hamburg

Birth Of A Montblanc: Making The World's Finest Pen & Why You Should Write With One

Visiting Montblanc's headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, I experienced how the world's finest pen is brought to life, and learned a little something about culture. Let me make you an instant expert on fine writing instruments.

I never thought much about fine writing instruments. The life I tend to live is practical and versatile. Much like my fellow Americans I shed tradition for convenience and economy. The practice of writing words has been done with half dollar ballpoint pens and pencils purchased from a drugstore. My finest "writing instruments" were dutifully sourced from hotels and other easy giveaways. Perhaps this is why I tend to prefer the keyboard. A bit of that changed when I discovered that for just a bit more (and at the right store), I could get pens made in Japan that worked better. With them I wrote more, and seemed to enjoy drawing and taking notes in a new way. Good tools are always appreciated and help you be more productive, but are writing instruments are more than just that?

Is writing like language? Does the process we use to write change what we say and the culture around us? Some academics posit that "language is culture." Then, by that accord is the way we write language a function of that culture? People worry heavily that the popularity of instant messaging via computers and text messaging via phones leads to a distinct degradation in our writing and language. It is hard to argue with this if you have any experience with these communication mediums. So what about the opposite? If casual ways of writing harm formality, do more formal ways of writing increase one's level of sophistication, even temporarily?

Gallery: Montblanc Pen Manufacture images

Tags: factory, hamburg, how made, manufacture, montblanc, pen, pens, writing instrument

Continue reading “Birth Of A Montblanc: Making The World's Finest Pen & Why You Should Write With One”

The George To Open In Hamburg

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The newest member of Design Hotels is known as The George and will open in November in Hamburg, Germany. The 125-room hotel promises a "New British Style" offering a contemporary twist to English tradition and design. It was inspired by British social clubs and offers spaces in which to socialize and lounge including a library, a restaurant with attached English garden, a rooftop terrace and two clubrooms as well as a lounge and bar.

Hotelier Kai Hollmann used both the styles of British classics as well as exotic influences dating back to colonial times in his design. The primary design scheme in black and white is softened by rich accent colors and warm dark woods. Each of the public rooms are also available for private hire. Room rates start at 159 euros.

Source

Tags: design hotels, DesignHotels, germany, hamburg, the george, TheGeorge

Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahrezeiten Set To Open

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The town of Hamburg seems to be headed for a tourism revival. The Fairmont hotel chain has announced their new hotel in Hamburg, Germany, the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, will join the collection on April 30.The hotel is located on the western side of the Inner Alster Lake shore and is home to four restaurants, two bars, a spa and fitness facility and function space. The hotel was originally founded in 1897 by Friedrich Haerlin and once offered only 11 rooms but Haerlin gradually bought up one house after another until he had the whole block and the hotel now has 157 rooms and suites. The public areas of the hotel are furnished with a collection of 16th- and 17th-century Flemish Gobelin tapestries, baroque cupboards and Renaissance chests. The hotel is offering a Welcome to Hamburg package where guests receive a complimentary third night when staying two consecutive nights starting at 570 euros until the end of the year.

Source

Tags: fairmont, hamburg, hotel, tourism, travel

US World Cup Team to Stay in Hamburg

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

While the German team stays in Berlin, the US World Cup Team has made arrangements to stay at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. The hotel is located in the center of the city and, while not having quite the same historical significance of the Schlosshotel Berlin, it is hardly lacking. The 282-room hotel occupies the top floors of the Levantehaus building, an old but historic warehouse that has been stripped and luxuriously finished. Ultramodern with a hint of old-fashioned charm in its decor, the rooms are largely minimalist. It offers all the usual amenities found in modern hotels, including high speed internet and satellite television, as well as an indoor pool and health club.

The largest room at the Hyatt is the Presidential Suite. At 1,500-square feet, the suite offers views of the city from the living room and, in addition to the highly detailed decor throughout the suite, a marble bath with a waterfall shower. Access to a private concierge is also provided.

Source

Tags: berlin, germany, hamburg, hotel, hyatt, park hyatt hamburg, presidential suite, PresidentialSuite, sports, tournament, ultramodern, united states, us team, world cup