Spielleite Acht

Once upon a time, the sisters Klara and Hedwig lived in a small house at the foot of the mountain here in the Zugspitzland region near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. That was about a hundred years ago. They were the ancestors of Anne, who, along with her husband Matthias, eventually inherited the house. Their heart’s desire was to renovate it, but alas, after several attempts, the couple finally had to admit that the old house was beyond repair. They turned to the architectural firm arnhard und eck to start planning a new building. The result is a solid construction with a wooden façade that translates traditional elements into timeless forms. The interior reflects the hosts' knack for design and aesthetics: minimalist, natural, and high-quality. They have created understated rooms that open up the view to the outside—to the Upper Bavarian landscape with its typical building style. And in memory of the previous owners, the two halves of the new building bear their names. They are connected by an atrium, which lets in load of light with its impressively high ceiling and an abundance of glass. Klara is located a little further back in the building ensemble, while Hedwig is further forward and dominates the first impression of the complex. Might that have something to do with the sisters’ personalities? What both houses have in common is that the layout of the rooms is perfectly aligned with the mountains, allowing you to see all the way to the Zugspitze. With large bay windows and balconies, there are many beautiful places to enjoy this view!

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The architecture, which combines traditional and modern elements, such as clean lines and the use of lots of wood.
• The color scheme, which combines light and dark natural tones. A few selected details, such as the red fittings in the bathrooms and splashes of red textiles add lively accents.
• There are some design classics from Eames, Vitra, Flos, etc. to discover, as well as truly special pieces from Muller van Severen/Valerie objects, Davide Groppi, and others.
• In order to ensure that all rooms have a beautiful view of the Alps, the houses were specifically designed “around the mountain view” – with deep bay windows to enjoy the it.
• The carefully selected, low-pollutant materials and workmanship (a floor made of regional shell limestone in the atrium!)
• The cozy bedrooms with warm wall colors, linen bedding, and four-season duvets make you want to snuggle in immediately.
• The cozy sofa area in the “Klara.” A room with clean lines, olive green walls, light-colored furniture, and a large window that acts like a television to the Alps.
• The clear geometry of the built-in kitchens made of whitewashed spruce and maple, designed by interior designer Christine Arnhard. A Bezzera portafilter machine and beans from the local roastery make coffee lovers happy
• The beautiful ceramics and the fine selection of cookbooks.
• …and the Oscar for the places with the best views goes to ... Hedwig's open kitchen with panoramic windows and the bathtub recessed into the wall in Klara: positioned directly in front of the window, you can let your thoughts wander while you gaze at the old Zeller hazelnut tree in the back garden.
• The many beautiful outdoor spaces around the house: a cottage garden with lawn chairs by the fountain and corten steel flower beds, a shaded terrace, and a cozy seating area with a fire pit under the old weeping willow.
• The great location in pretty Farchant, nestled in the Werdenfelser Land landscape, not far from the Zugspitze and just a stone's throw from Garmisch.
• That there is so much to experience here all year round. Swimming in clear mountain lakes in summer, a springtime walk to the waterfall at Spielleite, an autumn hike through the Partnachklamm gorge, and skiing on the local mountain in Garmisch in winter.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The slightly set-back Klara vacation home can accommodate up to 4 guests. it has 2 bedrooms, a living area with a fireplace, a south-facing balcony with mountain views, and a fully equipped kitchen with adjoining dining room.
• In the second house, Hedwig, the bedrooms for up to 6 people are located on the ground floor, so that you really do “climb” out of bed – for breakfast upstairs and the glorious mountain panorama of the Alps and Zugspitze. It also has a balcony, an open-plan living, dining, and cooking area with a fully equipped kitchen and fireplace.
• Kids are very welcome! A baby cot (suitable for children up to about 2 years old) and a high chair are provided free of charge on request, as are safety rails for toddlers, children's crockery, and cutlery. Books and games are also available.
• Whatever grows in the beds of the cottage garden at the back of the Spielleite Acht is also available for guests to use in the kitchen.
• The sauna house in the garden is open to guests of both houses.
• The houses are equipped with Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers for streaming your favorite music.
• The ski and outdoor room offers space for storing equipment and also has a boot dryer.
• Spielleite Acht is the perfect starting point for outdoor exploring – whether hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing. The nearest hiking trail is just a few steps away from the front door, and the nearest cross-country ski trail is only 100 meters away.
• The name of the house refers to its address: the house is located on Spielleitenweg.
• You can stock up on regional products at the lovingly run Farchant village shop. Bakeries, ice cream parlors, supermarkets, cafés, and restaurants are within walking distance.
• If you feel like cooling off in summer, you can jump into the refreshing waters of the Panoramabad in the village, the Eibsee at the foot of the Zugspitze, the Pflegersee, the Riessersee, or the Riegsee.
• In the mood for an excursion? Linderhof Palace, the violin-making town of Mittenwald, or the slightly more distant Neuschwanstein Castle are worth a visit, and Innsbruck and Munich are also not far away.
• A list of the hosts' favorite places and practical tips is available in the vacation homes.
• The train station is a 10-minute walk away.

Photos: Célia Uhalde