The Schlosshotel Kronberg, also a Golf resort and castle hotel, is owned by the Landgrave and Princes von Hessen and has since 1954 been a luxury hotel of the first order.
Built under commission from Empress Victoria Friedrich and completed in 1893, Schloss Friedrichshof is today one of the most impressive German castles and offers its guests living history to touch and feel.
Exclusive furnishings and an impressive collection of antiques and paintings from the private estate of the mother of the last Kaiser convey the authentic ambience of a castle from imperial times. To make your stay even more memorable and comfortable, we have considerably renewed Schlosshotel Kronberg over the last 2 years.
For creation and design, the well-known British Interior designer Nina Campbell were appointed, who combines vintage furniture with own designs realising a perfect room and space concept.
The newly-created rooms, all equipped with air conditions, decorated in warm colors and with delicate fabrics and floors and immersed in special lighting welcome the guests in a very cordial way.
Enjoy the unique historic ambiance and indulge in the luxurious setting of Schlosshotel Kronberg. Our particularly personal service spoils you after an eventful day either in the lobby in front of the fireplace or on the castle terrace on mild summer evenings.
Due to the perfect connection to Frankfurt, the fair and the international airport, our hotel is also a very convenient solution for business travelers who benefit from free amenities such as wireless Internet, minibar/bar fridge, shoe polish service, fresh fruit and mineral water in room and daily newspaper.
THE HISTORY
FRIDERICI MEMORIAE stands above the entrance portico of Schloss Friedrichshof, which Victoria, née Princess Royal of Great Britain, widowed Empress Frederick and Queen of Prussia, had built from 1889 to 1893 near Kronberg in the Taunus mountains.
After her husband, the 99-day Emperor Friedrich III, had died of laryngeal cancer, she made the care of his memory her life’s purpose. For with Frederick she had also had to bury the hope of establishing a contemporary parliamentary system of government in autocratically ruled Prussia-Germany based on the model of her English homeland.
An inheritance of Duchess Galliera (1811-1888) enabled her to design a residence in Kronberg according to her own ideas without financial restrictions and to develop it into a large estate by purchasing surrounding plots of land.
In 1889 the director of court architecture, Ernst Ihne (1848-1917), began planning the building; the Frankfurt company Philipp Holzmann was responsible for the construction work.
From Potsdam, Victoria brought the court gardener Hermann Walter (1837-1898) to Kronberg, who laid out an English-style park, a rose garden rising staircase-shaped in terraces, a rock garden with a waterfall and a nursery with greenhouses.
Although it was initially intended only for a summer stay, it was equipped with unprecedented innovations such as central heating, a freight elevator and electric light.
Empress Friedrich, who died of cancer in Friedrichshof on August 5, 1901, left her youngest daughter Princess Margarethe (1872-1954), married to Prince Friedrich Karl of Hesse (1868-1940) in 1893, in possession of her property.
Both felt obliged to the Empress’s wish to preserve this property as unchanged as possible. In 1902 the family moved from Frankfurt to Kronberg, but the winter months were still spent in Frankfurt, where Friedrich Karl served in his regiment.
Schloss Friedrichshof once again became the centre of his life when Greek cousins and cousins came to visit during the summer months.
After the First World War in 1918-1920, military authorities of the French occupying power were housed in the castle. Due to inflation, the maintenance of the castle had become very difficult for the family. Individual works of art had to be sold, but the empress’s inventory remained largely untouched.
In the 1920s there were structural changes due to time. In 1922 Margarethe transferred the ownership of Schloss Friedrichshof to her four sons – the two oldest had already fallen in the First World War. Her husband, Friedrich Karl, took over the administration of the Hessian estate in 1924 from his older brother, Landgrave Alexander Friedrich von Hessen (1863.1945).
They had transferred the cultural heritage of the former ruling Electoral House to the newly founded KURHESSISCHE HAUSSTIFTUNG. Heinrich Lange (1877-1959) was appointed lieutenant colonel a.D., who, after the death of the landgrave in 1940, was solely in charge of Friedrichshof Castle and the Hessian Family Foundation until the end of the Second World War.
In April 1945, the American occupying forces confiscated Friedrichshof and used the castle as an officers’ club. The castle and cottage were vacated by the family. During this time a significant part of the collections and art treasures were lost.
Two paintings were returned in 2015 thanks to the mediation of the Monuments Men Foundation. A few years earlier, a Belgian director and a Hollywood author tried to prepare this time for a feature film “The Hessen Affair” (2009).
