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Mar

Easter traditions & the perfect hotel

by Sonja Franke March 8, 2010, 6:17 pm

Let us put Easter bunnies and Easter eggs aside when talking about Easter traditions – both have the significant drawback of living nowhere, thus you cannot do a journey under this motto.

In other countries, that is completely different. Just take Great Britain. On the continent, the Brits are believed to cultivate strange customs anyway, and the habit of patting each other with willow catkins at Eastern is only one of those.

More interesting is Pankake Thursday in the little town Olney, a festivity taking place on Holy Thursday for more than 500 years. Olney is near Milton Keynes and so you can reach it comfortably from London. There are plenty of London hotels, but the Number Sixteen Hotel is particularly romantic.

The hotel is not far situated from the popular trendy districts, but in a green environment. Five-star luxuries meet a pleasant retro atmosphere. Even a private garden is not missing in the 42-bedroom house. The perfect place for a perfect egg hunt!

Great Britain is too cold for you? Then go to Andalusia, where the metropolis Sevilla has a truly bombastic Easter tradition. Not only is the city the home of the tomb of discoverer Christopher Columbus, it also features the largest gothic cathedral in the world. When the Easter procession with the famous masked “hermandades” takes place, the atmosphere is hard to top. The “Semana Santa”, in English “holy week”, is from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, and on every day there are some special events somewhere.

Before I forget it: you need an accomodation! How about the Hotel Petit Palace Canalejas, a brandnew building in the middle of the town center. The furnishing is modern and the technical facilities are state-of-the-art, yet it is not an expensive luxury hotel. The hotel was opened in 2008, and it is a member of the so called High Tech Hotels group. You’ll definitely have a stylish Easter here…

You do not care about foreign costums and insist on your Easter egg? Then Switzerland should be the holiday resort of your choice. In the capital Bern on Easter Sunday people use to play “Eiertütscha” (egg bumping). The person who has the most robust Easter egg wins.

The Switzerland hotels are traditonally of high quality; as an example, the Hotel Allegro shall be mentioned. The special thing about that hotel is the spectacular view on the historic city, and from every window you can see the Alps as well. Given the 171 bedrooms, it is no surprise that the hotel offers every convenience – there was even room for a casino in the building. So let the easter bunny be your lucky charm!

Tags: Easter, Easter Hotels, easter offers, Easter traditions

Category: City Hotels, Events

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Mar

Countdown to the Oscars 2010

by Justyna Piepiorka March 5, 2010, 10:18 am

On March 7, it is time again for the Academy Award of Merit. Never heard about it? Well, then let us call the most coveted of all film prizes by its nickname: “Oscar”.

In this year, the prizes are awarded for the 82nd time, and I would not even think about recommending you a hotel in Los Angeles at that short notice.

Especially around Oscar time, Los Angeles is too expensive, too crowded and much too far away for a quick trip across the Atlantic.

But everyone who would like to be in the USA when the trophies for Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Writing are awarded, should look for hotels in New York.

In the Big Apple at the other end of the United States, a lot of film parties are being held at the time of the Oscars. So with a little luck, you will also at the East Coast get the chance to meet some stars or starlets who did not bother to go all the way to Hollywood.

According to the motto “do things in a big way”, you should stay at the legendary Waldorf Astoria.

That hotel is just classy, and it is situated in the very heart of Manhattan. Whether around Central Park or on Fifth Avenue – you can be sure that the next movie theater is not far away and you will not miss out on any details of the Oscar ceremony.

Now let us do a “cut”, as one says in the movie industry, and return to Europe, where there are also cities with a cineastic imprint. For once, I do not talk about Berlin, but about Cannes in Southern France.

Here as well, year after year the red carpet is brought out and film prizes are being awarded. So Cannes surely is a worthy place to stay when watching the Oscar ceremony.

Which of the many 5 star hotels is the right one for you? Probably the Intercontinental Carlton Cannes, since that is where the European movie greats are constantly coming and going.

In March, the Côte d’Azur is not yet as crowded as usual, but when the film festival takes place in May, things really take off.

Right now, Cannes is an ideal place to enjoy a bit of film prize atmosphere and a quiet getaway at the same time.

