The people behind Oh-Vienna

Claudia Eleuterio

Owner & Founder

After studying in Madrid, I arrived in Barcelona in 1995. Since I was just new to the city myself, I noticed first-hand the lack of accommodation options for anyone who wanted an alternative to a hotel. That's what inspired me to start the company and our first website, Oh-Barcelona.com.

For me, Florence is one of those places I can’t get enough of. I could stop and stare at its famous monuments or art collections for hours on end, but equally, just wander through the streets discovering different sides to the city. There's nothing I love more at the end of the day than sitting in one of the squares with a delicious meal and glass of wine, soaking up the atmosphere of the place.

My favourite place in Barcelona is the Gothic quarter, especially at daybreak, when you can soak up the history and atmosphere.

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Jörg Lahmann

CEO and Owner

After studying engineering for six years in Hamburg, Germany, I decided to escape the rain and head south. I fell in love with Barcelona straight away, and despite intending to stay for only two years, I've been here for 15, complete with wife, kids and dog. I joined Open House Group in 2002 and have poured all my energy into it ever since. Although the tan I was seeking when I headed south seems to have got lost somewhere along the way!

One of the most attractive cities in Europe and indeed the world is London, also one of my favourite places. In fact the photo of me you can see here was taken at the London Eye. People generally say you should spend between three and five days visiting a city - in London you could easily spend three or five weeks, and still be discovering new things every day. With an infinite number of museums, galleries, parks, squares, buildings, people, and of course nightlife, it’s hard to pick out just one highlight.

I love the London Eye for the different view it offers of the city. The Tate Modern is a must, and I also recommend you take a long walk through Marylebone, which is full of stimulating shops and restaurants, and has an irresistible charm. Before stopping off for a pint, of course! And if you’re a wine lover, make sure you call in at Berry Bros & Rudd.

London's a favourite spot of mine for a city break, but I have to say Barcelona is a very easy city to come home to.

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Carlos del Campo

IT Director

I've been part of Open House Group for over three years now, after spending a decade living in different cities and gaining a range of personal and professional experiences. I love living in such an open and cosmopolitan city, where you can enjoy the beach, the amazing culture, and the party atmosphere.

Being based in Barcelona and so close to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees is a huge advantage for anyone who's into sunbathing or skiing.

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Isabel Martinez

Finance Director

I joined Open House Group over four years ago, to take up my role as Finance Director. The team here is a real mix of people from different backgrounds and cultures - I suppose you could say it's like a reflection of Barcelona itself.

Of our other destinations, I have fond memories of my first visit to Florence…and that was 20 years ago! I’ve never forgotten the sensation I had - it was as if I was experiencing an open-air museum, calling in at the Duomo and getting dizzy climbing the steps up to Brunelleschi's dome, feeling amazed at seeing Michelangelo’s David and getting lost in Botticelli in the Uffizi Gallery. It’s been too long! I’m sure it's about time I was going back - Florence is waiting.

Barcelona is my city. Full of moments, places, people and experiences. Over the years it has reinvented itself and it never fails to surprise.

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Joan Armela

Client Service Director

I'm a native Barcelonan, and grew up here. It's also where I've been able to learn and further my professional development. Working with Open House Group has allowed me to meet people from lots of different countries, which is really enriching, as well as make some great friends.

I’ve been to a lot of incredible cities, but out of all of them it’s Florence that has a special pull for me. Birthplace of the renaissance, a world heritage site, a living museum full of palaces, villas…you have to see it at least once in your life.

Start off at the Ponte Vecchio, stop to enjoy the view of the River Arno and continue through the little streets till they open up into the most beautiful square. This is where you’ll find one of the iconic symbols of the city, Michelangelo’s David. Have a seat and admire the Loggia dei Lanzi, with the peak of the Duomo looming in the distance, and let yourself get swept along in the throng to the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo. Legend has it that if you rub the snout of the bronze wild boar and put a coin in his mouth, you’re destined to return to Florence again someday. I definitely will.

Our clients should end up feeling that their holiday apartment is a second home.

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Magdalena Kaczmarek

Product Director

I began my adventure with Open House Group three years ago, when I moved to Barcelona from Seville while studying for my Master's. As Head of Product Management, I work together with my team to improve the quality of our accommodation and offer the best service to our clients.

Of all the destinations we offer, Rome, the eternal city, is my favourite European capital. Its appeal doesn’t just lie in its ancient monuments and deep sense of history, but in the atmosphere of its narrow streets, which leaves you hankering for it once you've arrived home.

The city centre is an inextricable labyrinth of small streets, great to get lost in, which suddenly merge into huge squares and surprising scenes. For nightlife you can’t beat the Trastevere area, with its local hangouts where you can sample the famous Roman cuisine. I think everyone should visit Rome at least once in their lifetime. There’s no perfect balance between old and modern, but maybe that’s what makes us fall in love with it.

They say that all roads lead to Rome, and judging by the amount of times I've been there might be something in that!

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Antje Rudolf

Contracting Director

Vienna and Barcelona have something beautiful in common – they are both fascinating cities that are worth visiting more than once, in any season of the year.

I still remember the first day that I visited Barcelona as a tourist, completely impressed by the magnificent architecture of the old buildings in the city centre. Since I’ve been living here, I haven’t stopped discovering the fascinating variety of leisure options that Barcelona and the surrounding area has to offer. It is more than simply following the different works of Gaudí; it’s enjoying the seafood at a beach bar, savouring the cuisine of the city, visiting the Cava cellars, being left impressed by the mountains or enjoying a drink on a terrace after watching a musical. Just as diverse and international is the work at Open House Group, where the atmosphere and the mix of employees mirror the diversity of the city.

I have a special place in my heart for Vienna, a city where romance and elegance are combined. Furthermore, it is the perfect spot for a long weekend away given that the Old Town, with the city’s most elegant and interesting sights, is best discovered by foot. A MUST is an afternoon in one of the typical Viennese cafés, followed by a walk around the Naschmarkt market, which is guaranteed to surprise you. Curiosities such as the Hundertwasserhaus or the majestic Schönbrunn Palace seal the deal.

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