Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Spring serves as the ideal season for rejuvenation. As nature emerges from its winter slumber, early-flowering plants introduce the initial bursts of color, and animals increase their activity. Within the STURM garden, located at the fringe of the Rhön, the initial buzz of insects can be heard as visitors bask in the comforting sunlight.
According to one (admittedly older) study1, about 61 percent of Germans say that springtime makes them want to travel. No wonder: temperatures are getting milder, days are getting longer, and the sun is shining more often. At the same time, there is no extreme heat, so outdoor activities are less sweaty – and even saunas are more fun.
“We associate spring at STURM with our (re)blooming garden,” says Kira from the STURM team. “The first flowers are coming up, the first herbs are ready to be harvested, and the sun’s rays are getting stronger,” she enthuses.
The garden loungers are now ready for guests to soak up the sunshine and admire the vast natural park’s beauty. For those interested in learning more, the hotel offers guided garden tours. The hotel’s organic gardener will introduce the STURM garden, share insights, and provide gardening tips for use at home.
Spring heralds a time of renewal and transformation. A new relaxation area has been introduced, featuring comfortable poufs, and the indoor saunas have been enhanced with aromatic silver fir paneling. Updates have been made throughout the main building, including refreshed bathrooms and the signature sleek design of STURM.
Embrace Nature’s Rejuvenation
Located at the Rhön biosphere reserve’s edge, the organic wellness hotel offers guests immediate access to a stunning natural landscape, ideal for observing nature’s revival, especially after a relaxing treatment at the RHÖN SPA.
This season, the hotel introduces special sauna sessions, including infusions and meditations, guided by experts Pascal and Katha. These sessions are designed to soothe both body and mind. Guests can then cool down in the natural pond, which is pleasantly warmer than during the winter months when ice swimming was an adventurous option.
Culinary Celebrations of Spring
The restaurant welcomes spring with healthy and delicious meals made from the season’s first produce, featuring salads and herb spreads, with ingredients primarily sourced from the hotel’s garden or local organic farms.
At Otto|s Restaurant, the focus is on top-quality organic cuisine. The open kitchen design encourages guests to interact with the chefs, who are eager to discuss their cooking methods and share culinary tips, fostering an appreciation for organic, local, and sustainable food.
A Commitment to Sustainability and Style
For Christa and Matthias Schulze Dieckhoff, sustainability is not just a buzzword but a lived principle. This ethos is evident in their decision not to demolish the 1970s hotel structure but instead to thoughtfully modernize it, maintaining the distinctive STURM aesthetic with wooden elements.
The renovation and expansion efforts, led by architect Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Loebermann, focused on sustainability, aesthetic harmony with nature, and the preservation of the hotel’s character. These principles earned the studio the “best architect award 24” last year, highlighting the garden-facing rooms as guest favorites.
Advancing Sustainability at STURM
The hotel’s commitment to sustainability extends to its operational practices, including an in-house cogeneration plant, solar energy systems, heat recovery, and exclusively organic food. As a member of the Slow Food Movement and with practices like natural gardening and maintaining an ecological swimming pond, STURM has achieved certified climate neutrality.
A stay at STURM is more than just a holiday; it’s an opportunity to experience and be inspired by sustainable living, in a setting that encourages guests to relax, rejuvenate, and embrace the essence of spring.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
