BlackBook First Look BlackBook First Look Crowning Achievement Amid the majestic grounds of Nymphenburg Palace, Munich’s newest private villa offers complete immersion in regal resplendence. By Franziska Seng The living room enjoys a striking view of the palace It’s hard to imagine a more princely habitation than the new Langham manor house in Munich. Set directly next to Nymphenburg Palace – the erstwhile summer headquarters of the Wittelsbach dynasty and one of Europe’s largest royal seats – the Langham Nymphenburg Residence is the lone private-hire hideaway on the extensive Baroque estate. Framed by fountains, canals and nearly 200 hectares of verdant parkland, the majestic three-storey property is a one-of-a-kind experience in one PHOTO STEPHAN JULLIARD 32 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: © THE LANGHAM HOTELS & RESORTS, COURTESY PORZELLAN MANUFAKTUR NYMPHENBURG, STEPHAN JULLIARD of Germany’s most beautiful cities, less than an hour from the Alps. The guesthouse is a collaboration between an unlikely pair of history-rich European heavyweights: the Langham Hospitality Group and the Royal Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory. The former opened its flagship London hotel in 1865 – a destination still unsurpassed in the British capital for refinement – while the latter was founded by the Bavarian royal family in 1747 and continues to produce top-of-the-line tableware and striking contemporary design pieces. “The residence combines the services and amenities of a luxury hotel with the comforts of a private house,” says Stefan Leser, CEO of the Langham Hospitality Group. “Here, guests enjoy plenty of space, privacy and exclusivity in a beautiful, heritage-imbued environment.” Spread across more than 800 square metres, the residence has four bedrooms, three living rooms and seven bathrooms in addition to the sauna, wine cellar, spa, gym and home cinema. Most spaces are, naturally, outfitted with standout pieces from the neighbouring designers: “The Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory is famous for tableware, objets d’art and animal figurines,” says Sandra Gottwald, the company’s spokeswoman. “The guest house now also serves as a showcase for our tailor-made interior products.” These creations range from whimsical lamps and tiles to Rococo details framing the powderroom mirrors to Damien Hirst’s Myth and Legend porcelain sculptures, which animate the handsome, spacious dining room. The classical-meets-contemporary interiors go well beyond porcelain, too. The team at Mang Mauritz Design has included pieces by Walter Knoll and lighting from Zurich’s Lichtkompetenz with subtle accents such as Donghia wallpapers and contemporary silk carpets dreamt up by German designer Jan Kath. Audiophiles will appreciate the Sennheiser sound design, which extends across the house and comes complete with Sennheiser HE1 headphones. Daily life at the residence can be exceptionally varied: a dedicated concierge handles all requests, whether it’s sourcing the freshest ingredients for a family to cook together in the fully equipped kitchen or bringing in a Michelin-star chef and waitstaff to serve a grand dinner. The private sundeck features water games and opportunities for private fun, but can – like much of the house – be converted quickly to a public space capable of hosting parties with up to 100 guests. The minimum stay at the residence is three days – which is enough time, barely, to take full advantage of the exceptional range of opportunities on offer. The only downside is how it feels, at the end of your stay, to trade the royal palace and the snowwhite swans for more ordinary neighbours. langhamhotels.com • Clockwise from top: behind manicured gardens, the Langham residence; at work in the neighbouring porcelain workshop; one of the property’s four bedrooms PLEASE CHECK THE LATEST GOVERNMENT ADVICE BEFORE BOOKING TRAVEL OR DEPARTING ON ANY TRIP CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM 33