Tags: Hollywood, Los Angeles, Oscars, Stars

Category: Events, Luxury hotels

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Feb

Berlinale Hotels: Where the stars were seen

by Gesa Noormann February 23, 2010, 10:39 am

Even if the news magazine Focus slanders the lack of stars or the bad temper of the attending VIPs: The 60th Berlinale lured numerous international figures to Berlin, and in many Berliner Hotels fans could admire their stars more or less tightly. As always, the most star-studded venue was the Grand Hyatt Hotel, for here lies the red carpet for the press conferences in front of the door. Nicolas Cage was there, Kate Winslet, Til Schweiger, Armin Mueller-Stahl and Madonna – who is known as being picky – even finished her plate of sushi. Allegedly, the fans almost came to blows in front of the door. According to the Berliner Morgenpost, the press photographers lingered first and foremost on the hotel roof of the 5 star spa at the Hyatt, because from here, they probably had the best view on the Berlinale stars.

According to Gala, Leonardo di Caprio, with mother Irmelin in tow (family is obviously the trend: Pierce Brosnan also took his mother out to the Berlinale), preferred dining with friends in the Grill Royal than to show himself to the fans. And instead of going to the opening party of his own movie “Shutter Iceland”, he preferred to celebrate Valentine’s Day with his girlfriend Bar Refaeli at the bar of the Hotel de Rome. The opening party was held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Berlinale at Café Moscow, the legendary restoration in East Berlin. Here, to the cool retro atmosphere of socialist chic many stars and starlets moved in the evening, among them mainly German actors and producers such as Armin Rohde, Jürgen Prochnow, Katja Riemann and Hannelore Elsner. Of course, the ubiquitous party-mayor Klaus Wowereit, and Claudia Roth from the Greens, who is inevitable at such events could not be absent.

Angry words about Berlinale chief Dieter Kosslick or not: The Berlin hotels were fully booked as never before, and the ticket record from last year (275,000 entry tickets sold) has been probably topped again. And so many international stars at a time you meet in Germany only at the Berlinale.

Tags: Berlin, Berlin Hotels, Berlinale, Berlinale hotels

Category: Berlin Hotels, City Hotels, Events

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Feb

Five events for bridging until spring

by Sonja Franke February 16, 2010, 11:19 am

When will it be summer again – a summer like the ones I used to know, goes a popular German hit by unforgotten entertainer Rudi Carrell. And though ice and snow may hold some attractions, many readers are surely longing for sun and t-shirt weather.

My recommendation: be patient and enjoy the last weeks or months of the cold season attending some events. Maybe it will even become a short vacation. Until May, there are many occasions to leave the house.

So without further ado: go out and have fun! A few days ago, the Olympic Winter Games started in Vancouver. The great thing about the Canadian metropolis is how it is situated: the sea before the eyes, the mountains in the back. With a little luck, you will even get a ticket for one of the popular ski races. Canada, however, is always worth visiting, and the flights are affordable, too.

Too far away? Too much sports? Too cold? No problem. How about a trip to Spain during the “Semana Santa“? Translated into English, that is the “holy week”, the period between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. In Palma, Majorca especially, the festivities are well worth seeing. And the hotels in Majorca are not yet overbooked like in the summer months. Small and reasonably priced is, for example, the Hotel Can Calco in Moscari – one of hundreds of great places to stay.

And when you are already in Spain, you could as well stay a few weeks longer to watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix on the Circuit de Catalunya. The rallyes are always a thrilling experience, not only since Michael Schumacher (“Schumi”) is back behind the wheel. Afterwards, you can relax and cool down in the hotels of Barcelona, like the Hotel Silken Diagonal with its spectacular design.

But enough of sports. Let us talk about music. Did you know that Germany’s most successful rock band, the Scorpions, are for the last time on tour? Whoever wants to hear Winds of Change and their other hits live once more, should see to get a ticket. Maybe for their concert in Munich at the beginning of May, where I recommend the Hotel la Maison in the trendy district Schwabing.

Last but not least, there is a major event in the German capital Berlin. Early in March, the Echo Awards are being awarded. Stars like Xavier Naidoo, U2, Lady Gaga or Robbiiiiieeeee Williams are expected. Reason enough to organize now a hotel in Berlin, what should not be difficult considering the enormous choice of hotels that are available.

You will see: time until spring will pass very quickly – if you know how to use it well.

