IBB Hotel Erfurt

Partner of SORAT Hotels

Press kit

• Grand Old Swan in a Brand New Look
• Hotel within Medieval Walls
• Rooms designed by Didier Gomez
• Facts & Figures

Grand Old Swan in a Brand New Look

An avant-garde hotel was opened in September 1995 in the city of Erfurt, which is the capital of the German Land Thuringia. Located next to the famous Krämerbrücke ("grocer's bridge"), the medieval inn Zum Alten Schwan ("The Old Swan") was entirely restored and also enlarged. 85 hotel rooms were installed in an elegant new wing. The furniture was designed exclusively for the hotel by French design star Didier Gomez.

Hotel within Medieval Walls

Zum Alten Schwan, one of the really old Erfurt inns, was reborn as a young and an unusual accommodation at a phantastic location. Its massive sandstone facade, nearly unchanged since the middle ages, has been carefully restored. Behind them, the avantgarde has moved in. Internationally renowned designers took care of the interior design of the Sorat partner hotel IBB Hotel Erfurt. Thus, the furniture of the guest rooms was created by French star Didier Gomez exclusively for the hotel. The public areas including lobby, restaurant, bar and breakfast café were furnished by the young American Evelyn Sherwood, basically using Ligne Roset furniture. The atmosphere of the entire hotel has a soft, almost feminine touch, in natural colours and materials.

The central but quiet location of the IBB Hotel Erfurt is ideal for any purpose. Right in front of the house runs swiftly the River Gera, crossed by the famous bridge Krämerbrücke with its range of narrow houses on both sides. This is the very centre of the old part of the city, all destinations are within walking distance, and yet it is quiet and romantic.

Although a new building, the delicate modern wing of Zum Alten Schwan fits well into the historic neighbourhood. This is also were the entrance of the hotel and the round lobby are located. The 85 hotel rooms are equipped with shower or bath and WC, ISDN-telephone, fax plugs, satellite TV, pay video, air conditioning and minibar. The conference rooms seat up to 80 persons, and offer natural daylight and modern technical conference equipment. The hotel's comfort is completed by a fitness centre with sauna and an underground garage. And, last but not least, the restaurant "Zum Alten Schwan" is renowned for its excellent cuisine. In 2009 the room rates vary from Euro 99 up to Euro 168 including the sumptuous breakfast buffet.

Rooms designed by Didier Gomez

The furnishings of the hotel rooms of the Sorat partner hotel in are something really special. French Designer Didier Gomez created all furniture, from the head plates of the beds, on to the chair, desk and comfort chairs. All these pieces were produced uniquely for the hotel.

The materials which Didier Gomez used for his "Swan Line" are mainly aluminum, beechwood and linen. The colours are dominated by soft beige, with brick red accents in the covering of chair, armchair and the suitcase ramp. The furniture ist extremely light, optically as well as in reality. The thin aluminum legs of the chair and suitcase ramp are slightly turned outward, while the desk has an absoutely straight shape. Instead, it has a surprising tabletop made of glass with a second level below it. Any wardrobe is replaced by a light open shelve construction, hidden behind a linen curtain.

Didier Gomez is known in France but also internationally as interior designer and for his furniture designs. He created shop interiors for Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Rodier, furniture for Ligne Roset, Artelano, Habitat, and decorated private apartments such as the Paris domcile of Harrison Ford. He also took part in the conception ot the mezzanine gallery below the glass pyramid of the Paris Louvre. Gomez was first known for his furniture line "First Time" that he created in 1978. Since 1985, Didier Gomez runs a studio for interior design in Paris. His work aims for balance - the balance between history, present and culture, the balance between a straight line and a soft bent line. And as he hates perfectly styled ambiances, he alway lets a little bit of imperfection enter his drawings.

Facts & Figures

As to January 2009