THE BIG INTERVIEW with Sven von der Heyden

Cugó Gran is one of the finest examples of a restored farmhouse in Menorca. And it is the brainchild of Sven von der Heyden, a German national who has had deep-rooted connections with the island for many years.

We met in the dining room at Cugó and discussed his journey to arrive at such a stunning property.

From owning a small boat and holidaying here in Menorca, he progressed to owning a property in Cala Llonga and living here. And until very recently he commuted across Europe from Menorca to conduct his many business interests.

He was trained as an investment banker and institutional bond dealer with a private bank in Germany, which later led in 1989 to becoming the wealth manager of his first clients. This led him to not just advise clients but work as an entrepreneur himself, and so he started his own property development company very soon after. The company quickly targeted the Eastern European countries in the early 90s, along with refurbishing tenement houses in the new German federal states, at the time when the West was providing beneficial tax breaks for those investing in East Germany.

This business has thrived and he has property projects running in Dresden, Leipzig, Berlin in Germany and Warsaw and Poznan in Poland. In the early years of this century he started to invest into IBB Hotel Collection, in which he now owns the majority.

He continues to have both personal and business interests in Menorca. His two children completed their junior school education here, and he became the President of the local Housing Association in Cala Llonga. His energy and enthusiasm galvanised most of the residents there and he was able to make great improvements to the public spaces. And he still has his property there.

But it is Cugó that has been his long-term love affair. He purchased the property in 2001, and it was only in 2016 when the doors were first opened for business.

‘I bought the property on a slight whim, and spent the first years of owning it wondering what to do with the building and the 250 acres that comes with it. Convert it into a private villa or make it available for luxury rental? I have now invested over 9 million euros in the property, and I am proud of what has been achieved, especially to have protected and restored such a wonderful property that is part of the heritage of the island.’

The business broke even in 2016, its first trading year, which he thinks ‘isn’t too bad’. He continues: ‘But the issue is that July and August provide around 70% of the total revenue. So, it is too seasonal, and this applies to Cugó as with the rest of the island. We have generated very good media coverage since we opened; we just need to work harder and be more focussed on bringing business in during the shoulder periods, just like everyone else in Menorca.’

He retains some other business interests here – he owns a hotel in Cala´n Porter and has a small investment in Nautic Lounge Menorca, a fleet of fun motor crafts that tourists can hire and take out into Mahón harbour and enjoy an on-board BBQ. Always an eye for an opportunity!

‘I have my base now in Malta, and we conduct our business from there. The Public Sector has a very positive attitude to business, and they have managed to attract some large brands to invest on their island, create jobs and add to the economy. It is an interesting example of what can be achieved with a can-do mentality, which I had hoped so badly to find in Menorca.’

Typical business day: I don’t have one. I am not really tied to a desk, but am always on the move. I have clocked up over 4,500 flights during my career and keep on having some 100 flights every year.

His two children from his first marriage are at university in London. They love it here and frequently visit.

Downtime
I love snow skiing, especially in Lech in Austria, enjoy boating and playing golf. I am an avid newspaper reader, and subscribe and consume before breakfast the FT, El Mundo, Süddeutsche Zeitung and the Times of Malta so I can keep abreast of what’s happening in Europe and the world.

Interests
Work and play often blend together: wherever I go I run in my mind a potential business plan on a given hotel I stay in. Some may think this is weird, but my job is my passion.

Roqueta Menorca Interview with Sven von der Heyden – June 2017

Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour in Malta officially opens!

IBB Hotel Collection, a subsidiary of Von der Heyden Group, an international recognised developer and investor in bespoke Hotel developments, on May 3, 2018 celebrated the opening of the legendary Macina as Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour. This signals the arrival of a new home for visitors seeking a new-world charm in one of Malta’s historical and walled cities, Senglea, which forms part of the famous three-cities opposite the capital of Valletta

The opening ceremony was held on the property’s rooftop event venue, The Sheer Bastion, which unfolds breath-taking views along with a sweep of history dating back to the 16th century and hosted many dignitaries from Malta and abroad, among others Malta’s honourable Prime Minister – Dr Joseph Muscat.

