“Sleeping with an eye for art” – each year under this motto particularly aesthetic accommodations are awarded the quality seal “Sightsleeping-Hotel” by BAVARIA TOURISM. They offer guests who are interested in culture and art – of which there are some eight million in Germany – inspiring and exceptional retreats in Bavaria, where the sightseeing experience starts as soon as they open their eyes in the morning. For 2018, five new additions were able to meet the high standards of the expert jury with their creative concepts and exceptional design: the “Gut Hartschimmel” in Pahl, the “Gut Steinbach” in Reit im Winkl, the “Hotel Wilder Mann” in Passau, the “Staudacher Hof” and the “quartier – lodges und tagesbar” in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

“Gut Hartschimmel” in Pähl

The Gut Hartschimmel, nestled in the Upper Bavarian countryside and surrounded by meadows and forests, offers the perfect place for rest and relaxation. The special feature of this property are the 60 Galloway cattle, goats, horses, donkeys, dogs, chickens and cats that the visitor can encounter. On this organic farm, guests stay in a recently renovated wooden chalet, which was originally built in 1917 and offers wonderful tranquility and privacy. The very special atmosphere on the farm, created by the harmonious co-existence of man, animal and nature along with the stylishly renovated wooden chalet, was enough to convince the “Sightsleeping®” jury.

“Gut Steinbach” in Reit im Winkl

This 50-hectare estate in the Bavarian Alps has 58 rooms and suites, as well as a newly designed chalet village, which came in for special praise from the jury. The design of the chalets was inspired by the historic creations of regional craftsmen and they are all situated round a natural pond. Gourmets can revel in top-class cuisine characterised by regional Bavarian touches. In the MOLTKE wine lounge in the Forsthaus, guests can relax over a glass of wine, or they may choose to indulge in the pampering offered by the 600 m2 sauna and pool complex. The jury was particularly taken by the regional nature of this property, which is conveyed by the careful choice of materials and the consistent focus on regional cuisine.

“Hotel Wilder Mann” in Passau

The Hotel Wilder Mann, located in the heart of Passau’s picturesque old town, was built in the Baroque era and has been a top destination in this city of three rivers since the 19th century. Adalbert Stifter, Count Zeppelin and Empress Elisabeth I were among its prominent guests. The establishment has quiet rooms, apartments with conservatories and historic rooms furnished with exceptional antiques. Breakfast is served in a light and airy dining room overlooking the rooftops of the old town and the cathedral of St. Stefan. A unique feature is that Passau’s Glass Museum is also located in the hotel complex, housing the world’s largest collection of European glass. Friedrich Dürrenmatt once described the “Wilden Mann” with the Glass Museum as “the most beautiful glasshouse in the world” – and the jury found no reason to disagree.

“Staudacher Hof” in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

In an idyllic location with the Zugspitze in the background, the Staudacher Hof in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a wonderful place to relax. The Hof has been owned by the same family for 110 years. The jury loved the newly renovated farmhouse, with its skilful integration of modern elements into the historical building. Alongside culinary highlights, health and wellness are writ large here: guests can leave their everyday lives behind with a session of Aranja yoga or an Ayurveda massage in Staudacher’s Spa & Garden. Those in search of true rest and relaxation will find what they are looking for in the Bavarian steam room or the panorama sauna with its mountain views.

“quartier – lodges und tagesbar” in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The combination of traditional and modern architecture reflects the first impression of the “quartier”: the renovated villa from 1906 on the one hand, the new hotel structure of wood and concrete on the other – a very special ensemble that impressed the jury. Regional dishes with organic credentials are served each day in the Tagesbar located in the old building. In contrast, wood is the star of the loft-style lodge in the new section. Stylish purism is offset by modern comfort. A varied range of sport and leisure activities in and around Garmisch-Partenkirchen completes the concept of the quartier.

All information about the Sightsleeping® residences and events in and around the hotels plus a download link for the Sightsleeping® catalogue can be found at: https://www.bavaria.by/experiences/sightsleeping-hotels/ .

The current portfolio of Sightsleeping® hotels:

Alpenhotel Krone, Alpenhotel Wittelsbach, Galerie & Art-Hotel Am Eichholz, art & business Hotel Nuremberg, Bergdorf Hüttenhof, Berghotel Maibrunn, Biohotel Pausnhof, Brauereigasthof Hotel Aying, Burg-Hotel Rothenburg, “Burg” Jugendherberge Nuremberg, Burg Rabenstein Castle, das Freiberg Romantik Hotel, Dorint Resort & Spa Bad Brückenau, Hotel Fuchsbräu, Gästehaus St. Georg Kloster Weltenburg, Gästehaus Weingut am Stein, Gut Hartschimmel, Hollerhöfe, Hotel am Main, Hotel Bachmair Weissach, Hotel Hirsch, Hotel Victoria Nuremberg, Hotel & Wellnessrefugium Das Kranzbach, Kloster Seeon, Kloster St. Walburg, Luis & Hezelhof, Landgasthof Meier, Relais-Chalet Wilhelmy, Romantik Hotel Neumühle, Romantik Hotel Chalet am Kiental, Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein, Burgellern Castle, Schlossparkhotel Mariakirchen, Schloss Steinburg, Staudacher Hof, Ulrichshof Baby & Kinder Bio-Resort, quartier – lodges und tagesbar, Weingut & Hotel Meintzinger

Members of the 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 Süsskind, Castle Dennenlohe

Ulrike Schillo, Bavaria Tourism, Munich

Uwe Frers, Founder Escapio GmbH (travel agency), Berlin

Photo: Staudacher Hof, © Staudacherhof