Designed by architects for travel enthusiasts: Our curated collection of outstanding holiday accomodations – also via map. Do you already know our new entry?
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Designed by architects for travel enthusiasts: Our curated collection of outstanding holiday accomodations – also via map. Do you already know our new entry?
Planning a holiday with friends or extended family often comes with the challenge of finding the perfect accommodation – one that allows for cooking, playing and laughing together while still offering private spaces for everyone. Here’s a selection of houses where spending time together can be truly relaxing.
in December 2024
Casual Flair on the Mediterranean
If you are travelling to the south of France with your whole family or with friends, the Loft by Lieuis the perfect place for you: the former wine warehouse on the grounds of an old farm near Narbonne offers enough space for 12 people and a harmonious mix of historical charm and casual flair. Its communal centrepiece is a spacious living area with a sprawling sofa arrangement, billiard table and an open-plan kitchen featuring a long dining table. Large arched windows offer a sweeping view over the village of Villedaigne. The four bedrooms are located on the ground floor and under the roof. The eclectic furnishings – a collage of vintage furniture, individual design pieces and modern works of art – contrast with the rough walls, concrete floor and old wooden beams. You can relax in the infrared sauna or in the outdoor area with two terraces and heated pool.
Suitable for a maximum of 12 guests.
Overlooking Lake Walen
Perched high above Lake Walen, the Hasenberg Lodge offers a harmonious blend of 1970s chalet-style architecture and meticulously curated interiors, with breathtaking views of the Churfirsten mountain range. Originally built in 1971, the property was completely renovated in 2020 by its owners, an architect couple, and converted into two elegant holiday apartments: on the first floor, the “Gipfelglück” accommodates up to five guests, while the ground-floor unit, the “Basislager”, is perfect for up to four. Both apartments are filled with daylight thanks to generously dimensioned windows. The interiors are characterised by a tasteful mix of mid-century design classics, carefully chosen artwork and unique vintage pieces. Whether you prefer solitude or shared moments, indoors or outdoors by the pool or on the terrace, there’s a perfect spot for everyone.
Suitable for a maximum of 10 guests in 2 flats.
Between Cornfields and the Bay of Greifswald
The old Kornspeicher Mauritz (Mauritz Granary) is nestled in the southeast of Rügen, an island in the Baltic Sea, surrounded by cornfields and the Bay of Greifswald. The four holiday apartments of the thoughtfully restored property are designed to accommodate (extended) families or groups. ThWe ground floor boast a modern loft-like aesthetic with concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and selected design pieces. In contrast, the rooms upstairs exude a rustic charm with exposed brickwork and old wooden beams. Open-plan kitchens and living areas with large dining tables and fireplaces invite guests to spend time together – while still offering spaces for personal retreat. Each apartment, as well as the shared wellness area, opens onto either a terrace or a balcony overlooking the garden. From here, it’s just a short distance to Rügen’s unspoiled beaches.
Suitable for up to 32 guests in 4 flats for 2, 6, 8 and 16 guests each.
Green Views
Nestled on the edge of the village of Zarchlin, Gutshaus Zarchlin is a historical manor house dating back to 1879. In its rich history, the building served as a residence for the estate-owning family, later as a town hall and community workshop, and during the GDR era, as a venue for festivities and celebrations. Today, it caters for a wide range of uses and is equally suited for holidays with a small or large family or for workshops and seminars. With its historical flair – during the renovation, the original windows were restored, the walls re-plastered with clay and lime, the floorboards and timber framing refurbished – , it exudes a warm, inviting ambiance and offers many opportunities for communal activities, ranging from joint cooking events in the manor kitchen to music sessions in the acoustically optimised rehearsal room or the spacious hall. Each apartment includes a private kitchen and spaces for retreat. A bit of everything – for each and every one.
Suitable for a maximum of 18 people in 6 guest flats.
Elegance Meets Recycling
Situated above Lake Como, Villa Roffa Lario elegantly nestles into its surroundings – and is yet decidedly unique. Behind its historical façade, old architecture seamlessly blends with modern elements. The international architecture collective Superuse Studios, working together with Dutch and Italian designers, developed ideas and methods to achieve a sustainable conversion of the historical villa: for example, the interiors were designed and built in “Furniture Jam Sessions” using waste materials from the design industries of Milan and Como. The result is a unique aesthetic that is as colourful as it is sustainable. Ideal for extended families or groups, the large villa offers a spacious kitchen for communal cooking sessions, while a billiards room and a large garden complete with a ping-pong table ensure a lively and relaxing holiday.
