Epoque Hotels Announces Hotel OTTO Best Design Hotel

The Trivago-travel community awards the privately run Hotel OTTO as “Top 1 Designerhotel Berlin”.

The largest European travel community, Trivago, chooses the privately run Hotel OTTO in Berlin-Charlottenburg as the best design hotel in Berlin. Taken from more than 150,000 guest reviews on design hotels in Berlin, the stylish Hotel OTTO wins with the highest overall ranking of the reviews and is as of now at the top of the list of Berlin’s best design hotels.

46 renovated and newly equipped rooms and suites offer modern comfort in urban design. The OTTO concept was developed by the well-known creative consultants “Kessler + Kessler” from Zurich. Absolute highlight of the modern boutique hotel is the breakfast lounge “Etage07” on the top floor of the hotel with adjacent sun terrace and fantastic views over Berlin’s rooftops. Chic Arper armchairs, chairs and tables, light cream tones, paired with prominent anthracite and colour accents in fuchsia award the lounge with timeless style.

The modern rooms offer functional comfort and contemporary design: the fabrics of the trendy Arper armchairs are taken from the series “small dots” by Charles and Ray Eames. Various Tolomeo lamps smartly light up the generous rooms. From the desk light, to the reading lamp over the bed up to the mobile standing light everything originates from the designseries by Artemide. The rooms are furnished with individually designed furniture from light wood.

Bright colour accents alternate with neutral colours. All materials have been produced by kvadrat, one of the top design textiles manufacturers. Technical features at Hotel OTTO, like flat screen TVs in all rooms and free wireless internet in the entire hotel round off the offer.

The original hotel Westerland was built in 1965 and opened in the 70′s. The Haas sons acquired the real estate in 2006 and Rita Mueller took over the daily hotel business. In autumn of 2007 extensive interior and exterior remodeling was accomplished in spring 2008.

Hotel Otto, Berlin

Completely renovated and refurbished in 2008. 46 modern rooms and studios offer functional design and highest comfort. Free high speed wireless (WIFI) Internet connection available in all rooms. The breakfast lounge ‘Etage 07’ offers an extraordinary view over the rooftops of Berlin. Organic products, homemade and weekly changing specialities and an extra long breakfast service till 11 am promise a perfect start in the day. The very favourite place in summer: the sundeck!

Location:

The Hotel Otto is only minutes away by taxi from the Berlin convention centre. The Undergound Station (Ernst-Reuter-Platz), the S-Bahn Station (Savignyplatz) and several busses are only minutes from the hotel. Parking is available on premises. – View Location Map.

General Information:

Category:	Avantgarde Superior [learn more]
Address:	Knesebeckstrasse 10, 10623 Berlin, Germany, Berlin [view map]
Type:	Boutique Hotel
Best Rate:	60 EUR [View Calendar]
Total Rooms:	46
Languages Spoken by Staff:	English, German, Spanish, Portuguese
Credit Cards Accepted:	MASTERCARD, VISA, AMEX, MAESTRO
Download full info [↓]

Hotel Otto Again Under the Best Hotels in Germany

The TripAdvisor-travel community awards the privately run hotel in Berlin with the Travelers’ Choice Award 2010

The members of the TripAdvisor travel community, the world‘s largest online portal for travellers‘ reviews, have voted for the best and most popular hotels worldwide: In the category “Top 25 hotels in Germany” Hotel Otto in Berlin-Charlottenburg classes among the winners and came 6th in the overall ranking.

The award reflects the satisfaction of the hotel guests and honours the personal and familial service of Hotel Otto’s. The 46 guestrooms and suites in urban design enjoy modern and functional comfort. Bright colour accents alternate with neutral hues. Definite highlight of this boutique hotel is the breakfast lounge “Etage07” located at top floor: Extensive views over Berlin’s rooftops and weekly changing breakfast specials make it for a superb start into the day. In the surrounding area of Hotel Otto, numerous cafés, restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Berlin‘s famous shopping boulevard, the Ku´damm, is only a few steps from the hotel.

The Travelers’ Choice Award is the only award, that exclusively relies on independent hotel reviews and actual experiences of millions of travellers. In its hotel-ranking the TripAdvisor-travel community, which reaches more than 36 million visitors per month, establishes Berlin as Germany’s hotel capital.