In the summer of 1948, after the denazification proceedings had been completed and the trusteeship had ended, Prince Wolfgang (1896-1989) became managing director of the Kurhessische Hausstiftung.
In an ideal complement to his commercial talent, his organisational vision and entrepreneurial courage, he added the art-historical knowledge and stylistic confidence of his twin brother Landgrave Philipp von Hessen (1896-1980). Both were united by the unconditional desire to preserve the legacy of the Hessian Princely House as a foundation.
After the damage caused by the occupation had been repaired and the castle thoroughly renovated, Friedrichshof was converted into a modern 40 room spa hotel. The 250-acre old park was transformed into a golf course without any major alterations.
It was not easy to open the rooms, which had been kept as a special legacy and were the epitome of happy childhood memories, to the public. They were changed as little as possible and the old style of the house was to be retained in order to give the guests a more private atmosphere.
The Schosshotel opened in 1954 under the management of the hotelier Richard Pertram, who had also been the tenant of the family hotel Hessischer Hof in Frankfurt since 1952.
Among the guests were King Paul and Queen Friederike of Greece as well as the King of Sweden. The castle hotel was also used by the state government for festive receptions of foreign state guests.
In the 1960s, the heirs transferred their ownership shares in the property to the HESSISCHE HAUSSTIFTUNG, the Hessian HOUSE FOUNDATION. On 8 March 1967, a fire broke out on the upper floors of the castle hotel, destroying all the roofs, the attic and the second and third floors.
The fire as well as the considerable quantities of water required to extinguish it caused damage running into millions. Persons were not injured. The art objects accommodated in the hotel were largely rescued. As it turned out, the fire was set by a kitchen apprentice, who felt treated wrongly by the chef.
The restoration of the castle was entrusted to the Holzmann company, which had already built Schloss Friedrichshof 75 years earlier and still had the building plans from that time.
In 1973 the management of the hotel was taken over. From 1988 until his retirement in 2004, the hotelier Gerhard Köhler was director of the two hotels Hessischer Hof and Schlosshotel Kronberg.
LOCATION & SURROUNDINGS
The Schlosshotel Kronberg lays in the middle of the romantic Schlosspark in the climatic health resort Kronberg in the heart of the Taunus, a popular region for tourists. Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Mainz are just a few minutes drive away.
The Rhine-Main region provides a fascinating cultural offering. Frankfurt Airport is 22 kilometres away and travel time to the Frankfurt Messe by S-Bahn only takes 18 minutes without changing.
Kronberg im Taunus has in many places preserved for centuries its historical character. Kronberg Fortress as the core of the settlement, the old town’s picturesque lanes with their half-timbered houses harking back to mediaeval times, noble villas and summer residences from when the 19th century came to an end, surrounded by park-like gardens characterise to this day the atmosphere in what is at the same time a modern town.
The offer of Kronberg’s restaurants is varied and colourful. It probably covers every individual taste requirement. In Kronberg you can find affordable good cuisine from all manner of countries as well as award-winning restaurants.
Kronberg’s leisure offer is also varied and should offer something for everyone. You can set out from here to hike in the Taunus, cycle, take part in sport, go to the movies, swim (in the summer), play minigolf or simply walk through the Victoria Park. The biggest and best-known leisure facility is the Opel Zoo, visited by up to 700,000 people a year.
ROYAL SUITE
The historical living quarters of the last German Emperor, Frederick II lets history come alive and composes the ambience of the Royal Suite. The 100 m2 interior that is listed for historical preservation houses the original desk of Wilhelm II.
From the sweeping leather furniture and large windows, the stately living room offers a fantastic view of the Schlosspark, its historical trees and an 18 whole golf course.
The large marble bathroom with natural light and bath/shower combination affords the highest level of comfort. As a special surprise our florist will make an individual bouquet of flowers upon arrival for you in your suite.
DELUXE SUITE
The Deluxe Suites selectively offer a grand view of the historical park. All suites offer a separate living and sleeping room and some an impressive, classic fireplace. The bathrooms offer a large bathtub and shower with modern rain shower.
The separate guest WC adds to the overall pleasure of the entire room as well as the daily fresh fruit and mineral water that is served in the rooms. Connecting doors allow the Deluxe Suites to expand into larger family rooms. As a special surprise our florist will make an individual bouquet of flowers upon arrival for you in your suite.