Tags: Berlin, Events, Hotels, Luxury hotels, spring

Category: Events, Hotels Germany, mini breaks, small hotels

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Feb

Berlinale: Stars on the red carpet

by Sonja Franke February 12, 2010, 10:03 am

Attentive readers of the Escapio weblog surely will have read the worthwhile article on Berlinale 2010. But as with every “gossip” topic, you never get tired of announcing the latest news.

So let us take stock – in the case of such a major event usually consisting of name-dropping. Which celebrities will attend? What will they wear? And above all: who is going to stay in which hotel?

A few of these world-shaking questions have already been answered, thus I would like to focus on the hotels in Berlin more suited to visitors than to stars and starlets.

So the celebrity hotspots Grand Hyatt Berlin, Hotel The Mandala and Hotel Q are out of the question. In the latter, beds are prepared not only for VIPs like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but also for Amy Winehouse, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Mischa Barton and Barbara Becker. However, in the Spree metropolis there are still some recommendable hotels that are in the center but not yet overbooked.

Just take Adele Designhotel in the trendy district Prenzlauer Berg. Only 14 bedrooms, all of them furnished in art deco style, are available here. The “Alex” or Alexanderplatz is in five minutes walking distance, if you do not prefer the busy Kollwitzplatz that you can also reach by foot in five minutes.

Directly at the above mentioned “Alex”, there is the famous Park Inn Berlin, the former Forum Hotel, which was the flagship hotel of the GDR. It is the best place for people who want to enjoy a view over (almost) the entire town.

1012 bedrooms and a height of 150 meters are superlatives even for Berlin. Needless to say, the Berlinale hotspots are fast and easy to reach from the Park Inn as well.

Finally, an insider’s tip for those who want piece and quiet, at least at night: the dignified ALMA Schlosshotel im Grunewald fits that purpose best.

The thoroughly noble house offers an exclusive five-star atmosphere, a fantastic spa and an interior design by fashion czar Karl Lagerfeld himself. Of course, here the same applies as for the other hotels: both by public transport and by car you are in no time at the center of events of Berlinale.

Tags: 5 star hotels, Berlin, Berlin Hotels, Berlinale 2010

Category: Berlin Hotels, City Hotels, Events, Uncategorized

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Feb

Carnival: Weiberfastnacht (Women’s Carnival Day)

by Gesa Noormann February 11, 2010, 10:51 am

If you are a male reader, you recognize this day as to whether your tie is already gone (if you look at the sports commentators, this even seems gradually becoming “in” again). At least if you live in the Rhineland (and if not find your suitable Rhineland hotel at Escapio), the girls with scissors are moving around and symbolically castrate the men. Because Weiberfastnacht is in fact women’s carnival day and as far as I am concerned it is the funniest.

The first reason is, that on this day you are only starting to get drunk and therefore you feel fresh without hangover (if you haven’t been at the Weibertanz (women’s dance) in Cologne the night before and are therefore emerging from the pillows only with difficulties). For a true Rhinelander (and even more for North Germans like me) carnival without alcohol becomes unbearable – this is the reason for the ridiculous feeding bottles with booze, which one likes to carry around the neck during the mad season.

Second, during Weiberfastnacht you are not standing inactively on the street, watching mostly in freezing cold the carnival floats, collecting sweets or sitting – according to each one’s importance – on any major stand while feeling bored. Instead you are moving through the streets from pub to pub, bawling loudly. As a Bonner by choice the day always started for me with the traditional storming of the Beuel town hall before moving on with the carnival procession to Beuel. In the evening you can celebrate superbly at the Rheinlust near the bridge of Beuel. Or if you rather like to celebrate with the Cologne revelers, you can visit in the evening the Lachenden Kölnarena (Laughing Cologne Arena) and immerse yourself into the classic carnival music scene and the Dreigestirn (The Three Stars).

If you are a notorious carnival fugitive and Weiberfastnacht means for you the start of the worst week of the year, you will find lots of great hotels on Escapio to escape from this mad season. Then be sure to avoid the Rhineland, Mainz and meanwhile also Berlin, as all its ex-Bonner deputies are trying for years to bring the Rhineland carnival atmosphere to Berlin – which doesn’t really work yet. Berliner Kindl isn’t just quite the same as Koelsch or Alt….

