Former engineer Tim Wittenbecher has traded circuits for coastlines. The founder of Floatel, a Berlin-based hospitality group, transforms historic lighthouses into unique hotels. Rory Jones dives into Wittenbecher’s eclectic life, from his Sunday routines to his passion for restoring these seaside beacons into havens for travelers.

A Day in the Life of a Lighthouse Visionary

From Canary Islands to the Venetian Lagoon, Wittenbecher’s Floatel collection spans the globe. Each location boasts a charming blend of understated coastal luxury and local character. Discover how a former engineer found his calling in hospitality and why he’s captivated by the stories lighthouses hold.

Breakfast: A Culinary Adventure

“Eggs Florentine is one of my signature dishes,” shares Wittenbecher. “I’m not an amazing chef but I’ve tried to learn some difficult recipes, such as for paella, spaghetti alle vongole, labskaus (a type of salted meat), seezunge (Dover sole) and steinbutt (turbot).”

Berlin Buzz: Exploration and Inspiration

Wittenbecher finds joy in exploring Berlin’s vibrant culture. “Berlin is full of cool places to explore. Today my wife, Heike, and I will go to Neukölln and walk through the open-air theatre at Tempelhofer Feld.”

A Legacy of Love: Remembering a Faithful Friend

Wittenbecher’s recent loss of his beloved weimaraner, Lou, adds a touch of wistful reflection. “An unfortunate topic – we recently lost our weimaraner, Lou. She was our most beautiful friend and saw everything that can fit into 16 years of a dog’s life.”

Soundtracks for Sundays: A Diverse Palette of Music

“Electro, 1970s disco, 1980s rock and classic piano concerts” – these eclectic genres fuel Wittenbecher’s Sundays.

Celebrating Local Art: A Passion for Community Connection

“With my business, my interest focuses on the local communities around every lighthouse. Ischia, for example, has a super-cool art scene that is upheld by Ischitani who studied abroad, became talented architects, musicians and artists, then returned in their forties and fifties. I love that.

News and Knowledge: Keeping Updated

Wittenbecher stays informed with “the Sunday Tagesspiegel and Zeit podcasts in the morning.”

Sunday Fancies: Flavors and Frantic Planning

Wittenbecher’s Sunday evening involves a delicious falafel feast and deep discussions about his latest project. “Today I’ll be talking to a friend who will tell me what he thinks about the next steps for our Faro Spignon project in the Venetian Lagoon. Of all the almost-impossible projects we have done so far, this one is the Champions League.”

Discover more about Floatel and Tim Wittenbecher’s Lighthouse Hotels by visiting their website.
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