Dresden-Palaisplatz

‘Hooray for that little difference’: This quote by Erich Kästner was something we took to heart when working on the design forMotel One Dresden-Palaisplatz. We made sure to get even the smallest details right. The theme of the hotel’s interior design is something of an open book, with everything revolving around the Dresden-born author himself, and, of course, his wonderful stories that have won over our hearts.
Our whistle-stop design tour will take you on a journey through bygone days, leading you back to your childhood – where there are plenty of familiar things to discover.

Chapter one

Even the spine of a book can be spine-tingling in itself, especially if it’s one of Erich Kästner’s well-known works – and if it’s serving as a super-sized decoration on the reception desk, like at our Motel One hotel. It’ll have you drifting into childhood memories in no time at all as you sink back into the plush sofas from B&B Italia.
Take five

A literal highlight comes courtesy of the Zettel’z 5 lights specially designed for Motel One by light artist Ingo Maurer. The designer has worked images and quotes from Erich Kästner’s stories into these fittings, showing them off in a very special light.
Ingo Maurer
Once upon a time

... Emil, Annaluise and Anton – and not to forget Lottie and Lisa. Can you cast your mind back? Our breakfast area is where Kästner’s children all congregate: they’re hiding in the wall drawings, just waiting for morning to come so they can entice you into their colourful world of fantasy. After all, you mustn’t forget that ‘only those who grow up and still remain children are real human beings.’
High-flyers

When you step into our lobby, one thing quickly becomes clear: world literature doesn’t always have to be weighty. How so? The lobby is home to white pendant lights that float above the space, shaped like open books. You’re guaranteed to have a lightbulb moment.
Raise the bar

We can see something you can’t. But maybe you can see it after all? The sophisticated surroundings of our bar provide a fitting frame for an array of famous quotes by Kästner. They are positioned at irregular intervals, some in a lighter font and others darker, being displayed upside down or even as if reflected in a mirror, ready for you to decipher them. In the midst of all this, the ‘Clear Crystal Bulb’ lights by Lee Broom shed some light on the situation.
Lee Broom
Reading nook

Now, let’s open our books. It goes without saying that our hotel is well-stocked with reading material in the form of Erich Kästner’s masterpieces. Lean back in the Ro armchair by Fritz Hansen, grab a drink and bury your nose in one of these wonderful books. But be careful... every so often, a guest gets so entranced by a story that they never come back down to earth.
Fritz Hansen

Novel Design

Our Motel One Dresden-Palaisplatz

Chapter one

Take five

Once upon a time

High-flyers

Raise the bar

Reading nook