SEASIDE - Park Hotel Leipzig

The Seaside Hotels Magazine I N o 26
SEASIDE
T R I B U N E
abito suites – Luxurious surroundings
at affordable prices
Wide-ranging improvements for guests at the Seaside Palm Beach
Golfing paradise with 10 highly individual courses
Gondwanaland – A tropical paradise in Leipzig

From the hotels
08 Wide-ranging improvements for guests
at the Seaside Palm Beach
10 SIDE – Three porters, one aim: satisfied guests
12 Breakfasting in style at SIDE
15 [m]eat49 – the cult event for Hamburg’s party people
16 abito suites – Luxurious surroundings at affordable
prices
20 TUI Environmental Champion
22 Beach Cleanup
23 Seaside presenting: Staff with special hobbies
24 Seaside Hotels – Commitment to the environment
Dear Guest, dear Reader
In this issue we have once more compiled for you lots of exciting new features, interesting
reports and entertaining stories from the exclusive world of Seaside Hotels. You are invited
to accompany us on a journey to the primeval continent of Gondwana and to learn more
about the Seaside Hotel group’s commitment to the environment. We also report on extensive
investment which we have recently implemented to make your stay at our hotels even
more pleasant, ranging from the refurbishing of many rooms right down to the complete
restructuring of some hotel areas.
At this point, however, we, Gregor and Theo Gerlach, would like to use this foreword to
make a special announcement. We are delighted that Anouchka Gerlach, respectively our
sister and daughter, will from now on be contributing her experience and expertise to
Seaside Hotels. As an owner-operated family company we feel that we have a personal
responsibility to our guests, which makes it all the more important to live up to this maxim
at the management level, too. After studying business management in London, Anouchka
successfully completed her MBA studies in hotel management at the École Hôtelière de
Lausanne. She then acquired further experience with a prominent global chain of luxury
resort hotels and implemented Europewide projects on behalf of King Sturge, the London
firm of hotel consultants with international operations. Within our Spanish Seaside Hotels
she will be assuming responsibility for a number of tasks in the areas of quality assurance,
innovation and cost controlling, while supporting us in marketing and sales and contributing
her experience to the development of new hotel projects. Welcome on board, Anouchka!
We hope all our readers will enjoy this issue of Seaside Tribune and wish our guests a
memorable stay at Seaside Hotels – a stay full of delightful, exciting and inspiring holiday
experiences.
08 Wide-ranging improvements for guests
at the Seaside Palm Beach
Cuisine
26 Natural ingredients, traditional dishes,
creative cuisine – the secret culinary recipe
of the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia
28 Mange Tout – ”...mmh, tastes good!”
30 New design at the Seaside Sandy Beach
32 ”Outstanding!” – The cuisine at the
Seaside Palm Beach
34 ”fruity aromas“ – Gran Canaria – a new vineyard
to discover
Sport & Wellness
35 SPA – New treatments at the Seaside
Grand Hotel Residencia
36 Tai Chi (Taijiquan)
38 TransGranCanaria
Culture & Leisure
40 Luis Montull – Canary Islands artist and sculptor
42 Leipzig’s Thomaner in 2012
44 Gondwanaland – A tropical paradise in Leipzig
46 Otto Dix anniversary
48 ”Begehungen” – The art and culture festival
in Chemnitz
50 Siona García – Prestigious international haute couture
from Gran Canaria
With our best regards
Golf
Gregor Gerlach
Theo Gerlach
52 Golfing paradise with 10 highly individual courses:
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote
54 Palm Beach Gofus Golf Trophy 2011
58 Golf takes pride of place at Seaside Hotels
Columns
52 Golfing paradise with 10 highly individual
courses: Gran Canaria and Lanzarote
02 Editorial
04 News
59 Picture credits & Imprint
Editorial
Index

News
Theo Gerlach has
been declared an
honorary citizen of
Gran Canaria – our
congratulations!
Since 5 April 2010 hotelier and property
developer Theo Gerlach has
been an honorary citizen of the
island of Gran Canaria. The honorary
citizenship was awarded to Mr
Gerlach at the Pérez Galdós theater
in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by
Don José Miguel Pérez Garcia, president
of the local administrative body.
This honour has been presented by
the island’s administration in recognition
of the pioneering tourism work
of the hotelier and his unceasing
efforts to promote sustainable
tourism in the Canary Islands. He is
particularly committed to the south
of the island of Gran Canaria, where
he campaigns tirelessly on behalf of
the environment, the responsible use
of resources and conserving the
appearance of the landscape.
For Theo Gerlach, however, the important
factor is not just what he has
achieved himself. He also praises the
outstanding services of the staff at
his hotels. Responding to the award
of honorary citizenship he remarks:
”Ever since my first visit to Gran
Canaria more than forty years ago
I have been always been fascinated
by this wonderful and diverse island.
I feel very privileged to be awarded
this honour, but this honorary citizenship
is recognition not just of
what I have managed to do but
also the outstanding services of our
staff.”
The adopted resident of Hamburg
travelled to the Canary Islands for
the first time in 1970 and was so
impressed by the beauty of Gran
Canaria that he opened his first hotel
on the island only four years later.
This hotel, the ”Don Gregory”, was
sold in 1998, but three further firstclass
hotels were established in Gran
Canaria, one in Lanzarote and four in
Germany, all of which are still part
of the family-run company. The 83-
year old dedicated hotelier manages
the Spanish hotels to the present
day, having handed over the management
of the German hotels a
few years ago to his son, Gregor
Gerlach.
The honorary citizenship of Gran
Canaria is not the only tribute to
Theo Gerlach’s successful career. In
October 2002 the Canary Islands
tourism authority awarded the hotelier
its gold medal in La Palma
as a ”Leading Entrepreneur in the
Tourism Industry”. In 2009 the
Centre for Tourism Initiatives honoured
him for his excellent services to
the development of tourism and in
2004 the town of San Bartolomé
de Tirajana in Gran Canaria presented
him with the ”Excelentes de
Tourismo” award as an outstanding
personality in the tourism industry.
For the high level of success and
quality management of the individual
hotels the hotelier has also been
presented with numerous tourism
industry a-wards for peak customer
satisfaction.
Seaside Grand Hotel
Residencia and
Seaside Sandy Beach
win TUI Holly 2011
More than 500,000 TUI customers
have voted the Seaside Grand Hotel
Residencia and the Seaside Sandy
Beach in Gran Canaria among the
100 best hotels in the world. The
tourism industry’s biggest customer
survey which is carried out every year
by TUI, Germany’s leading tour operator,
selects the 100 best hotels with
the highest customer satisfaction ratings.
The two Seaside Group hotels
triumphed over more than 8,000
competing hotels in winning 2 of the
14 TUI Hollys awarded on the Canary
Islands.
In addition to honouring the 100
best hotels worldwide TUI also
awards the coveted TUI Holly trophy
in eight categories. The Seaside
Grand Hotel Residencia is the victor
in the ”Best Hotel – Western
Mediterranean/Atlantic” category.
Accordingly the first and only member
of the ”Leading Hotels of the
World” in Gran Canaria takes first
place in the region covered by the
Balearics, Italy, the Canary Islands,
the Cape Verde Islands, Portugal and
the Spanish mainland.
All four Seaside Hotels are among
the most popular hotels in the
Canary Islands and have already
received the much sought-after trophy
awarded by guests for customer
satisfaction. The numerous TUI Holly
awards of recent years confirm the
Group’s high standards of quality
management, first-class service and
outstanding cuisine.
We are proud of these awards and
wish to thank all guests who gave us
their votes for their confidence in us.
We are delighted to welcome you
again and again and do our best
every day to make sure you enjoy
your stay with us.
Seaside Los Jameos
Playa awarded
Neckermann Primo
2010
The Seaside Los Jameos Playa in
Lanzarote is one of the 100 most
popular hotels in the portfolio of the
Neckermann Reisen tour operator.
More than 500,000 customers have
rated the quality of their holiday
hotel in writing, by telephone or on
the internet and have voted the
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Seaside Group hotel among their
100 favourites worldwide. The assessment
criteria included factors
such as service, location, familyfriendliness,
cleanliness, cuisine and
general guest satisfaction.
However, the Seaside Los Jameos
Playa has impressed not only Neckermann
customers but also the customers
of the Austrian tour operator
GULET. The four-star resort hotel on
the beach of Playa de Los Pocillos
was awarded the GULET Hotelo and
not only voted one of the ten best
hotels in Spain but among the
world’s top one hundred. In addition
the hotel has received the coveted
”HolidayCheck Top Hotel 2011”
award from users of the Holiday-
Check ratings portal, together with
the ”Zoover” as the best hotel in its
category awarded by Zoover, the
biggest online hotel and ratings
portal in the Benelux countries.
Your votes and your confidence in us
are very much appreciated. We are
delighted by these awards and will
continue to do everything in our
power to ensure that your holiday
with us is the highlight of your year.
Top feedback for
all Seaside Hotels
in the TripAdvisor
ratings portal
Together with the Seaside Los
Jameos Playa in Lanzarote the
Seaside Palm Beach and the Seaside
Sandy Beach in Gran Canaria have
been awarded the ”2011 Certificate
for Excellence” by the world’s premier
holiday ratings portal.
For the purpose of determining and
selecting the best hotels the portal
evaluates the comments, opinions
and reviews of the holiday-makers
who describe their experiences on
the portal. In addition users can
award up to five points for ”value for
money”, ”quality of sleep”, ”cleanliness”
and ”service”. Further factors
are the number and quality of the
ratings.
With an overall points total of 4.5
points each the Seaside Group’s Palm
Beach, Sandy Beach and Los Jameos
Playa hotels are among the top-rated
hotels in the Canary Islands. Only
because of the relatively small number
of user ratings it was not possible
to include the Seaside Grand Hotel
Residencia in the award of the certificates.
However, because of the high
level of customer satisfaction the
first and so far the only member of
the ”Leading Hotels of the World”
in Gran Canaria is the top-rated
Maspalomas hotel.
We wish to thank all guests and holiday-makers
for their positive feedback.
We really appreciate your
opinions, suggestions and even criticism,
which we’re also happy to
receive in person at the hotel.
Condé Nast Traveller
rates the spa at the
Seaside Palm Beach
among the top 25
in Spain
The internationally known travel
magazine Condé Nast Traveller has
included the spa of the Seaside Palm
Beach in its 2011 Gold List of the 25
best spas in Spain.
Every year the monthly magazine lists
the world’s top hotels, resorts and
spas and then invites its readers in an
online survey to vote on their
favourites worldwide. In recognition
of its inclusion in the 2011 Gold List
the spa of the Seaside Palm Beach
has received the magazine’s badge,
which is greatly sought-after in the
tourism industry. In our extensive spa
and wellness facilities we offer treatments
based on the latest methods
for the body, mind and spirit such as,
for example, the east-Asian Pantai
Luar massage with lovingly prepared
herbal stamps, or intensive full-body
peeling in an oriental Rasul bath.
Guests can choose between a range
of exclusive individual treatments or
carefully harmonised all-day programmes.
We wish you a relaxing
and revitalising experience at the
Seaside Palm Beach spa.
So small but already a
Seaside star
Frederick Alejandro Sengewitz de la
Rosa, 49 centimetres tall and weighing
2900 grammes, came into the
world on 26.07.2011. Our thanks
go to his proud daddy Frederik
Sengewitz, Food & Beverage Assistant
at the Seaside Los Jameos Playa,
for this magical photo. We wish him,
Frederick Alejandro’s happy mum
and their small family all the very
best for the future!
6 7

