Press Releases
WildLand – Charming Imperfection
Located in the southern Luneburg Heath, WildLand is a unique sanctuary on the Aller River in the heart of a picturesque village. Historic half-timbered houses pair with modern residential units, creating a space that promotes both relaxation and creative contemplation. State-of-the-art WASHLET and toilet models from the Japanese sanitary experts at TOTO effortlessly blend into the surroundings, elevating this retreat for discerning international guests.
The old farmhouses were relocated from their original sites in the 1980s and rebuilt in the massive garden area, which spans 10,000 square metres. This architectural translocation lends the facility an authentic patina, giving it the feel of a small open-air museum. Two newly constructed guesthouses bring a simplified, rustic and austere feel to this historic ensemble. While it seems to be surrounded by nature in the middle of nowhere, WildLand is still connected to a nearby rural community.
Materials and Atmosphere
Traditional half-timbered constructions, oak, black metal and clay shape the architecture and interiors of these buildings. These combine to create a serene, minimalist aesthetic that is simultaneously sensual and earthy. The resulting ambiance encourages creativity and productive work in the seminar rooms while setting the mood for events like self-care retreats.
Design and Feel
The interior design is inspired by the principle of “Juckeligkeit” conceived by the hotel’s owner, Inga Cramer. This invented term describes the sensual appeal of aged, imperfect objects. “Half-timbered elements, sculptural additions and wooden storage spaces with edges still covered in bark give the space an authentic feel,” explains Cramer. Achieving this aesthetic was especially challenging: “We needed to ensure that the high-quality surfaces and materials also reflected a charming imperfection without looking old-fashioned.”
International Guests Enjoy “Juckeligkeit” and High-Tech
This creative intention continues in the bathrooms. The original buildings house 18 guest rooms. The massive renovation included the construction of two new bathrooms and updating of the remaining ones – while still keeping the original white tiles and adding washbasins made of black metal and oak. Installing TOTO WASHLET here was a big technology upgrade, with WASHLET RW in the larger rooms and the RP and GP Toilets in the smaller rooms.
The newly constructed guesthouses have a total of 26 rooms, including two exclusive top-floor rooms: Equipped with a fireplace, sauna, bathtub, oversized shower and floor-to-ceiling window, they provide a panoramic view of the surrounding nature. “Our international guests love booking this room. We installed TOTO WASHLET RW to meet their discerning tastes and make their stay as comfortable as possible. After all, WASHLET has been standard in many countries for years now,” explains Cramer. “Many other guests experience the benefits of WASHLET for the first time during their visit. These include hygiene and comfort features as well as a refreshing experience that perfectly complements our modern healthness and selfness programmes.”
The other guest rooms feature the especially graceful GP Toilet. The 2020 redesign also included the installation of new, compact RP Toilets in the dining and seminar buildings. All these TOTO toilets share a rimless design for the best-possible hygiene, the powerful, practically silent Tornado Flush, and the easy-to-clean, dirt-resistant Cefiontect ceramic glaze. These qualities make all the difference, especially when it comes to busy settings like restaurants and conferences.
Ecology as a Design Principle
Sustainability shapes every detail at WildLand. The facility, made of natural materials according to traditional building techniques, operates on a heat pump fuelled by 100% green electricity – just like the hotel’s own laundry facilities, which reduces CO₂ emissions by eliminating the need for additional transportation. High-quality seersucker bedsheets made of cotton, silk and linen are soft and luxurious to the touch, but don’t require ironing.
Guests aren’t the only people to appreciate this mindset – it’s also getting international attention: In July 2024, National Geographic named WildLand one of Germany’s best nature hotels for its comprehensive sustainability concept, proximity to nature and uncompromising use of organic products in its restaurant and other facilities.
Between Patina and Technology
WildLand brings modern standards to historic authenticity. The tranquillity of the heath provides a space for people to reflect. Traces of imperfection are consciously highlighted while TOTO’s exclusive bathroom equipment makes everyday life more comfortable for guests. Inga Cramer concludes: “WildLand is a sanctuary that shows how architecture, atmosphere and sustainability can coexist in harmony – as a backdrop for solitude, connection and inspiration.”
