Design hotel and sustainability champion in classic alpine setting
Quartier Lodges / Garmisch-Partenkirchen / Germany
The alpine dual town, Garmisch-Partenkirchen has a certain ring to all who are fans of Winter sports. It is the largest and most popular alpine resort in Germany, both in Summer and Winter. Conveniently this is also where you find the tallest mountain in Germany, Zugspitze at 2962 m above sea level.
And it is also here you’ll find the cool design hotel Quartier Lodges Biohotel, in the central parts of Garmisch. The hotel is part of an entire city block which is mostly residential except for this boutique hotel. The main building, Villa Friedheim, where you’ll find the reception and the restaurant is an old building that was saved during the construction and seamlessly incorporated with the newer structure. I love how the roof is made to look like the mountains in the background.
I am a huge fan of this alpine design style that has one foot deeply rooted in tradition and the other in a more clean, modern look. It is so good to see how these two perspectives marry so well. Old and new, traditional and modern. Our loft was entirely made of wood, except for the polished concrete floor. It is interesting how the smallest design features are more highlighted when everything is made out of the same kind of material.
I love how the architecture mirrors the surroundings. How it is made to look like a mountain range.
The original building on this plot still stands. When this hotel was built it got a make over in the same color as the modern addition to create a more cohesive structure.
The wood + cement combo starts already by the entrance….
…and continues in the reception area where the wooden desk is the centerpiece placed in the middle of a circular concrete atrium.
The hotel “corridor”.
Wood everywhere you look. Like a grown up version of tree house.
The bed in our stunning room. Wood, wood and more wood.
And the lodges have the same kind of design aesthetic but where wood takes more of the centre stage and concrete plays second fiddle.
You are surrounded by wood and one could think it would be overwhelming but it isn’t. It somehow feels calming. Don’t ask me why, but it does.
A corner of our room where you can sit back and relax. And look out at the surrounding mountain tops.
The in-house restaurant that combines local traditions with modern flavors. Both when it comes to the food and the interior.
Don’t miss to go up to the top of the Zugspitze. Nothing for the someone who is afraid of heights.
M at the top of the tallest mountain of Germany, the Zugspitze. Snowy and cold.
The sun is setting on Garmisch and it is time to retreat back to our cozy tree house.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…want to go on an alpine vacation and you want to stay at in a really cool self catered apartment, you care about design and hotels that take circularity seriously. Then this is your place.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is that I really appreciate when a designer dares to make the bold choice of doing everything in one material. It is a big risk but I think it totally works and makes this place stand out.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is the chance to take the old train dating back to the 1930:s up to the Zugspitze summit to see the view. The last bit to the top you have to take a more modern cable car. On a clear day you can see as far as Munich.
If you like this place you might also like…
Bühelwirt, San Giacomo, Italy
Schgaguler, Castelrotto, Italy
Wiesergut, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria
