Transforming old into new – and better!
Re- and upcycling projects are hot trends right now. Whether it comes to clothes, furniture or home decor. Our consumption has to change, since nature doesn’t need us. Especially in the field of architecture, a whole lot has to be thought over. A fresh construction isn’t always the better solution: During the demolition, many pollutants arise, while the disposal of old construction material and the production of new ones are to be thought about as well. Moreover, restoring and renovating older houses is ecologically reasonable. Today, we want to show you four examples of Green Pearls® hotels, that have done exactly that and are happy to welcome you in old, restored buildings.
Historic fairy tale-like castle at Lake Constance
If walls could talk, those of Schloss Wartegg in Rohrschach by Lake Constance would have a lot to tell for sure. Since the castle’s construction in 1558 it functioned as a residency of different royal families. In the mean time, it was used by empress Zita von Bourbon-Parma as an exile in 1919. Many years went on, until the Mijnssen family bought the castle in 1994 and renovated it over the course of four years in a sustainable way. For this, solid wood out of the castle’s own park was used. The „turquoise spa“ is a special highlight. It is an oval shaped bath from 1928! If you always dreamed of spending a night in a real castle, Schloss Wartegg is the perfect location for you.
Feeling at home while being on vacation
A little more towards the south, to be more specific, in Liguria in Italy, tradition plays an important role. For example, in the Relais del Maro in Borgomaro. The Scalambrin family has owned couple of houses ever since. In the past they were used as a shop for shoemakers, restaurant or butcher’s shop. In order to save the buildings from decay, the family decided to open up an Albergo Diffuso: the houses were renovated with natural material and modified into hotel rooms, that stretch across the whole village. Right next door to local residents, you will be able to get to know – and love – the Italian attitude towards life.
Tradition and a sense of family in an olive grove
Also in Liguria, but this time in Badalucco, you can find the Agriturismo L’Adagio. In 1900 the Boeri family started an olive oil production here. After a while, not only a 20 hectare large piece of land and 6,000 olive trees came along: Franco and Rosella, who are producing olive oil in third generation, bought an old farmhouse that originally belonged to Rosella’s mother. One strenuous structural renovation later, you can spend the night in nine individually designed rooms and suites today and benefit from the house’s own olive oil products – whether that is in a culinary way or as a product used in spa treatments.
Centuries old craftsmanship
Only by boat, you can reach the CGH Coconut Lagoon in Kuttanad in the Indian province Kerala. Even though the houses have been newly built, the material for this process came from 150 year old and partially destroyed manors. So, naturally the new houses have been built true to centuries old craftsmanship. Since this special art of craftsmanship was almost extinct, descendants of the former artisan craftsmen had to be found first. In the end, the team consisted of a few 60 year old men that patiently and lovingly worked with the old wood in order to erect the buildings of the Coconut lagoon with a lot of detail.
