Tucked away in the rolling green hills of the Südharz, two retreats from the Ritter von Kempski Privathotels collection promise more than your standard countryside escape. For those who live life for those weekend getaways, loading up their golden-era classic and heading out for a memory-making journey, both Hotel & Spa Suiten FreiWerk and Naturresort & Spa Schindelbruch offer something rather special.
Hotel & Spa Suiten FreiWerk: A Grand Tourer’s Hilltop Refuge
Perched above the cobbled lanes of the medieval town of Stolberg, FreiWerk is every bit the kind of place you'd want to arrive at behind the wheel of an impeccably restored Mercedes-Benz SL or perhaps a Jaguar E-Type. Built originally as a summer residence for a 19th-century ship magnate, this timber-framed villa has evolved into an artful blend of past and present - half romantic mansion, half architectural modernism.
With just 37 bespoke rooms and suites, FreiWerk exudes exclusivity but still feels welcoming and calming. For those couples who think twin Weber carburettors are just as seductive as twin bathtubs, the hotel’s newly unveiled private spa suites complete with panoramic forest views, a private whirlpool, and a trio of saunas is the perfect way to relax to the maximum.
When dinner is calling, the on-site restaurant ‘20zwanzig’ is led by star Chef Philipp Liebisch, paring regional ingredients with global flair. Sundays bring the al fresco BBQ to the sun terrace, which could easily pass for a concours gathering with the right mix of guests and vehicles!
Naturresort & Spa Schindelbruch: The Restomod of Wellness Hotels
Just a short scenic drive from FreiWerk is Schindelbruch, the flagship of the Ritter von Kempski collection. Larger in scale, but just as intentional in detail, Schindelbruch is like that perfectly executed restomod we at Classic Driver love so dearly. Classic charm updated with today’s technology and refinement.
Set in a secluded woodland park, the hotel’s low-slung architecture, curated interiors, and porcelain sculptures make it feel like an art gallery hidden in a forest. The four private spa suites in the new Landresidenz are ideal for design-conscious drivers looking to recharge, each boasting its own Finnish sauna, freestanding tub, and a terrace with forest views. The 2,500-square-metre spa is expansive, complete with heated pools, and a wellness menu that includes detox rituals with Saxon kaolin clay.
From a culinary perspective, the kitchen team at Schindelbruch is committed to the motto "Enjoy the good stuff." Carefully selected products, primarily from regional producers, fresh herbs from the hotel garden, and red deer hunted on site in the forests near Stolberg play a key role in the cuisine. Guests dine in the hotel restaurant's light-filled conservatory, among other places. In the gourmet restaurant Silberstreif, guests can expect a true forest-meets-delicatessen experience. Under the direction of Eric Jadischke, it's a sensual journey through the region. Look forward to game, edible flowers, and goat cheese ice cream, which together create an experience you'll remember for a long time. With ample scenic routes, jaw-dropping landscapes, as well as exclusivity and elegance that pairs well with the classic car world, both FreiWerk and Schindelbruch aren’t just places to stay, they’re destinations worthy of the drive!
