Hamburg – Meeting Karoline Pospiech, manager of the Zollenspieker Fährhaus.

The Zollenspieker Fährhaus, built on foundation walls that reach back to 1252, is not only located directly next to the Elbe but scores with many other interesting aspects. Its historic traditional house includes nine rooms, a ballroom and a restaurant, whereas the modern main building offers 53 stylish rooms, multiple conference facilities, a wellness area and a spacious fireplace lounge. The great contrasts and well-designed interior make an extraordinary establishment.

Einbeck, Niedersachsen – Meeting Alexander Pohl, co-partner of the Einbecker Hof.

In the midst of the half-timbered idyll of Einbeck lies the Einbecker Hof, an establishment that has been in the hands of the Pohl family for 70 years. This traditional family business creates with its 11 rooms an elegant mixture of historical architecture and modern interior elements. You can find lovely designed details everywhere, which reflect the Einbecker character of half-timbering and the art of brewing.

Scharbeutz, Schleswig-Holstein – Meeting Lisa Fischer and Vanessa Volt, member of the owner family of Petersens Landhaus

Just 300 meters from the baltic sea, in the middle of the bay of Lübeck, lies Petersens Landhaus. The 22 rooms from low-budget to deluxe will enable anyone a relaxing holiday at the Baltic Sea. May it be the romantic winter garden, the beautiful terrace, the small but fine wellness area, or the in-house restaurant „Café de Vani“. They all create an atmosphere, which feels like vacation and home at once.

Berlin - Meeting Philip Ibrahim, General Manager and Hotel Director of The Student Hotel.

Just a few meters from the Alexanderplatz, the unusual hotel is located right in the center of Berlin. As a part of the Dutch chain, the Berlin location opened its doors to a wide audience in 2020. The name "The Student" definitely says it all here. In addition to the 475 rooms, which are divided into hotel rooms and student housing, there are study rooms, a communal kitchen, a play area, bar and restaurant, meeting rooms, fitness area and many other places that invite people to engage in joint activities and get to know each other. A modern and versatile concept that is second to none.

Bayreuth, Bavaria – Meeting Kay Mittelstraß, hotel manager of the Ibis Budget in Bayreuth.

Perfectly located between the city centre and the Festspielhaus, the Ibis Budget Bayreuth is part of the well-known Accor hotel chain. In addition to the 84 clean, well-kept rooms, this Ibis Budget has its very own look. There are many typical African elements in the interior design and another special feature distinguishes this location. In Bayreuth, Ibis Styles and Ibis Budget are under one roof, share the reception and breakfast room and benefit from the joint use of the service and the premises.

Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler – Meeting Christian Lindner, owner of the Villa Aurora

The family-run hotel on the Ahr River shines with a rich history. For over a century, guests and visitors have been welcomed in the elegant Art Nouveau villa, directly on the Ahr promenade with a view of the beautiful spa gardens. Since 1996, the founding year of the German Hotel Classification, the 4 stars are one of the hallmarks of the Villa Aurora. The stylish and cozy atmosphere forms the character of the house and is reflected in the loving furnishings.
In July 2021, the devastating flood disaster occurred in the Ahr Valley, which damaged and destroyed buildings and the landscape. Located so close to the Ahr, Villa Aurora was also severely affected. In the Sternetalk, owner Christian Lindner talks about dealing with this stroke of fate and his perspective for the future.

Biedenkopf, Hesse - We meet Nicole Habich, owner of mein kleinHOTEL Biedenkopf.

Located in the beautiful upper Lahn Valley in the idyllic town of Biedenkopf is the first of what are now three mein kleinHOTELs. These are characterized by one common feature: the modular hybrid-hotel-concept of the buildings. Each room consists of one or more modules, which, as design apartments with lots of wood and glass, create a cozy and at the same time open living atmosphere. Furthermore, the concept offers plenty of room for continued development, expansion and change. Thus, a pool, sauna and wellness area as well as a reception room have been added since the opening.
Why the classification plays such an important role for this special concept and how even the most unusual hotel finds its place with the stars, we learn in this episode of Sternetalk.

Dresden, Saxony - Meeting Florian Leisentritt, General Manager of the Gewandhaus.

The former house of the cloth-makers, with its perfect location in Dresden's city centre, inspires through the harmonious interplay of historical architecture and modern spirit. In addition to the hotel's top-class furnishings, it is above all the first-class service that draws guests here again and again. In this episode of Sternalk, General Manager Florian Leisentritt tells us how the old craftsman's house was transformed into a five-star superior hotel and why luxury and sustainability are not a contradiction in terms.

Lübben, Brandenburg - Meeting Thomas Lehmann, owner of Lehmanns Spreeblick.  

Lehmanns Spreeblick is typically located between the small channels and lush greenery in the Spree Forest. The small hotel impresses with several USPs. In addition to their passion for sauna and wellness, the family has also incorporated their penchant for Scotch whisky into the hotel.

In this Sternetalk, owner Thomas Lehmann explains how star classification in tourist-rich regions helps through lean times and why it's better to exceed expectations than to set them too high.

Europapark Rust, Baden-Württemberg - Meeting Michaela Doll-Lämmer, Hotel Director of the Europapark Hotels. 

Immerse yourself in another world - That probably describes the Krønasår hotel best.  As the newest of the six hotels at Europapark, Krønasår also follows a special theme. Located right next to the Rulantica water world, the entire hotel creates a maritime, cozy and at the same time mystical adventure atmosphere that captivates children and adults alike. From Viking relics and ship models to crackling fireplaces in a log cabin ambiance and a giant sea serpent skeleton in the atrium, the attention to detail can be experienced in every corner here.

Why such a successful concept benefits from a classification and what it's like to manage six hotels with a total of over 5,000 beds is revealed to us by Michaela Doll-Lämmer in the tenth and final episode of the Sternalk.