Apartment Horami Villa

The old cloth-making town of Malchow lies like an island in the middle of the Mecklenburg Lake District. It is a place connected to water and nature, where Hanh Nguyen-Schwanke from Berlin has been retreating regularly since her student days. When a listed half-timbered house becomes available for sale on the site of a former sawmill, just a few metres from the lake shore, the publisher of German-Vietnamese children’s books sees and feels the value of the abandoned house: with its varying heights, wooden balcony and projecting wooden decorations, the original residential and office building resembles an elegant villa.

‘We drew inspiration from the house itself and tried to follow its flow,’ says Hanh Nguyen-Schwanke, who runs Villa Horami together with her friend, publisher Bao-Tram Thai. However, the villa is not just the project of two hosts, but the result of many hands, thoughts and stories. Behind Horami Villa is an entire network of family, friends and companions who contribute their hearts, ideas and craftsmanship to bring this place to life.

During the renovation, walls and built-in access points were first exposed, revealing the half-timbered structure and different uses of the house. Inside, the many windows now allow light to pour in from all sides. Each of the four apartments has been individually designed – always with a focus on the historical fabric and its best possible combination and composition. Some rooms are structured by large wall panelling and stucco, others have rounded openings, or herringbone parquet, wooden floorboards and exposed beams that take you back in time.

Complemented by ivory-coloured rice paper lamps, dark-stained oak, modern design, Scandinavian classics and antique finds. Each of the holiday apartments has its own specially selected colour scheme, ranging from grey-pink to cream white to matcha green. Even a black kitchen finds a balanced counterpart in the natural light.

Each room is unique, yet the design concept is consistent – always alternating between light and dark, soft and clear, old and new. The result is harmonious, elegant rooms. For larger families or groups of up to seven people, the Origami Apartment on the ground floor with a terrace and view of the garden and the Okyu Apartment in the attic offer plenty of space. The two smaller apartments, Namdo and Hanami, are suitable for solo travellers, couples or small families – one with a terrace, the other with a balcony. Each apartment has its own kitchen-diner. Whether you prefer to seek the peace and inspiration of Horami Villa or explore the city, including its own island and surrounding lakes, is up to you. Either way, new perspectives will open up.

What to do

Relax, read, cook, take a trip to the historic old town, which is located on an island in the middle of the lake and can be reached either via a swing bridge or a dam, swim at Malchow beach, try stand-up paddleboarding, hire a boat, go cycling (there is also a bike hire shop within walking distance), horse riding, a visit to the monastery and other excursions around the Mecklenburg Lake District.

Why we like this house

The essence of yin and yang: four holiday accommodations that are as timeless and balanced as they are inspiring and refreshing.

This house is great for

Those seeking peace and quiet, lake lovers or creative types – whether alone, as a couple, with family, friends or as a group

Sustainability

Public transport: the train station is almost on the doorstep

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with a white background, the accommodation is still fully available. If an accommodation has more than one rentable unit, days with free capacities are shown with a light grey background. On days with a dark grey background, the accommodation is not available.

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