MUNICH, Germany – Kempinski Group has unveiled a new hospitality concept designed to redefine the luxury hotel experience. The initiative, called E.R.A.s (Experience Real Access), debuts at Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich, transforming the property from a place to stay into a gateway for immersive local experiences.
The programme connects guests with exclusive people, places and stories that are typically inaccessible to visitors. Rather than offering traditional sightseeing tours, Kempinski introduces curated experiences led by local experts who reveal the city’s cultural heritage through personal relationships and insider knowledge.
Experience Real Access Through Local Insiders
At the heart of the concept are Local Insiders, specialists deeply connected to Munich’s history, arts, gastronomy and sporting culture. Working alongside Kempinski’s Resident Curators, they create immersive experiences that allow guests to discover the destination from a uniquely local perspective.
Guests are invited to ask, “What E.R.A. are you in?”, encouraging them to explore Munich through themed narratives inspired by the city’s identity.
Among the inaugural experiences are a private helicopter journey over Bavaria’s royal castles with historians from the Wittelsbach dynasty, an exclusive tasting of Munich’s six historic beers with a certified beer sommelier, and a morning run alongside football legend Lothar Matthäus.
“For decades, luxury has meant the same room service in different postcodes,” said Barbara Muckermann, Group CEO of Kempinski. “We are expanding the role of the hotel by turning it inside out. The hotel is no longer a refuge from the city, but the gateway into it. We don’t book our guests a tour. We hand them the keys to the city.”
Reviving Kempinski’s Historic Role
Kempinski says the initiative revives the company’s original mission as the Curator of The Good Life, a philosophy dating back to 1872 when founders Berthold and Helene Kempinski opened a wine bar in Berlin that later became one of Europe’s best-known hospitality institutions.
Supporting every destination is a Resident Curator, a modern interpretation of the experience designer role first introduced by Kempinski in 1926 at Berlin’s famous Haus Vaterland entertainment complex.
According to Aurelia van Lynden, Vice President of Experiences at Kempinski Group, Resident Curators build programmes around authentic relationships rather than conventional sightseeing.
“Our Resident Curators are deeply rooted in the destinations where they work. Through their personal connections, they open doors to local people, culture and stories that guests would not normally encounter.”
Three Ways to Experience Munich
The Munich programme launches with three distinct E.R.A.s, each showcasing a different side of the Bavarian capital.
The Royalty Era
History enthusiasts can enjoy a private helicopter flight over Bavaria’s royal castles with historians Markus and Vanessa Richter, followed by exclusive access to Nymphenburg Palace. The experience also includes a royal-inspired banquet, Bavarian wines and a private concert featuring Japanese pianist and composer Masaka Ohta.
The Craftsmanship Era
Guests can discover Munich’s artistic and industrial heritage through hands-on experiences. Highlights include a porcelain painting masterclass at Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg, an exclusive tasting of Munich’s six traditional beers with elite beer sommelier Dr Sauer, and a behind-the-scenes tour of BMW Classic hosted by CEO Helmut Käs.
The Regenerative Era
Focused on wellbeing, this experience combines guided cold-water immersion in the Eisbach Canal with Mario Ströhlein, a Wim Hof-certified instructor, before returning to the hotel’s sauna for recovery.
Sports enthusiasts can also join former German football captain Lothar Matthäus for one of his regular morning runs through Munich’s English Garden.
Expansion Across the Kempinski Portfolio
Following its launch in Munich, Kempinski plans to introduce the Experience Real Access concept across additional properties worldwide.
One of the next hotels to unveil its own programme will be Augustine Hotel Prague, the group’s first hotel acquisition in more than 50 years.
The E.R.A.s experiences are now available exclusively for guests staying at Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich.
Check availalbilty on Booking.com
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