Between tradition and future: the fascinating history of the Hotel am Sophienpark
For centuries, the Hotel am Sophienpark has stood for timeless elegance and genuine hospitality. From its beginnings as the ‘Zum Goldenen Lamm’ inn to the renowned Hôtel de Hollande and the Holland Hotel, it has welcomed and shaped generations of guests. It has been rebuilt and renovated time and again to provide visitors with a wonderful and contemporary stay. Did you know that it was the most modern hotel in 1900?
1733: When the Golden Lamb became eternal
We do not know how long the “Goldenes Lamm” had been in existence before it received its “eternal shield justice” in 1733. What is certain, however, is that the house came into the Rössler family in 1722 as the dowry of the wife of Ignaz Rössler, née Meier, and remained in their possession until the Second World War.
What does perpetual shield justice mean?
A “Schildwirtschaft” was obliged to accommodate travelers and offer them an upscale range of hot food and drink. For a house like the “Goldenes Lamm”, which was located outside the city walls, this was a lucrative business. The city gates were locked punctually in the evening and late arrivals had to stop off at the Lamm if they were looking for a roof over their heads.
1733 marks the year on which the further history of the house is based – right up to the present day!
Turning point: The rise to the palace hotel
From 1820, Sophienstraße developed from the promenade in front of the city wall. The avenue as we know it today was laid out in 1832. By this time, the Goldene Lamm had already established itself as a famous literary café.
Baden-Baden rapidly became a renowned spa town, attracting an international clientele. In 1820, parts of the surrounding land were sold to Grand Duchess Stéphanie de Beauharnais in order to secure funds for the continuous expansion of the hotel.
The name “Hof von Holland” first appeared in 1840, and by 1847 the hotel was known as the palace hotel “Hotel zum Holländischen Hofe”. The following is written about the hotel: “It is situated in the most beautiful location in the city, has 100 rooms with a salon, a very spacious dining room and garden and is furnished in the most comfortable and elegant manner.”
New era: the major conversion to a grand hotel
Albert Rössler had big plans with which he wanted to set a benchmark in Baden-Baden. The town flourished, because this was where the world met. People wanted to see and be seen, make important contacts and initiate the odd business deal.
In order to meet these expectations, Rössler had the existing palace hotel converted into a magnificent grand hotel. The Holland Hotel opened its doors for the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, now with around 180 beds. Each room was equipped with electric light and most of them had their own bathroom. There was hot running water everywhere, several hydraulic elevators, steam central heating and dishwashers and washing machines.
The large lounges were the setting for lavish parties, the fireside lounge was the place for conversations and the ladies’ lounge was the place to enjoy a sherry.
The hotel was designed according to the most modern standards – so perfect that one almost forgets the dark shadow cast by the renovation. At the start of the construction work, Albert Rössler fell heavily from his horse and was confined to a wheelchair from then on. Despite this limitation, he remained a great hotelier throughout his life.
Holland Hotel, Sophienstraße. 1900
Grande Salon. Todays Volksbank
Salon Stéphanie in its original size
Holland Hotel, hotel park. Around 1900
The todays Junior Suite in 1900
The courage to do new things for the sake of the old
Während der letzten 124 Jahre wurde das Hotel stets gut instand gehalten. Ein Facelift hier und da, aber keine gravierenden Veränderungen. Seit den 1950er Jahren zählen nur noch 73 Zimmer zum Haupthaus. Zum ersten Mal ist die Familie Rössler nicht mehr Eigentümer. Das große Restaurant mit dem darüberliegenden Salon gehört heute zur Volksbank. Ebenerdig zur Straßenseite befinden sich immer noch Geschäfte. 1967 wurden im Zuge einer Modernisierung die schönen Dachgauben und Türmchen entfernt. Sehr zu unserem Bedauern.
In Zukunft möchte das Hotel wieder an die glanzvolle Tradition der Grandhotellerie anknüpfen und ein vollumfängliches Hotelangebot schaffen: ein stilvolles Restaurant, eine gemütliche Bar und eine kleine Wellness-Oase. All dies soll das Hotel bieten, dabei aber gleichzeitig ein legeres und entspanntes Ambiente bewahren. Es wird auf jeden Fall ein extrem schicker Ort, an dem man sich sehr wohl fühlt.
DEPENDANCE. The Swiss House of Stéphanie de Beauharnais
The opening of our new annex, the Dependance, on the eastern edge of the hotel park in April 2024 is unforgettable. The first guests, the first impressions and the first compliments. From then on, it was clear that we embodied the spirit of the times while remaining timeless. Modern and cozy at the same time. Our main building will be correspondingly more elegant. A bit like Paris and Florence, in some ways.
With the annexe, we wanted to build an urban refuge, a nest, so to speak. For decades, the “Weinstube zum Nest” was a place where guests felt extremely comfortable. The Rößlers have always had a good feel for what their guests want.
From here, you can get to the Kurhaus a little quicker, have the wonderful Café König and an Italian restaurant right on your doorstep and can explore the city in no time. On summer evenings, you can sit on the hotel’s own veranda and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature in the middle of the vibrant city center.
