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| Bremen /
Hamburg, Germany |
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Society - Extraordinary
August - 2006 |
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6 Stars
& 5 Stripes
Hotel & Service |
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The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes® |
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| I am truly delighted that our team has recently
discovered the best
hidden
secret of superior old-world hospitality in the northern part of Germany at
Rotenburg (located on the river Wuemme). This small, most charming luxury hotel
and spa which is bordering a vast wildlife preserve in the midst of a bustling
little city is conveniently placed between two mayor airports, Hamburg's
international and Bremen's. It's about a one-hour ride for guests of Wachtelhof
who are picked up from any of these airports by the house's private limo, a BMW
750 IL. Driving up to the main entrance was an experience in itself as we
passed through the most charming, historic little market town of Rotenburg,
while the hotel's woodland backside is bordering on a nature reserve with a
river for fishing and leisure activities. While I was professionally
acknowledged and checked-in, the actual welcome was handled personally by the
managing director on duty, a member of the Höhn family enterprise. My
overall first impression was the one of rustic elegance, lean timber and taste.
I felt at home. |
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| As the bellman opened the
door to my elegant suite (101) I felt as if my inner switch was turned on
'relax mode' - soft beiges, natural materials of light woods and wools and
precious cottons. You actually found yourself easily adapting towards romance
in this environment. The exclusive logo of the Landhaus Wachtelhof was
carefully integrated into the wall-to-wall carpets. I could see how one could
have a romantic breakfast in the cozy corner of the tower window but
unfortunately my wife couldn't accompany me this time and I had to contact my
office in New York now anyway. This turned out to be an easy task since the inn
is WIFI throughout. |
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| The exclusive bathroom was tiled with the finest of
Italian marbles from Carrara with a delightful Jacuzzi tub and precious
amenities for two. I slipped into my ludicrously luxurious, lonely bathrobe and
matching slippers - took the elevator down to the spa and jumped into the
well-tempered free-form pool with waterfalls that allowed me to swim laps. It
was my intention to rest on one of the heated lounges at the pool just for a
moment or two but a pre-arranged 'Reflexology Massage' of the feet by therapist
Dieter Kemnade was in store for me. Nevertheless, mission accomplished I woke
up an hour later refreshed and with great expectations for a dinner experience
of a lifetime prepared by executive chef the cuisine Daniel Rundholz. I had
found out that Rundholz had recently been invited to feature his art on the MS
Europe, so I knew that I was in for a treat. By the way 'treat' - my suite was
appropriately turned down for the night while I was at dinner and on my
nightstand was placed a most delicate chocolate nougat praline with the
Landhaus Wachtelhof's logo molded a-top. |
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| “I am sure that my wife will adore the star- lit ceilings in the
steam room of the spa.” ~ TB |
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| With
Rundholz 's cuisine art creations 'etched forever in my mind' and a good night's rest ( the personal wake up call coming in right in time ) I was astounded to find myself hungry again for a breakfast to come the next morning and that turned out to be 'second to none'. The Landhaus Wachtelhof features 38 rooms but puts on a spread that would easily feed three times as many (international) spoiled palates. I was surprised to find a copy of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) waiting for me neatly at my breakfast table. Turns out that upon check-in to the hotel the day before someone at the front desk had asked me to name my favorite newspapers. I never thought they would wind up at the breakfast table just waiting for me to take my place. During breakfast each guest was addressed by the staff by their last name and the service was plain impeccable. I could have easily extended my stay, ( most guest book at least three nights) due to the fact there was just so much to do. I personally would have loved to arrange a hot air balloon trip through the concierge and I am intending to do that the next time when I come back with my wife. I am sure that she'll adore the star- lit ceilings in the steam room of the spa. The Höhns are a family of entrepreneurs who live and share their dream in grand style. A luxurious dream, indeed. |
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| Award Hand Out
at the Landhaus Wachtelhof, Germany |
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by
Thorsten Buehrmann & Bernd Deyerler
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2006 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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