England stars have special requests granted by 5-star hotel ahead of Euro 2024 stay to make base a home away from home
ENGLAND have made a number of special requests to their five-star base for Euro 2024.
The Three Lions kick-off their campaign against Serbia on Sunday.
With players set to touchdown in Germany shortly, the Weimarer Land Spa and Golf resort in the small rural town of Blankenhain have been preparing for their arrival.
The luxury venue has state-of-the-art football pitches, 45 golf holes, a gym, spa, swimming pool, treatment and conference rooms, as well a games area with snooker and table tennis.
England stars will also be catered for in the two Michelin-star restaurants.
Austria and the Netherlands both wanted to use the tranquil 94-room resort as their base for the Euros.
But an £850,000 bid was reportedly enough to see England complete their booking.
And several special requests have been made before the players check-in.
Owner Matthias Grafe told Bild: “Most questions were about the air conditioning in the rooms – probably after the experience in Qatar. We had to retrofit one room.
“We also ensured that English television was broadcast via satellite in the rooms.
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“And we blacked out the glass fronts and windows so that the notorious yellow press couldn’t take pictures of the boys.”
In the kitchen, 35 chefs are on hand as Grafe confirmed England have chosen a bespoke menu.
Meet the ROBOT waiter looking after England stars at the Euros
ENGLAND stars will be served by a ROBOT called Robbie at the Euros.
Robbie is a key part of 160-strong staff at the vast 350-acre leisure site at Blankenhain, eastern Germany, where Gareth Southgate’s squad will be staying for the tournament.
The real-life WALL-E – kitted out in a Germany shirt with the name Kehrbart and the squad number 24 on it – helps out in the restaurant.
Robbie, with flashing blue eyes, says phrases in German including “Excuse me” and “Please let me get on with my work” as he collects dishes from guests at one of the hotel’s six restaurants.
A source told The Sun: “Robbie is usually a slate grey colour with flashing blue eyes and helps staff deliver plates and dishes.
“But the German team stayed at the hotel recently so he was given a new look and new name to support them.
“I’m not sure whether the England team will want to change his look when they arrive but a Three Lions shirt and an English name might be a good idea.”
Find out all about Robbie the robot waiter…
And a robot waiter named Robbie goes around collecting empty plates.
There has also been changes to the rooms to make the resort a home away from home.
Grafe said: “The rooms of the players, coaches and support staff are also decorated with personal items.
‘For example, we received family photos and other personal items in advance, which we then used to decorate the rooms.”
A Wembley groundsman has visited the base to give his seal of approval to the training pitch.
Reports suggest England have brought their own scent to the hotel too.
The FA packed their bags with special fragrances to spray around the venue in order to give the players a sense of familiarity.
The scents are the same ones used at England’s St George’s Park training base.
There has been scientific studies that claim smells can improve performances as they help mental well-being and promote relaxation away from the pitch.
Meanwhile, England’s Wags will be staying at a different five-star location 20 miles up the road.
They will be allowed to visit their loved ones, with manager Gareth Southgate set to decide the correct time for visitors.
Inside German castle England Wags plan to stay at for Euro 2024
England's Wags plan to stay in a luxury German castle during the Euros this summer.
A source revealed they are keen to let their hair down after abiding by strict rules at the World Cup in Qatar, and are planning a stay in a private, secluded area.
The Wags have scouted the five-star Schlosshotel resort in Kronberg, where rooms cost up to £1,750 a night, and the Schloss Auel Boutique Hotel in Lohmar.
The hotel also offers a limousine service for guests, comes with on-call masseuses and butlers and boasts a Porsche rental service.
The group are also looking at Schloss Auel Boutique Hotel in Lohmar.
It offers cocktail bars, Michelin star chefs and a team of personal assistants to assist with any requests.
The group could include Kieran Trippier’s wife Charlotte, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan, Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, Kyle Walker’s wife Annie and Luke Shaw’s partner Anouska Santos.
Read more on the Wags’ plans for the summer.