Hotel PURS by Christian Eckhardt

WHERE ARCHITECTURE AND CUISINE MERGE TOGETHER

Gentle silence, noble design and top-class enjoyment - pure and authentic beauty can be found at the Hotel PURS by star chef Christian Eckhardt, located on the Rhine. The star chef's hotel is a place where passion for the beautiful things in life thrives. Here in Andernach, Germany, architecture, stylish interiors and gastronomic passion come together. Upon entering the hotel, the lobby presents itself with clear structures and a simple colour scheme. The comfortable sofas and the open fireplace invite one or the other art and culture lover to linger. The unique Hideaway PURS was curated by the Belgian designer and art collector Axel Vervoordt, who as an interior designer is known above all for unusual and special spaces. One marvels at the artworks found throughout the house, which are ideally matched with the indoor environment. A stay at PURS never feels like a mere overnight stay in a hotel - it is more like immersing yourself in a new home. The eleven rooms range from classic double rooms to luxurious suites. In addition to the culinary experience and the intimate retreats in the hotel itself, the PURS has a beautiful vaulted cellar for events, where wine tastings are held regularly, as well as a Smokers Lounge for all cigar lovers. The host and star chef of the PURS, Christian Eckhardt, creates wonderfully coherent dishes in his own four walls, which guests will remember for a long time afterwards. What Christian Eckhardt creates at PURS are coherent dishes that provide extraordinary moments of taste and happiness. With a great deal of creativity, the star chef combines ingredients that at first glance have little in common. Because Christian Eckhardt is known for complex dishes that never overwhelm, but amply inspire.

Double room from € 250 / night | purs.com

MASSIMO BOTTURA

Culinary visionary - world's best chef in 2016 and 2018 

Massimo Bottura is considered one of the most creative chefs in the world and is especially appreciated as an active fighter against food waste. In Modena, Bottura founded the project "Il Tortellante" in cooperation with regional associations - a kind of therapeutic community project in which young people and adults with autism learn how to make fresh handmade pasta.

It took us many years to find this special place, and we filled it with our favorite things: from contemporary art to Parmigiano Reggiano and Aceto Balsamico.

Casa Maria Luigia by Massimo Bottura

THE BEST CHEF IN THE WORLD INVITES YOU TO HIS HOME

In the heart of the idyllic Italian region of Emilia-Romagna lies a jewel of the hotel industry. Star chef Massimo Bottura's heartfelt project "Casa Maria Luigia" is set amid 200-year-old oak trees next to a pond that invites guests to linger and an in-house vegetable garden. In collaboration with his life and business partner Lara Gilmore, Michelin-starred chef Bottura has created a luxurious yet natural Italian country-style hotel. It offers guests a timeless atmosphere where they can experience the diverse Italian region of Emilia-Romagna first-hand. Stylistically, the charming boutique hotel with only 12 rooms is reminiscent of the 18th century: The "Francescana" restaurant is a true culinary experience, courtesy of the hotel's three Michelin-starred master of the house, Massimo Bottura. It is located in a turn-of-the-century carriage house that has been transformed into a stunning dining room with open kitchen and contemporary artwork. Guests enjoying the tasting menu at the "Francescana" restaurant are seated at one of three communal dining tables designed by Alessandro Mendini. The tasting menu can vary according to season and availability; basically it is divided into 9 courses with wine accompaniment. In contrast to his three Michelin-starred restaurant "Osteria Francescana" in the center of Modena, guests here at the "Casa Maria Luigia" hotel have the unique opportunity to take an intimate look at one of the most renowned kitchens in the world. For reservations, however, you should be quick: Both the hotel and the restaurant have a limited number of seats and these are highly sought after by international gourmet fans.

DZ from € 600 / night | casamarialuigia.com

ANDREAS CAMINADA

Back to the Roots

Today's 3 Michelin star chef Andreas Caminada learned the art of cooking in his native Switzerland. His vision was clear early on: to create a total experience for the guest, to offer more than pure culinary refinement; something that surpasses mere culinary art. In 2018, Caminada expanded his portfolio to include the "Casa Caminada" - the inn with a pub, bakery and 10 rooms opposite Schauenstein Castle.

