a fountain and alpine panorama is really impressive. You won’t find any other hotels or apartment buildings next door. Nothing affects the secluded idyll of the 130,000 square meter, castle-like area, which was acquired in 1913 by a wealthy British woman named Mary Isabel Portman. In keeping with its seclusion, the hotel’s premise is: no external guests, no events, no weddings or meetings. Exklusivity at its best at the “Kranzbach” This can also be found in the elegant, casual interior. The English star designer Ilse Crawford relies on natural materials. Clean chic and muted tones. With around 100 rooms and suites, you can choose from 11 categories. The winged garden rooms are minimalistic, the accommodations in the historic castle wing score with British-modern charm and the absolute highlight for all romantics and those who love peace: the tree house a few steps away from the hotel. Japanese onsen in Bavaria In addition to the exquisite furnishings, location and service (free train station transport, free use of the spa on the day of departure until the evening), we are particularly impressed by the gigantic wellness area. 3,500 square meters with eight saunas, five indoor and outdoor pools (including a Japanese onsen!) And a dedicated ladies’ area.This generosity of space is only topped by the high-quality food in the glazed dining room with a view of the Zugspitze. Especially the pancakes at the excellent breakfast are the best we have ever eaten! And: As a bedtime treat, every guest receives chocolate from the hotel’s own chocolaterie after dinner – heavenly good. Everything has been taught of That the calorie intake doesn’t go out of hand in parallel to our increased well-being, we gratefully take part in the Kranzbach activity program, which – who is surprised ?! – is just as diverse and exclusive as the whole house itself. Whether Nordic walking, Pilates, forest bathing, yoga, or even meditation. For the latter activities, there is the hotel’s meditation house in the adjacent forest, designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.… weiterlesen

Time out in Bavaria at Lake Tegernsee

It has been known not just since Corona that Germany has a lot to offer in terms of landscape, relaxation and enjoyment. A longing destination is and remains the Tegernsee south of Munich. There, in the town of Bad Wiessee, is a real hotel gem: the family-run 4-star Relais-Chalet Wilhelmy property . It is rightly one of the sightsleeping hotels. This branding is only given to houses in Bavaria whose overall concept is convincing in the areas of design, culture, architecture and aesthetics. Places for aesthetes with high quality standards. Mountain panorama included With the unobstructed view of the mountains and the countryside, the Wilhelmy offers a spacious temporary home in the middle of nature. The spectacular backdrop can be wonderfully enjoyed in each of the 24 rooms, two suites and two apartments, whose furnishings range from traditional to stylish and modern, so that all design preferences are covered – according to the hotel’s motto: comfort inside, powerful landscape outside. One of the highlights is the 100 square meter, detached luxury chalet next to the main house with two bedrooms, wine refrigerator, fireplace, sauna and a bathroom with a free-standing tub. Loving details such as a stylized deer, the house mascot, show how much care goes into choosing fabrics and accessories in all rooms. “We have set up everything according to Feng Shui, pay attention to a radiation-free atmosphere and use healthy water that is vitalized with the Plocher energy system,” explains owner Stefanie Ziegelbauer. Aesthetics meet wellness The boutique hotel has a spa that was expanded in 2020. In addition to bio and stone pine saunas, a salt inhalation and infrared cabin, aroma steam bath, adventure shower and whirlpool with light therapy, there is an all year heated pool with massage jets outside. If you can’t get enough of water, it’s best to make a detour to the newly designed iodine-sulfur bath in Bad Wiessee, which is very close to the Relais-Chalet Wilhelmy. Based on designs by the Italian star architect Matteo Thun, you will find an elegant and purist retreat there, where you can make water applications such as bath tubs under professional instruction. The host cooks for you Ring in or let the evening fade away is best done in the hotel’s own “distillery” room in fuchsia-colored wing chairs in front of the open fireplace. The Tegernsee and especially the Relais-Chalet Wilhelmy is a place to switch off, pause and relax.… weiterlesen

