Set above the rooftops of Stolberg's charming half-timbered village and nestled in the gentle embrace of the Harz Mountains, the new Private Spa Suites at FreiWerk transcend the typical holiday retreat. What truly sets this hideaway apart: each of the seven units in this modern structure is an entirely private, secluded sanctuary spread across two levels. Here, rejuvenation flows naturally – whether you're unwinding in the living room, sleeping in the exclusive bedroom, or indulging in sauna, bath, and wellness rituals in your private spa with its own terrace and outdoor whirlpool – all sheltered from prying eyes. Completed in 2024, these Private Spa Suites represent a visionary expansion of Hotel & Spa Suites FreiWerk, part of Ritter von Kempski Privathotels & Resorts. On a site once used for parking, architect Katrin Klima from Nordhausen designed a striking structure of staggered cubes that appear to emerge organically from the slate hillside beyond. "With its pre-weathered larch wood façade and expansive window walls, the building resembles a diamond we've meticulously carved from the mountainside," Klima reflects on her futuristic creation. These staggered cubes serve dual purpose – they're both sculptural and functional. They create strategic projections and recesses that grant guests exceptional privacy while simultaneously opening onto the varied landscape. Interior designer Stefanie Dressler from Wiesbaden crafted spaces around Scandinavian clarity and a soothing palette of beige, grey, and natural earth tones. The effect is immediate: a profound sense of sanctuary within this exquisite private refuge. Sustainable premium materials – oak wood, natural stone, designer furnishings, and bespoke joinery – reinforce the "new luxury" philosophy here: understated, never ostentatious. Ceramic art plays a starring role throughout. Museum-quality Meissen porcelain graces every corner – from monumental animal figurines in pure white kaolin (the signature material that made Meissen globally renowned) to an elaborate chandelier fashioned from delicate porcelain tiles at the entrance. In the private quarters, striking "ars muralis" wall compositions command attention. Hotelier Dr Clemens Ritter von Kempski, an ardent Meissen collector, collaborated with the storied manufactory to develop these pieces exclusively for the Ritter von Kempski Collection. They distinguish both this new sanctuary and its nearby sister property, Naturresort & Spa Schindelbruch. Pure white porcelain possesses ineffable allure: "It drinks in the light and returns it, fractured into a thousand luminous beams," as Max Adolf Pfeiffer, former director of the Meissen manufactory, once observed.

www.hotel-freiwerk.de

Photography:
Philipp Haberkorn / ex animo
www.exanimo-media.de

(Published in CUBE Select 02|25)