Food should be a sensory journey that leaves a lasting impression.

Schauenstein Castle by Andreas Caminada

UNIQUE VARIETY OF FLAVOURS IN GRAUBÜNDEN

Small but nice: In 2003, Andreas Caminada found the perfect location for his own hotel project in Schloss Schauenstein in Fürstenau in the Swiss canton of Graubünden - the smallest town in the world. Schloss Schauenstein is not only distinguished by its generous wine cellar, but above all by its gourmet restaurant run by Andreas Caminada himself. The castle also houses two other lounges: one for cigar lovers, the other for connoisseurs of peace and well-being. For he had never lost the special connection to his own origins during his "professional expeditions". Caminada is still fond of the Swiss mountains and the nature of Graubünden. Today, this is reflected above all in his cooking. Because like hardly any other star chef, Caminada knows how to bring traditional, regional cuisine to the plate with an amazing avant-garde twist. His culinary creativity thrives on familiar, seasonal ingredients sourced primarily from Switzerland, as well as a refined interplay of flavours accompanied by timeless lightness. This interplay remains, above all visually, as a wonderful memory in the gourmet's mind. At the age of only 26, the Michelin-starred chef became the tenant of the property at the time and started out with a team of just four people to get closer to his dream of owning his own hotel and being a host. Thanks to tireless commitment, passion for the profession and solid craftsmanship, the reputation of the establishment grew steadily. At the same time, Schloss Schauenstein was modernized and expanded bit by bit. Today, the fine boutique hotel houses 5 individual suites and 4 double rooms. In the rooms, a piece of history and historical building elements merge with modern design classics and works of art. The fairytale atmosphere of Schloss Schauenstein does not stop in the rooms, however, but continues into the hotel's own castle park, where guests can unwind by the pool.

Double room from € 340 / night | schauenstein.ch

ENRICO AND ROBERTO CEREA

Duo with focus on well-being 

Enrico and Roberto Cerea's parents instilled a passion for gastronomy in the pair as children and taught them the craft. After several stays abroad - including in New York and Munich - the two have settled in Italy and continue their passion for the well-being of the guest at the highest level here. With 3 Michelin stars, the duo spoils their guests with unforgettable culinary delights. 

Behind our estate there is one and a half hectares of vines. At harvest time you can help us produce our Faber and Muscat.

Hotel da Vittorio by Enrico and Roberto Cerea

FAMILY SPIRIT BETWEEN THE FASHION METROPOLIS AND THE LAKE REGION 

Picturesque, dreamy and fairytale-like - the hotel complex Da Vittorio of the Cerea family is nestled in the Italian hilly landscape that separates the bustling city of Milan from the lake landscape of Lombardy. The elegant villa is surrounded by a large, beautiful park that offers an oasis of peace and relaxation. The vision of the hosts - Enrico and Roberto Cerea - is to provide each guest with professional and unforgettable star-level service, making them feel at home. The majestic hotel rooms offer comfort, but above all luxury at the highest level. The choice of rooms is limited to 10 rooms and junior suites. In the gourmet restaurant, which has been considered one of the best addresses for fish lovers since the 1960s, every gourmet encounters an aromatic variety. Finely prepared shellfish and special creations are complemented by heavenly desserts for unforgettable culinary moments. Francesco Cerea, sommelier and maître de maison, is an expert of the finest wines from the in-house wine cellar and recommends with great dedication the right wine for each course. As host and master of the house, he builds a relationship with each of his guests and wants to offer a special experience at Hotel Da Vittorio.

DZ from € 400 / night | relaischateaux.com

Picture credits: Michael Königshofer; Callo Albanese e Sueo; Veronique Hoegger; Gaudenz Danuser; Relais & Châteaux