Built in 1554 by the Knights of St. John, Macina has been one of the Grand Harbour’s most renowned landmarks, deriving its name ‘Macina’ (originally ‘macchina’) from the large sheer crane structure, used to hoist masts and other heavy cargo, which was eventually dismantled during the British period in 1864.

The Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour has 21 rooms and each them has its own unique design, moulded according to the design of the bastion. The furniture is mostly modern, but there are some quirky additions – such as a basin with spectacular views overlooking the Grand Harbour.

Cugó Gran Macina is also the first member of Design Hotels in Malta – a select group of boutique and design-luxury driven hotels around the world and forms part of SPG´s worldwide loyalty program.

More information about the openning of Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour, please see with the kind courtesy of:

IBB celebrates opening of legendary Macina in a new avatar

IBB Hotel Collection, an international leader in bespoke developments, celebrated the opening of the legendary Macina as Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, signaling the arrival of a new home for visitors seeking a new-world charm in one of Malta’s historical and walled cities, Senglea.

Cugó Gran Macina is also the first member of Design Hotels in Malta. The star-studded opening ceremony was held on the property’s rooftop event venue, The Sheer Bastion, which unfolds breathtaking views along with a sweep of history dating back to the 16th century. IBB Hotel Collection Chairman Sven von der Heyden welcomed the Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat and host of dignitaries from Malta and abroad.

Sven von der Heyden said: ”We are honoured to be part of the Macina story, which historically contributed to Senglea’s title ‘Citta’ Invicta’ (Unconquered City). After 40,000 total man hours and a multimillion euro investment on restoration and rehabilitation, it is a great feeling to see such an iconic 16 th -century building come to life again for people to experience and be another step closer to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, located in Senglea’s iconic Macina Bastion, enjoyed a soft opening in December 2017 and now, after an 18-month renovation, all the 21 fully-appointed suites are open to guests. The IBB Hotel Collection, operates hotels under lease, management and franchise contracts with three different own-brands: Cugó Gran, IBB Hotel and IBB Blue Hotel.

Vladimir Saal, CEO of IBB Hotel Collection, said: “IBB opened four hotels during the last 12 months, but nothing can be compared to the passion and the attention to detail that was necessary for the opening of this new gem of our hotel collection. We are very proud of the transformation process of this important development project at Grand Harbour. Now we can fully concentrate on the opening of our new IBB Hotel Valletta Merkanti adjacent to Suq tal-Belt.”

Built in 1554, during the reign of Grand Master Claude de la Sengle, Macina has been one of the Grand Harbour’s most renowned landmarks, deriving its name ‘Macina’ (originally ‘macchina’) from the large sheer crane structure, used to hoist masts and other heavy cargo, which was eventually dismantled during the British period in 1864. Today, the Cugó Gran Macina is aiming high by aspiring to be a landmark of a different class: a luxury boutique accommodation that will be a showpiece on the historic Cottonera seafront.

More than 500 invited guests peered from The Sheer Bastion which features unique panoramic views of Valletta and the Three Cities. The venue is part of the Hammett’s Collection of the eponymous Chris Hammett, a 24-time award winning restaurateur. It can host up to 1,000 guests standing or 300 seated in a spectacular setting and is likely to become Malta’s foremost destination for corporate meetings, weddings, and other celebrations.

Guests also experienced the history and transformation of the building via short films. A celebratory plaque was unveiled by the Prime Minister in the presence of Chairman, CEO and other senior IBB officials.

IBB Hotel Collection is a subsidiary of Von der Heyden Group, a Valletta-based real estate development, investment and group of hotels, with special interest in redevelopment projects.

Currently operating 11 hotels in Germany, Poland and Spain, the hotel collection has ambitious growth plans for the upcoming years.

Source: www.livenewsmalta.com

Macina officially opens as all-suite hotel

IBB Hotel Collection on Thursday celebrated the opening of the legendary Macina as Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour in Senglea.

Cugó Gran Macina is also the first member of Design Hotels in Malta.

The opening ceremony was held on the property’s rooftop event venue, The Sheer Bastion, part of the Hammett’s Collection of the eponymous Chris Hammett, a 24-time award winning restaurateur.

The 16th century building required 40,000 total man hours and a multimillion euro investment on restoration and rehabilitation to turn it into a hotel offering 21 suites, which chairman Sven von Heyden said had brought it “another step closer to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site”.