SUITE
The romantic décor of the Suites extend throughout the generous 65 m² and come with a separate living and sleeping room. Experience the history in the former living room of Czar Nicholas II, who often was a guest of Victoria Empress Frederick. The Suites offer natural lighted bathrooms and are partially equipped with walk in closets and other optional rooms.
And of course, the living and sleeping rooms provide the highest standard in modern technology offering a flat screen television and free Wi-Fi as well as USB docking stations. As a special surprise our florist will make an individual bouquet of flowers upon arrival for you in your suite.
DELUXE ROOM
Spacious and comfortable room (from 30sqm) with antique furnishings from Imperial times. All rooms have a large bathroom with large rain shower and an integrated loudspeaker system. Most of these rooms offer a view of the park. This category also offer special gentlemen’s rooms and ladies’ rooms featuring appropriate color schemes.
CASTLE RESTAURANT
Our menu offers you a comprehensive and also light gastronomic offer. Look forward to “simply great food” with fried fish flanked by light side dishes and other fresh spring dishes from our chef Christoph Hesse.
JIMMY’S BAR
Jimmy’s Bar, the American bar at the Schlosshotel Kronberg, is the place to be seen, to relax and to have conversation – and for night owls. In addition to the cocktail classics and own creations, guests will find a choice of drinks with more than 50 sorts of whisky.
Live music is played, with the pianist giving his best from Tuesday until Saturday every week during the months mid of September until mid of May, come and enjoy.
WEDDINGS
You can marry in a romantic castle and celebrate your wedding exclusively and colourfully in the Schloss Kronbergs wedding hall in the Taunus – a truly romantic wedding location near Frankfurt Rhine Main: What could be more exciting than to celebrate the best day of your life in a castle? One of the top wedding venues of the Rhine Main area.
Just close your eyes and dream – of the marriage ceremony in the library of the Empress, of a grand party in an opulently decorated ballroom, or of an intimate celebration with the family in the imperial dining room. A romantic wedding in the Schlosshotel Kronberg will be a lifelong memory.
CELEBRATIONS & MEETINGS
Mark a jubilee, your birthday or a special gathering on a memorable day by inviting your family and friends to the Schlosshotel Kronberg! Here your event will become a very special party!
Magnificent banqueting halls, elegant event rooms and our perfectly trained staff are there for you. Whether you wish to celebrate with just the two of you in intimate surroundings, or throw a glittering party for up to 300 guests – we make it all possible.
The Schlosshotel is well-established in the Taunus and the whole Rhine-Main region as an exclusive hotel for your private party, corporate event or business meeting in a stylish setting for all kinds of banquets and celebrations.
Experience the extraordinary possibilities and take a cocktail reception at our cave or in the fabulous Rose Garden in the park of the Castle Hotel Kronberg.
BEAUTY & WELLNESS
Beauty and wellness in a unique atmosphere – the beauty cottage is a haven of peace and relaxation. We’re convinced that only natural ingredients are good for your body and soul.
We pamper women and men in equal measure with massages and cosmetic treatments on a completely biological basis in a stylish environment. Each guest receives our unbroken attention. And we guarantee relaxation and renewed energy at the highest level.
GOLF
Golfing at the Schlosshotel Kronberg stands for a special challenge to all ambitious golfers. This traditional 18-hole golf course is one of the best greens in the Taunus and close to Frankfurt. The golf course has a handicap of 36 and is open from April to October – enjoy your golf weekend at the Castle hotel Kronberg.
In the magnificent Schlosspark, maintained in the style of a traditional English garden, is one of Germany’s most beautiful 18-hole golf courses. Laid out against the historical backdrop of the Schlosshotel, the course has since 1954 been an exceptional attraction amid the giant trees and blooming plants.
Friends of the sport, get real pleasure from the narrow fairways that in part look out on a view of the Frankfurt skyline and offer the challenge of wavy greens and water hazards.
PORSCHE DRIVE RENTAL
The Schlosshotel Kronberg offers day guests the opportunity to rent a Porsche directly on-site – in cooperation with the Porsche Center Hofheim. Cruise through the Taunus, enjoy the feeling of the car cornering like it is on rails, and discover the unique panorama.
To round off the trip perfectly, you can even book a delicious picnic basket from the castle kitchen. Enjoy delicious food with a view of the Taunus or the Frankfurt skyline. After an exuberant excursion, you can indulge in the culinary offerings at the Schlosshotel or at diverse events.