Epoque and Avantgarde Hotels wishes to congratulate Hotel Otto for this great achievement.

Hotel Otto, Berlin

Completely renovated and refurbished in 2008. 46 modern rooms and studios offer functional design and highest comfort. Free high speed wireless (WIFI) Internet connection available in all rooms. The breakfast lounge ‘Etage 07’ offers an extraordinary view over the rooftops of Berlin. Organic products, homemade and weekly changing specialities and an extra long breakfast service till 11 am promise a perfect start in the day. The very favourite place in summer: the sundeck!

Location:

The Hotel Otto is only minutes away by taxi from the Berlin convention centre. The Undergound Station (Ernst-Reuter-Platz), the S-Bahn Station (Savignyplatz) and several busses are only minutes from the hotel. Parking is available on premises. – View Location Map.

General Information:

Category:	Avantgarde Superior [learn more]
Address:	Knesebeckstrasse 10, 10623 Berlin, Germany, Berlin [view map]
Type:	Boutique Hotel
Best Rate:	60 EUR [View Calendar]
Total Rooms:	46
Languages Spoken by Staff:	English, German, Spanish, Portuguese
Credit Cards Accepted:	MASTERCARD, VISA, AMEX, MAESTRO
Download full info [↓]

Epoque Hotels Announces Partnership with The Levante Laudon in Vienna

Luxury apartments in the center of Vienna

Epoque & Avantgarde Hotels is proud to announce its partnership with The Levante Laudon Luxury Apartments Vienna. The Levante Laudon is sister hotel of The Levante Parliament , a boutique hotel that is already a member of Epoque Hotels since 2007.

The Levante Laudon in Vienna comprises of luxury furnished apartments in a very central location. The Levante Laudon is a great choice for those looking for a furnished apartment in Vienna. The luxury apartment house is located in a charming “Biedermeier“ building within walking distance to all the famous Viennese sights. The apartments of The Levante Laudon are divided in two categories with two or three rooms.

The Superior Apartments are equipped with a completely fitted kitchenette with dishes, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave, flat screen TV with satellite, direct telephone, designer furniture and complimentary W-LAN.

The Standard Apartments are equipped with a completely fitted kitchenette with dishes, refrigerator, direct telephone, satellite TV and complimentary W-Lan.

The Levante Laudon adds a series of services to maximize comfort. The Nemtoi Delivery” offers the possibility of having the exclusive menu from Nemtoi Restaurant – Bar @ The Levante Parliament served straight in any apartment; alternatively, Freshly baked “Pizzatounge” can be ordered daily between 11am and 5pm at the Laudon’s reception. Moreover, there is the option of having the fridge filled up before or during the stay, or rent a DVD in the corporations shop in the Florianigasse 13. Guests may also have access to the sauna and fitness lounge at partner hotel The Levante Parliament for a daily fee.

“We are very happy to showcase also this kind of accommodation in Vienna,” says David Maranzana, president of Epoque Hotels. “The Laudon is a remarkable property that is designed for long stays in this enchanting city that is Vienna”. TheLevante Laudon is located right in the city centre of Vienna, just a few steps from the Vienna City Hall and from its sister property the Levante Parliament. The Museumsquartier MQ and the Imperial Palace are less than 1 km from the property. Address: Laudongasse 8, 1080 Vienna, Austria, Vienna .

Calssic Cars in Florence | Fiat Topolino

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An out-of-the-ordinary display of classic Fiat Topolino cars in Piazza Santissima Annunziata in Florence on Sunday March 21st 2010.

Hotel VIURA – The First True Luxury Boutique Hotel Opens In Rioja

This summer visitors to the wine region of Rioja will be able to stay at a brand new four star Hotel Viura, a member of Epoque Hotels. Named after the most widely planted white grape variety in Rioja, Viura is a new-build, contemporary hotel with 26 guestrooms and seven suites, two bars and a restaurant.

