Top left to right: Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein, Hollerhofe; Bottom Kloster Seeon (Credit: Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein, Grainau; Hollerhofe, Kemnath Petra Kellner; Bottom Kloster Seeon, Seeon)
Visitors can sleep among the arts with creative concepts and sophisticated design.
MUNICH, GERMANY – Three new additions to the exclusive Sightsleeping hotel brand have been accepted by a jury of art experts, professional designers, journalists and tourism experts. Only those candidates where sightseeing begins in the hotel itself can be included under the Sightsleeping motto, "Sleeping with an eye for art." New members are The Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein, The Hollerhofe guesthouse complex, and Kloster Seeon.
Members are chosen based on attraction value and the aesthetic level of the establishment. Originality of concept and sophistication of design are key, as well as offering a new option in experiential travel where the art and culture where you stay are as important as in the destination visited. Authenticity and individual character are also considered as part of the evaluation criteria.
The new hotels in the Sightsleeping portfolio are:
- The Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein, a relaxing Alpine retreat with a gourmet orientation, in Grainau, Upper Bavaria
- The Hollerhofe guesthouse complex in the heart of the village of Waldeck in Upper Palatinate offering a blend of tradition, coziness and comfort
- Kloster Seeon, a former abbey just a few kilometers north of Lake Chiemsee in an area noted for its serenity and old-world purity
"We look for extraordinary hotels that qualify as Sightsleeping ones, hotels that represent an inspiring retreat for guests interested in culture and design. They might be castles, palaces, designer hotels or even personal residences. These are hotels that spark a special feeling as soon as you awaken, a feeling comparable to the moment when you stand in front of a painting by your favorite artist for the first time," explains Dr. Martin Spantig, managing director of Bavaria Tourism.
To meet the high standards of guests and guarantee the quality of the brand, the jury has developed strict acceptance criteria. "An establishment that wishes to become part of Sightsleeping Hotels must have an individual character and standards that are over and above the norm, be authentic, and have a coherent and appealing overall concept. It is not enough to provide stylish design as the majority of chain hotels currently offer,” notes jury member Deborah Gottlieb, editor of Das Feinschmecker magazine. “In the case of historic buildings, it may be the way the building's own history is referenced, for example, with original furnishings throughout the house which fit with the overall look. Contemporary buildings should offer superior modern design," she continued.
New 2017 Sightsleeping hotel members
The Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein: Where Bavarian mountain charm meets French chic
In a picturesque mountain landscape in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, this first-class hotel near Zugspitze Mountain is a complete Alpine resort. Embodying the essence of a Bavarian country house, while also exuding French flair and elegance, the retreat has a tasteful interior design combining wood, rich fabrics and contemporary works by well-known Parisian artists. Wild, romantic gorges; crystal-clear spring water; and stunning valleys and mountains create a distinctive setting for the year-round resort. Regional dining is offered at the gourmet restaurant Henri-Philippe, which combines haute cuisine with refined, Alpine specialities.
The Hollerhofe guesthouses: A reflection of nature
The Hollerhofe complex is located in the tranquil village of Waldeck, halfway between Bayreuth and Weiden. The main “Zum Hirschen” country house and three lovingly restored, historic village houses all have names that hearken back to traditional village life: “Schreiberhaus” (Scribe’s Cottage), “Kanzlei” (Chancellery) and “Schusterhaus” (Cobbler’s Cottage). Local elderberries find their way onto the Hollerhofe menu, along with other wild ingredients. A calendar of events is wonderfully varied, with “elderflower weeks” and relaxation seminars scheduled along with evenings of summer songs and a celebration of the potato harvest. The Waldecker Schlossberg, or Castle Hill, is a focal point for spiritual inspiration and a variety of leisure activities. Visitors will enjoy Germany’s first “edible wildflower park” and the “Walking Pilgrimage” trail.
Kloster Seeon: A historic oasis for guests seeking serenity and fine dining
Just north of Lake Chiemsee in the heart of the foothills of the Alps in Upper Bavaria, lies the former Benedictine Abbey of Seeon. Guests today sleep in the place where monks once lived according to the rules of St. Benedict. The abbey is an island retreat for those seeking peace and quiet, as well as for gourmets and lovers of culture. Every room offers wonderful views, either onto the baroque courtyard or across the abbey lake, which is accessible via a small bridge. Stucco rooms, quiet and secluded courtyards, and gardens help the soul to relax in this historically sacred location, while fine dining nourishes the body.
2017 Sightsleeping hotels: Alpenhotel Krone, Alpenhotel Wittelsbach, Art-Hotel Am Eichholz, art & business Hotel Nurnberg, Bergdorf Huttenhof, Berghotel Maibrunn, Biohotel Pausnhof, Brauereigasthof Hotel Aying, Burg-Hotel Rothenburg, “Burg” Jugendherberge Nurnberg, Burg Rabenstein, Freiberg Romantik Hotel, Dorint Resort & Spa Bad Bruckenau, Hotel Fuchsbrau, Gastehaus St. Georg Kloster Weltenburg, Gastehaus Weingut am Stein, GutsAlm Harlachberg, Hollerhofe, Hotel am Main, Hotel Bachmair Weissach, Hotel Hirsch, Hotel Victoria Nurnberg, Hotel & Wellnessrefugium Das Kranzbach, Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden, Kloster Seeon, Kloster St. Walburg, Luis & Hezelhof, Landgasthof Meier, Relais-Chalet Wilhelmy, Romantik Hotel Neumuhle, Romantik Hotel Chalet am Kiental, Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein, Schloss Blumenthal, Schloss Burgellern, Schloss Dennenlohe, Schlossparkhotel Mariakirchen, Schloss Steinburg, Turmhotel zum Erasmus, Ulrichshof Baby & Children Bio-Resort, Weingut & Hotel Meintzinger.
Sightsleeping jury
- Angelika Schindel, whiteBOX Kultur gGmbH (intercultural meeting point for art and artists), Munich
- Deborah Gottlieb, DER FEINSCHMECKER (gourmet magazine), Hamburg
- Dr Kathrin Kinseher, Academy of Fine Arts, Munich
- Kornelia Dietrich, GEO (educational magazine), Hamburg
- Robert Freiherr von Susskind, Castle Dennenlohe
- Ulrike Schillo, Bavaria Tourism, Munich
- Uwe Frers, Founder Escapio GmbH (travel agency), Berlin
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