First, a summer residence, now a popular excursion destination – Schlosshotel Kronberg offers a wide selection for a relaxed and successful weekend with the Cottage Biergarten, Frederick’s sun terrace, and the two restaurants “Enrico d’Assia” as well as “Victoria”.
The rustic ambiance of the alpine hut beckons during wintertime. A hideaway with history: The Schlosshotel Kronberg, the former residence of Empress Friedrich, is the perfect place to spend a princely holiday.
The traditional luxury hotel is located above the small Taunus town of Kronberg, nestled in a spacious castle park with an 18-hole golf course. The hotel has been welcoming guests from all over the world since 1954.
All 61 rooms and suites are individually furnished. Tasteful coloring and valuable antiques create an elegant atmosphere. The second floor houses the former living quarters of the empress, which are now used as rooms and suites for guests.
Business and private events for up to 350 people are held in the former salons as well as in the former library of the empress. In summer, guests enjoy the spacious palace terrace with its wonderful view of the extensive park grounds.
OLD OPERA FRANKFURT
A special treat in architectural, cultural and culinary performances. The historical building which was constructed by Berlin architect Richard Lucae and built by Albert Becker and Edgar Giesenberg in 1877 offers a wide for international conductors, soloists, ensembles and orchestras.
Famous artists like Martha Argerich, Frank Peter Zimmermann or also the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and the Berlin Philharmonic are well known guests at these historical walls. Glittering ball nights, wonderful receptions or international congresses have become very special events inside the unique old opera house.
FRANKFURT STOCK EXCHANGE
The beginnings of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange reach well into the 16th century. In 1585 merchants from Frankfurt came together to set a consistent exchange course. This was the hour of birth of the Frankfurt stock exchange. Due to the splitting of Berlin after world war II the Frankfurt stock exchange became a significant value to national and international investors.
With its 43 meters high dome the residence of the Frankfurt stock exchange is also called “Kapitalistendom”. The bull and the bear, known as the symbols of the stock exchange operators, are throning in front of the building.
From Monday to Friday visitors can watch the stock exchange operators at the “Visitors Gallery”. They also have the chance to participate at the offered basic courses including themes stock exchange, Xetra- and floor trade. The courses are offered in German such as English and French and are free with valid ID- card.
KAISERDOM FRANKFURT
With its unique architectural style the Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus is one of the most important sights of Frankfurt. Between the year 1250 and 1514 the west tower was built on top of the ruin from a merovingian chapel but the construction could not be finished.
In the 19th century the construction was finally finished based on Madern Gertheners original construction plans of the year 1415. Strictly speaking, it is not a cathedral at all, since it was never a bishop’s church. Nonetheless, the Gothic St. Bartholomäus Dom is one of the few to receive the designation “Imperial Cathedral” (Kaiserdom).
From 1356 onwards, according to the Golden Bull of Charles the IVth, kings were elected here. Between 1562 and 1792 ten monarchs were crowned emperor here in front of the coronation altar.
PALMENGARTEN FRANKFURT
In 1868 founded from townspeople the visitors can expect an exclusive selection of exotic and extraordinary plants. With an area of 22 hectare the botanic garden is one of the biggest and most visited gardens in Germany. Biocoenosis of wet and dry life zones in the tropicarium are shown in 8 biotopes.
STAEDEL MUSEUM
About 2700 paintings, 600 sculptures, and 100.000 drawings and graphic reproductions – this is the art collection of the Städel. It is one of the most significant and oldest collections in Germany and continual extended since its foundation in 1815 by Johann Friedrich Städel.
It comprises the works of old masters, paintings from the 19th and 20th century as well as art works since 1945 and works starting from the second half of the 20th and 21 century. Beyond this there are several international special exhibitions that are enticing many people to the Städel.
For children there are many varieties because of the exciting children’s programmes. At the Städel library visitors will find a big selection of literature and journals about different subjects like art history or fine arts.
EPPELWEI-EXPRESS
A ride with the Ebbelwei-Express always will be a special experience. The tour with the historical tram includes live music, pretzels and of course the famous Ebbelwei. It guides the visitors through the Ebbelwei-district Sachsenhausen and the old town of Frankfurt.
The most famous drink of Frankfurt is known for pure love of life and conviviality. From 13.30 o’clock till 19.00 o’clock there are several stops from which visitors can enter the Ebbelwei-Express. The exact timetable can be reviewed at the official website.