Suitable for a maximum of 12 guests.
A Haven in Tarifa
The Artist Tarifa, a listed gem, is located in the heart of the old town of Tarifa – the southernmost point of mainland Europe, the scene of numerous historic events and a kitesurfing paradise. The birthplace and former residence of painter Agustin Segura Iglesias, a tranquil retreat amidst the lively alleyways, is one of the city’s cultural assets. Recently restored, the building now comprises five simple yet stylish double bedrooms, furnished with wooden and wicker furniture, arranged around a glazed patio. On the ground floor, an open-plan kitchen merges into a spacious dining and living area with a long table and comfortable lounge seating. From here, a glazed staircase leads through the airy space up to the roof terrace with saltwater pool. From the rooftop, guest can enjoy sweeping views over the white town, and on clear days, even catch sight of Morocco’s mountains.
Suitable for a maximum of 10 guests.
Following in Fontane’s footsteps
The historical Effi & Luisemanor house is idyllically nestled between fields, orchards, small canals and poplar-lined avenues in Brandenburg’s countryside. This listed property comprises two spacious holiday apartments that blend Gründerzeit charm with modern architecture and carefully selected vintage design pieces. The centrepiece of the larger apartment “Luise” featuring three bedrooms, is its expansive living area with an open-plan kitchen – perfect for cooking together or unwinding by the fireplace. The smaller apartment “Effi” boasts an eat-in kitchen, a fireplace room and a compact lounge area with two inviting bedrooms, accessible via a spiral staircase. Old and new blend together in a wonderfully uncomplicated way – it doesn’t get much cosier than this. Everyone will also find their favourite spot in the spacious garden, whether for playing or reading.
Suitable for a maximum of 12 guests. Up to 18 people possible on request. The flats can be rented separately or as a whole.
Simple Beauty
Situated on the edge of the Dolomites in the small mountain village of Dosoledo, every part of the old farmhouse built in 1807 is reminiscent of life in the Comelico Valley – and of its own rich history. Even after the renovation, the Cedä M has retained its authentic character: from the old façade to the whitewashed beams and wooden panelling to the old floorboards and the “Dippelbaum” ceiling. The house offers its guests many opportunities for cosy get-togethers: its heart is a communal space spanning two levels, linking the living room in the former stable with the kitchen and a small library. Each of the five bedrooms is furnished with a double bed crafted from Swiss stone pine and a free-standing bathtub. Modern works of art on the walls provide a pleasant contrast to the old furniture. A place of tranquillity – whether you rent individual rooms or the entire house.
Suitable for a maximum of 11 guests. There are 5 double rooms available.
Belle Époque in Belgium
The Zalig Aan Zee on Elisabethstraat in the Belgian seaside resort of Blankenberge is an exceptional place to stay: the listed, four-storey house with Art Nouveau décor can comfortably accommodate up to 24 people – whether families, friends or larger groups. The dining room with painted ceilings, wall decorations and a large, sculptural dining table is the centre of the house. The kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the small courtyard is ideal for enjoying a coffee or aperitif together, while the large sofa area in the lounge invites you to read or relax. The eight bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, are spread over the first and second floors. Throughout the house, guests will find numerous spaces for both being togetherness and enjoying solitude.
Suitable for a maximum of 24 guests. There are 8 rooms, each with its own bathroom.
Behind a Baroque Façade
The old Pfarrhof (vicarage) in Eastern Styria has always been a place that brings people together. Located right next to the pilgrimage church in the idyllic town of Hartberg, the stately property with its baroque façade offers space for (extended) families or groups of up to 14 people. In the five uniquely designed rooms with evocative names such as “Apfelblüte” (apple blossom) or “Vogelnest” (bird’s nest), an apartment and an additional small flat in the north-western part of the courtyard, original ceiling paintings and wooden floorboards are combined with 1960s furniture and modern luminaires – complemented by a multitude of thoughtful details. The ground floor houses the large kitchen, the dining and living rooms as well as a parlour. At the back, the building opens onto an open courtyard with arcades, a terrace and a spacious garden. Here, guests can celebrate, enjoy nature or just be.
Suitable for a maximum of 14 guests. There are 5 rooms and one flat.
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