THE Sonnenburg
A HOTEL WITH A HISTORY
Over 300 years old, the main part of the Sonnenburg not only oozes character and atmosphere by the bucketful, but also has a story to tell. What began as a simple “tavern with rooms” and developed into a “comfortable inn” finally became a 4-star “leisure & sports hotel” in the space of just three generations. It’s an inspiring history which still makes us proud today.
Grandma Margarethe
My grandma Margarethe had always harboured a secret wish to some day attain independence. In her parental home, the neighbouring Gasthof Bergblick, limited financial conditions had made it necessary for her to work hard from a young age, and for which she received very little appreciation. To obtain fresh bread, for example, you had to make a trek into Riezlern. In those days food was generally scarce, and had to be scrupulously distributed and rationed. Those years were times of deprivation, which made my grandma’s desire for independence even stronger.
With the opening in 1913 of the High Alpine Clinic run by the German Dr. Backer, the first hint of tourism began to develop in der Schwende. The patients, some of whom needed many months of therapy in the clinic, were visited frequently by their families. As a result the need for accommodation and gastronomy developed in the vicinity of the clinic.
My grandparents open the inn
When grandma Margarethe met and fell in love with her husband Paul Wohlgenannt, who at the time was working as a chauffeur for the Backer family, who ran the clinic, her life changed dramatically and she was able to realise her longstanding dream. She bought the Sonnenburg, which in those days was a simple farmhouse, and used it as an inn. That was the start of the history of the hotel.
During the Second World War Paul was conscripted into the army and sent to Russia. He was ill when he came home and finally died in the year 1965. During the war years grandma, by now the mother of three children, ran the inn single-handedly - even during the time when the occupying forces marched into the Kleinwalsertal and took over the Sonnenburg. It is thanks to her discipline and tenacity that the hotel survived those difficult years.
The tourism boom
When grandma Margarethe met and fell in love with her husband Paul Wohlgenannt, who at the time was working as a chauffeur for the Backer family, who ran the clinic, her life changed dramatically and she was able to realise her longstanding dream. She bought the Sonnenburg, which in those days was a simple farmhouse, and used it as an inn. That was the start of the history of the hotel.
During the Second World War Paul was conscripted into the army and sent to Russia. He was ill when he came home and finally died in the year 1965. During the war years grandma, by now the mother of three children, ran the inn single-handedly - even during the time when the occupying forces marched into the Kleinwalsertal and took over the Sonnenburg. It is thanks to her discipline and tenacity that the hotel survived those difficult years.
Change of generation
During the 1990s grandma Margarethe handed over the reins to her two children Helga and Erwin, who took over the running of the hotel together.
Four generations
Back row (from left to right)
Bernd Wohlgenannt, Markus Kessler, Karin Wohlgenannt, Erwin mit Enkel Paul Wohlgenannt, Matthias “Lui” Frick, Heike Wohlgenannt
Front row (from left to right)
Jodok Wohlgenannt, Margarethe Wohlgenannt, Katharina Wohlgenannt, Helga Wohlgenannt.
The third generation takes the helm
In the year 2002 Helga retired. As Erwin’s daughter I took over the running of the Sonnenburg together with my father. We converted the bowling alley, which was already past its best, into an apartment for Markus, myself and the three children. All the hotel guest rooms underwent a complete renovation and came out looking bright, shiny and new.
From inn to luxury hotel
When grandma Margarethe met and fell in love with her husband Paul Wohlgenannt, who at the time was working as a chauffeur for the Backer family, who ran the clinic, her life changed dramatically and she was able to realise her longstanding dream. She bought the Sonnenburg, which in those days was a simple farmhouse, and used it as an inn. That was the start of the history of the hotel.
During the Second World War Paul was conscripted into the army and sent to Russia. He was ill when he came home and finally died in the year 1965. During the war years grandma, by now the mother of three children, ran the inn single-handedly - even during the time when the occupying forces marched into the Kleinwalsertal and took over the Sonnenburg. It is thanks to her discipline and tenacity that the hotel survived those difficult years.
The start of a new age
In 2016 the Sonnenburg came of age with 4 stars. To make a stay in the Genuss- & Aktivhotel even more pleasant, we introduced the new Relax- & Private-Spa oases with a selection of saunas, a hay relaxation room and several therapy facilities. In the well-being room we offer massages as well as beauty and health treatment. The spacious Alpine Lounge - almost a base camp - made a fitting final touch to the Sonnenburg experience. Even loftier is the open-plan Brüüge 1.085 – a multi-function room with a 180° panorama of the mountains, suitable for workouts, hotel events or even a “dinner for two”. The rooms in the main building have been completely modernised, and new premium rooms and junior suites have been added. When extending the hotel it was important to us that the combination of modern alpine ambience and traditional elements, such as the use the old wood from the original stable, should be furthered.
There is always something to do here
My grandma Margarethe was always saying “If you don’t want to lose it, use it”. So we are always working on new plans to renovate, build additions, beautify and turn new ideas into reality. And my goal? To give you an unforgettable holiday experience here with us in the Sonnenburg! Since 2018 our guests can enjoy extra room in our enlarged Relax-Spa, find peace and quiet in our extended hotel garden on comfortable loungers, and enjoy gourmet specialities in our newly renovated restaurant or in the new Guschta Stuba. One thing is more important to me all than any amount of renovation, and that is to retain what was always at the heart of the hotel: the family-based ambience and the personal service for which the Sonnenburg has always been renowned. It can be summed up in the motto
»Now you can relax, you’re here!«
I look forward to meeting you! Very best wishes,
Your hostess Heike Wohlgenannt
