“The redesign of the Leonardo Royal Baden-Baden appeals to all the senses”
Interview with Andreas Neudahm, interior designer of the Four-Star Superior Hotel
Berlin, 18 November 2024. Andreas Neudahm, who was born in 1968, has been a successful interior designer for more than 30 years. His spatial concepts have helped to ensure the right atmosphere in public buildings such as congress centres and hotels throughout the world. He began working with the Leonardo Hotel Group well over 10 years ago and has designed hotels right across Europe.
Mr. Neudahm, the Leonardo Royal Baden-Baden has undergone extensive conversion and renovation works over the past 12 months. You are responsible for its interior design. What aspects were particularly important to you when refurbishing this FourStar Superior Hotel?
Andreas Neudahm: The topic of spa bathing has played a major role in the updating of the Leonardo Royal Baden-Baden. Our design has its basis in a modern interpretation of a long tradition. Baden-Baden’s fame as a spa town extends far beyond the borders of Germany. Having been given the opportunity to create wellness facilities complete with saunas, a pool and a gym area at such a special venue, we started by analysing the environment and the existing services with a view to shaping something new and generating added value for the location.
What ideas emerged from this analysis?
Andreas Neudahm: The town’s spa tradition gave rise to the aim of producing a nextgeneration spa hotel experience. A comprehensive renovation of the public areas, of the restaurant and bar and of the corridors was undertaken for this purpose. The end result is a hotel situated in a unique position right next to the municipal park. It is both modern and timeless and will be here for many years to come. Day visitors, people on a short break and guests staying longer will all feel comfortable and secure. It will be as if they are spending time in their own private spa. This is a hotel which engenders a feeling of being on holiday.
What local circumstances did you take into account?
Andreas Neudahm: Baden-Baden is steeped in spa tradition, and this exerted a major influence on the design concept. The location is also specifically addressed in the building’s interior. A large illuminated picture of a running stream in the pool area transports the peace and quiet of the Black Forest into the indoor domain. The colours of the areas around the pool are derived from this and lead to a harmonious overall image.
There is fierce competition in the spa business in Baden-Baden. What makes the facilities of the Leonardo Royal Hotel stand out?
Andreas Neudahm: The wellness zone has been expanded to two storeys as part of the renovation. The garden side of the upper floor has been laid out as a pool and lounger section. This is where the saunas are to be found too. The semi-basement, which can be accessed via a staircase, is devoted to a wide range of high-end treatments. Modern gym equipment is also available here. Just like in the hotel as a whole, the look in the spa area is determined by natural materials which give a sense of warmth and lightness. Coloured natural stone, wooden flooring and bright and soft colours combine to turn the spa into an oasis of peace. The pool has been reconstructed, and LED lighting can be used to play out various colour scenarios. Particular attention has been paid to the gym area, where guests can work out in front of large back-lit mirrors. This experience of well-being is rounded off in the outdoor space, which features external saunas and benches and chairs in a lovingly designed parkland environment.
What role is played by the spa’s own aroma and sound concept?
Andreas Neudahm: The redesign of the Leonardo Royal Baden-Baden appeals to all the senses. In order to realise this in the best possible way, the whole of the aroma and sound concept has been overhauled. The new system allows different moods to be created in accordance with the respective lighting, and guests are able to immerse themselves in these.
You have already designed many Leonardo Hotels. Apart from the extraordinary spa area, what are the particular characteristics of the Leonardo Royal Baden-Baden? Let’s begin with the lobby.
Andreas Neudahm: A completely new open lobby concept has been implemented. Warm natural hues and wood materials such as oak have been used. Whereas the lobby used to give the impression of being shut off, this approach has added a new sense of generosity and openness which allows guests to take stock of the whole area as soon as they arrive. Despite the open concept, there are still individual pockets which can act as a private haven. It is possible to feel safe whilst still being at the centre of the action. A special atmosphere and cosiness is created by the spatial design and by the lighting. The latter is provided via illuminated furniture and by controllable individual lamp stands which can deliver different light scenarios.
The open lobby allows check-in to be conducted in a laid-back and relaxed manner. This zone is also home to the bar, which boasts a leisurely and cosy style and flows seamlessly into the seating area where guests eat breakfast and lunch. The back area containing the restaurant and buffet has a homely character. This all provides a new and cosy meeting place which is open to external guests too.
How do the rooms fit in with the overall wellness hotel concept?
Andreas Neudahm: There are clear lines and light colours with plenty of white and cream and earthy hues. Natural woods have been used for the flooring in some cases. This means that the rooms reflect the design of the public areas by radiating the same sense of quiet security. A gentle shade of blue references the element of water and brings a fresh and inviting touch. The rooms exude a character which is both open and snug at the same time. All of this is topped off by the warmth of the lighting concept.
What interior design measures have you introduced to help business guests? There are two floors of spa facilities and a grandiose environment to enjoy, but they will want to concentrate on their work.
Andreas Neudahm: The conference areas have also been redesigned so that they blend in harmoniously with the rest of the building. The sense of quiet security that predominates throughout the hotel has been interpreted in a way that facilitates productive and constructive work. Conference guests will find facilities with state-of-the-art equipment that permits perfect networking. At the same time, everything is homogeneous. A successful working day can make a smooth transition to a poolside time-out or to a drink at the bar.
Sustainability is a key focus for Leonardo Hotels. Almost all hotels in Germany are Green Key-certified, for example. How did the finished renovation manage to meet these high expectations?
Andreas Neudahm: It is important to pay attention to the topic of sustainability from the very outset, especially when planning renovation works. We think carefully about the surfaces we will use so that such lofty aims can be maintained for as long as possible. The core question is always the same. How we can achieve the look and feel we want whilst minimising expenditure on materials? Choosing between replacement and upcycling is like walking a tightrope. When we were undertaking the extensive renovation works at the Leonardo Royal Baden-Baden, we placed great emphasis on natural materials such as wood. We were also keen to use high-quality resources which have robust characteristics. This makes them long-lasting and sustainable.