A total of 65 rooms whose design or
equipment did not fully meet the
requirements of our guests were fully
redecorated and fitted with new
furniture. In addition an equally large
number of other rooms were partly
renovated and a start was made to
laying new carpeting, with the result
that by the end of 2011 all rooms
featured new fitted carpets. Guests
can now watch the news, films or
travel documentaries on flat screen
televisions of the prestigious LOEWE
brand which are part of the standard
equipment of all our rooms. More
than 100 radio and TV programmes
can be received on the new TVs,
which are installed in every room.
A good night’s rest is good for our
health and looks – and to make
sure that guests sleep well at the
Palm Beach we have replaced the
mattresses in almost all of our 328
rooms, and all rooms are now
equipped with new, comfortable
pillows and bedding. All bathrooms
have been fitted with illuminated
cosmetic mirrors and an even more
efficient hairdryer.
Wide-ranging
improvements
for guests at the Seaside Palm Beach
The Seaside Palm Beach, a 5-star hotel and until recently the only member of the
”Design Hotel” chain in Gran Canaria, is located at the heart of a picturesque oasis
of palm trees, only a few metres from the extensive sandy beach of Maspalomas.
Although the legendary hotel was completely refurbished in the style of the Seventies only
as recently as 2002, in 2011 many aspects were renovated once more in order to satisfy our
high requirements and offer our guests an even more enjoyable stay.
A fresh cup of coffee or tea? – In our
Superior and Deluxe rooms from the
second to the seventh floor a Bodum
electric kettle is available for a quick
hot drink at any time. The new DVD
players enable guests to watch their
favourite movies – the concierge has
a large stock of great films available.
Our Deluxe corner rooms, Junior
suites, Suites and Master suites also
contain an Illy espresso machine with
which you can brew up a strong
espresso or, if you prefer, a fresh
cup of tea or coffee to enjoy on your
balcony with a view of the sea, the
sand dunes or the palm garden. And
thanks to the new cordless phones
you can share your holiday experiences
with your loved ones back
home from any part of your luxury
accommodation.
8 9

SIDE
Three porters, one aim: satisfied guests
”Where can I find the best hairdresser
in the city?”, ”What exhibitions
are on in Hamburg at the
moment?” or ”Where can I find
the ideal anniversary gift for my
wife?” – These are kind of questions
SIDE’s porters respond to every
day with unlimited helpfulness,
imagination and local knowledge.
Accordingly we’d like to take this
opportunity to present to you the
three guardian angels of our hotel
whose helpful advice will make your
stay at SIDE and in Hamburg an
unforgettable one.
Ralph Claes
(on left)
”A talented linguist who knows the
city inside out” – Mr Claes will give
you top tips for your stay in Hamburg
in Dutch, French, Italian, English,
Spanish or German, and has answers
to the trickiest questions. His favourite
pastime, however, is discussing football
in general and Hamburg’s local
team in particular. In his free time
he enjoys taking his family to the
”Isemarkt” to look for interesting
bargains. With a length of almost
one kilometre the ”Isemarkt“ is
Europe’s longest open-air market
and a popular tourist destination.
Under the former overhead railway
line more than 200 densely packed
market traders offer their wares from
8:30 to 14:00 hrs every Tuesday and
Friday.
Sahin Ünlü
(centre)
”Our Confucius”, because Mr Ünlü is
the embodiment of the Confucian
axiom ”Strength comes from calm”.
Even with five cars waiting at the
hotel entrance he remains unruffled
and manages not just to park these
with speed and efficiency but also to
accompany the arriving guests to
their rooms almost at the same time
while never losing sight of their luggage.
As a result it’s easy to understand
why he has been a valued
member of the hotel’s staff since its
opening in March 2001. And if he is
ever exhausted after a long hard day
he visits the neighbouring ”Planten
un Bloomen” park to recharge his
batteries. These botanical gardens
with a tropical hall and Europe’s
largest Japanese garden are a haven
of peace and quiet. In summer the
concerts held in the music pavilion
and the illuminated water fountains
every evening are a special attraction.
For more information please see:
www.plantenunblomen.hamburg.de
Mijo Krsic
(on right)
”Mijo my Mijo” – when he’s on duty
at the hotel he radiates the impression
created by Astrid Lindgren’s
novel of the same name. With his
friendly and helpful manner Mr Krsic
will manage to turn your stay at
SIDE into an experience of a special
kind, making sure that your trip to
Hamburg will long remain a pleasant
memory. His tip for insiders is the
”Gängeviertel” district at the heart of
the city’s old town with its alleyways
and dense ranks of buildings. Last
year tens of thousands of guests
from all over the world attended
exhibitions, concerts, parties and
readings in the well preserved district
around ”Valentinskamp” or discussed
urban development there.
For more information please see:
www.gaengeviertel.info
10
11

Breakfasting in style
at SIDE: we take a look behind the scenes
6:30 hrs, the alarm clock rings and it’s time for the
first event of the day – breakfast.
For SIDE guests this is an experience of a special kind
because at the luxury hotel they are treated to a highclass
buffet and freshly prepared à la carte dishes.
However, there’s plenty for the staff at SIDE to do even
before the first cups and glasses can be filled with Italian
coffee specialities, fine Indian teas or freshly squeezed
juice. Up to 250 guests during the week and up to
350 guests at the weekend expect the highest quality
combined with perfect service.
This is why the first preparations begin the evening
before, when glasses and cutlery are polished until they
shine, cups and plates are set out and a check is made on
the necessary ingredients.
4:30 hrs – work begins for the first kitchen staff
In order to make sure that everything goes smoothly the
first kitchen staff arrive as early as 04:30 and begin
preparations for breakfast at the five-star design hotel.
Among other things the coffee beans which are roasted
on the spot are freshly ground, the dough for the popular
pancakes with buttermilk is mixed, delicate croissants
with and without chocolate are baked, and tomatoes,
bell peppers, onions, North Sea shrimps, fresh herbs and
many more ingredients are prepared for the egg dishes.
In one year alone the kitchen at SIDE grinds more than
1000 kg of the finest coffee beans, bakes something like
20,000 croissants and consumes almost 90,000 eggs for
pancakes, scrambled eggs etc. The constantly changing
fruit compotes which are flavoured with various spices
such as star aniseed, vanilla or lemongrass are prepared
for breakfast a day in advance.
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13

5:00 hrs – room service please!
Shortly after five the hotel staff generally begin receiving
orders from business guests in a hurry. Now everything
has to move fast to make sure that guests can enjoy
breakfast in their rooms at their leisure. At 5.30 on the
dot the kitchen door opens and SIDE’s own baker brings
a rich selection of freshly baked bread rolls and various
types of bread, and at around 7.00 hrs the Bagel Bakery
delivers home-made bagels freshly baked by the Bagel
Brothers.
At the same time as the baker makes his delivery the
service staff begin to set the tables, stack their glasses
and fill the various jugs with milk, buttermilk, whey and
freshly squeezed juices of the season. Added to these
there are various types of home-made jam, including
quince, mango and strawberry, a delicious selection
of honeys, various types of muesli, both fresh and
dried fruit, quark and yoghurt. More than 5,900 litres of
milk, 90 kg of butter and over 1000 kg of yoghurt were
consumed in 2010 as part of the SIDE’s very special
breakfast.
6:20 hrs – the final dash to get first-class breakfast
buffet ready
Right at the end, just before breakfast begins, the 18
varieties of raw milk cheese are set out, together with
fresh or smoked fish and an exclusive selection of cold
meats and ham. In order to ensure the freshness and
quality of everything during the entire breakfast period
the kitchen staff regularly clear away the trays, platters
and baskets and fill them with fresh products. Over the
course of the year the amount of food consumed rises to
almost 600 kg of freshly peeled North-Sea shrimps, 2000
kg of the finest cheeses, 1900 kg of ham and almost
10,600 almond crescents.
The friendly service staff are always ready to receive
orders for drinks and to prepare whatever coffee and tea
specialities are requested. If guests ask for particular fruit
juices these are also squeezed fresh by the service staff,
with for example the juice of more than 20,000 sweet
oranges being squeezed into glasses in the year 2010.
From Monday to Friday from 7:00 hrs to 10:00 hrs and at
weekends between 9:00 hrs and 12:00 hrs everything is
especially hectic for the kitchen and service personnel.
This is the time when most guests are having breakfast
and the orders for scrambled egg, omelettes, pancakes
or waffles with maple syrup mount up. To make sure that
no guests have to wait for long the kitchen staff work to
a strict target – all egg dishes must be cooked and served
within five minutes from receipt of the order.
”Behind the scenes things often get hectic and loud, but
it’s a lot of fun and we really appreciate the many compliments
that we receive for our breakfast every day,” is the
unanimous opinion of the kitchen and service teams.
From Monday to Friday breakfast is served from 6:30 hrs
to 11 hrs to anyone, including non-hotel guests, while at
the weekend and on public holidays the SIDE breakfast
buffet is available until 14:00 hrs.
Price: 23,00 € per person / Advanced special rate (in combination with an
overnight stay and against payment in advance): 18,00 € per person
[m]eat49 – the cult event for
Hamburg’s party people.
Every first Tuesday of the month the
[m]eatery hosts [m]eat49 – in the
special atmosphere of the bar and
restaurant guests at the SIDE five-star
design hotel and Hamburg’s cool
party people listen to the sound of
selected live music acts and the
popular sounds of the DJ. The music
ranges from soul, funk and R&B hits
sung by gifted soul divas via a perfect
mix of house music right across to
Brazilian groups who bring that pure
Sugar Loaf Mountain feeling to the
[m]eatery with a mixture of samba,
jazz and choro.
The stresses of everyday routine are
quickly forgotten with a cool cocktail
in your hand accompanied by tasty
mini appetisers from the flying buffet
such as beef tea, tartar, burgers,
slices of beef or New York cheesecake,
and the evening often doesn’t
end until the early hours of the
morning.
With the cocktails, too, quality
comes first. The [m]eatery bartenders
are experts in taking classical cocktails
and then refining them with
original, top-quality ingredients. And
of course the [m]eatery bar team
serves only freshly-squeezed juices. A
real favourite and one which is
unique in Hamburg is the [m]eatery
signature drink – the mint julep, the
Kentucky Derby cult drink made with
lots of fresh mint, Bourbon and
crushed ice.
All this makes [m]eat49 the perfect
combination for lovers of good
meat, fantastic music and stylish
drinks – and of course entrance is
free. For more information please
see www.meatery.de or join us on
www.facebook.de/meatery.
Like SIDE
& [m]eatery!
Stay in touch with us on Facebook! Our
fan pages www.facebook.de/sidehotel &
www.facebook.de/meatery will keep you
right up to date with the latest news about
SIDE and the [m]eatery bar + restaurant.
We’ll keep you informed about upcoming
events, gourmet specials and interesting
features of our design and service! Why
not post a message on our wall!
14 15

