Perfect Sunday in Munich

I was in Munich over the weekend for a wedding and while Saturday was cold and rainy, the sun and excellent weather came out just in time for a fantastic Sunday!

Breakfast in Haidhausen: This is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Munich featuring cafe´s, cobblestone streets, picket fences, a smallish houses that seem as if they would fit in Sweden. While I don´t remember the name of the fantastic restaurant where we had breakfast, it is hard to go wrong simply walking around and exploring.

Surfing in Munich: While Munich may bring images of beergardens, blonde people, and the Alps to mind, surfing is one thing that one definitely does not consider. Pre-concieved notions aside, we stumbled across a very popular gathering of surfers actually riding the perpetual wave created by one of the canals running through the city. These surfer dudes can be found near the Haus der Kunst which is exhibiting a fantastic show by Thomas Schütte.

Englischer Garten: One main summer attraction in Munich is the Englischer Garden which happened to be hosting a Japan Festival yesterday complete with Harajuku-wannabes, Kendo demonstrations, and plenty of sushi. There was also another event in the Englischer Garten yesterday - the Kocherlball- which is a very traditional Bavarian festival that was started by the servants of the rich people hundreds of years ago.

Brandhorst Museum: This is the newest cultural darling of Munich. Filled with an excellent private collection of 20th century art from Warhol, Tracey Emin, and Damien Hirst, the outside of the museum is almost as exciting as the inside!

Best Ice-cream Ever: When you see literally hudreds of people lined up around the for something, you generally become interested… When you find out that the line is for ice-cream, you join in! Balla Beni is one of the best ice-cream experiences I have ever had. The flavors range from “Milk & Mint,” to “bitter chocolate,” to “orange vanilla.” Just make sure to come early for the best selection.

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Pizza & Beer at Heinz Minki, Berlin

Since Summer weather has finally come to Berlin, it is time to enjoy the great outdoors and nice spots to grab a casual slice of pizza and an ice cold beer. Heinz Minki, a fantastic beergarden and pizza spot in Kreuzberg is the perfect place for this during the warm summer months, or cooler times when you can cozy up in the bar for a great cocktail!

Enjoy Heinz Minki while staying in one of our Berlin hotels…

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Weekend Thai Park: Berlin

Inspired by the sun this weekend in Berlin (finally), I paid a visit to the little-known “Thai Park” in Berlin yesterday. Located near Konstanzer Str U-bahn stop (U7), this park is the wkend afternoon home for a number of make-shift Thai imbusses run by middle-aged Thai ladies who are all too eager to share their delicious home cooking with you (for a very small price). You can get anything from spring rolls and chicken satay, to more exotic papaya salad and the sweetest mango I have ever had- and for once “spicy” actually means spicy. Of course everything is prepared fresh right in front of you.

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Berlin HQ, Design Hotels Chills Out

After long days of working with the coolest hotels in the world, the Design Hotels crew likes to take a moment to relax and enjoy a fine brew from their favorite after-work spot- the Golf Lounge on the Spree River.

Introducing… a few key members of the Design Hotels team including representatives from our hotels Sanctum Soho in London, the Romeo Hotel in Naples, and the 25 Hours brand in Frankfurt and Hamburg.

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Design Hotels Boys in Barcelona

Our Vice Presidents, Bernd Neff and Sascha Wolff recently returned from Barcelona where they were visiting some of our member hotels like the Omm, Claris, Granados 83, Cram, and the Neri. While in the city, the boys took some time out to chill at the Ommsession club- one of the hippest places in the city (made hipper by the fact that U2 front man Bono was there as well). For anybody visiting Barcelona, make sure to say hello to Willy (featured below), the director of Ommsession, and the man that can get you anything and everything. If you are hungry, Mickael who is the director of the Omm´s restaurant can fill your belly with some of the best eating in BCN.

On Thursday, the boys headed off to Camp Nou to watch their fellow Ommsession-lover Bono and the rest of U2 perform to a crowd of 100,000. The highlights of the concert included the unbelievable stage which seems to have more functions than a Transformer and the homage to Burma´s democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi- members of the crowd were given masks with the face of Nobel prize laureate on it.

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Design Hotels Summer Roadtrip Series: 24 Hours in Hamburg

After living in Berlin for 2 months it was time for me to pack my bags and hit the road for the first stop on my Design Hotels Summer Road Trip. My destination - HAMBURG.

Not knowing much about the city besides the fact that it is known for its shipping hookers and that it is often called the “most charming city” in Germany by many friends, I boarded the ICE with an open mind and arrived in Hamburg Hbf an hour and a half later.

First stop, my hotel, The George. The hotel is stunning. Perched on a quiet street within walking distance, albeit a moderately lengthy one, to the Hbf and the idyllic Alster Lake and situated in trendy St. Georg. The hotel staff is good looking as the impeccable design. The hotel doesn’t leave anything out. From a rooftop terrace with Italian Antipasti from the culinarily sound restaurant Da Caio to a zen worthy spa, lake views, stocked bar, smoking room, and multiple gardens. The room was quite a treat as well with a huge bed, monogrammed towels and pink and black geometric wall paper fit for a design queen. And that’s what I was.





My recommendations:

BAR - Le Lion - situated in a private location hard to spot from the street, Le Lion is an insiders place. Sociable yet private, the bar serves up a SERIOUS cocktail, and the knowledgable staff, especially Mario, will teach you a history lesson about the bar scene that you will never forget. Not to mention the strong and precise cocktails they serve up to the trendy crowd.

PEOPLE WATCHING - Lake Alster



CLUBBING - UpperEast at the East Hotel - another design hotel masterpiece. this is the center of the red light district and has a Gaudi inspired feel. The crowd is sexy and the scene is perfect for a night on the town. Good DJS and a spectacular light scheme will keep you grooving the night away. ( I am sure the rooms live up to the sex appeal throughout the club.



ADULT ACTIVITIES - Dollhouse - good looking girls and guys entertain the guests at this Hamburg Must.

AFTER PARTY - FischMarkt - early risers and late night partiers come together in this large Hall in the shipping center of the city. Continue your party here with 2 live bands, German beer, and hangover food. Or go outside to the street market and buy fresh fish, fruit and other knickknacks.





Video to follow soon, along with more destinations along the Design Hotels Summer Roadtrip!

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Hello & Goodbye Corsica

After departing St. Tropez, Claus made his way to the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte… the beautiful island of Corsica. While visible from Sardinia, Corsica is a governed by French government.

First stop… the Casa del Mar hotel…

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Ramatuelle, French Riviera: La Reserve

Claus Sendlinger is making his way through some of the most beautiful, and chic, destinations in Europe presently. The second stop on his tour is the stunningly beautiful La Reserve, Ramatuelle near St. Tropez on the French Riviera.

Here, Claus has given us a a sample of the incredible views from the resort. Are you jealous yet?

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