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MÜLLER-ELMAU AHEAD OF THE CURVE SERVING UP INSPIRATION IN CAPITALS OF CULTURE .
By JEFF WEINSTEIN , EDITOR IN CHIEF
A man whose claim to fame had been creating hotel software is today the talk of Berlin for creating and operating the Hotel Orania Berlin , which couldn ’ t be less focused on technology .
Dietmar Müller-Elmau , who sold Fidelio to Micros in 1995 , has returned to his much more culturally minded roots , building hotels where guests can meet and stay among local artists , thinkers , philosophers and politicians .
His career as a true hotelier started in the late 1990s when he took over the family ’ s Schloss Elmau , located between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald in Germany ’ s Bavaria . The hotel for years had been known for being an artistic community before Müller-Elmau turned it into more of a luxury wellness center .
But as he hatched plans to grow his hotel portfolio , he says he knew discerning travelers wanted more than just good food and service and a nice place to stay . They wanted inspiration and to meet people of different mindsets – not like-minded travelers – a cultural hideaway in a capital of culture . “ You go into a hotel or resort to start thinking , not to stop thinking – to start engaging ,” he says .
So the 40-room Orania Berlin was created to house local artists and thought leaders who perform on the big “ living room ” stage and remain immersed in the guest experience because they live there while performing . They aren ’ t paid to perform or debate the issues of the day because they are locals who are inspired to be a part of the Müller-Elmau-designed hotel ’ s essence and experience . With a big restaurant and a great bar to boot , the results have been staggering , according to Müller-Elmau . “ It ’ s food for thought , and maybe good for the soul ,” he adds .
In fact , luxury- and culturally driven Orania has been in the headlines for standing out in a diverse neighborhood not known for luxury . Dissenters have
22 hotelsmag . com January / February 2018