The four-star superior hotel Ameron Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa is located at one of the places of longing in Europe and one of the internationally most famous landmarks in Germany. In a 100-year-old building ensemble at the foot of the royal castles Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, nature and culture merge into a unique resort. The international guests enjoy a break from everyday life in the 850 sqm "4 Elements Spa & Fitness" with a spectacular view over the Alpsee.
After extensive renovation works, the new hotel of the Althoff Hotel Group, to which the Ameron brand belongs, opened in autumn 2019. It combines several historic traditional houses and two new buildings to form a resort with 137 rooms and suites, including a conference and event area. The impressive complex is complemented by the exquisite "4 Elements Spa & Fitness" as well as different gastronomic offers depending on the time of day and the occasion. The unique ensemble is an important part of the cultural heritage of the House of Wittelsbach. Thomas H. Althoff, the founder of the Althoff Hotel Group, therefore is proud that "the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfond has entrusted us with this location, knowing that we are honouring its tradition in a special way and at the same time continuing it in a lively manner."“
Authenticity as an obligation
Im Hotel Ameron Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa ist es Architekten und Innenarchitekten auf beeindruckende Weise gelungen, feinfühlig die besondere Historie, Natur und bayerische Kultur zu einem stimmigen Gesamtwerk zu verbinden. Bestehende sowie bewährte Elemente wurden aufgegriffen, aber dennoch in einer zeitgemäßen Modernität fortgeführt. Inspirationen aus der umgebenden Landschaft mit atemberaubender Bergkulisse und Blick auf den Alpsee finden sich unter anderem in der Gestaltung des Eingangsbereichs, der verschiedenen Restaurantbetriebe sowie der Zimmer. Die innenarchitektonische Klammer bilden hochwertige und natürliche Materialien, wie Natursteinböden und Holzdielen kombiniert mit Schwarzstahl, Leinen, Filz und Loden. Einen Rückzugsort nach den vielfältigen Eindrücken des Tages, aber auch einen fein austarierten Gegenpol zu den touristisch frequentierten Attraktionen der Umgebung schafft ein großzügiger Spa & Fitnessbereich.
Johannes Wegmann Architects, Schliersee, and BKLS-Architekten + Stadtplaner, Munich, are responsible for the design and implementation planning of the entire complex. The planning team was complemented by Landau + Kindelbacher Architekten/Innenarchitekten, Munich, who created the interior design of the hotel with the exception of the conference and spa area.
Topography as a skilfully mastered challenge
"We wanted to create an inviting space for guests to relax and enjoy the extraordinary surroundings in great peace and quiet. A wellness area as a contrast to the tourist streams, which in the season can be found until 5 p.m. or even 6 p.m.", Stefan Seifert, partner at BKLS-Architekten + Stadtplaner, outlines the idea of the "4 Elements Spa & Fitness".
A large part of the spa digs into the steep topography of the site and was embedded in the hill as a lower terrace floor, with the facade being made of worked natural stones. Unfortunately, this meant that natural lighting was only possible on one side of the spa. This was a superficial disadvantage, which, however, later proved to be an advantage. Because it was exactly this position which made the spectacular view over the Alpsee possible.
In order to increase the terracing and create a pleasant contrast to the geometrically simpler buildings in the upper area, the planners gave the structure a delicate, natural-looking swing. This effect is continued in the interior and is accompanied by amorphous ceiling forms, terraced, curved sunbathing areas and the arched long side of the pool, which picks up the shape of the window front. "The aim was to enable the viewer to experience a flowing and thus hardly perceptible transition between inside and outside. Accordingly, we also decided in favour of earthy colours and natural materials", explains Seifert. The desired colour and material spectrum was to be implemented by a tile collection whose general look conveys originality. As Seifert explains, "the Savona series of Agrob Buchtal met these requirements in full." Limestone, granite and cement, a coarse-grained texture as well as soft layers are ceramically interpreted and combined to create a lively overall composition. A varied but discreet texture attractively runs through the surface and lends this ceramic tile collection a powerful, archaic character. Finely incorporated glossy spots as well as the subtle haptics underline the stony character. Savona in the format of 30 x 60 centimetres and the colour brown connects the individual areas of the "4 Elements Spa & Fitness" as floor and partly also as wall tile and thus not only enables a comprehensive room concept but also atmospheric harmony.
Savona tile series: versatile link
In addition, BKLS-Architekten + Stadtplaner decided to use the Savona collection not only for the pool surround, but consequently also for the pool cladding. "Our intention was to create a calm, contemplative atmosphere which is not disturbed by a spectacular pool colour. Rather, the pool was to enter into a dialogue with the natural stone wall flanking the wall sides of the pool." A special design solution, but one which also made quite special demands on the tiles. Slip-resistance classes were required, which made it possible to use the Savona series in the water, too. Agrob Buchtal solved this task by means of the glaze mixture, which is sprayed onto the surface by a special technique and then is durably bonded to the tile body during the firing process. By using this technique, different slip resistances can be produced, such as, for example, the classifications R10/A as well as R11/B, which were also in demand here.
Perfection even in detail
A small but fine detail of the pool with almost 80 square metres of water surface is a special production of Agrob Buchtal: the pool edge system Wiesbaden contains especially for this project a slightly inclined handhold-piece and a recess, which is covered with the pool wall tiles up to directly under the channel bulge. This makes the pool edge look elegant and filigree from the inside of the pool. Furthermore, with the Wiesbaden system, the water level is almost flush with the pool surround, thus allowing an unobstructed view - in this case of the magnificent Alpsee.
About Ameron
The Ameron brand is part of the Althoff Hotels under the management of company founder Thomas H. Althoff. The four-star superior hotels in Germany and Switzerland impress not only with their common understanding of quality, but also with their consistently outstanding locations, first-class architecture and cosmopolitan interior design. At the same time, each hotel captivates with its own individual character - in accordance with the guiding principle "a world of many worlds". Ameron is currently represented in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Bonn as well as in Davos, Lucerne and Hohenschwangau. Until the end of 2020, three new openings are planned to expand the portfolio, namely in Frankfurt am Main, Munich and Zurich.
About Agrob Buchtal
Agrob Buchtal is a brand of the most important German ceramic tile manufacturer Deutsche Steinzeug Cremer & Breuer AG. The company is one of the few suppliers of architectural ceramics world-wide and covers the entire application spectrum of ceramic tiles. In addition to product quality Made in Germany (all four factories are located in Germany), the company offers comprehensive service and consulting for specialist target groups. A further special feature is the in-plant HYTECT coating (with which the Savona series is also provided): thanks to its amazing properties, this innovative solution saves time and money and protects the environment.
ameronhotels.com/de/neuschwanstein-alpsee-resort-spa
Contact
Werner Ziegelmeier (Head of Public Relations)
Phone: +49 (0)9435 391-3379
Mobile: +49 (0)160 90527159
Fax: +49 (0)9435 391-303379
Email: werner.ziegelmeier@deutsche-steinzeug.de