Luxurious surroundings at affordable prices
abito suites in Leipzig – a flexible overnight
accommodation concept for new generations of
travellers.
”Ognuno la intende a modo suo” (”Everyone looks at
things in their own way”) – is the principle behind the
abito suites. This innovative concept devised by Gregor
Gerlach for overnight accommodation was launched in
January 2010 under the name ”Vasano”. It is aimed at
the needs of modern, discriminating business travellers
and tourists, because guests at the abito suites look at
their overnight stay at a hotel in a highly individual way.
They don’t need extensive service and instead carry their
overnight bag to their room themselves. They attach less
important to an elaborate breakfast buffet, 24-hour
room service or extensive spa and wellness facilities.
Instead they look for flexibility and independence.
The focus of this target group is mainly on a hotel
room which features first-class design, is well-equipped
with the latest technology and offers really good value
for money.
16
17

With Italian designer furniture such as for example exclusive
armchairs by MINOTTI and stylish design elements
such as the glamorous shimmering mosaics by Bisazza,
each of the suites and junior suites provides two persons
with the comfort of a hotel room in the five-star
category. However, the cost of accommodation in the
generously-sized rooms is at a much more affordable
level, with guests paying between € 115 and € 145 for a
night in a suite equipped among other things with an illy
espresso machine and a LOEWE TV. Important communication
facilities such as W-LAN or a telephone flat rate to
German landlines are already included in the price. The
two-level suites also have a modern, fully equipped
kitchen with an induction cooking zone and a large
dining table. The view from the full-length windows
is impressive, looking out on the Augustusplatz,
the Grimmaische Straße, the Opera House or the
Gewandhaus, depending on the position of the suite.
The concept: reducing overnight accommodation to
the basics.
The idea behind the abito suites is based on this fundamental
principle – reducing hotel accommodation to a
high standard of comfort at an affordable price. The
18 luxuriously furnished suites and junior suites in the
centre of Leipzig are located on the upper floors
of a modern glass and natural-stone building.
Luxurious ambience and modern design without
expensive service.
For the purpose of combining the exclusive accommodation
level of the abito suites with an affordable price
the facility does without expensive extras such as elaborate
service, a lobby or the hotel’s own restaurant. This
enables much more to be invested in equipping the suites
without having to increase the price in line with the level
of comfort they offer. In spite of this guests have everything
they need at the abito suites: there are numerous
restaurants, cafes and bars in the immediate vicinity and
the building itself has a Vapiano restaurant – familiar and
popular for its uncomplicated light Mediterranean
cuisine. Every morning guests have fresh rolls, bagels and
muffins delivered to their door together with the daily
paper, and the fridge is well-stocked with drinks and
basic breakfast items. A daily cleaning service is also
included in the price. Guests simply check
in by credit or debit card at the automatic booking
machine and there is a 24-hour helpline available for
emergencies.
Via the virtual @-Concierge at www.abito.com guests
can reserve tickets for events, and even beauty treatments
or massages can be booked using a service
number.
implemented in suburban districts of large cities just as
effectively as in the centre of medium-sized towns.
www.abito.com
The abito suites have been established in Leipzig as a
pilot project in order to offer price-conscious business
travellers and tourists a new model for overnight accommodation.
Instead of having to pay a high price for fivestar
comfort, guests at abito suites enjoy the luxury of a
five-star hotel room at a much lower price.
If the success which they have met with so far continues,
further abito suites will be planned. Because of the flexible
cost structure the concept can also be profitably
applied even with a smaller number of rooms, and can be
18
19

TUI
Environmental
Champion
Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia receives TUI environmental award.
The Grand Hotel Residencia, 5-star luxury hotel and jewel in the crown of the Seaside chain,
lies at the heart of a palm grove, only 200 metres from the wonderful beach of Maspalomas.
This luxurious and exquisite hotel, member of ”The Leading Hotels of the World”, has
twice received the accolade of being the ”TUI Environmental Champion”, an award which
honours the commitment of the hotel’s management to operating the hotel in an especially
sustainable manner.
The ”TUI Environmental Champion” is selected partly on
the basis of opinion surveys of its German customers by
TUI, the leading European tour operator, and is partly awarded
to the hotel directly by the TUI inspectors on the spot.
In addition to the accolade for environmentally-friendly
management, this award is recognition of the hotel’s outstanding
service and the excellent maintenance of its
technical facilities. In addition, aspects such as saving
energy and water as well as reducing waste played a
major role in the decision.
The management and all the staff at the Seaside Grand
Hotel Residencia are committed to identifying and
exploiting savings potentials in water consumption. Further
measures relate to targeted waste management,
which includes the use of bottles with a refundable
deposit, avoiding individually packaged portions and
separating waste. Sustainable management is supported
by an environmentally-friendly purchasing policy, with
preference being given to regional products together
with the use of CFC-free products and biologically
degradable cleaning materials.
Energy-saving measures also take priority at Seaside
Grand Hotel Residencia. As a result timers and motion
detectors (service/personnel areas) have been installed.
The air-conditioning of the entire hotel is constantly
adapted to the external temperature.
When it first participated in the ”TUI Environmental
Champion” contest in 2008 Seaside Grand Hotel
Residencia was already rated among the world’s 100 best
hotels. One reason for this is that with their commitment
to offering optimum protection for the environment
the hotel’s staff also play a major role in supporting the
management’s sustainability programme.
At present Seaside Hotels operate four hotels in Spain
and four in Germany. Prominent features of the hotel
chain are its efforts to promote quality tourism, commitment
to protecting the environment and ongoing further
training for its staff. Further distinguishing characteristics
are the personal touch in looking after guests, the exclusive
location of the individual hotels and the excellent
quality of their cuisine, which uses local, organically
grown products that are always freshly prepared.
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21

Seaside presenting:
Staff with special hobbies
Beach Cleanup
Seaside Los Jameos Playa carries out beach cleanup operation
Protecting the environment is
taken very seriously at Seaside Los
Jameos Playa, which is demonstrated
not just by the award
the hotel has received as a ”TUI
environment champion” but also
by the range of activities undertaken
for this purpose.
In cooperation with the Bahianus
Club Lanzarote diving school and the
Puerto del Carmen town council the
Lanzarote hotel launched a beach
cleanup on 28th of June 2010 for the
purpose of conserving the healthy
ecosystem of Lanzarote as a biosphere
reserve.
Because the Lanzarote beaches are in
a spotless condition the dedicated
staff of Seaside Los Jameos Playa and
the diving school had to take to the
water. In the course of their cleanup
operations the ambitious environmental
conservationists ventured to
a depth of thirty metres, with outstanding
results – in addition to a
whole skip full of plastic bags,
bottles and sunglasses they even
fished up sun beds and a council
road barrier from the depths.
The cleanup operations were organised
by staff from Seaside Los Jameos
Playa together with Gertraude
Gföller, tourism representative of
Puerto del Carmen. The equipment
was provided by the Bahianus Club
Lanzarote diving school and of
course the school also ensured that
the underwater operations went off
safely.
As a ”thank you” for their efforts on
behalf of the environment all the
willing helpers were invited to a
festive gala dinner at Seaside Los
Jameos Playa. And because the operation
was such a successful one the
beach cleanup campaign was repeated
in May 2011. To be continued…
Lucas González Cabrera, sous chef – with the Seaside
Palm Beach for 35 years.
Six years ago Lucas discovered his real passion: making
wine. With the help of an EU subsidy which his home
village of Ingenio had received he revived this old Canary
Islands tradition.
A wine growers co-operative was founded, training took
place and today around 400 litres of wine are produced
for private consumption. Because the local climate is
ideal for them the main varieties of grape produced in
Ingenio are Burgundy, Negramoll and Listán Negro.
Lucas discovered this hobby as a result of his profession
and his second great passion – cooking. He is convinced
that wine cultivation in the Canary Islands will become
increasingly significant. The islands already have a reputation
as a wine production area and their best vintages are
available in wine bars and restaurants both domestically
and internationally.
Lucas devotes his free time to his own grapevines, which
require constant care even though the production area
is relatively small. The wine harvest is the highlight of
the year for him. Neighbours, friends and family all join
in and help. The atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful and
at the end of the day Lucas supervises the barbecue
with meat and fish served with the local ”wrinkled”
potatoes.
This hobby enables Lucas to spend his leisure time in the
open air and to enjoy the beneficial Canarian climate as
he harvests his grapes, the product of his labours. The
thing he treasures most of all is close contact with his
family and he really enjoys family get-togethers with
good wine and tasty food.
Martín Serván Gil, porter – with the Seaside Palm
Beach for 17 years.
Martín, the porter at the hotel entrance who always has
a smile on his face, has been a passionate surfer since he
was 16.
He discovered his fascination for this sport on the
beaches of Confital and Las Canteras in the north of
Gran Canaria. Although as a wave enthusiast he feels at
home on many different beaches, today he prefers the
region to the right of Faro de Maspalomas, in the south
of Gran Canaria. Martín recommends the beach of
Maspalomas to surfers because in the winter months it
has the best waves.
He can still remember the times when his father, who
was also a porter at the Seaside Palm Beach, took him
and his friends by car to the beach where they could
spend the whole weekend devoting themselves to their
hobby.
Martín has taken part in a number of competitions and is
happy that his children also share his hobby, because it
enables them to spend many happy hours together on
the beach and in the water.
Surfing has become an addiction for Martín, because
what he enjoys most is closeness to the sea and to
nature. He is especially delighted when he meets surfing
friends from his youth, with whom he can ride the
waves together. His dream for the future is to be able to
continue surfing for as long as possible.
Lucas González Cabrera, sous chef and wine producer in his free time
(top left) · Martín Serván Gil on duty as porter and on his surfboard
(top right)
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23

