2_1_DiscoverGermany_August2014_Issue17:Scan Magazine 1
31/7/14
14:28
Page 24
Hotel
of the Month Germany
A British gem in the Bavarian Alps Known by locals as the “English Castle” and surrounded by unspoilt nature, the over 100-year-old building could easily have been stolen from a fairy tale. In reality, however, the 4-Star superior Hotel Kranzbach near Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a retreat for tranquillity, relaxation and a healthy lifestyle.
Today a stylish wellness oasis with truly special hideaways
TEXT: CORDELIA MAKARTSEV | PHOTOS: HOTEL KRANZBACH
Tucked away in a peaceful, protected valley with only the stunning mountain scenery for company, Hotel Kranzbach is the first choice for people who are looking for some time-out from their busy lives.“Our guests are mainly couples, small groups of women or singles. They are hard-working individuals who are seeking recuperation and quiet time. Children are only permitted from the age of ten. We consciously do not host public events and the restaurant and the spa area are exclusively for the use of the hotel guests so nothing can disturb their precious relaxation,”explains hotel director Klaus King.
24 | Issue 17 | August 2014
live in her dream home; World War I broke out and she was never able to return to her beloved Kranzbach.
The walls breathe history The ancient building of the Hotel Kranzbach has a fascinating history. In 1913, the wealthy English aristocrat, the Honourable Mary Isabel Portman, signed the purchase contract for the “Kranzbach meadow near Garmisch” and commissioned a country house inspired by the English “Arts and Crafts”movement. Detmar Blow and Fernand Billerey, two wellknown English architects, provided the drawings for the Kranzbach manor. It is the only building of this kind in Germany. Unfortunately, there was no happy ending for Mary Isabel Portman as she never got to
In 2007, after extensive refurbishment and building works, the new owners opened the Hotel Kranzbach as a wellness retreat. Now the hotel is divided into three parts, perfectly fusing its historical roots with modern comfort: the historical building of the old manor house and the modern wood and glass constructed “Garden Wing”and Spa House. In total the Hotel Kranzbach offers 129 rooms. For individualists on the lookout for that special touch the new owners came up with some rather exclusive hideaways, including a tree house and a suite in the old gatehouse. For true romance, there is a 50m² apartment complete with a 30m²