Baroque castle near Cologne - etia no.: 183

description:

Nestled in beautiful surroundings with a wonderful view of Cologne Cathedral lies one of the most excellent baroque castles in Europe – the 5 star luxury Grandhotel.

Versailles and Winchester Castles served as architectural models when Prince-Elector Johann Wilhelm II of Düsseldorf – shortened to Jan Wellem in the Rhineland dialect – ordered the construction of his 'Maison de Retraite' at a prominent site on a mountain terrace with a breathtaking view of the Cathedral city of Cologne.

While he had first planned a hunting lodge for his second wife, Maria-Luisa of the Medici family, Jan Wellem changed his plans following a visit to Versailles and ordered his architects to build a castle whose dimensions impressed already visitors at that time – including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

When the Prince-Elector died in 1716 without ever having lived in his 'Rhenisch Versailles', his widow soon returned to Italy. And so went the numerous artists, plasteres and painters. Thus the building remained unfinished and was used over the centuries as a military hospital, cadet school, boardig school and refugee centre.

In the last 20 years the castle has been restored and remodelled into a grand hotel of the international luxury class.

Frescoes, sculptured entryways at the gates, supraport paintings, puttos and beautiful paintings show the baroque opulence and provide a luxurious frame for elegant events.

A very pretty Salon upstairs provides a wonderful and unique setting for civil wedding services.

The impressive luxury castle hotel provides many wonderful possibilities for relaxing, enjoying, working, presenting and celebrating,....

All of the amenities expected of a first class hotel await you here: a unique atmosphere, 3 Michelin star cuisine, exquisite comfort and the highest standard of personal service.

In the 1,000 sqm beauty and spa centre a competent team awaits the guests for relaxing facial and body treatments using the finest luxury products such as La Prairie, Ligne St.Barth and Lancaster. Fitness programs – on request with a personal trainer – a small elegant sauna area and a luxury pool are the perfect setting for a healthy treat for body and soul.

facilities:

• 84 luxury rooms in different categories
• 36 suites
• 9 conference and meeting rooms
• Grand ballroom and banquet rooms
• Presidential suites with DVD home-cinema system, sauna and whirlpool
• ISDN, voice mail, fax, PC connection and wireless LAN
• Gourmet restaurant 83 Michelin stars)
• Trattoria Enoteca with wine shop
• 1,000 m² exclusive beauty & spa area
• fitness area

possibilities:

• baroque dinner
  
• italian wine festival
• murder mistery dinner
• cabaret dinner
• kitchen parties
• wine tastings
• french boule tournaments
• balloonings
• torch hikes
• guided tours on the roof of Cologne Cathedral
• Human table kicker
• cooking school with Dieter Müller
• boat trips on the rhine
• guided museum tours in Cologne

distances:

approx. kms

Cologne Cathedral	16
Cologne airport	17
Cologne fair	15
highway A4	1
Düsseldorf fair	50

prices:

on request

our suggestion:

Best quality and ambiance in a luxury setting......