Seaside
Hotels
Commitment to the environment
for the exchange of ideas and examples
of best practice. In line with the
principle of learning from the best,
TUI Deutschland has, in cooperation
with ITC, organised two environmental
conferences focusing on energy
savings for around 200 hoteliers on
the Canary Islands.
included Ricardo Melchior, President
of the Tenerife Island Council and
Ricardo Fernández de la Puente, acting
Tourism Minister of the Canary
Islands.
Seaside Palm Beach (left-hand page top)
Seaside Los Jameos Playa (left-hand page bottom)
In addition to making sure that
our guests have a wonderful stay
with us it is the primary aim of
Seaside Hotels to drive forward
our environmental activities.
Active environmental management
is an important quality factor for
Seaside Hotels, because targeted
environmental protection can also
make a contribution to improving
the products and services we offer.
Our guests are informed about this
environmental concept at the hotels
in varying ways, for example by messages
on the notice board or in personal
conversations with our staff.
In order to increase their awareness
of environmental protection our
employees receive comprehensive
information and training. Among
other factors this is also reflected in
the selection of our suppliers.
Every year TUI organises environmental
conferences in a number of countries
under the title ”By hoteliers –
for hoteliers”. These provide a forum
At the same time the new ”Blue
Contec“ brand was launched on
Gran Canaria and Teneriffe. The
energy consultant for hoteliers
”powered by TUI” has offered many
interested parties an on-the-spot
check.
The focal point of the energy conferences
in Gran Canaria and Tenerife
was on saving energy. Do we save
energy simply because it improves
profitability or because we are convinced
that it’s the right thing to do?
There was a round-table discussion
of this question between the TUI
sustainability management team and
representatives of hotel companies,
associations and politicians.
Ms Rocío Cibrán, Director of the
Seaside Palm Beach hotel, gave an
address at both conferences on the
subject of ”Saving energy at the
Seaside Hotels”.
High-ranking representatives from
the worlds of politics and business
Environmental protection measures using
the three hotels of the Seaside Group as an
example:
Seaside Palm Beach *****
Installation of 132 solar panels · Upgrading
of the heating system for generating warm
water by means of a heat pump
Seaside Sandy Beach ****
Installation of 104 solar panels, enlargement
of the hotel’s warm water storage
tank by 20,000 litres · Conversion of the
2 existing air-conditioning systems to heat
pumps · Installation of a new air-conditioning
system with heat recovery · Fitting of
2 more effective and economical oil-fired
boilers for water heating
Seaside Los Jameos Playa ****
Installation of 124 solar panels, enlargement
of the hotel’s warm water storage
tank by 20,000 litres
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25

”Papas Arrugadas” (wrinkled potatoes), is served with
aromatic scallops and vanilla salt instead of with the
usual Canary Islands Mojo sauce.
The chef de cuisine attaches especial value to the quality
and freshness of all the products which are used, and
often visits the producers and markets himself in order to
check on their quality. Preference is given to domestic
products which have not come from far afield and are
therefore as fresh as possible. Sun-ripened fruit and aromatic
herbs, for example, are sourced from the famous
Justus Frantz finca.
Many of the guests at Grand Hotel Residencia favour the
light summer dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine. However,
because on average the hotel’s discriminating
guests spend more than seven days here, the variety of
the dishes on offer is just as important as their quality.
Accordingly the kitchen team attaches great value to
diversity and creativity in both its first-class à la carte
dishes and twice-weekly barbecues.
The show cooking demonstrations during the barbecues,
for example featuring far-eastern specialties from the
wok, are highly popular with guests. These are accompanied,
depending on the style of the barbecue, by
home-made sushi or exotic side dishes such as fennel,
pineapple, bamboo shoots and apple salad. At the Italian
barbecue fresh, home-made pasta dishes such as ravioli
with tomato and oxtail or lobster are the highlights.
Spaghetti Bolognese, the classic pasta dish, is of course
always available and is a favourite with guests. Freshlycaught
crayfish and an almost unlimited choice of fresh
fish and even oysters are served in classic style on
pumpernickel bread, while the gourmet evening is
rounded off by sweets such as rhubarb crème brûlée
and home-made chocolates from the opulent dessert
buffet.
Whether it’s à la carte dining or a barbecue, the hotel’s
creative chefs treat guests to a gourmet experience
prepared with passion and care. To maintain their high
quality standards they get together every day to think of
new ideas and variations. Many of them demonstrated
their skills in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury
hotels before contributing their valuable experience to
the Grand Hotel Residencia. The praise of guests, an
excellent HolidayCheck rating and the inclusion of
the hotel in the 2011 Michelin Guide confirm the high
quality of the hotel’s cuisine. And of course dining at the
Grand Hotel Residencia against the backdrop of the palm
garden and the island’s green countryside is uniquely
complemented by a fine selection of wines and friendly
service.
Natural ingredients
Traditional dishes
Atlantic scallops
with vanilla salt served on a salad of Papas Arrugadas
and Padrón peppers with celeriac vinaigrette dressing
Creative cuisine
The secret culinary recipe of the Seaside Grand
Hotel Residencia.
The Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia in Gran Canaria is
famous not just for its exclusive style but also for the
first-class cuisine to be enjoyed in its restaurant. Classic
colonial flair, secluded calm and the fascinating view
from its terrace of the palm grove and the countryside of
Gran Canaria are all part of the incomparable charm of
this luxury hotel. In the kitchens of the Grand Hotel
Residencia a young and dynamic team of chefs combine
traditional dishes with creative ideas and high-quality
ingredients. For example, the popular Spanish classic dish,
Serves 4:
9 to 12 scallops · 1000 g Papas Arrugadas · 250 g Padrón
peppers · 250 g cherry tomatoes · 1 celeriac · 1 vanilla pod
100 ml olive oil · 40 ml white balsamic vinegar · 1 tablespoon
Dijon mustard · Maldon salt, sugar, sea salt, lime
Mix together the Maldon salt and half of the contents of
the vanilla pod. Boil the Papas Arrugadas and half a lime
in water with sea salt for about 25 minutes. Blanch, skin
and quarter the cherry tomatoes. Peel the celeriac and
cut approx. 100 g into small cubes. Extract the juice from
the remainder of the celeriac, bring it to the boil and
reduce by half. After it has cooled mix it with the mustard
and balsamic vinegar. Blend in the olive oil with a handheld
blender and add the vanilla salt and the celery cubes.
Halve the luke-warm Papas Arrugadas, briefly fry the
peppers in olive oil and marinate with the potatoes, the
cherry tomatoes and part of the vinaigrette in a bowl.
Arrange the salad on a serving plate, fry the scallops in
olive oil, add vanilla salt, place them on the salad, drizzle
with the celeriac vinaigrette and – enjoy!
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27

”... mmh, tastes good!”
October 2010 saw the commencement of an innovative
new children’s activity at the Seaside Los Jameos
Playa kids club: “Mange Tout Kids”.
The Director and founder of U.K. based “Mange Tout
Kids”, Lucy Thomas, created an exclusive programme of
activities for the children’s club at Los Jameos Playa which
took place from the 25th until the 29th of October 2010
for children aged between 4 and 8 years, valued at 300 €
per child.
This family holiday with a difference comprised of five
days of four hourly classes, at which each day the
children at the kid’s club were to touch, smell and taste
different fruits and vegetables by means of songs, games
and activities with the help of Lucy’s best friend & mascot
”Pod” the green bean, all this at no extra cost to clients!
Each day of the “Mange Tout” programme was colour
themed with a variety of activities which included cookery,
arts and crafts, games and song. Children made
caterpillars with courgettes and carrots, and sang the
hokey cokey celery while amazed parents watched how
their children previously fearful when faced with fruits
and vegetables began to have fun!
“Don’t force your children to eat” recommends Lucy,
“encourage them to explore by kissing, licking and
crunching!”
Lucy Thomas of “Mange Tout Kids” created this new
approach to fruit and vegetables for children after
experiencing during her life as a nanny the amount of
children with eating disorders and the distress this causes
for parents. Encouraging children to eat the healthy
“5 a day” is not always an easy task!
The “Mange Tout” healthy eating concept for kids combines
perfectly with the healthy and quality selection of
foods that are available at the Los Jameos Playa breakfast,
lunch and dinner buffets, and parents found their
children experimenting with enthusiasm at meal times
with the new fruits and vegetables that they had discovered
during the “Mange Tout” classes.
Based on its success, future dates for “Mange Tour Kids”
are being programmed at the Seaside Los Jameos Playa.
This is the perfect holiday for families who are looking for
more than a traditional kid’s club.
The “Mange Tout” programme is in selected nurseries
throughout the U.K. and Lucy offers families one-to-one
coaching and support for children with eating disorders,
she has written a book on the topic and was selected in
May 2011 to appear as a nutrition expert on the BBC programme
“Fast Food Baby”.
For more information you can visit Lucys website:
www.mangetoutkids.com
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29

”It looks great, so bright and open – we’re really
looking forward to spending the coming evenings
here“, was the enthusiastic verdict of a pair of longstanding
guests on the newly designed terrace of
the Seaside Sandy Beach. And Ms Matas smiles –
as the hotel’s director she can’t imagine any higher
praise.
What makes the Seaside Hotels unique is their high quality
standards – ranging from the rooms and cuisine to
their exclusive locations, and all backed up by a philosophy
of always offering guests more than they expect. On
this principle owner Theo Gerlach regularly has extensive
renovations and improvements implemented, and in
2011 and 2012 all the hotel’s rooms will be gradually
renovated and equipped with new furniture. As requested
by many of our guests the carpeting on the floor will
be replaced by tiles.
In 2010 extensive renovation and redesign work carried
out in the restaurant and buffet area of the Seaside
Sandy Beach. The project was put out to tender, which
was won by architect Susanne Gerstberger with her
design featuring a roof in the shape of a palm tree. Both
Spanish and German companies were involved in the
implementation of the ambitious project. In addition to
the conspicuous roof design the complete buffet station
and the entire terrace and restaurant area were remodelled,
from the tiles via the lighting and greenery to
the tables, chairs and decorations.
The aim of the extensive construction work was to make
the restaurant area and its surroundings even more
attractive and modern in the charming Moorish style of
the hotel. In addition the fitness terrace on the ninth floor
was roofed over, which makes exercising with a view of
the sea even more enjoyable. The hotel had to be closed
during the construction operations, but after only one
month the conversion work had been completed and the
first positive comments by guests were heard. ”It’s very
satisfying – I hear nothing but praise from our regular
guests. I really appreciate it”, is the pleased response of
Ms Matas.
Here we would like to present a few more comments
from our guests:
New design
at the Seaside Sandy Beach
Franscesco de Italia
”Una Calorosa accoglienza che si pregia di un ambiente
gradevole. Il tutto correlato di una terrazza rinnovata con
stile de eleganza. Maggiori spazi per gustare la qualita di
un buffet ordinato e variato negli stili di cucina.”
Jaques de la France
« Il y a plus de sièges et de tables au restaurant! »
Pablo de España
”¡El Restaurante es moderno ahora!”
Irene aus Deutschland
„Der Restaurantbereich und das Buffet sind nun viel heller
und großzügiger! Der Umbau ist absolut gelungen!”
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31

