Susanne Kleehaas has been responsible for the design of the hotel group. Among her duties as Managing Director is the interior design of the Residenz-Hotel Schloss Berg in Perl-Nennig, Saarland. A deliberately chosen classical and elegant style gives the castle’s ambience a distinctive touch.
What criteria guide you when planning a hotel’s interior? What decisions shape the design choices?
Like each of the five Victor’s Residenz-Hotels in Saarland, Schloss Berg is dedicated to a special theme. Here, it is the indulgent Roman world: our main building recalls the era of Roman architecture and ancient viticulture, designed as a classical Roman villa. The Roman theme runs like a thread through all hotel areas: playful ornaments, extravagant luxury suites, and wall paintings reflect the concept. Even the wellness area revives Roman bathing culture. Vinotherapy, for example, was already used by the Romans to enhance well-being.
How do you ensure you meet the high expectations of your clientele regarding quality and materials?
My expectations are very high, which is why I chose only first-class, carefully selected products. As my travels to other five-star hotels in Germany and Europe have confirmed: only the best is good enough for our guests.
“When choosing furniture, I naturally have to pay attention to functionality and hygiene standards.”
SUSANNE KLEEHAAS
To what extent must aspects of functionality be taken into account in the equipment and choice of materials in order to meet cleanliness requirements and hygiene standards?
When choosing furniture, I naturally have to pay attention to functionality and hygiene standards; a floor covering or a cupboard can be as extraordinarily beautiful as it is, but if the housekeeping have to spend too much time cleaning it, it is not compatible with our economic goals.
(v.l.n.r.: Sommeliere Nina Mann, Christian Bau, restaurant manager Julia Pleintinger)
“We are uncompromising when it comes to cleanliness, hygiene and orderliness.”
SUSANNE KLEEHAAS
Would you say that you apply higher, more meticulous hygiene standards than other hotels? Is there a superior idea in this respect?
Cleanliness is considered one of the most important criteria when choosing a hotel. Housekeeping must have extensive knowledge in the surface treatment of high-quality materials, as Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Schloss Berg is equipped with exquisite and first-class furnishings that require special care in cleaning. A superior idea, if you will, applies in all Victor’s Residenz-Hotels, whether in Berlin, Leipzig or here in Perl on the Moselle: we are uncompromising when it comes to cleanliness, hygiene and orderliness. A high standard that applies in all areas: in the spa, but also in each room and each bathroom. Our architects knew how to use wall tiles and floor tiles so perfectly that even the design of the bathrooms matches the overall ambience.
Your hotel is home to the three-star restaurant Victor’s Fine Dining by Christian Bau. His cuisine combines French influences with the flavours, techniques and traditions of Japan. Is it a balancing act to combine this purist cuisine with the opulence of the castle?
Our guests feel completely at home with us and many find the stylistic “break” between the classic, fairytale castle rooms and the concept of Victor’s Fine Dining Restaurant stimulating and interesting; I see a contemporary excitement between the Renaissance castle and the cuisine.
Christian Bau has been cooking at Schloss Berg for many years. Here he has taken the cuisine to a whole new level.
Christian Bau has a free hand in many respects: for the interior design of his restaurant, he made suggestions and we decided together on design, table culture and the entire furnishings. Materials used for floors and walls, for example, are first subject to functionality and hygiene, which of course does not detract from their noble design.
Does a free spirit like Christian Bau, who has freed himself from all the requirments of traditional cuisine, have to accept compromises?
Like all of us, Christian Bau has to make compromises from time to time. After all, he also contributes to the company’s success. However, he makes no compromises when it comes to the ingredients he uses; here the rule is: it must always be of the highest quality, with respect to the seasons and nature. Christian Bau’s credo is: “We want to make guests happy with what we do”, I have nothing to add to that!
The Roman mosaic in Perl-Nennig:
Inspiration for a global success
Perl-Nennig, situated on the banks of the Moselle in the Saarland, is the location of Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Schloss Berg. But that’s not all. In 1852, a Roman villa over 1,700 years old was discovered here by chance, with an excellently preserved mosaic floor covering over 160 square metres. A sensational find that gave the former company owner Eugen von Boch an idea: If the Romans were able to produce a noble and obviously extremely durable floor covering so long ago – why shouldn’t this also be possible with modern technical possibilities? Not only was the idea born but also the idea to combine the properties and functionality of the ceramic material with stylish design.
In Mettlach in the Saarland, Villeroy & Boch began manufacturing tiles on an industrial scale in 1869.
After a short time, they produced in large quantities as the so-called Mettlach tile soon became an enormous success.