Tags: Carnival, Rhineland hotels, Weiberfastnacht, Women's Carnival Day

Category: Events, Hotels Germany

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Feb

Berlinale 2010: The Hotels of the Stars

by Gesa Noormann February 4, 2010, 9:43 am

Renée Zellweger will participate in the jury of the 60th Berlinale. She will be one of the high-profile members of the jury headed by German director Werner Herzog. Not only the committee, which awards the famous “Bären” is prominent: a veritable parade of movie stars is expected at the jubilee festival, including director Martin Scorsese (67) with main actor Leonardo DiCaprio (35), actor Sir Ben Kingsley (65) and Sex and the City star Kim Catrall. And “with the Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan (44) even some Bollywood feeling could arise”, festival director Dieter Kosslick (61) announced according to bild.de. Whoever likes to see a close up of his personal favourite can mingle with the fan crowd at the Potsdamer Platz, where the stars are strutting down the red carpet to the premieres. However, to capture a glimpse or even an autograph is rather difficult considering the crowd. Amateur paparazzis have better chances for success when they drop by at the hotels where the stars are accommodated during their stay in Berlin and hold out long enough in the lobby until the beloved he or she passes by.

The highest concentration of celebrities should be at the Grand Hyatt Berlin. This exclusive luxury hotel with a privileged location at the Potsdamer Platz is also hosting the press conferences this year. That’s why – according to hotel management – pretty much every VIP should pass by here sometime. Also located at the Potsdamer Platz is the five star hotel The Mandala, whose entrance is as discreet as the hotel itself: Several stars will most certainly sleep in this hot spot of Berlin’s hotel scene, but who exactly … Traditionally well occupied by celebrities is the Hotel Q!, where not only Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie spent the night, but also Amy Winehouse, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Mischa Barton and Barbara Becker. Recently, one of the Ochsenknecht boys has been sighted in the bar – no wonder, since this family is a long-stay guest here.

Tags: Berlinale 2010, Berlinale hotels, stars berlinale

Category: Berlin Hotels, Events, Uncategorized

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Jan

Bread & Butter Berlin: Fashion Show 2010 in Tempelhof

by Holly Maguire January 19, 2010, 9:53 am

After several years in exile, the Bread & Butter fashion show made a welcome return to Berlin last year. The 2010 winter shows take place in the former airport Tempelhof from 20th to 22nd January – this year with a Country theme. Opening the show are Berlin country rock cover band The Boss Hoss, who have enjoyed moderate success with unusual interpretations of country songs. The fashion halls in hangars and on the runway are fully booked and will play host to the 2011/12 season’s streetwear collections from designers including Diesel, Boss Orange, Lacoste, Levi’s and G-Star. According to Bread & Butter’s director Karl-Heinz Müller, the fashion show will be more successful than ever – despite the financial crisis. “The exhibitors’ interests remain unchanged,” says Müller in an interview with Fashion-Community Styleranking. “Bread & Butter is the leading platform for street and urban wear in Europe, if not worldwide.”

The event’s networking hotspot is the Original Sin Saloon with it’s western-style atmosphere. With live music every night, there is an emphasis on meet and greet in the restaurant where guests can pull on a pair of old Levi’s and cool-again cowboy boots to fit in with the running theme.

For anyone yet to book accommodation, Escapio has some of the few remaining rooms in some of Berlin’s hippest hotels. Arcotel Velvet on the trendy Oranienburger Straße or the Inn Sight City Appartments in Prenzlauer Berg will satisfy the tastes of the fussiest fashionistas - with affordable prices even during Bread & Butter. Anyone desiring an extra luxurious and stylish stay should check into The Mandala Hotel with its unbeatable Potsdamer Platz location. But be quick: don’t miss out on the last available rooms or you’ll end up stuck in an airport hotel!

One of the fashion community’s favourite hotels, the Ellington, is already fully booked but rub shoulders with the stars and catch DJane Leslie von JazzRadio 101.9 on 21st January who will be mixing the award winning electro jazz session “White Room” live in the Ellington’s lounge. Don’t miss the delicious cocktails during happy hour: 50% off between 9 and 10pm.

