The former InterContinental Berchtesgaden has been reborn as an Alpine lifestyle resort, merging unpretentious design with rustic Bavarian flair, topped off with cordial Kempinski service. The hotel’s new character is immediately apparent when entering the impressively re-designed lobby with its new oakwood floor, oversized lampshades and mounted stag’s head, exuding warm Alpine hospitality. The reopening sees a redesign of two of the three restaurants, exciting new menus in the Michelin Star restaurant Le Ciel and the introduction of the Kempinski The Spa concept in the hotel’s wellness area.This third Alpine resort under the Kempinski umbrella is closely tied to the region, with local products available at the bar, in the restaurants and in the spa. Materials like wood, loden and leather dominate the interior design. Kempinski’s signature brand ambassador, the “Lady in Red”, made her premier appearance in a stunning red dirndl – an exclusive design by Caroline Fischer Couture. Another first for Kempinski is the introduction of an Activities Concierge, whose sole job it is to provide the right activity tips and recommendations for any taste in any weather.
Modern and straightforward in appearance, the hotel comprises 138 rooms and suites on four floors along with the Kempinski The Spa, three restaurants, a bar and six meeting rooms. A unique feature is the panoramic view from anywhere in the hotel that makes the Alpine peaks and meadows appear to be within arms’ reach.
The soul and centre of the Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden is the spacious lobby with its elegant oakwood floor, soft earthen colour palette and high-end interiors. The 7-metres-high wall of hewn Styrian gneiss, several oversized lampshades and contemporary antler lamps are true eye-catchers. Here guests can relax around the open fireplace and discuss the day’s events or find a new favourite among 130 types of gin and over 300 types of whisky at the Kaminbar. The interiors of the 138 rooms and suites were maintained in their unpretentious classic design, each one featuring a balcony, a terrace or floor-to-ceiling windows. Freshly cut flowers, cosy cushions, a well-stocked minibar containing soft drinks and local beer, as well as turndown service all create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.
In honour of the opening under the Kempinski brand, Michelin-starred chef Ulrich Heiman created three new menus for the Le Ciel: Welt (world), Bayerische Alpen (Bavarian Alps) and the purely vegetarian menu called Kraut & Rüben. Gourmets can look forward to the reopening of the Le Ciel on May 22. The comfortable Bergstüberl restaurant serves traditional Alpine dishes in a casual beer garden atmosphere. Named after the first mountaineer to traverse the Watzmann East Face in 1881, the second new restaurant, the Johann Grill, serves refined regional cuisine like free-roaming ox carpaccio or venison filet. The extensive terrace offering panoramic views is the perfect place to linger a little longer.
Under the Kempinski umbrella, the resort introduces Kempinski The Spa with a 1400 sqm wellness area including an outdoor pool and relaxation area. The spa offers twelve treatment rooms where guests can enjoy La Prairie and Alpienne products and treatments inspired by the seasons of the year. Precious natural oils, organic Alpine herbs, local salts and fresh mountain spring water round out the range of products used by the wellness professionals. Exclusive treatments with a regional twist, specially developed for the hotel, include salt stone massages, tied to the long-standing tradition of salt mining in the Berchtesgaden region.
Stunning Alpine nature awaits guests literally on their doorstep, giving trail riders, hikers and mountaineers everything they could hope for. The affiliated Golf Club Berchtesgaden’s 9-hole golf course is one of the highest golf courses in Germany. In winter, the hotel offers immediate access to the Gutshof auf dem Eckerbichl ski area. For excellent shopping and cultural treats, guests can head down to Berchtesgaden or to nearby Salzburg. From families with children to couples and singles, from outdoor enthusiasts to culture vultures, the Activities Concierge is sure to recommend activities to fit the bill on sunny and on rainy days alike.