Gourmet and travel tip: Enjoy Kobe and Wagyu beef in South Tyrol

It is considered to be the most expensive meat in the world. But is expensive better? Not always true. But the quality of meat is definitely convincing in the South Tyrolean specialty restaurant Aomi. Only a few kilometers from the spa town of Merano, the star-rated restaurant invites you to a tasting of the world’s most exorbitant beef. Exclusively Kobe and Wagyu beef in various preparation methods and compositions is served. A special kind of taste journey that restaurant manager Alexander Senoner knows how to guide. 5- or 7-course menu In a noble ambience with blue accents and Japanese elements, guests (including external ones) enjoy, for example, Lardo cream and ham pate from Wagyu and Kobe beef ravioli. Regardless of whether you opt for the 5- or 7-course menu: The highlight is always the main course with three different pieces of meat (from South Tyrol and Japan) on a plate for direct comparison. Spend the night right next door If you want to rest after an excellent dinner, you only need to take a few steps, because the Aomi is part of the Suites by Hidalgo hotel complex . There is a choice of 20 modern, functional rooms, from terrace apartments to penthouse and garden bungalows. The panoramic view of the South Tyrolean mountains is included in all rooms as well as a fully equipped kitchen with spacious living and dining area as well as access to the small but fine spa and the garden landscape with pool. Live chic and eat deliciously With the Suites by Hidalgo in the village of Burgstall, owner Otto Mattivi has created a great place for gourmets and connoisseurs. In addition to the Aomi, guests and external visitors can also dine in the Hildago Grill restaurant. There are wonderful traditional Italian dishes such as zucchini blossoms au gratin and crespelle baked with cheese. The successful concept – chic accommodation meets top cuisine – is also reflected in the new sister hotel, the Arua Private Spa Villas above Merano. They have been part of the Hidalgo Collection since 2019 and offer the highest level of privacy, along with an infinity brine pool and well-designed interior. The same applies here: Quality has its price, but it doesn’t get any better! We look forward to the next visit. Photos: Hidalgo Suites (4), Mike Badstübner (2)… weiterlesen

Hofgut Hafnerleiten – Holiday in Lower Bavaria

When a hotel advertises to slow down, it usually means that there is no wifi and a lot of nature. The Hofgut Hafnerleiten in Lower Bavaria is such a refuge in the middle of a tranquil landscape. It offers much more than an internet-free zone with meadows and forests. Firstly, there is the property itself and its architecture. Instead of an anonymous building with umpteen rooms, ten beautifully designed themed houses with bright colors and noble materials are spread over 30,000 square meters. Each of them is unique in design and atmosphere, offers plenty of space, light and nature. Guests in the tree house, for example, spend the night a few meters above ground with a view of the sky. The house on the lake has a terrace with a fire pit and direct access to the lake, infrared cabins, cuddly beds and, like all other houses, a tea kitchen and a fireplace. In harmony with nature The Hofgut Hafnerleiten owners Anja and Erwin Rückerl implemented the special architecture together with the architect’s offices Studio Lot, Format Elf and the landscape architect Wolfgang Wagenhäuser. In addition to the ten themed houses, there are two pond suites on the site and three small single rooms, which are located in the main house. There you will also find the bar, a fireplace room, the winter garden and a large dining room. Here, guests can come together at a large table in the evening – but this is not a must. If you prefer to stay among yourself, you can have dinner brought directly to your room or into your cottage. Owner Erwin Rückerl got the idea for the Hofgut Hafnerleiten in 1999 when he opened the first cooking school on the Lower Bavaria area. The trained chef and barista master soon began to build overnight accommodations due to the great response – this is how the property took on its present form over the years. Today, five wellness cubes are also available to guests: for massages, for relaxing and saunas. In summer you can also experience an open-air treatment on a raft in the swimming pond – there is hardly any more relaxation! Be received with a lot of warmth However, as mentioned at the beginning, it is not only the facility itself that distinguishes the Hofgut Hafnerleiten (mail: post@hofgut.info) from other holiday homes and hotels that advertise with deceleration, but also the way of life there.… weiterlesen
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