”Outstanding!”
The cuisine at the Seaside Palm Beach
In 2011 the Seaside Palm Beach in Maspalomas was highly praised for its cuisine by
the Eurotoques association, an international organisation of chefs with more than
3,500 culinary experts from 18 countries as it members.
Pedro Subijana, president of the Eurotoques association in Spain and chef de cuisine at
the prestigious 3 Michelin-starred ”Aklare” restaurant in San Sebastian, visited the Seaside
Palm Beach to present the Eurotoques award to Peter Knaus, the hotel’s chef de cuisine, in
recognition of his services.
Rocío Cibrán, manager of the Seaside
Palm Beach, welcomed the president
of this important association, which
numbers more than 800 chefs among
its members in Spain, and accompanied
him on a tour of the hotel.
Ever since it was established in
Brussels in 1986 the Eurotoques
association has been one of the most
important international organisations
in the gastronomy field. Its
aims are to promote appreciation of
the profession of chef, to preserve
Europe’s culinary heritage and to
protect the consumer. Within the
EU, for example, Eurotoques actively
promotes quality standards in food
production.
The main restaurant at the Seaside
Palm Beach, the Gran Restaurante, is
famous for its mouth-watering barbecue
buffets and the outstanding
quality of its à la carte cuisine. Those
with a sweet tooth are also well provided
for because the hotel has its
own patisserie and bakery, in which
everything from bread to dessert is
freshly prepared.
For lovers of good food the Seaside
Palm Beach has two well-known
restaurants: both the ”Trattoria”
specialising in Italian cuisine and the
”Orangerie”, an elegant gourmet
restaurant, offer an unforgettable
dining experience, providing not just
a relaxed atmosphere but also excellent
service.
Rocío Cibrán, manager of the Seaside Palm
Beach, Pedro Subijana, president of the
Eurotoques association and the kitchen team
led by Peter Knaus (left-hand page) · Italian
delicacies in the ”Trattoria“ (top)
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33

”fruity aromas“
Gran Canaria – a new vineyard to discover
On the domestic market these young wines are enjoying
increasing awareness and are developing into a further
feature for tourists to savour.
The island of Gran Canaria surprises visitors not just
with spectacular natural scenery and extensive
beaches but also with a rich variety of wines which
rejoice in the ”Denominacion de Origen Gran
Canaria” designation of origin.
This designation was accorded to the wines by a directive
issued on 10 December 2003 by the Canary Islands
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food.
The ”Denominacion de Origen Gran Canaria” designation
originates with a federation including the wine
producing area of Monte Lentiscal (Tafira) and of Gran
Canaria, which covers the island’s remaining wine
growing areas.
The designation of origin therefore includes 21 communes
on the island of Gran Canaria. The quality of the
grapes is determined by a number of factors, for example
the rich soil and the island’s various climatic zones.
Because of these influences all of the island’s wines
develop their own highly individual and characteristic
bouquet. The wine producing areas are scattered across
the entire island in such communes as Teror, Santa
Brígida, Artenara, Valsequillo, La Vega de San Mateo and
Santa Lucía de Tirajana in the south.
The special feature is that these are young and tangy
wines, with typical characteristics for the island such as
deep colours and fruity aromas. Among the various
varieties the local white wine has a yellowish tinge with a
flavour of herbs, the rosé has fruity aromas and the red is
the colour of pomegranate with a hint of balsamic
vinegar. The potential of these wines has been confirmed
by a number of awards, including two gold medals for
Gran Canaria in the official ”Agrocanarias 2011” wine
competition. One of the gold medals went to ”Agala” , a
2010 white wine which received the top award in the
category of young dry white wines. The second gold
went to the ”Los Bezarrales” white, also a 2010 vintage,
in the category of semi-dry white wines.
The reputation of wines from Gran Canaria is growing all
the time and they are appreciated above all for their
freshness and their youthful flavour. Their quality is
increasingly creating a stir among wine lovers, and over
time these wines will gain in importance beyond the
islands themselves on both the domestic and the international
market.
SPA
New treatments at the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia
Grand Hotel Residencia: top-class
spa and wellness facilities.
Relax, enjoy and simply feel good –
as soon as you set foot in the spa of
the Grand Hotel Residencia you will
feel that you have entered a world
of wellbeing. In exquisite and harmonious
surroundings we offer you
traditional and well-tried treatments
combined with the latest developments
in modern cosmetics – the
result is an irresistible wellness programme
which pampers both body
and soul. We take pleasure in presenting
three new treatments to you
here:
For all the senses:
”Bolus alba pack with the scent of
mango/coconut”
Those who love fruity aromas will
love this unique new treatment with
the popular and regenerative bolus
alba healing earth. The whole body
is covered in this healing earth with
its wonderful scents of coconut,
mango, fresh herbs and sesame oil,
and after only a short application
your skin begins to feel especially
soft and supple.
Duration 30 minutes / Price 49 €
For pure relaxation:
”Turkish soap and brush massage
on the hammam slab“
This legendary treatment from the
orient is not just purifying for the
body but also represents a celebration
for all the senses. Pure olive oil
soap is rubbed into the skin with a
natural sponge and a brush, which at
the same time acts as an intense
massage. After that water is poured
over the body in a final cleansing
process.
Duration 45 minutes / Price 62 €
With glamour guarantee:
”Bronceador DHA”
In only a few minutes you can look as
if you have been caressed by the
summer – and all without UV rays,
blotches or yellow tinges. The treatment
is on a sugar cane and aloe
vera basis, does not dry the skin and
creates an attractive natural tan
which lasts for up to 10 days. Highly
recommended not just for face and
neck line, but also as a full-body tan
and for pale, sensitive skin.
Duration 45 minutes / Price 59 €
www.grand-hotel-residencia.com
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35

In harmony with yourself – tai chi for all guests at
the Palm Beach and the Grand Hotel Residencia.
Tai chi (taijiquan) is a martial art form from China. In contrast
to the better-known classical martial arts such as
kung fu, karate, jiu jitsu or taekwondo the focus of tai chi
is on the inner mind. The aim is an inner mindset which is
meditative, calm, upright, rooted, centred, at rest and
relaxed. During the exercise of tai chi everything that is
hard, combative and aggressive is laid aside. There is no
attempt to throw an opponent to the ground or attack
him. Instead the focus is on staying on your feet yourself
in all situations – leaving the opponent to cause his own
downfall. To the attacker’s hard ”yang” you do not for
your part respond with hardness – instead you become
”soft as water”, ensuring that the attacker’s aggression
does not find the resistance it needs to develop its
destructive effect. As a result his attack meets only thin
air and it becomes easy to apply minimal force yourself to
put your opponent off-balance.
Tai Chi
Taijiquan
When you learn tai chi the combat aspect becomes
almost completely irrelevant. It is only referred to for
the purpose of explaining the origin and purpose of the
individual movements and postures and to counteract
the impression of freely-improvised randomness. In many
conflict situations in your own life you will, with increasing
practice, develop an intuitive feeling for the fact that
contrasting elements – which seem to be implacably
opposed to each other – in the spirit of tai chi form a
harmonic whole in union with each other.
The session always begins with exercises from the
”qi gong” to relax the body and reduce tensions. Standing
meditation helps us to develop awareness of our own
inner centre and the precise balance of our body. The
targeted exercise of deep diaphragmatic breathing
enables us to open the gate to our own hidden energy
potentials, thus increasing our vitality, alertness, empathy
and inner powers of resistance. Although these exercises
are practised standing on the same spot, tai chi teaches
us to maintain these principles as we move through our
lives and to carry them with us wherever we go.
The benefits provided by tai chi regardless of situation or
locality can be described most aptly using golf as an
example. Golfers try to improve their skills by constantly
practising standard situations such as the drive or the
putt. The practice of tai chi, on the other hand, helps
golfers to improve their overall performance by becoming
more relaxed, mobile, balanced and concentrated,
enabling them always to keep their inner centre when
they strike the ball.
For more than 10 years now Stephan Reuter has been
teaching tai chi, qi gong, meditation and yoga to
guests at the Palm Beach Hotel and the Grand Hotel
Residencias. For the guests of both hotels the tai chi
course takes place on the central lawn in the magnificent
palm gardens of the Palm Beach Hotel at 11:30 from
Monday to Friday, lasting for one hour. There are no
special requirements with regard to dress, but participants
should be able to move freely and the abdomen
should not be tightly constricted. No previous knowledge
is required and the lessons are designed in such a way
that anyone can take part. For experienced tai chi combatants
this is a good opportunity to repeat and reinforce
”the basics”. It is more difficult to perform one movement
perfectly than to do a thousand exercises superficially.
The Peking form in the yang style is taught with its
24 movements. The individual exercises are not strenuous
in themselves and in fact they increase vitality.
All guests are cordially welcome, whether they wish to
learn the entire Peking form or would simply like some
exercise during their stay at our hotel.
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37

TransGranCanaria – a rather different
way of getting to know the
island.
Since October 2003 the TransGran-
Canaria has become an annual event
in Gran Canaria and is now an essential
highlight in the calendar of all
marathon fans. As a result the course
through the mountains of Gran
Canaria is not only a major domestic
competition but is also becoming
increasingly known within Europe.
Only 65 runners took part in the first
TransGranCanarias in 2003, but over
the years this number has increased
to more than 1400, including runners,
walkers and hikers from more
than 20 countries – all with the same
aim of crossing the island from end
to end within 30 hours.
Over three days of competition the
TransGranCanaria contains courses
of varying distances for all performance
classes, so that all runners will
find a challenge suited to their individual
capacities.
The shortest course, the ”Trans-
GranCanaria Starter”, links Teror
with Las Palmas over a distance of 24
km and is intended mainly for hikers
or new entrants to the competition.
A height differential of 1700 metres
has to be overcome, but with the
largest part of the course going
downhill. The ”classical marathon”,
in which a course of 42 km and a
height differential of 3400 metres
through the mountains have to be
mastered, runs from Las Palmas to
Telde and back again.
40% more than the year before.
Over 200 support staff made sure
that everything functioned smoothly
TransGranCanaria
The TransGranCanaria, which takes
place during the first week of March
every year, is a competition which
gives participants the possibility of
experiencing the spectacular landscape
of the island from a different
perspective. The sights include the
breathtaking dunes of Maspalomas,
the Roque Nublo, the sleepy villages
in the interior of the country and the
beach of Canteras, with its unique
view of the bay of Las Palmas. In the
marathon participants have to cross
the island on foot, with times set for
each stage of the course for runners,
walkers or hikers. The organisers,
the ”Club Deportivo Arista”, set up
checkpoints every 20 km where the
participants are given water and
energy foods as well as health
checks.
In the case of the second longest
course, the ”TransGranCanaria Sur-
Norte”, the distance between the
beach of Maspalomas to the Alfredo
Kraus Auditorium has to be covered
in 24 hours, with the runners having
to cover 96 km and a height differential
of 6500 metres. The actual
”TransGranCanaria”, the supreme
discipline, covers the challenging
distance of 123 km and leads from
Playa del Inglés through the heart of
the island to Las Palmas. Not only
8500 metres in height differential
but also rough but spectacular
mountainous terrain have to be
overcome.
The most recent competition took
place in March 2011, with a record
number of over 1400 participants –
while more than 20 journalists from
all over the world reported on this
major sporting event in Gran
Canaria. The race is sponsored by
The North Face®, a leading global
supplier of outdoor clothing.
Ultrarunner Zigor Iturrieta, the sole
Spanish runner in The North Face®
team of high-performance athletes,
was the winner of the supreme
discipline, the 123 km long ultramarathon
from one end of the island
to the other, in an outstanding time
of 13hrs 22mins 37sec.
Other prominent international runners
in the marathon were France’s
Sebastien Chaigneau, Hungary’s
Csaba Nemeth and Britain’s Elizabeth
”Lizzy” Hawker.
38 39

