Aspria Hotel to open in Berlin in November

On November 6, 2009, a new and unique refuge from the bustling city of Berlin will open behind the trees and noble façades of the city’s affluent Charlottenburg district: the Aspria Hotel, a 42-room retreat connected to a renowned 14,000m2 state-of-the-art spa and sporting club. The result: the ultimate city health and wellness resort.

“Aspria never stands still. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and continuous growth is part of our philosophy,” said Brian Morris, CEO of Aspria Group. “That’s why it is a priority for us to provide visitors to Berlin and our club members with a truly special accommodation experience – the new Aspria Hotel. There’s really nothing in the city that will compare with this hotel, it will be a real ‘escape,’ and we’re very proud of it.”

It was a golden opportunity for the UK-based group to acquire the five story neighboring building in the Karlsruher Strasse, which they could adapt to become part of the Aspria Club. Berlin-based designer, Michael Brown of NAU, redesigned the former industrial space: all accommodation – 39 rooms, 3 apartments, and 2 conference rooms – bears the signature of this up-and-coming design team, internationally renowned for their forward-thinking concept of “The Immersive Cocoon.” The result is an innovative series of calming, highly-modern spaces, full of light and thoughtful design touches.

The generously sized open plan rooms have nearly 30 m2 of usable space, 3.5 m high ceilings, and elegant furniture by Vitra and Walter Knoll. Guests enter their accommodation with a clear view of a panoramic window and a tailor-made pedestal bed that seems to float in the middle of the room. Along the length of the window stretches a desk with the same grey surface as the bed. It varies in height and can be used as a writing desk, a bench, or an area to open suitcases. In order to bring natural light into the bathroom, frosted glass has been used extensively, separating the shower area and toilet from the open sink and dressing room. The lighting design, featuring Moooi and Linea products, allows for flattering “mood lighting” or brighter, concentrated light for working, playing off elegant Vescom “Brora” wallpaper on one wall and, in a special touch, a gold shimmering bedhead upholstered in “Sudden” fabric from Kvadrat. Even the television has not gone without a rethink: the cutting-edge Philips Ambilight screens are ceiling-mounted at an angle that corresponds perfectly with the bed’s backrest.

The three larger apartment suites contain the same mix of harmonious lines, soft colors, and modern materials. Intended for guests who need more space or might be planning a longer stay, these suites are larger, have a kitchenette and dining table, a sitting area with a sofa that can fold out to be a second bed, and have an expanded bathroom with separate bathtub and shower.

The two conference rooms (45m2 and 60m2) provide a modular format that adapts to any business need.

Equally as important as the rooms, however, is the hotel’s setting: in place of a standard lobby and a tucked-away afterthought of a gym, the Aspria Hotel allows guests to take advantage of 14,000 m2 of fitness and wellness space – that’s 358m2 per room! The spa has been extended and refurbished, adding a hamam, a salt inhalation room, and a wave dream installation relaxation room to the saunas, whirlpool, kneippbaths, and the amazing rooftop terrace. Treatments and massages by the professional spa team complement this range of almost endless wellness opportunities. The club’s sporting offer includes state-of-the-art fitness equipment, an extensive class timetable, innovative training methods such as Power plates and highly-qualified personal trainers.

“Staying at Aspria Hotel in Berlin will be like staying in a private member club. It’s intimate and friendly, and there’s more engagement – a large number of guests will use the club facilities and feel like members of the extended family,” said Brian Morris. “Whatever you come to us for, you should leave us happier, healthier, and more together than when you arrived.”