Urban coolness meets Nordic wilderness
With suitcases, full of thick sweaters, warm jackets and a huge portion of anticipation we leave Munich. The destination: Urban Nature in St. Peter-Ording. Even the journey is a little adventure in itself – from Bavaria it goes by train once across Germany and via Hamburg the last part to the Wadden Sea. As soon as we arrive, we are surprised how close the urban and nature come together here. Just a step away from the beach promenade, a place opens up that lets its guests skilfully float between urban flair and the soothing rustle of the North Sea.
The Urban Nature hotel is a special place of refuge that combines urban lifestyle and the raw beauty of the North Sea into an exciting symbiosis. Hardly through the door, we dive into this world “somewhere in between”, where stylish design elements meet nature and even the fresh sea air that flows in is part of the inventory.
The rooms are minimalist-modern and flooded with light through large windows. Every detail was paid attention to bring the outside into the inside – rich green, muted colours, the scent of pines, all this awakens a longing for deceleration and at the same time a charm to discover the surroundings.
If you get off here, you immediately feel the rooting of the house in nature – the tides that shape life outside here are also reflected in the daily life. The philosophy of Urban Nature runs through every corner: From the kitchen with ingredients from the region to the wellness area “Lila-Wolken-Reich,” where you can let the view wander over the Wadden Sea in hammocks. In the evening, the sun slowly dives into the North Sea and says goodbye to the day with a luminous spectacle, which can be seen particularly beautifully on the roof terrace of the hotel.
In search of amber with Local Holger
The first morning starts with a delicious breakfast: fresh bread, gluten-free options and an extra coffee machine with oat milk, which fulfils even the most demanding wishes of guests. Well strengthened, it is then with Holger, a real northern light with a passionate enthusiasm for his homeland, on amber search in the national park five minutes away. Well packed including rubber boots and rain jackets – indispensable for the changeable North Sea weather – we roamed over the pier and learn from Holger how the Wadden Sea has developed over centuries and why kids are so fascinated by the treasures of the sea.
Holger shows us where the water here goes and goes every day, what you can find in the tidal rivers and along the salt marshes. Meanwhile, the kids discover driftwood and shells in the shape of angel wings – according to Holger the best signs that the nearest glowing amber is not far away.
Even if this time the amber happiness is not on ours, it is all the more exciting to see how in St. Peter-Ording the nature automatically becomes an adventure playground. Hopping through the water, watching the waves, digging on the beach. The rhythm of the tides, the wind and the salt on the skin put the everyday stress on the skin and even make time forget.
Adventure house and waffles on the beach
In the afternoon, the path leads us a few metres along the dike to the “Erlebnis-Hus” in St. Peter-Ording, an impressive indoor and outdoor leisure facility. On four levels and a spacious outdoor area, a lot of variety awaits in the architectural masterpiece on stilts: a skate track, a 47-metre-long slide, an interactive sports wall and a mirror labyrinth are just some of the highlights. For creative minds, there is a cooking and baking island, and the “Spiele-Hus” offers versatile indoor play opportunities that provide fun even in bad weather. The Erlebnis-Hus also has a lot in store in terms of cuisine, because Steffen Henssler has opened one of his restaurants here.
After this discovery we treat ourselves to a warm waffle at “Lotti am Südstrand“. Because what you say about the salty breeze of the Wadden Sea is true, it really makes you hungry. With the guest card you can go back to the hotel by bus relaxed and free of charge.
Relaxation in the purple cloud realm
In Urban Nature you go directly to the ‘Lilac Cloud Realm’, the appropriate name for the wellness area. Pure relaxation awaits you here: saunas, roof terrace, hammocks and comfortable deck chairs.
We end the evening with the best soul food in the restaurant Auntie Clara. On the small, fine menu, where each ingredient is carefully selected, dishes inspired by the whole world are provided with a pinch of the North Sea. For the kids, there are the classics, from pasta to fries, which taste so good that they spread piles of stars. And who knows, maybe it’s the fresh North Sea air – or, as we suspect, the art of cooking.
Dragon climbing and autumn sun
On the second day leads the path to the Wadden Sea again. This time the sun laughs from the sky and the wide sandy beach shines today in the soft light. We walk along the water for a long time, laugh at how the wind plays happily in our hair – the Wadden Sea with its rough beauty is simply a magnet.
After the excursion we decide for a detour to the Swiss House, a cosy cultural center with an idyllic garden and welcoming atmosphere where the children can play and have fun. The best way to reach the 8 kilometres away restaurant is with a small bike tour through the dune landscape, which we unfortunately missed that day, but it is definitely a recommendation for the next time. Instead, we take the train and sit in the sun a few minutes later in front of a huge piece of cake and a hot drink.
On the way back we discover a small shop and spontaneously decide to take a kite with us. The wind is increasing strongly and the children are full of enthusiasm to let the dragon rise on the beach. As the sun slowly sets, we watch the kite swig in the wind.
The play area at Urban Nature.
After a windy adventure on the beach, we look forward to a completely different kind of joy: the play kingdom at Urban Nature. But “play corner” is really an understatement here, when you think of the big table, where everything that the creative heart desires awaits us. Behind it are carefully selected games, painting and crafts on a shelf. It’s not just the children who get lost in it – the adults also quickly feel invited by the well-thought-out selection of games and activities. From the first game idea to the last laugh, the corner in the bar becomes a meeting place for all generations.
Last evening: music and dancing in the bar
Our last evening at Urban Nature almost feels like a small party. The DJ plays in the bar. Guests and locals, young and old, city dwellers and country kids bounce to the beat together at this place that brings people together.
The next day it was time to say goodbye again. We packed our things and set off on the long train journey back south, bringing with us a heap of wonderful memories. We experienced so many new things in this region! One last stop in Hamburg for a Franzbrötchen and the last five hours of the train journey fly by. And to be honest, how pleasant is travelling by train? Another learning from this journey: We’ll definitely be taking the train more often in future!
The north in autumn, Urban Nature in St. Peter-Ording – it not only gave us wonderful days, but also a feeling of freedom and lightness. The sea and its tides touched us in all their beauty.