Built in 1554, during the reign of Grand Master Claude de la Sengle, Macina has been one of the Grand Harbour’s most renowned landmarks, deriving its name ‘Macina’ (originally ‘macchina’) from the large sheer crane structure, used to hoist masts and other heavy cargo, which was eventually dismantled during the British period in 1864.

IBB Hotel Collection is a subsidiary of Von der Heyden Group, a Valletta-based real estate development, investment and group of hotels, which is now working on the new IBB Hotel Valletta Merkanti adjacent to Suq tal-Belt.

Source: www.timesofmalta.com

Cugo Gran, Menorca, Islas Baleares in Spain

Words by Codelia Mantsebo

Cugo Gran perfectly captures the serene style of the idyllic countryside of Menorca. Providing a sublime experience against a backdrop of immaculately manicured gardens, azure sea views and vineyards, this boutique hotel transports you to a tranquil slice of heaven as soon as you enter its traditional Menorcan wooden gates…

The cypress tree lined driveway to the hotel sets the tone for a vast landscape dotted with trees, wonderfully manicured shrubbery and panoramic Mediterranean Sea views.

Perched above elegant terraces that look out onto natural scenes, the 12 bedroom country house, which can also be rented in its entirety sleeping up to 24 guests, is dressed in chic neutral tones that make the contrasting green gardens and the blues of sky and distant sea appear all the brighter.

You won’t find avant-garde artworks or gaudy interiors here. That isn’t the focus at Cugo Gran, art pieces are outshined by some of nature’s finest work.
With a talented gardener maintaining the grounds, the estate has its own vineyard, lavender fields, orchards and vegetable gardens. Donkeys, geckos and tortoises which quietly roam the grounds add to that natural glory.

An initial glimpse of the property does not reveal its old age. After years of renovation, the 200-year-old Menorcan farmhouse was transformed into an upscale, luxury country house offering peace and tranquillity, with exceptional attention to detail – a masterclass in modern Mediterranean good taste.

Although just 15 minutes away from the airport, the atmosphere of this secluded country estate is totally serene. The sounds of landing and taking-off planes are replaced by harmonic cicada rhythm, and an air of calm peacefulness.

Harry, the general manager, greeted us upon arrival with refreshing cocktails local to Menorca – followed by slightly disappointing news that our room wasn’t quite ready yet.

It wasn’t long before we were walking though the gardens to the 26m infinity pool (which by the way, has butlers appearing every 40 minutes with chilled towels and refreshing drinks). We waited patiently while taking in the relaxing views from the sun decks.

There are seven rooms in the main building, and five in the boyera outbuildings which all have their own gated gardens. Each room is named after local areas or flowers and shrubs – beautifully decorated and full of light, with pale open wooden beams and natural wood floors.

Serenely rustic interiors lend this villa an elegant country cottage appeal. Our room, Poglia, located in the main house, offered picturesque views from the terrace. It was elegantly furnished, with crisp luxurious linens, towels and toiletries from The White Company. The refined, yet simple comforts made the perfect home from home.

While this Spanish gem has stunning scenery, it’s the attentive and enthusiastic staff that made our stay special. Nothing appeared to be too much trouble for them, and this is what truly makes Cugo Gran stand out.

They’ve mastered the right balance between giving you your space to enjoy your stay in a beautiful location, but also an unobtrusive team who’s always willing to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Each morning, we’d start our day with a lovely spread for breakfast outside, overlooking the gardens and the sea in the distance. There’s no written breakfast menu, but the kitchen was always pleased to satisfy our morning cravings.

I almost-always opted for freshly made poached eggs from the chickens they have on site, though the pancakes with strawberries freshly picked from the garden were equally delicious. If you can wake up early enough, you can see (or join) the chef collect fresh eggs, vegetables and herbs directly from the grounds.

For dinner, we enjoyed spectacular sunset views along with the freshest seasonal and local ingredients – of course, much of it sourced from the hotel’s own gardens. We ordered from the villa’s new menu, created by head chef Roberto Sarrió.

