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Our idea is focused on the development of tourism in the Perm Territory – we want to make people from other parts of Russia and from other countries want to come to Perm over and over again, and we want to urge our countrymen to learn more about their own land. This is one of the main prerequisites for the development of the economy of our region. The local nature attracts a lot of people, yet currently not everyone is able to explore these parts because there are no places to stay, no hotels, and no tourist offices. We proposed a scenic route that we called “Salted Ear”. The name suggested itself when we connected the most beautiful spots on the map – and we got a silhouette of an ear. The catch-phrase “Permyaki solenye ushi” (“Salted-eared Perm people”) is the traditional nickname for people living in these parts. This has to do with the business of salt making that was once spread here. There is a popular belief that this was the nickname that was given to workers who would carry sacks of salt on their backs, because of which their ears got saturated with salt.



One of the points on the map is the township of Vels, in which we proposed to build this landscape hotel. This place is situated amidst some of the most beautiful locations in the Perm Territory.



The hotel is situated on the bank of the Vishera River and near the Vels River, the Ural Mountains looming on the horizon. On the slope, next to the water, there is a strew of stones, a part of which continues into the forest. We designed a hiking trail winding among these stones, and inscribed the hotel into the landscape. This part of land is not actually part of the national park but it still attracts tourists with its picturesqueness.

The hotel looks as if it were growing up from the terrain, and comes down to the water in terraces. The backbone of the hotel is basically the path that circles the stone pillars and commands magnificent views of the surrounding scenery.



This is also the place where the Great Vels Cave is situated that was formed because of the underground flow of water from one large river to another (from Vels to Vishera). The hotel entrance is situated inside this cave. The locomotion scenario is such that from the dark cave the visitor gets into the light central hall of the hotel. Passing through the cave, the visitor can feel the genius loci and fully immerse himself in its history and atmosphere. 





The central space of the hotel contains a restaurant, a bar, a lounge, an amphitheater with a stage, and a performance space – all alternating with stones.

In the hotel, there are studios for creative people. Essentially, these are spaces where one can do their favorite things, at the same time enjoying the surrounding landscape. You can meet here interesting people, find your co-creators, or simply enjoy the bliss of solitude. This is a place for inspiration that is not just aesthetically appealing but is also psychologically and emotionally neutral, where one can concentrate, clear his mind, and whet his artistic feelings.





A part of the hotel with the guest rooms is situated in the woodland, on an elevation, in order to provide as much as possible privacy and beautiful views to the guests of the hotel. Walking down the scenic route or sailing past the hotel in a boat, one cannot see the rooms above because they are situated at the very top, on the edge of the forest. The rooms are designed to provide as many beautiful views as possible. Each room has a fireplace in it, and a bed by the window, from which one can enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery. The hotel is not designed for a large number of guests – it is a place for solitude and inspiration.



One of the peculiar features of this hotel is the room of silence that steps out of a stone in the forest. This room is meant specially for somebody who wants to be alone with himself and his thoughts for a little while, and find inspiration. This is especially important for creative people. The bridge that leads to this room starts from the depth of the forest and “bumps” into the stone forming a sightseeing platform. The path to this place is not highlighted in any particular way. You can only run into this path by accident while strolling through the forest. Seek and you will find.





In the forest, amidst the densely growing pine trees, there is a spa zone. The visitors see a panorama of stones, the forest, the tree trunks, and thick tree crowns. The spa consists of closed rooms and an open-air jacuzzi yard.

One can also get to the spa and sauna by the path of solitude. This same path connects the sauna and the Vishera River, whose bank provides access to the water.

The sauna is sunken in the terrain and creates an impression of a cave – again, so that nobody would see those who are inside. The visitors to the sauna can enjoy the seclusion, and relax in the open air. It would be great to take a rest here after a session of Nordic skiing or a long hike. The spa center itself is made from concrete with inclusions of salt, and has a healing power.



The Vels Hotel is a synthesis of Ural nature, cultural history and modern architecture. Staying in this hotel will allow a person to enjoy the beautiful views and get a breath of fresh ideas. The architecture is meant to work in harmony with nature.

Specially for the project, we launched a website: www.velshotel.com. It contains detailed information about our hotel and the program of developing the domestic tourism in the Perm Territory.