Hotel Victoria in Nuremberg

SPONSORED STORY On one side, the traditional craftsmen's courtyard keeps the memory of Nuremberg's guilds alive. On the other, the glass façade of the Museum of Art and Design looks directly onto the spiral staircase designed by Volker Staab architects. In the middle of it all is the heritage-protected "Hotel Victoria". Given its location at the entrance to the old town, the motto that greets guests as bright orange lettering behind the reception is a perfect fit: "Experience tradition in a modern way".

Perspective and Creative Boost

The round Königstortum tower, one of the city's landmarks, is always in sight for the host Sabine Powels from her office on the 5th floor: "It protects us," she laughs. Since 1896, today's four-star hotel with its imposing sandstone façade has been a natural part of Nuremberg's cityscape and has been immortalised on numerous postcards. Sabine Powels owns quite a few of them and uses the motifs as the basis for the new artistic concept for the single rooms called "BlickWinkel".

In 1996, at the age of 24, the graduate in business administration took over the hotel from her grandfather. "The rooms were all freshly renovated, but one looked like the other," she remembers. This was to change thoroughly in the following years.

Little by little, Sabine Powels created seven charming room categories with very different design concepts. They are called "KreativSchub", "LebensRaum" or "KulturGenuss" and offer the best technical equipment for business guests or plenty of space for families.

A room with a view directly into the museum

Rooms for Art Fans

From the "KulturGenuss" rooms you even have a direct view into the New Museum of Art and Design. If you are curious, you can visit the ultra-modern collection with the included free ticket.

The six "HochGefühl" rooms are also interesting for art fans. There, the specially designed wallpapers take up playfully light themes that stand for Nuremberg's inventive spirit, among others, from Martin Behaim's globe from 1492 to Peter Henlein's pocket watch from 1510 to the tradition as a toy city.

Orange-coloured stools and armchairs set cheerful accents, and flower pots, vases and napkins in the house also glow in the colour. "For me, orange simply stands for optimism and creativity," says Sabine Powels. "Because I find it quite wonderful that I can live out my ideas here." She simply enjoys rethinking things again and again, whether for the guests or the staff, for whom she offered yoga classes via video during lockdown times. After all, the enthusiastic athlete is currently training to be a yoga teacher anyway.

Breakfast at the LaTerrazza

Because the house remained open for business guests for the entire period of Covid, she also revised the breakfast concept and received so much positive feedback that she will probably keep it. "We changed from the classic buffet to 'breakfast tapas'," explains the hostess. "We offer porridge, egg dishes, freshly baked cakes and daily changing delicacies fresh from the serving trolley or tray. This is very popular and also more sustainable because we have to throw away much less."

When the weather is nice, guests can enjoy breakfast on the terrace, which then transforms into a café as "LaTerrazza" with cakes, small dishes and antipasti for aperitifs. The terrace facing Klarissenplatz can also be included in private parties or conferences at the "Hotel Victoria". The food motto "regional and sustainable" is of course also followed in the menu for conference guests.

Personal Tips

With the State Theatre, the opera and many pubs and restaurants within walking distance, an evening in Nuremberg can be varied. The staff are happy to give tips. They have even compiled their personal favourites on their own website, which can be accessed via a link from the hotel page (in "A to Z" under "N" for "Nuremberg for Discoverers").

Susanna raves about the sunsets at Wöhrder See, Franzi recommends her favourite café "Chocolat" and Jan the Rothsee, 25 kilometres to the south. Sabine Powels gives the tip for the outdoor café Schnepperschütz on the Pegnitz. But she also likes to pack her SUP board into the car and jet off to Chiemgau in an orange van.