Hotel Viura is the fifth hotel in the MHM portfolio, which specialises in the development, launch and management of independent hotels. The current portfolio comprises Villa Soro and Astoria7 in San Sebastian, Iturregi in Getaria (Guipúzcoa) and Palacio Guendulain in Pamplona. Ongoing projects include Cap Rocat in Mallorca (opening June 2010) and a project in Normandy scheduled for 2011. Pablo Carrington, Managing Director of MHM said: “Viura is Rioja’s first true luxury boutique hotel. It feels cutting edge, exciting and fun. But we also want to give anyone who stays here a true feel of La Rioja – after all, we are right in the middle of a typical, working wine village. So, although it is very contemporary, Viura really blends in with the village.” Villabuena de Alava, home to Hotel Viura, is typical of the many small medieval villages dotted amongst the vineyards in the rolling wine country of La Rioja Alavesa, one of three regions – with Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja that make up La Rioja, Spain’s prime wine-producing area. Though part of the Denominación de Origen of La Rioja, the area actually lies within the province of Alava, southernmost of the Basque Country’s three provinces.

Cutting edge architecture and design This ancient and illustrious wine country is the place where the old world charms of Spanish wineries now blend flawlessly with ultramodern architecture, and Viura is a perfect example of this. Although it is set in the middle of the traditional village, next to the 17^th century church, Viura’s architecture, is a true departure from traditional form: a series of concrete cubes, one on top of the other, that seem to rise out of the ground. The architecture successfully links the interior to the exterior landscape; floor to ceiling windows throughout and private terraces ensure that there is always a view of the village, the Sierra de Cantabria or the church. The sleek, uncluttered interiors have been designed by designhouses (www.designhouses.es) who are also the owners of the hotel. Clever use of partitions, glass and sophisticated lighting add to the ambiance and fun. Materials and techniques have been brilliantly used together to create avant-garde work of art, strikingly different to its environment but nonetheless blending in to its surroundings. Local food and wine Food and wine will play a major role in any visit to Hotel Viura. Sommelier José Gonzalez Godoy (formerly with La Bobadilla, Loja, and Paradores of Spain), will be on hand to advise guests and encourage them to make some unconventional and bolder choices. Guests are welcome to explore the large wine cellar with him, and the wine list has been formulated so that guests can choose either by region or by grape variety. The list features more than 200 local wines, with a constantly-updated section highlighting the latest news and creations from local wineries. In the kitchen Emilio José Contreras will be working his magic with Chef Pedro Olmedo, MHM’s executive chef. Chef Contreras’ dishes and tasting menus are based in the Riojan and Basque food tradition with fresh and natural products, served in the atmospheric Viura Restaurant under a ceiling made of with old wine barrels. On the menu, look out for the chef´s version of the classic Patatas a la Riojana (potatoes with sliced chorizo, cooked and accompanied by meat broth and Riojan-style parma ham cut into julienne strips) or a rack of lamb with a herb tisane and aubergine compote. The perfect base Hotel Viura is the ideal base to discover and explore La Rioja. Only 20 minutes from Logroño, the unspoiled capital of La Rioja and a centre of the trade in Rioja wine; Haro – known for its exquisite architecture, fine red wine and the annual Haro Wine Festival where locals famously hold a wine battle. Viura is also just 10 minutes from iconic wineries such as Ysios, Marqués de Riscal, Cune and López Heredia, as well as the innovative Bodega Contador and Telmo Rodriguez – guests can borrow one of the hotel’s bicycles and stop for a wine tasting as they cycle through the vineyards. Viura’s rooftop lounge bar is spectacular by day or night, with a 360 panoramic view. Get comfortable with a glass of something local, for a bird’s eye view of the village as the sun sets over the Church of San Andrés and the Sierra de Cantabria. Hotel Viura opens in April 2010 and is a member of Epoque Hotels. The 4* hotel has a total of 26 guestrooms and 7 suites, with a restaurant and two bars.

La Rioja Alavesa - Protected by the craggy south face of the Sierra de Cantabría to the north and bounded by the River Ebro to the south, La Rioja Alavesa enjoys a privileged micro-climate for wine growing. The region is home to some of the most prestigious large wine producers, as well as many small boutique wineries. Almost 80 percent of the wine produced in Rioja Alavesa is from the Tempranillo grape variety, favoured for its ability to age well, its colour and moderate levels of acidity. Other varieties produced include viura (a white grape from the Mediterranean and after which the hotel is named), garnacha (originally from Aragon), mazuelo and graciano.

