Kempinski Hotels is expanding its presence in Germany while boosting its alpine resort portfolio: We hear the hotel group is set to take over the Berchtesgaden International Resort, currently managed by InterContinental Hotels Group. A management agreement has been signed by Kempinski and the Bayerische Landesbank, which owns the resort hotel. The five-star hotel in the Berchtesgadener Land is scheduled for take-over in the first half of 2015.
In a statement, Markus Semer, Chief Group Development and Corporate Affairs Officer at Kempinski Hotels, said that the Bavarian hotel would complement the brand's existing alpine portfolio in the region, which includes the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains in St. Moritz in Switzerland, and Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol in the Kitzbühel Alps in Austria. “The signing of this property is in line with our development strategy to focus on Europe, particularly on Germany, and underlines Kempinski’s management expertise in alpine destinations in the luxury segment," he added. "There is also an ideal link between this hotel and the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich, given the short distance between the two properties.”
The kilometer-high hotel has some top views of the Salzburger Land and the Watzmann massif from its 138 rooms and suites, with panorama windows looking over the mountains. Dining options include three restaurants and two bars, while business facilities include six conference rooms (with natural daylight and views of the surrounding mountains) as well as an outside event space for up to 4,000 guests. A heliport, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and a spa area are also available.
Outdoor activities can include hiking, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. Right next to the hotel there is a skiing area for families, and in summer, golfers can tee off on one of Germany’s highest altitude golf courses.