New home for gourmet restaurant at the Kronelamm

BAD TEINACH-ZAVELSTEIN. The four-star superior Hotel Kronelamm in Bad Teinach-Zavelstein in the Black Forest is undertaking extensive refurbishment and new-build work, due to be completed by December 2026. Plans include 29 new rooms and suites, a generously expanded spa area with a panoramic indoor pool and outdoor hot tub, new relaxation and wellness areas, additional spaces for fitness, yoga and creativity, and a new concept for the gourmet restaurant. At the same time, the Berlin family, who run the hotel, are investing in a future-proof infrastructure for their staff working behind the scenes.

Perched high above the Teinach Valley with sweeping views of the Northern Black Forest Nature Park, the Kronelamm has stood for two generations as a symbol of family warmth, excellent cuisine and deep relaxation. “We’ve only been around for a good 30 years – my parents founded the hotel, and now my brothers and I are running it together,” says hotel manager Elisabeth Röber-Berlin. “As much as we love our family atmosphere, certain structural issues (…) were simply no longer viable for the future. And because our site is on a slope, we couldn’t build step by step as we used to – instead, we had to take this step all at once.”

The gourmet restaurant, awarded a Michelin star, is getting a new name, a new look and a new home in the west wing of the hotel. “The moment we stood inside the shell of the new gourmet restaurant for the first time [was incredible] – despite years of planning, it hadn’t dawned on us until then just how extraordinary, impressive and almost breathtaking the view is from there,” says head chef and Michelin-starred chef Franz Berlin.

New retreats with views of the Black Forest

At the heart of the extension is the new west wing. Twenty-nine rooms and suites are planned, with the Hideaway and Spa suites being particularly impressive. Anyone stepping into one of the new Hideaway Suites will find something truly unique in the Black Forest: 88 square metres, the bed positioned directly in front of the panoramic window, and the Black Forest as a constant backdrop. A private sauna on the balcony or terrace, an open-air whirlpool bath, a designer fireplace, a bar and a NOHRD fitness wall make the suite a retreat for anyone who appreciates understated luxury and a connection with nature. The new spa suites in the west wing combine spacious living with private wellness moments under the open sky. Real wood parquet flooring and a round lounge sofa create a stylish ambience. In the ‘Himmelnah’ Spa Suite, situated on the top floor, the view stretches far across the Black Forest; the whirlpool bath is set under the open sky. The ‘Tannenmeer’ Spa Suite, spanning 64 square metres, offers its own Finnish sauna in addition to the whirlpool bath. Bookings are already open for stays from 1 December 2026. “It was important to us that nothing about our hotel should resemble anything you might find elsewhere,” says senior manager Rolf Berlin. “Every room, every material should feel authentic – down-to-earth, not contrived. We’ve invested a great deal of time in discussions to ensure that, in the end, we don’t just create a new building, but a place that feels like the Kronelamm.”

The spa area will also be significantly expanded and given a new name: plans include a 20-metre-long panoramic indoor pool, an outdoor hot tub with an infinity view at a height of 28 metres, new stylish relaxation rooms, and sauna and infrared facilities. A modern gym and a bright yoga area will provide further opportunities for exercise and relaxation. A creative space will in future invite guests to try their hand at crafts, painting and design.

Developments behind the scenes

The Kronelamm is also reorganising itself. The hotel restaurant and terrace are being expanded, whilst a new air-conditioned production kitchen, a modern dishwashing area, an air-conditioned laundry room and optimised areas for deliveries, waste storage and disposal are being created. A spacious staff area with changing rooms, its own restaurant and terrace, as well as new office spaces, will provide more room for the team working behind the scenes. Another key element is the more sustainable energy and mobility infrastructure. The heating system is being converted to an air-source heat pump and a wood chip system, whilst the photovoltaic system is being expanded. A new multi-storey car park with 100 spaces and electric charging points is set to make arrivals more convenient in future, whilst also easing the strain on operations around the hotel.

“What’s new are the rooms, the view from the pool at a height of 15 metres, and the additional suites,” says restaurant manager Roland Berlin. “What remains is the way we welcome our guests – the people behind the scenes and within the hotel remain the same as you’ve come to expect at the Kronelamm.”