A Look into the Invisible | Magritte, De Chirico, Ernst, Balthus at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence

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Is it possible to see the invisible? This was the attempt made by the surrealist artists of the early 20^th century and of which a collection is showcased at the fascinating Palazzo Strozzi in Florence from February 26 to July 18 2010.

r The young artist Giorgio de Chirico first became conscious of a new approach to seeing the world when visiting Florence at the age of 21: “On a clear autumn afternoon I was sitting on a bench in the middle of piazza Santa Croce […] I had the strange impression that I was looking at all these things for the first time, and the composition of my picture came to my mind’s eye [...] the moment is an enigma to me, for it is inexplicable”. This revelation —as De Chirico called it—inspires his artwork of the 1910s and 1920s.

Magritte, famous for his men on a bowler hat, recalled that the first time he saw a painting by De Chirico he felt he could “see thought”. De Chirico’s painting introduced again into modern art a number of philosophical and intellectual qualities that had been absent for some time. This exciting exhibition consists of paintings by De Chirico, Ernst, Magritte, Carrà, Morandi, Balthus, Nathan, Roy and Savino. For more information please visit Palazzo Strozzi’s website.

Epoque Hotels showcases boutique hotels in Florence EXHIBITION INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS Daily 9.00 – 20.00 Thursday 9.00 – 23.00 Visitors admitted until one hour before exhibition closes tel.+39 055 2645155 RESERVATIONS Sigma CSC From Monday to Friday 9.00-13.00/14.00-18.00 tel. +39 055 2469600 fax +39 055 244145 prenotazioni@cscsigma.it EXHIBITION’S FACILITIES Bookshop, Metaphysical Cafè (closed Monday), Agora/z Mandragora’s design e bookshop Full disabled access.

Boutique Hotels in a Nutshell

The Guestrooms

Often each guestroom in a Boutique Hotel is different from the others, by colour, setting, view and furniture. Antique or avant-garde furniture, drapes, old paintings or plasma TV, the stress is always on comfort and style.

The Bathrooms

Quirky Georgian-style or large high-tech with Jacuzzi, the bathroom is an essential sanctuary in which to relax and rejuvenate.

The Lobby

Smaller and more homey than those in hotel chains, lobbies in Boutique Hotels are often dimly lit, filled with artworks, a fireplace, comfortable ethnic or design furniture, all stimulating convivial and relaxing moments.

The Service

Great attention is laid to the service. Owing to a smaller number of guestrooms to attend, it is easier for the hotelier in a Boutique Hotel to supply to the needs of each guest with a personalized approach.

The Food and Drinks

Some Boutique Hotels offer a very special opportunity to taste the gastronomic idiosyncrasies of internationally acclaimed chefs and a superb choice of fine wines and liquors.

Locations

There is no definite location for a Boutique Hotel. It could be in a crowded city, in the peaceful countryside, close to a dreamy sandy beach or even on a glacier!

A Definition of Boutique Hotel

Like Art, a Boutique Hotel is hard to define, but you’ll know when one you see it. Some key aspects may help to distinguish the concept behind this trend in hospitality. Just like a “boutique” in French defines a small upscale shop to differentiate it from a big department store, similarly a Boutique Hotel distinguishes itself from a large Hotel Chain, which is identifiable with standardized features and looks. A Boutique Hotel is typically a small independent property which is not restrained by the standards dictated by a Hotel Chain. As a result, Boutique Hotels are unique in their style, decor and character and are developing in more and more destinations. This trend is now one of the most significant phenomenon in the hotel industry since the establishment of franchise Hotel Chains in the 50′s and 60′s. Back then, the concept was to replicate the features of a hotel in various destinations. With Boutique Hotels, the emphasis is laid on the uniqueness and individuality of the property. As a matter of fact, prior to the 50′s, virtually every hotel was a Boutique Hotel. Family run and of small dimensions, hospitality was one-of-a-kind before switching to mass production. Currently, with Boutique Hotels, there is a comeback to the warmth of a family feel, a return to a homey and more personalized experience. Just like fashion periodically comes back to past evergreen roots, so Boutique Hotels hark back to the genuine origins of hospitality. What characterizes a Boutique Hotel is the high quality service which is specifically geared towards the needs and expectations of the guest. Although many Boutique Hotels are hosted in historical buildings, they all offer a variety of up to date amenities that satisfy the wishes of the modern traveller, such as Internet and business facilities, Spa, swimming pool and often Restaurant and Lounge Bar. Other Boutique Hotels make of cutting-edge design their greatest strongpoint. Renowned interior designers and architects are often engaged in decorating and shaping the contemporary Boutique Hotel. Ultramodern conveniences, high-tech equipment and trendy furniture assure the guest a compelling hotel experience. In fact, be it in a manor house, a castle, or a futuristic structure, the goal of a Boutique Hotel is to provide the traveller with an unforgettable setting for his or her journey. A Boutique Hotel is always a one-of-a-kind lodging experience. In a world that is becoming increasingly standardized, where commodities, stores, restaurants, indeed society in general is developing into a homogenised entity, Boutique Hotels are beacon for diversity and originality.

