Tucked away at the edge of a tiny village, overlooking treetops, are two striking slate cabins. Their bold, grey exteriors contrast with the surrounding greens, and shimmer enticingly in the sunlight. Inside, you remain connected to the natural world with wooden furniture, decorative silver-birch-tree-trunks and windows that perfectly frame the forest.
Owners Herbert and Petra were keen to design and build an architecturally significant retreat where high-quality design and environmental principles were effortlessly combined. They succeeded rather spectacularly, and have created an elegant escape from where you seamlessly reconnect with nature. After an afternoon on the terrace, you can feel your stress slip off you. If you can bear to pull yourself away, you’re surrounded the Franconian-Switzerland Nature Park, which is famous for its cave structures, Jurassic cliffs and castles. With all that fresh air, a weekend here is just what the doctor ordered.
Introducing Herbert and Petra!
“We think that the spaces we live should blend sustainable-living principles with exceptional architecture and great interior-design: when we built our own escapes, there was no reason to compromise!”
They love…
“You’re totally submerged in the forest: as freelancers, we both realised how important it was to escape the city, and surround yourself with nature to switch off and enjoy peace and quiet. We designed the terraces to give you a panoramic view over the treetops, and we could lounge here for hours!”
Herbert and Petra’s insider tips
The essentials
The Organic Hotel is located in the village of Betzenstein, at the heart of the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park.
It’s a 4-hour drive from Berlin.
It is possible to arrive by public transport. With the train, most will come (via Nürnberg) to Pegnitz, from where you have to take a bus.