Luis
Montull
Canary Islands artist
and sculptor
her hands folded in front of her breast and an oriental
expression on her face.
The artefacts created by Montull are many and varied,
ranging from paintings via sculptures to sketches. Their
themes are equally diverse: in some works profound and
ethnic, in others religious. Often Cubist geometry is
involved, accompanied by the influence of Expressionism
and Primitivism, with suggestions of Egyptian, Syrian,
Mexican and Romanesque art.
The size of his works varies from the very small, measuring
only 40 cm, to gigantic monuments which are found
in the squares of towns and villages – works which have
subconsciously become part of the identity of people in
the Canaries, who see their history incorporated in them.
Montull’s sketches revolve mainly around the female
figure: from an Expressionist perspective the artist creates
stylised, naked female bodies which highlight the sensuality
of their shapes and curves. As a rule the feet and
hands appear large while the body is delicate, stylised
and subtle.
In contrast his paintings are reminiscent of a strong,
direct and colourful Expressionism. In some cases he reinforces
his Cubist influences by showing the forms and
figures in glowing white, almost as if they were from a
different dimension – suggesting desires, longings and
passion.
This cosmopolitan artist, lover of art, dance, nature,
people and cultures, communicates his emotions through
his works. In 1970 he returned to Gran Canaria because
of his father’s illness and has lived and worked here ever
since.
There has never been a pause in his career and he has
won many prizes, last year receiving the freedom of the
city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – an honour which is
conferred on few people.
Luis Montull in his studio in Gran Canaria (on left) · ”Monument to the
traditional activities of the Canarian people” a 14-metre high sculpture
located in the Plaza del España in Las Palmas de Gran Ganaria. It was created
between 1975 and 1977 from the rock of the Tamadaba mountains
(below)
Luis Montull is a well-known sculptor and artist who
in the course of time has become a master of his
craft.
Born on 1st January 1934 in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria,
he was a student of Abraham Cárdenez. From his early
childhood days he felt strongly attracted to sculpture and
his father, a well-known local carpenter, introduced him
to the materials at an early stage and encouraged him to
make woodcarvings.
During his studies in Barcelona he got to know many
other major artists of his era, including the sculptor
Marés, the painter Barceló and Matamala, architect and
collaborator to Gaudí in the building of the ”Sagrada
Familia”. Many of his works are to be seen in art galleries
throughout the world, including major collections in
Paris, Madrid and New York.
Montull created his first sculpture at the age of only 13,
a two-and-a-half metre high cross carved from the
wood of the mulberry tree. Ever since then he has been
accumulating artistic knowledge of the characteristics of
his materials, in particular stone and wood. His unique
creative production is reflected in major works made with
the reddish stone of the Ayagaures quarry in Gran
Canaria, with Portuguese Carrara marble and with lava
rock.
One of his most famous works, the ”Monumento a
las Activadas Primitivas del Pueblo Canario”, in English
”Monument to the traditional activities of the Canarian
people”, is located on the roundabout at the Plaza de
España in Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria.
In all three of his specialisations of sculpture, painting
and sketching there is a feeling of abundance, influenced
by an almost mythological and ethnic Expressionism and
purity of creation. Montull is the author of his own style –
his monuments are symbols because he does not try to
depict reality but to invest it with a deeper meaning.
After his studies in Barcelona he moved to Paris with his
wife in order to carry out a commission. There he learned
to carve ivory and accepted the challenge of restoring
valuable objects. Then in 1960 he began to exhibit
his works in France, first in the showrooms of Puteaux
and two years later in the galleries L´art Libre and
Armenoville. From then on personalities such as Camile
Renault began to admire his creations.
Back in Barcelona Montull created an ethnic motif from a
70 cm piece of marble, his Mantilla Canaria. The work
represents a female Canarian peasant and expresses the
Mesopotamian influence on the appearance of the local
people. She is barefoot, wearing the Canarian veil, with
40 41

The origins of the long and unique Thomaner choral
tradition go back an impressive eight hundred
years.
In 1212 – Leipzig had only recently received its charter as
a city and the right to hold markets – a school was incorporated
in the church of St Thomas for the purpose of
training choristers to provide music during services.
The school also offered places to the children of Leipzig’s
citizens and is therefore regarded as Germany’s oldest
state school. For the next 300 years it remained Leipzig’s
only school and the Thomaner choir Leipzig’s oldest
cultural institution.
Music, which was regarded as a reflection of divine order,
played a major role in medieval education. In recompense
for their schooling and accommodation the Thomaner
choristers sang during services, at baptisms, weddings
and funerals or at ceremonies arranged by the city
council.
In the course of the changes created in Leipzig by the
Reformation the School of St Thomas and accordingly
the choir fell under the auspices of the city in 1543.
Ten years later the school received a new building which
survived almost unchanged until 1902. At the time it was
located right next to the Church of St Thomas, with the
rector and cantor living in the schoolhouse together with
the prefects and pupils.
Today the Thomaner live, do their homework and take
part in choral practice at a boarding house which is only
a kilometre away from the historical site, and attend
the grammar school of St Thomas opposite. The short
distances between school, home and rehearsal facilities
mean that the choristers can combine their schoolwork
with choral practice and still enjoy enough leisure time.
Park Hotel ”2012 Thomaner Package”
· 2 or 3 nights’ accommodation
incl. Seaside breakfast buffet
· 1 Seaside welcome package
· 1 dinner on day of arrival in the STEAKTRAIN –
3-course meal
· Use of the wellness facilities free of charge
· 1 admission ticket for the Gewandhaus
”Grosses Concert” commemorating the
”Thomana 800th anniversary week”
Package price with 2 nights’ accommodation
Per person sharing a double room 175 €
Leipzig’s Thomaner in 2012
Choir and school celebrate 800-year anniversary
In 2012 the church of St Thomas, the Thomaner choir
and the school of St Thomas will be able to look back on
an 800 year history – three Leipzig institutions, three
pillars of cultural life which are to the present day committed
to their task of dedicating themselves to their
faith, making a contribution to music and culture, and
educating people. With its rich tradition the Thomana
has over the centuries left its mark on the civic life of
Leipzig, and continues to do so to the present day.
During the Thomana 2012 festival year Leipzig will be the
scene of many outstanding musical and cultural events
focusing on the church of St Thomas, the Thomaner
choir and the school of St Thomas.
On the occasion of the festival period the Seaside
Park Hotel has created a special ”Thomaner package”
for you:
Package price with 3 nights’ accommodation
Per person sharing a double room 225 €
Reservations subject to availability in the period
from 21.03 to 26.03.2012
Concert in the Gewandhaus on 22.03. or 23.03.2012
*Gewandhaus orchestra – Josep Pons, conductor; Thomaner choir
Leipzig; Georg Christoph Biller; Julian Rachlin, violin; Johann
Sebastian Bach: Motett ”Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied” BWV 225;
Igor Strawinsky: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major;
Alberto Ginastera: Variaciones concertantes op. 23; Manuel de Falla:
The three-cornered hat – Suites Nos. 1 & 2
Introduction to each concert: 19 hrs at the Gewandhaus – Schumann-Eck
Tel.: +49-341-98 52 0 or e-mail: info@parkhotelleipzig.de
www. parkhotelleipzig.de
42
43

Gondwanaland
A tropical paradise in Leipzig
More than 17,000 different tropical plants, around
300 exotic animals and the kind of virgin rain forest
which once characterised the primeval continent
of Gondwana – all of this in a unique hall covering
an area of 16,500 sqm in the shape of an enormous
equilateral triangle. This is the Gondwanaland tropical
experience world at Leipzig Zoo, an environment
of a very special kind featuring the highest standards
of species protection and sustainability,
while providing visitors with entirely new insights
into the ecosystems of many threatened animals
and plants.
Gondwanaland at Leipzig Zoo opened its doors on 1st July
2011. Roofed by a cantilevered steel structure with an
ingenious heating and irrigation system, it is home to
animals from all over the world. The two-toed sloth, the
giant otter, the ocelot, the pygmy hippopotamus, the
Komodo dragon and many other species, some of which
are rare and threatened with extinction, live here in an
environment which is unique in a hall of this kind. The
individual enclosures are modelled on the natural habitat
of the animals and some of them can even move freely
through the primeval continent, where they will
encounter visitors exploring their rain forest by boat,
from the tops of the trees, at ground level and even from
a ditch below ground level.
An experience for all the senses
A great deal of scientific expertise has gone into creating
the rain forest in Gondwanaland on a natural model. As
in the tropical jungle, vegetation grows in different layers
which provide a habitat for a range of species. The
diversity and richness of the approximately 17,600 plants
to be found in Gondwanaland ranges from dense bushes
at ground level via natural bamboo groves and marsh
or water plants to giant trees. The plants come from
nurseries all around the world. A fascinating experience
to smell, feel and taste is provided by the tropical garden,
where around 60 kinds of tropical fruits and spices,
including pineapples, bananas, guavas, cocoa, pepper,
yams and sugarcane can be experienced with all the
senses. An ambient temperature of 25 degrees and high
humidity really make visitors feel that they have entered a
tropical jungle.
The architecture of sustainability
Gondwanaland uses natural sunlight wherever possible.
The roof and the upper walls consist of three layers of
transparent ETFE foil cushions which are fitted between
the steel rods. As they allow in all the sun’s UV rays,
which are vital to animals and plants, no additional artificial
lighting is necessary. The sun heats the building just
like a greenhouse. In addition the foil cushions provide a
high level of insulation which ensures that heat cannot
escape from the hall. The warmth is collected in a geothermal
storage tank with a capacity of 100,000 litres
and is used not only to heat the tropical experience world
at night, but also to heat the irrigation water and the
pools of the animals. Additional heating is only required
during winter months and the transitional periods at
the beginning and end of the winter. In order to prevent
heat building up, huge artificial trees at the centre of the
hall suck in the warm air and blow it out of the hall. A
sophisticated air-conditioning system provides the tropical
landscape with fresh and partly-cooled air, while
a huge waterfall provides additional moisture to help
create tropical climatic conditions.
The opening of the Gondwanaland tropical experience
world on 1st of July 2011 this saw the completion of a
further important stage in the ”zoo of the future” concept
developed by zoo director Dr. Jörg Junhold. Leipzig
itself has been enriched by a further attraction, making
a visit to the city more of a ”must” than ever. And the
Seaside Park Hotel, only 10 minutes from Leipzig Zoo/
Gondwanaland on foot, is offering its ”Leipzig Taster
Package” and ”Leipzig Care-free Package” especially for
your visit:
Park Hotel ”Leipzig Taster Package“
· 2 night’s accommodation, incl. Seaside breakfast buffet
· 2 dinners in the STEAKTRAIN – 3-course set meal,
incl. one drink
· Free use of the wellness facilities
· 1 street plan
· 1 tour of the city
Package price
Per person sharing a double room 120 €
Park Hotel ”Leipzig Care-free Package”
· 2 or 3 night’s accommodation,
incl. Seaside breakfast buffet
· 1 Seaside welcome surprise
· 1 dinner in the STEAKTRAIN – 3-course set meal,
incl. one drink
· Free use of the wellness facilities
· 1 tour of the city with the oldtimer bus
· 1 admission ticket for the asisi Panometer Leipzig,
the world’s biggest 360° panorama painting
· Return ticket to the Panometer by public transport
Package price with accommodation for 2 nights
Per person sharing a double room 143 €
Package price with accommodation for 3 nights
Per person sharing a double room 193 €
Bookings subject to availability:
Tel.: +49-341-98 52 0 or by e-mail: info@parkhotelleipzig.de
www.parkhotelleipzig.de
44
45