About Epoque & Avantgarde Hotels

 

One of the major challenges that independent hoteliers need to face is how to be competitive in a busy market alongside branded and big budgeted competitors. The marketing of a boutique hotel can often create or shatter the business, but the expense of acquiring enough exposure to make a difference is often beyond the pocket of many hoteliers.

 In 2002, two industry experts, David Maranzana and Juan Palmada, tried to find a solution to this dilemma and founded Epoque Hotels, a marketing representation company that would bring together the best of the independently owned boutique hotels and market them as one single entity.

 

David Maranzana, who has an applauded background in international hotel sales and marketing, teamed up with his industry friend Palmada, who brought with him his precious know-how in operations, having run a number of Europe’s best loved hotels. The first hotel to sign with Epoque Hotels was a stylish Parisian town house hotel, The Napoleon, and since then there has been no looking back.

 

 “Our inspiration came from simply spotting a gap in the market for representing boutique hotels; and soon after getting The Napoleon on-board a hand full of our other contacts also signed up,” explains Palmada. “In such a short time Epoque has grown rapidly, in 2006 we had reached 240 members and today the figure has reached more than 350.”

 

The company started with a classic line called Epoque Classic, which includes traditional, timeless and elegant boutique hotels. They soon began to expand their portfolio with a range of design-oriented properties. According to Maranzana, “it soon became clear that we had to very distinct products that needed to be marketed to different audiences. We therefore took the decision to introduce a second brand to sit alongside Epoque Hotels so that we could implement a more targeted approach that would suit both styles of properties.” As a result Avantgarde Hotels, a collection of 150 hotels in 100 different destinations was launched.

 

But why boutique hotels? “Because we have a passion for them and we want to help them gain market share against the competition,” clarifies Maranzana. “We love the industry and personally we would both choose smaller independent hotels with character over a larger generic chain. We find working with independent hoteliers is the best part of the job because they are so passionate about their product, and passionate about providing top of the range hospitality.”

 

Epoque Hotels brings on only a property if it meets their strict criteria for originality, character, charm, quality and personality. Maranzana and Palmada love how independent hotels will provide that little bit extra, be it in the service, room design or as in the case of London based hotel, The Zetter – a free hot water bottle for each for their guests.  

 

For more information and bookings please visit:

 

 

Epoque Hotels

Avantgarde Hotels

 

 

 

 

Enterprise Hotel… a Green Hotel in Milan

Enterprise Hotel in Milan, a member of Epoque Hotels, is “eco-readapting” the structural components of the hotel by adjusting the illumination to the most modern technologies to the led or to low consumption, by foreseeing the diversified harvest for all the departments of the hotel, and by proceeding with periodic controls of the systems of filtration of the air and by featuring an ecological restaurant.

This important choice has allowed Enterprise Hotel Milan to deal with activities and projects that have involved all the hotel departments and that are leading Enterprise Hotel toward complete eco-sustainability.

Enterprise Hotel Milan’s structure was initially conceived in the 1950’s and hosted a radio factory. This is a true example of innovative creativity that represents Milan’s “Old School” style. The Enterprise hotel has still the original features of the building, which was preserved during the renovation and that entails high ceilings and large windows that give light to the restaurant. This boutique hotel offers also: Wi-FI: wireless technology in each room and apartment as well as in the Congress Centre, the communal areas and the garden. The hotel boasts 1000 sq meters of conference facilities, an elegant restaurant, two bars, a wine cellar, a fitness centre and a garage. Today, Milan has an original chic hotel with a great visual impact that is minimalist and linear, set with avant-garde technological services but, at the same time, warm and comfortable…and eco-friendly as well.