Meet the German hotelier who turned 600 years of toy-making heritage into an inspired hospitality concept—complete with puzzles in the lobby and Playmobil in the corridors.

I didn't expect to find myself back in Nuremberg so soon after my last visit, but the pull of this city—with its charm, characteristic red roofs, and imposing castle—drew me back. I was determined to revisit some of the places and restaurants I'd missed out on in 2024. But first, I had to find a hotel, and I was pointed in the direction of the NH Collection, just a very short walk from the main station or the metro (use exit 4).

Stepping through the doors, I'm greeted with a typically warm Nuremberg welcome—and there's a wooden puzzle waiting in my room. Herr Meyer, the affable general manager with his trademark constant smile and an offering of traditional Nuremberg biscuits, is rather keen to know if I've found it. He doesn't need to wait long for an answer. Of course I've found it—just as hundreds of guests before me have discovered these playful touches scattered throughout this remarkable property.

It's this attention to quirky detail that makes Herr Meyer such a superb ambassador, not just for his hotel but for Nuremberg itself. He's precisely the sort of stakeholder you want to have around—someone who doesn't wait for the UK's Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi to tell him what works, but rather brings his own vision to life with customary German efficiency and an infectious enthusiasm.

As we settle into the lobby for our chat, Nuremberg is gearing up for one of its busiest periods: the famous Christmas Market, followed in January by the annual international toy fair. And it's toys that have set Herr Meyer's creative juices flowing in the most ingenious way imaginable.

From Reluctant Arrival to Love Affair

His journey to this property wasn't without resistance. Having successfully run the NH Collection's Munich establishment, Herr Meyer was reluctant to take over at Nuremberg in 2018. "I told the company you can send me anywhere but not to Nuremberg," he admits, his hesitation largely driven by having grown up in the city. But his boss phoned him three days before Christmas with the news of his transfer. "Since then I've been here, and I love it because since I left over 20 ago years the city has really developed both culturally and gastronomically," he beams. He now describes it as a "cool version of Munich."

What transformed his perspective? Reconnecting with the city's extraordinary heritage—particularly its 600-year toy-making history. "Nuremberg has a huge toy history; it started 600 years ago," Herr Meyer explains. "Toys were manufactured in the region and Nuremberg was always a centre of trade, and so toys became a thing."

Tin toys became popular in the 19th century, and today Zirndorf-based Playmobil, a major player in the global toy industry, operates not far from the city. Plus, Nuremberg boasts one of the finest toy museums in the world—a treasure trove that would soon inspire a hotel transformation unlike any other.

When a Puzzle Piece Falls into Place

The concept began modestly three and a half years ago during the international toy fair. "My assistant manager said, 'Hey, let's just put a puzzle in the lobby during toy fair and see what happens,'" Herr Meyer recalls. The result was remarkable. In the morning before people headed off to the fair, and in the evening when they returned, guests congregated in the lobby, piecing together the puzzle. The team decided to keep it there permanently.

This led to another table being placed in the lobby with other games, which proved equally popular. "After I saw people playing, I called up the then director of the Toy Museum and invited her to the hotel. We need to do something about the theme of play at the hotel," he explains.

The vision grew exponentially. First came a "puppet hotel" displayed in two vitrines either side of the lobby. Then Herr Meyer commissioned local artist Brigit Osten to create "The Toy Story of Nuremberg"—an extensive artwork that would become the centrepiece of his concept.

Being a man who "asks for forgiveness rather than permission," Herr Meyer financed the project through his own ingenuity. The picture was more expensive than budgeted, but having enjoyed a very successful year, he saved money each month from the company bonus scheme. Once he had the full amount, he informed head office. They knew it was an amazing concept and were more than satisfied.

A Desk in the Lobby

The official opening of the exhibition took place on 21st January, and the impact was immediate. "From the day we implemented the exhibition, our quality figures exploded," Herr Meyer says, referencing the extensive KPIs that measure hotel performance.

True to his hands-on approach, Herr Meyer hates offices and being away from the action, so he placed his desk in the middle of the lobby. "I see a lot of people from Nuremberg coming to the hotel to look around, and a lot of guests take photos and selfies. I have a lot of chats with guests who are fascinated."

As part of his ongoing refurbishment, the toy story is being extended to the rooms themselves. "There will be more pictures and frames in the rooms, there will be more artwork, and pictures of toys from the toy museum will also be integrated into those rooms."

The concept permeates every corner of the property. Conference attendees can play during coffee breaks. Playmobil has contributed to the exhibition. It's a dynamic space that has inspired other hotels in the city to copy the idea—albeit as a one-off during the Toy Fair. Next year, as the fair celebrates its 75th jubilee, Herr Meyer will speak as a representative of the city's hospitality sector.
His advice to fellow NH Collection managers? "They may not have the same story to tell, but every city has a story to tell."

Colourful Breakfast

Franconian Flavours and Sustainability

Halfway through our chat, Herr Meyer offers me a drink and is keen to tell me about Franconia's numerous micro-breweries. I settle on a local IPA—a bottle of Wanderlust—which is remarkably fruity and fresh, a Helles beer of excellent quality and quite strong too. He playfully suggests I could supplement the beer for soda in a gin fizz.

But it's the following morning that truly showcases the hotel's commitment to quality. I'd heard on the grapevine that the hotel has the best-rated breakfast in town, and I can attest to that fact. The quality is superb: fresh sausages (including Nuremberg's famous little ones), a range of breads, cold cuts and cheeses all sourced from local suppliers. The buffet and furniture are new, the ambience impressive. There's even a different range of milks—not common to see in Germany—alongside fresh fruit juices, pastries, yogurt, and hot dishes made to order.

Looking ahead, Herr Meyer is focusing on the commercial business case and sustainability initiatives. The hotel offers a free drink at the bar if guests opt out of daily room cleaning—a concept the NH Collection trialled that has proved popular, with 30% of the property's 80,000 annual guests taking up the offer. Herr Meyer sits on the hotel group's sustainability committee and is examining waste separation programmes and other global initiatives.

Lobby area

Never Boring

"I have been here for seven years and never been so long in one hotel," Herr Meyer reflects. "You need to come to a point because my business here is the same, but I am always looking for new ideas." The lobby renovation is scheduled for January, and he's already thinking about what comes next.

The secret to his success? A fantastic team that allows him to step back from day-to-day operations whilst continuing to inspire. "Hospitality keeps you going, working with young people," he says. The company trusts him and gives him freedom—and it's obvious he's only strengthening the brand.

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• Celebrating the city's toy story

As I prepare to leave, enjoying one last look at the puzzle tables and playful displays, I realise that Herr Meyer has achieved something rare: he's created a hotel that captures the soul of its city whilst making guests feel like children again. In a world of cookie-cutter hospitality, these little quirky things are exceptional.

And that wooden puzzle in my room? I may have solved it, but Herr Meyer's puzzle—how to create a truly unique hotel experience—is one he's mastered completely.

The bar

Sitting area

NH Collection Nuremberg City Centre
244 rooms | 80,000 guests per year | Breakfast rated best in town which Andrew Palmer says is "spot on".

For more information, visit nh-collection.com or click here for NH Collection Nuremberg

The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest, runs from Nov 28 to Dec 24, 2025, 10am to 9pm daily.