World War period and provides a
good general overview of the artist’s
oeuvre. Dix was awarded the Order
of Merit of the Federal Republic of
Germany in 1959 and the Martin
Andersen Nexö art prize by the city
of Dresden in 1966. The occasion of
the artist’s 120th anniversary will also
be marked by special exhibitions
such as ”Ich Dix bin das A und das
O” (I Dix am the alpha and omega)
from 14-05-2011 to 31-10-2011
with all forty self-portraits from the
Gunzenhauser collection, and ”Otto
Dix in Chemnitz” from 13-11-2011
to 15-04-2012.
A special highlight is a jazz concert
with Jan Dix, who on the occasion
of his father’s 120th anniversary will
be appearing with the well-known
saxophonist Christoph Modersohn at
the Schlossberg (17-07-2011). On
03-12-2011 there will be a concert at
the Gunzenhauser museum with a
programme featuring among other
works compositions by the Dresden
pianist Paul Aron, a contemporary of
Otto Dix.
Otto Dix
anniversary
Chemnitz celebrates a remarkable artist
On 2nd of December 2011 Otto Dix would have become 120 years of age, providing the
perfect opportunity to celebrate the artist. Although he was born in Gera, as a major figure
in the Modernist movement Dix is being celebrated with a range of different events in
Chemnitz, the city of Modernism, too. The city is home to the Gunzenhauser museum which
was opened only in 2007 and, with 290 paintings, is the largest private collection of works
by Otto Dix. In addition to many portraits and early works completed when the painter was
still a student, the collection also contains some less well-known landscapes from the Second
The programme will be rounded off
by many smaller events, including
a reading of the stories of Nelly
Dix (16-07-2011), the artist’s only
daughter, a media presentation by
the city library ”Otto Dix, die neue
Sachlichkeit und die Geschichte der
Moderne” (Otto Dix, the New Objectivity
and the history of Modernism)
from 03-11-2011 to 31-01-2012,
and the exhibition ”Dix Erben” (Heirs
of Dix) at the new ”Sächsische Galerie”
from 29-11-2011 to 12-02-2012. All
those who would just like a taste
of the overall programme will have
an opportunity at the ”Chemnitz
Museum Night” (annually in May)
and the ”Chemnitz Culture Night”
(30-10-2011).
Residenz Hotel Chemnitz, situated
centrally in the City of Modernism,
invites visitors to join in the celebrations
with its attractive ”Art and
Culture” package:
Residenz Hotel
”Art and Culture” package
· 1 Welcome drink
· 2 night’s accommodation in a
double room incl. Seaside
breakfast buffet
· 1 entrance ticket to the largest
Otto Dix collection at the
Gunzenhauser museum and to
the ”Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz”
(Chemnitz city art collection)
· 1 tourist guide to Chemnitz
· Free use of the hotel’s sauna and
fitness facility
Package price
Per person in a double room 105 €
Suite surcharge 40 €
Single-room surcharge 15 € per night
Extended stay possible on request
Valid throughout the year
Reservations subject to availability:
Tel.: +49-371-3 55 10
or e-mail: info@residenzhotelchemnitz.de
www.residenzhotelchemnitz.de
46 47

”Begehungen“
The art and culture festival in Chemnitz
”Chemnitz lebt” (Chemnitz is alive) is the central message of the independent art
and culture festival ”Begehungen”, which could perhaps best be translated as
”Trespassing” and fills the city’s empty buildings with new life and in particular with
young art.
Unknown and creative artists are promoted and are able in this way to present themselves
and their work to a wider public. The extraordinary event now occupies a firm place in
Chemnitz’s cultural calendar and is gaining a country-wide reputation.
The original idea behind the festival was to provide
new stimulus within the city, which has been seriously
affected by demographic changes and high vacancy rates
in its buildings. Accordingly the initial ”Begehungen”
took place on the Chemnitzer Brühl, a boulevard which
had been bustling and popular during GDR times. The
empty shops with their display windows provided an
ideal showcase for committed young artists. Subsequently
the city of Chemnitz made plans to revitalise the district
so that it will once more be a desirable residential quarter
in the inner city, and new premises had to be found for
the festival.
The current organisers, the not-for-profit organisation
Begehungs e.V., decided to move to a single building.
In 2010 the exhibition found a home in the former Karl
Liebknecht school under the slogan ”100 g Durchschnitt,
bitte!” (”100 g average, please!”).
The location chosen for ”Begehungen 2011” (18-08-2011
– 21-08-2011) is the former Kassberg prison. The 4,000
square metres of the empty prison with its cells, offices
and courtyard provide generous space for the presentation
of art works under the theme of ”Sie verlassen den
Verantwortungsbereich” (You are now leaving the area
of responsibility).
And of course 2012 will once more see a ”Begehungen”
festival of a special kind, to which as usual entrance will
be free of charge.
48
49

With great faith in herself Siona
García continues to make haute couture
history in her native mountain
village, surrounded by family and
friends. From Tejeda she ships her
clothing to five continents and her
creations are available in the most
exclusive boutiques of France, Italy,
Portugal, Greece, Saudi Arabia, the
Emirates, Kuweit, Mexico and the
USA. Siona García has achieved her
success at a distance from the
world’s centres of haute couture.
To the present day she derives inspiration
from the small community
in which she lives in the north of the
island, using it as a base for the
exclusive collections she presents
to the world. In her studio she is
Siona García
Prestigious international haute couture from Gran Canaria
The name Siona García stands for elegance, taste
and professionalism.
As one of the few Spanish designers who specialise in
haute couture she has the remarkable talent of being
able to combine tradition with innovation. More than
700 hours of work go into her individual creations, each
of which is a masterpiece. More than 30 seamstresses
are required to create only one of her uniquely elegant
dresses.
Known worldwide as a leading designer of haute couture,
Siona García has always remained true to her home
island of Gran Canaria. She was born in Tejeda, a small
village in the north of the island which, in addition to the
simple charm of its inhabitants, is known for its spectacular
landscape. Having grown up in a closely-knit tailoring
family she has had an affinity for design and fashion ever
since she was small child, creating her first designs,
clothes for her dolls, at the age of only four with her
mother’s sewing kit. Her passion also determined the
selection of her later course of study.
She began her career at an early age, accumulating
extensive knowledge of the origins of haute couture and
fashion in general in the course of numerous trips to Paris
and in-depth theoretical and practical studies. In Paris she
also discovered the exquisite high-quality fabrics which
she has since been using for her creations.
Siona presented her first fashion show as early as 1987,
although at this time she had only just begun to immerse
herself in the world of haute couture and exclusive fashion.
In 1990 Spain’s institute for small and mid-sized
companies awarded her the prize for the best project
submitted by a young entrepreneur and she joined
Spain’s institute for fashion in Barcelona. Five years later
she began working in the USA and in 1998 she became
the first designer to use pure raffia in her clothing. Until
this time the material had only been used for the manufacture
of women’s hats. In the year 2000 Mara Urshel,
the owner of Kleinfeld, became aware of Siona García
and asked her to display her creations in Kleinfeld Bridal,
Manhattan’s prestigious wedding-dress boutique.
supported by more than 30 seamstresses
in the production of her
unique creations, which combine
inspiration with top-quality materials
and local craftsmanship.
Siona García is a highly innovative
artist who enjoys experimenting with
new fabrics and designs, and her
creations demonstrate her talent for
combining the traditional and the
modern. She admits her admiration
for Balenciaga, Blahnik and Kraus,
three designers known for their
purism. Her creations have featured
at numerous prominent occasions
and in April 2011 she was awarded
the prestigious ”Ser Canario” prize
by the Cadena Ser radio station in
recognition of her talent and career
achievements.
One of the designer’s future plans is
the ”Siona García Foundation”,
which will have the aim of supporting
young designers from all over the
world. The foundation will be based
in her home village of Tejeda and its
premises will include a museum with
her impressive creations, a studio for
scholarship recipients and a fashion
school.
This project will be integrated into
the campaign of Las Palmas de Gran
Canaria aimed at selection as European
capital of culture in 2016, and
will add to the exclusivity, style and
elegance of Gran Canaria.
50
51

18-hole ”Campo Maspalomas Golf”
course is surrounded by the 400 sqm
nature conservation area formed by
the dunes of Maspalomas. Designed
by Mackenzie Ross, this course with
its long, wide fairways, closeness to
Baril, and has both an 18-hole and a
9-hole course. The driving range has
the reputation of being one of the
best in Gran Canaria, with a 40,000
sqm area which can be played from
both ends.
Golf
Golfing paradise with 10 highly individual courses:
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote
An average annual temperature of 24 degrees
means that the Canary Islands enjoy an ideal climate
all the year round. Both in summer and in winter the
pleasant temperatures and reliable weather provide
the ideal conditions for a round of golf.
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote boast a total of ten golf
courses, on which both beginners and experts can work
on their handicap under blues skies and with a spectacular
view of the mountains and the sea. Seaside Hotels are
close to the best golf courses of both islands and form
the ideal base for a memorable golfing holiday. – Gran
Canaria can look back on a long golfing tradition, and
in fact Spain’s first course, the ”Real Club de Golf Las
Palmas” was opened on the island in 1891. The par-71
course was designed by Mackenzie Ross, has 18 holes
and is located on the plain of Bandama, right next to a
volcanic crater with a diameter of 800 metres and a
depth of 200 metres. It also features narrow fairways,
small greens and deep gorges.
In the north of the island there are
two more golf courses. ”Las Palmeras
Golf” is a par-3 pitch & putt course
with 18 holes. This urban course has
a wonderful view of the sandy beach
of Las Canteras and the par-72
”Cortijo Club de Campo” course
with its 18 holes. Both courses were
designed by Blake Stirling and Marco
Martin. ”Cortijo Club de Campo” is
Spain’s longest golf course and
is characterised by its high level of
difficulty, up to six tees per hole,
and a location in the middle of a
600-year old palm grove with six
lakes.
The remaining five courses are in
the south of the island, four of
them very close to the Seaside Grand
Hotel Residencia, Seaside Palm Beach
and Seaside Sandy Beach. The par-73,
the ocean and the constant gentle
breeze of the trade winds provides
the ideal conditions for a great round
of golf. Not far away is the par-71,
18-hole ”Campo Meloneras Golf”,
which is suited to all golfers, regardless
of handicap. The atmosphere of
the course is characterised by an
impressive mountain panorama and
a spectacular view of the sea.
”Salobre Golf & Resort” is the only
location in the Canary Islands to have
two 18-hole courses. These fascinating
and varied courses lie in highly
contrasting surroundings which range
from green landscape to desert.
The ”Anfi Tauro Golf” course (main
picture) is further south in the island.
It was created by the prestigious
designers Von Hagge, Smelek and
Lanzarote also has two attractive
courses where golfers can enjoy their
favourite sport. ”Lanzarote Golf”,
with its view of the Atlantic and the
neighbouring island of Fuerteventura,
is only a few minutes away from
Seaside Los Jameos Playa in Puerto
del Carmen. The par-72, 18-hole
course is 6,133 metre in length with
wide fairways and large greens.
Lanzarote’s second golf course,
”Costa Teguise Golf”, is located at
the foot of an old volcano in
the north of the island. The par-72,
18-hole course features views of
both the volcanic landscape that is
typical of the island and of the sea.
All courses (except: Pitch & Putt golf
course „Las Palmeras Golf“) offer
reduced green fees to Seaside guests
for an unforgettable golfing holiday.
52
53