The menu featured several Menorcan dishes with a contemporary twist, including signature rice dishes such as ‘Paella with rabbit and Menorcan prawns’ – which was divine. The menu changes seasonally, but do opt for the fresh catch of the day if available – you’ll not be disappointed.

Sadly, dinner isn’t served on Mondays – but the well informed staff are very happy to recommend the best local restaurants.

The only certified 5 star Agroturismo in Menorca, Cugo Gran is so cleverly thought out, an ideal location for those with a penchant for all things natural and those wishing to escape the bustle of everyday life.

It’s hard to describe this boutique villa – but it is not easily forgotten. The birdsong, the calm breeze, the glorious scents in the air and the breathtaking views that stretch as far as the eye can see remain so vivid in my memory.

Rooms start from €450 for a two-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Address: Cugó Gran, Camí Sa Forana s/n, 07712 Sant Climent,Maó – Mahon, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
Phone: +34 671 528 958

Source: luxurylifestylemag.co.uk

Luxury Lifestyle Magazine 20 08 2018

The Cugo Gran Collection

Slick city celebrations or intimate private parties – the Cugó Gran Collection offers the ultimate bespoke destination weddings in Malta & Menorca

From a beautiful, secluded escape in the Menorcan countryside to a vibrant venue in the heart of one of Malta’s most interesting cities, Senglea, the Cugó Gran Collection offers the ultimate venue for a highly bespoke destination wedding.

Your own private country estate in Menorca

Set in a private 250-acre estate, Cugó Gran Menorca offers pared-back luxury with a capacity to cater for up to 50 people in-house, as well as sleep 24 guests in 12 beautifully appointed bedrooms, all offering stunning views. Cugó Gran Menorca is also able to host larger weddings and events for up to 300 people, be this to mark an anniversary or other special occasion.

A sophisticated and yet relaxed venue, Cugó Gran Menorca offers a selection of terraces and outdoor locations with breath-taking sea views providing the backdrop to complement any bespoke occasion. There is an in-house concierge team to take care of all the necessary arrangements; from the champagne welcome reception and the wedding dinner under a marquee or the stars, to the flowers, music, photographer, wedding cake, midnight snacks, and a full wedding breakfast with eggs picked from the estate’s own hens the next morning. Cugó Gran Menorca is licensed to hold civil ceremonies and non-religious weddings.

Chef Roberto Sarrió serves up fresh Menorcaninspired dishes to exclusive-use guests sourcing the finest local and seasonal ingredients, much of it from the estate’s own kitchen gardens. For larger events, Cugó Gran Menorca works with the leading catering companies on the island.

Guests can make full use of the facilities on offer which include a 26-metre outdoor pool, playground, day beds, and outdoor chess. There is a gym and a Buganvilla Spa room with a menu of face and body treatments. Baby-sitters, personal trainers, nutritionists, therapists, yoga and Pilates instructors can also be arranged.

A true architectural wonder in Malta with the most jaw-dropping views

Architecturally striking, Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour is a famous historical landmark sensitively converted into a contemporary boutique hotel with large communal spaces, high vaulted ceilings and spacious rooms with harbour-front views. This hotel offers the most dramatic backdrop for any event. With a capacity to cater in-house for up to 100 guests and sleep up to 42 people in its 21 contemporary rooms, Cugó Gran Maçina Grand Harbour can also host up to 1000 people on its 930-square metre roof terrace with incredible views of the famous Three Cities.

With a dedicated events planner on-site, the team at Cugó Gran Maçina Grand Harbour can create bespoke events that make the most of the stunning views and beautiful Mediterranean climate. Guests can choose from the intimate roof-top pool terrace or the grand roof terrace or else can opt for Hammett’s Macina Restaurant – a lively venue for a pre or post wedding party.

Renowned Maltese Restaurateur, Chris Hammett and his brigade of chefs serve up Maltese specialities with a contemporary twist at Hammett’s Macina Restaurant.

The concierge team can also organise excursions and activities including guided tours of Malta’s most significant sites such as the Maritime Museum, the Inquisitors Palace and the historical Fort St Angelo, Senglea’s enchanting promenade, as well as Malta’s capital Valletta – just a short ride across the harbour.

Bespoke wedding and events packages are priced on request.

London Life – June 2019 – travel section
London Life – June 2019 – travel editorial