At Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor, one gets a warm, eclectic welcome by way of stripe-strewn ceilings, criss-cossing to form diamonds, sandwiched at the front by two-storey high screens reflecting blue Munich skies.
The first Andaz hotel in Germany – and the third in Europe – is located in Schwabing, a hip, happening district in the northern part of Munich, once home to writers Rainer Maria Rilke and Heinrich Mann. The area is well-frequented by locals and visitors alike for its restaurants and boutiques, as well as the Englischer Garten, the city's largest park, nearby.
As such, architectural firm concrete was intentional about making guests feel not only welcome, but also like they're locals in the city. “For the design of Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor, it was very important to capture the soul of Munich and make guests feels like locals,” says Melanie Knuwer, associate and senior project architect at the Amsterdam-based studio.
“The combination of state-of-the-art technology and old traditions that make Munich unique forms a field of tension that can be found everywhere in the hotel’s design," she says.
Icons of Bavarian culture run throughout the interiors. Diamonds, whether in detail or in shadows, point back to the Bavarian flag – in the lounge and bar's floor, in the ballroom’s carpet and ceiling. Stone and herringbone oak floors, copper accents and leather sofas all collectively reflect the city's design style.
Reimagined for today's travellers, the 277-room hotel is peppered with striking touches, from coloured curtains and display cases that cast light and shadow plays in the interiors, to sculptural lighting pieces and mirrored ceilings that create an interest within the room.
"A modern loft was the inspiration for the spacious rooms," says Melanie. "Instead of conventional walls, two frames of raw steel divide it into a bathroom, bedroom and living area, to create a contemporary en-suite. This has resulted in an open-plan space, with a free visual axis from the entrance to the wide windows."
The panoramic windows bring in scenic views, spanning the city of Munich as well as the Alps, while bathroom amenities are supplied by La Bottega and Munich jewellery designer Saskia Diez, in a collaboration with Andaz Munich.
“We’re often asked where we find inspiration, and the answer is simple," says Melanie on the design ethos of concrete, which has worked on other luxury hotels, including W Hotel in London and Verbier. "We find inspiration everywhere.”
