His penchant for all things Asian – he’s a practising Buddhist and keen yogi – and travelling around the world are not only visible in small details in the hotel’s 20 rooms but also in the wonderful and open-for-everyone hotel bar which is a location in its own right and combines cool and gemütlich in the best possible way. Speicher7 was “Winner of the Architecture of the Year: Conversion of an Existing Non Hotel Building to Hotel Use” award at the European Hotel Design Awards 2013 in London and it’s not difficult to see why. The original structures – and a lot of concrete – are skilfully maintained in modern, minimalistic yet soulful rooms. If you can, get a room facing the river and featuring huge panorama windows. Most spectacular is the Silo Lounge room with a 12 metre high original silo in the bathroom. Wash your hands, look up and be surprised.