Sometimes the ball
goes into the goal
and sometimes
into the hole...
For eight years now the so-called ”Wonti Cup” has
heralded the long-awaited end of winter and the
start of the new golfing season.
This year’s tournament took place from 6th to 10th April
2011 when Jörg Wontorra, popular presenter of the
”Doppelpass” sports programme, invited guests to the
9th Palm Beach Gofus Golf Trophy in Gran Canaria. The
organisers of this charity golf tournament, Jörg Wontorra
with his team and Theo Gerlach, CEO and owner of
Seaside Hotels, set themselves the target of collecting as
many donations as possible in aid of the ”Hansestiftung”
trust, which offers educational support to young people.
Thanks to the great atmosphere generated by the
tournament and the generosity of the donors they more
than succeeded in achieving their target.
Palm Beach
Gofus
Golf Trophy
2011
Apart from the golfers former internationals from
Germany’s football and handball teams also competed
with one another on the golf course in this good cause.
With the generous support offered by Theo Gerlach the
tournament received support both in financial and material
terms from Seaside Hotels. The company’s contributions
ranged from catering to supplying the participants
with refreshments on the golf course, from polo shirts for
the competing guests right down to the competition
trophies and top prizes for the tombola.
As a welcoming event on the evening of the day of arrival
Jörg Wontorra invited everyone involved to a cocktail and
a Spanish barbecue buffet at the Seaside Palm Beach’s
Bar Africano. Here he presented the programme for
the golf tournament and all the guests were cordially
welcomed by their host, Theo Gerlach.
On 7th April the first competitors teed off on the Salobre
golf course, where the players can’t help but be
impressed by the beautiful surroundings. In the evening
the guests rounded off the first official day’s play at a
View of the Salobre golf course (left-hand page) · Host Theo Gerlach, CEO
and owner of Seaside Hotels (left)
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was held on the Meloneras golf course with its spectacular
view of the mountains and the sea. Here the handball
stars took on the footballers in a Ryder Cup style
competition. Both teams featured world champions,
with Erhard Wunderlich, Gerd Rosendahl and Stefan
Kretzschmar among the handball players and Stefan
Reuter, Karl Heinz Riedle and Uwe Bein on the football
team. A closely fought competition was in the end won
6:4 by the handball team.
The crowning finale of the event was the carnival celebration
in the Bar Salon of the Seaside Palm Beach. The
”Carneval Canaria” featured Jörg Wontorra’s team in
costumes representing a number of themes while a special
mention must go to Heiner Brand, former player and
trainer of the German national handball team, who
appeared with his fellow handball professionals in colourful
beach dresses, huge sunglasses and brightly coloured
plastic watches. The result was a colourful and imaginative
atmosphere and a very lively evening.
At the award ceremony for the victors after the three-day
tournament in Gran Canaria Jörg Wontorra was, thanks
Gallion golfing dinner on the terrace of the restaurant at
the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia, which was home to
a small group of the 120 invited guests who were not
staying at the Seaside Palm Beach.
On the second day, after all the players had built up their
energies with a hearty breakfast, the competition for the
Ritzenhoff trophy began on the nearby Maspalomas golf
course by the seaside and the dunes. In the evening
everyone changed their sports clothing for evening dress
because the Seaside Palm Beach was the venue for a gala
dinner by the pool. In addition to a three course meal the
guests were treated to tombola and a great show with a
surprise guest. In the tombola prizes worth 51,000 euros
were to be won, including a week for a two at the
Seaside Palm Beach. The surprise guest was the famous
singer Vicky Leandros, who created a wonderful atmosphere
and entertained the guests with her Eurovision
song ”L’amour es bleu” as well as getting everyone to
sing along to her famous ”Theo, wir fahr’n nach Lodz”.
to the generosity of Audi and all the golfers, presented
with a cheque for 111,111 euros.
The ”Hansestiftung” educational trust will now benefit
from this generous donation.
Surprise guest Vicky Leandros at the gala dinner at the Seaside Palm
Beach (left) · The Meloneras golf course with its spectacular view of the
sea (top right) · Jörg Wontorra, initiator of the ”Wonti Cup” (centre right)
On the third day, after all the competitors had warmed
up during the previous tournaments on the golf courses
of Salobre and Maspalomas, the Audi Champions Trophy
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tournament marked by the victory presentation at the
Seaside Palm Beach the participants once more savour
the renowned Seaside cuisine with a wide variety of
canapés and a glass of good wine.
Picture credits
Page 07: So small but already a Seaside star
Photo – Frederick Sengewitz
Page 27: Recipe: Atlantic scallops
Photo – TUI cookbook
Page 34: ”fruity aromas“
Photo – Colors of Wine © chiyacat #5815712,
www.fotolia.com;
Logo – www.vinosdegrancanaria.es
Page 38 – 39: TransGranCanaria
Photos – www.transgrancanaria.net
Page 40 – 41: Luis Montull
Photos – www.luismontull.com
Page 44 – 45: Gondwanaland
Photos – Zoo Leipzig
Golf
Since the summer of 2010 Theo Gerlach has, in cooperation
with the Maspalomas golf course, been organising
the Seaside tournament not just on competitive principles
but also for charitable causes. Fifteen euros from the
fee paid by each participant is donated to charity, and
the Maspalomas golf club adds a further five euros per
player. At the last tournament the ”San Juan de Dios”
movement, a monastic order founded in Granada in
1537 and now a major international charitable organisation,
was selected as the beneficiary of the donation.
Theo Gerlach doubled the amount collected and rounded
it up, which enabled a final cheque for 4,000 euros to be
presented to Hermano Angél, who received the donation
on behalf of the order.
Page 46 – 47: Otto Dix anniversary
Photos – CMT City-Management und Tourismus
Chemnitz GmbH
Page 50 – 51: Siona García
Photos – www.sionagarcia.com
Page 52: Golfing paradise with 10 highly
individual courses
Photo golf course ”Anfi Tauro Golf” –
Anfi Tauro Golf
Page 54 – 57: Palm Beach Gofus Golf Trophy
Photos – on the friendly authority of
Jörg Wontorra
Page 58 – 59: Golf takes pride of place at
Seaside Hotels
Photos – on the friendly authority of
Jörg Wontorra
takes pride of place at Seaside Hotels
Over the thirty years which have gone by since the
establishment of the first Seaside Hotel in Gran
Canaria the Seaside Hotels group has become a
prestigious domestic and international hotel organisation.
From the very start Theo Gerlach, founder
of Seaside Hotels and keen golfer, has organised
and supported a range of golfing events and tournaments.
Mr Gerlach’s dedication to the sport is demonstrated by
the fact that for thirteen years now he has been both
participant and sponsor of the ”Circuito Canarias Golf”,
which takes place every year on the Maspalomas golf
course. As part of this series of events, which consists of
a number of golf tournaments between the beginning of
June and the end of August, the Seaside Hotels tournament
takes place every year in mid-July. In the course of
the years this event has developed into a highly popular
get-together with old acquaintances which is not to
be missed and Theo Gerlach himself is an ever-present
participant on the course.
For the golfers the day begins at 7:30 in the morning in
anticipation of a first-class tournament enjoyed with
friends in a spirit of sportsmanship and competitiveness.
However, before play begins the participants are served a
welcoming breakfast on the course by the Seaside Grand
Hotel Residencia.
Throughout the day the players are also kept supplied
on the fairways with tasty picnics and snacks from
the kitchens of the Seaside Palm Beach and the Grand
Hotel Residencia, and at the ceremonial close of the
The tournament is rounded off every year with the
presentation of trophies to the winners at the Seaside
Palm Beach in Maspalomas by Theo Gerlach, owner of
the hotel chain, Maria Ley, manager of Maspalomas Golf
and Frank Pérez from Riley M. Golf. After the presentation
the players and invited guests then enjoy a social
get-together accompanied by the delights of the hotel’s
cuisine and a wonderful view of the pool and gardens
with their unique palm grove.
Imprint
Publisher: Seaside Hotels, Wexstraße 16,
20355 Hamburg, Germany
Design: beach tours werbeagentur GmbH
Print: v. Stern’sche Druckerei GmbH & Co. KG,
Lüneburg, Germany
Circulation: 24,100 (English, Spanish, German)
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Grand Hotel Residencia *****L
Avenida del Oasis 32
35100 Maspalomas
Gran Canaria
Tel.: +34-928-72 31 00
Fax: +34-928-72 31 08
info@grand-hotel-residencia.com
www.grand-hotel-residencia.com
Palm Beach *****
Avenida del Oasis s/n
35100 Maspalomas
Gran Canaria
Tel.: +34-928-72 10 32
Fax: +34-928-14 18 08
info@hotel-palm-beach.com
www.hotel-palm-beach.com
Sandy Beach ****
Avenida Menceyes s/n
35100 Playa del Inglés
Gran Canaria
Tel.: +34-928-72 40 00
Fax: +34-928-72 40 08
info@sandy-beach.es
www.sandy-beach.es
Los Jameos Playa ****
Playa de Los Pocillos s/n
35510 Puerto del Carmen
Lanzarote
Tel.: +34-928-51 17 17
Fax: +34-928-51 42 19
info@los-jameos-playa.es
www.los-jameos-playa.es
SIDE *****
Drehbahn 49
20354 Hamburg
Germany
Tel.: +49-40-30 99 90
Fax: +49-40-30 99 93 99
info@side-hamburg.de
www.side-hamburg.de
Park Hotel ****
Richard-Wagner-Straße 7
04109 Leipzig
Germany
Tel.: +49-341-98 52 0
Fax: +49-341-98 52 750
info@parkhotelleipzig.de
www.parkhotelleipzig.de
abito suites
Grimmaische Straße 16
04109 Leipzig
Germany
Tel.: +49-341-985 27 88
Fax: +49-341-985 27 50
info@abito.com
www.abito.com
Residenz Hotel ****
Bernsdorfer Straße 2
09126 Chemnitz
Germany
Tel.: +49-371-3 55 10
Fax: +49-371-3 55 11 22
info@residenzhotelchemnitz.de
www.residenzhotelchemnitz.de
www.seaside-hotels.com