The trees in the garden sway in the wind, clouds chase across the sky and dusk sets in. Inside, in the lovingly furnished small apartment on the upper floor of the large old manor house, there is a coziness that makes you feel good. The floorboards creak slightly with every step into the kitchen. The tea smells and steams, the candles on the dark wooden table flicker slightly. There is a laptop on the table, which at first glance doesn't quite seem to fit in with the historical surroundings. At second glance, however, it is just right. This is because Gutshaus Zarchlin in Barkhagen, a hamlet near Plau am See, is explicitly aimed at guests who want to take a productive break from their normal working day. And who like to be inspired by the charm of an old manor house. Just like the writer from Lüneburg, who spends a week in the manor house to give free rein to his creativity in this peaceful atmosphere and scenic expanse.
Marianne and Daniel Krüger are the hosts at Gutshaus Zarchlin. In 2017, they came across the 144-year-old house with its 1,000 square meters of living space by chance. The house that has become famous as the "house with 99 windows". A name that bears witness to the long and unusual history of the house. Although it was actually planned with 101 windows, for a long time it had two windows less. The reason is as interesting as it is understandable: A manor house simply had to have fewer windows than a manor house or a castle; only a manor house was allowed 100 or more windows. Two windows were therefore bricked up. A fact that Marianne and Daniel quickly changed. They opened the two closed windows and had glass installed.
And had a very special idea for their „house project“, as they call their lovingly restored manor house: They wanted to create a place that combines vacation and relaxation with creativity. A place where people can come together, but also be alone - whatever they want. They wanted to create a place where every guest can find what they are looking for. Be it a relaxing break, finding ideas in creative professions or a combination of both. Or simply a change of scenery in the Mecklenburg Lake District.
One of the guests that the Krügers want to appeal to is the new target group of „workationers“. In other words, people who want to combine vacation and work during their stay. A trend that became big during the coronavirus pandemic, when working from home became increasingly popular - and with it the opportunity to work and be creative away from home. Enriched here with leisure elements that you don't normally have at home. For example, a lake in the Mecklenburg Lake District on your doorstep. Since then, more and more accommodations have been offering workation options; some places are even creating their own workation locations. Like in Barkhagen. This is where (not only) creative people from all areas can come together, rent a vacation apartment, do nothing, but also continue to work in an inspired way. A job with a vacation flair, so to speak.
Of course, the Krügers could have simply kept their Mecklenburg manor house for themselves. „But then my sister moved into an adult flat-share in the countryside,“ says Daniel. „And what she told us there inspired us. We wanted to do something similar. A kind of guest house with the character of a shared flat. Because it is nice to consciously share time and living space with other people.“ The two of them had a place in mind where people could work, be creative, write or make music. That's why there are six vacation apartments of different sizes in the Zarchlin manor house, as well as communal areas such as a rehearsal room for anyone who wants to make music. Everyone can retreat if they wish, read, write or - inspired by nature - take up canvas and paintbrush. Anyone looking for company, on the other hand, is very likely to find it in this rural, peaceful idyll.
![Converted into a rehearsal room for the jazz ensemble "Triotop", © TMV/Gross](https://www.visit-mv.com/images/qrbsr2nomvs-/converted-into-a-rehearsal-room-for-the-jazz-ensemble-triotop.jpg "Converted into a rehearsal room for the jazz ensemble "Triotop", © TMV/Gross")
As an architect and employee in a picture agency, Marianne and Daniel are themselves active in creative professions. You can almost feel this creativity when you enter the manor house and see the fusion of history and modernity. Daniel is also a drummer. Probably one of the reasons for the rehearsal room in the basement. The jazz ensemble „Triotop“ from Rostock, which has rented the two apartments in the basement of the manor house, has just booked him. The three musicians live next door to the large manor house and love the homely atmosphere. Here you wake up comfortably, can enjoy the excellently furnished apartments and we can also rehearse," enthuses pianist Jacob Eckert. Later in the day, landlord Daniel swings the drumsticks during rehearsals. The other guests at the manor house don't notice a thing: The rehearsal room is soundproofed.
Expansive landscapes, historic buildings, deep blue lakes and plenty of idyllic countryside – the Mecklenburg Lake District offers just the right environment to take a deep breath. „Relaxation is child's play here“, says Daniel. He and his wife have designed a special booklet in which they reveal their favorite places to their guests and share the beauty of the landscape with them. After all, there is plenty to discover around the manor house.
For those who are not enjoying the large park with its beech trees or jumping into one of the numerous swimming lakes in the area, there is also plenty to discover in the manor house itself. Marianne and Daniel Krüger have modernized the 144-year-old estate according to the motto „monument meets zeitgeist“, and every piece of furniture has its own story. There were no longer any original furnishings in the manor house. That is why new furniture and accessories have moved in. Marianne and Daniel found dining tables and beds at flea markets; some pieces, such as the large, majestic four-poster bed in the vacation apartment on the first floor, were even given to the Krügers as gifts. The wing in the living room is an heirloom from Daniel's grandfather.
The atmosphere in the house is warm and welcoming. „There are evenings when we sit and chat with our guests until late into the night because it is so nice! „Being a guest with friends, that is our motto“, explains Daniel. Guests can always knock on the door and ask for tips. Sometimes this results in time together, long conversations. „We have implemented in our house what we would like to experience ourselves on our dream vacation.“ This quality, the humanity and the closeness attract people who appreciate good things. And who like to come back. To work. Or simply to go on vacation.
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Academy of Art Culture and Recreation - a creative magical place to work creatively. Workshops, courses and events in various fields are offered.
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Welcome between lakes, forests and meadows of the Müritz National Park. Enjoy peace and marvel at plants and animals that have become rare. For young and old, the surroundings can be explored by bike, boat or on foot.
Romantic estate park in Scharpzow in the middle of the Mecklenburg Lake District with individually furnished tent suites in historic style for glamping as well as venue for work retreats and seminars & events.
A simple manor house, very tastefully renovated in a dreamlike location in the Mecklenburg Lake District with vacation apartments and bed & breakfast rooms, a small café and restaurant. Ideal also for small groups and workations.
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