Tags: Bread & Butter, Fashion Show, Mode

Category: Berlin Hotels, City Hotels, Deutschland Hotels, Events, Fashion & Lifestyle

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Jan

SemperOperaball & Dresden Hotels

by Justyna Piepiorka January 14, 2010, 1:35 pm

On the 15th January 2010 for the fifth time the SemperOperaball will take place in Dresden. The ball hasn’t been celebrated for 67 years and had its revival in 2006. Since then the ball established itself as an important place-to-be within Germany’s calendar of events and attracts many important visitors from politics, sports and television each year. As every year, also this time the „SemperOperaball’s Dresden Medal of St George“ will be awarded to outstanding personalities from culture, politics and sports and it will be interesting to see if this year’s awarding will be as controversial as last year when Wladimir Putin has been awarded with the medal – nevertheless, despite criticism it generated a lot of media hype.

Maybe more touching than the awarding of important personalities is this year’s motto of the SemperOperaball: „Great Couples“. Until the beginning of January couples were able to apply with an especially romantic or extraordinary story… On the 15^th the winners – ten couples – will take part in the opening dance and are invited to celebrate this classical night.

Nobody will be disappointed to hear (especially a day before), that the ball is already sold out. But feel free to make plans for the next year, or – even better – celebrate with thousands of people on the Theatre Square in front of the Semperopera!

Of course, the perfect Dresden Hotel you’ll find with us…

Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe Dresden: The best way to prepare yourself for the ball is to enjoy the amazing view! The bright and ultra-modern rooms of this hotel have a fantastic view of the Dresden Frauenkirche. Also really impressing are the great luxury bathrooms with fine wooden fixtures and huge mirrors.

The Westin Bellevue Dresden: This elegant hotel is situated in the heart of Dresden, directly on the banks of the River Elbe, offering a panoramic view of Dresden’s beautiful Old Town. The perfect atmosphere to get a perfect night started…

Romantik Hotel & Restaurant Pattis: This romantic hotel consists of a group of buildings right in the middle of a park a few minutes outside downtown Dresden. Already with the aperitif, you will see that a dinner at this 5 star luxury hotel is something special. You can enjoy a drink to tantalize your appetite in the library by the crackling fire, in the rose garden out in the fresh air or at the bar. Enjoy the ball in a relaxed mood…

Tags: Dresden, Dresden Hotels, Operaball, Semperopera, SemperOperaball

Category: City Hotels, Deutschland Hotels, Events, Restaurants, Stunning views, romantic hotels

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Jan

Green Week in Berlin: sleeping in a bio-hotel

by Justyna Piepiorka January 12, 2010, 11:54 am

Maybe a fair for food, agriculture and horticulture doesn’t sound exciting – but the International Green Week in Berlin really is! Starting on the 15th January the Green Week will fascinate you immediately with its unique atmosphere. Take a stroll and discover the most exciting sides of different cultures. Enjoy a colourful walk, exotic spices, fragrant teas, fresh and healthy food – and last but not least – exquisite wine and good beer… unique flavours will intoxicate your senses and you can be sure that you won’t leave this exhibition without being invited by the exhibitors to drink one or two glasses of good wine. The Green Week you’ll leave full of new impressions, with a full stomach and with pockets filled with lots of pretty giveaways.

Everyone who loves good food and healthy living will appreciate to find this great bio-hotel in Berlin: the mitArt Hotel (rooms for the exhibition still bookable). It’s the first bio-hotel in Berlin with bio-certified food & beverage: A natural foods café can be found on the ground floor, and this is also open to the general public. Within an elegant, cosy atmosphere the hotel offers food and beverage from controlled organic farms… each morning the guests of the hotel can enjoy the famous and extensive natural breakfast buffet.

Take a look at our charming bio-hotels in other cities and regions…

Tags: bio-food, bio-hotel Berlin, Green Week, International Green Week Berlin

Category: Art Hotel, Berlin Hotels, Bio Hotels, City Hotels, Events

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Archive for ‘Events’ Category

Easter traditions & the perfect hotel

Countdown to the Oscars 2010

Berlinale Hotels: Where the stars were seen

Five events for bridging until spring

Berlinale: Stars on the red carpet

Carnival: Weiberfastnacht (Women’s Carnival Day)

Berlinale 2010: The Hotels of the Stars

Bread & Butter Berlin: Fashion Show 2010 in Tempelhof

SemperOperaball & Dresden Hotels

Green Week in Berlin: sleeping in a bio-hotel

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