Top hotels with ambience from the Rottal
When Rudolf Bachhuber (53) stays overnight in a hotel, there is a good chance that
everything will look very familiar to him – because he or his company designed the interior, built the furnishings or was involved in the planning.
The company, which emerged from a carpentry business, has already provided interior design services for around 900 hotel properties – from luxury to low budget.
“In total, there are around 100,000 hotel rooms,” Bachhuber estimates.
80 to 100 hotels at the same time.
On May 6, the Rottaler will be present at the grand opening of the next prestigious property: The Steigenberger Hotel “Alsik” in Sonderburg (Sønderborg), Denmark, will then open its noble doors.
The 19-storey building, which cost around 100 million euros to build, was designed by star architect Frank Gehry and realized by Henning Larsen Architects, who in turn have excellent contacts with the medium-sized company Bachhuber from Lower Bavaria.
Bachhuber was commissioned with the complete interior design.
As the general contractor, he is therefore responsible for the ambience in the planning and realization of the large wellness oasis with a view of the Flensburg Fjord up to the bar and Michelin-starred restaurant on the 17th floor.
Bachhuber is divided into three limited companies and currently employs around 50 people.
The head office with planning and development is located in Bad Birnbach, while the workshops – the origin of the successful company as a joinery founded in 1962 – are still based in Pocking (Passau district).
Both companies generate an annual turnover of around 25 million euros.
The company boss does not want to reveal any more figures.
There is now a branch in Austria, as hotel construction is also booming there, as well as in former Eastern Bloc countries.
Bachhuber is currently working on a project in Uzbekistan, one of many: “Between 80 and 100 hotels are always under construction,” says the company boss, whose employees are currently working not only in Germany, but also in Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland.
The reduction in VAT on overnight stays gave the industry in Germany a boost, says Rudolf Bachhuber.
Construction and renovation are underway.
Among other things, Bachhuber is creating a new ambience in the traditional “Europäischer Hof” in Baden-Baden, which will be undergoing general refurbishment until next year.
Rudolf Bachhuber joined his father’s company in 1989 after completing not only a carpentry apprenticeship, but also training in wood business management.
The development of the Lower Bavarian spa triangle and the nearby Bavarian Forest into tourist regions set the course for Bachhuber to specialize in hotel furnishings.
The portfolio in this area is diverse: “Apart from building construction, we do everything – large international hotels as well as small family-run hotels,” says Rudolf Bachhuber today, when asked to briefly describe his company.
Six years between planning and opening.
Well-known hotels such as Adlon Berlin, Steigenberger Camp de Mar on Mallorca, but also stylish budget hotels such as Motel One Porte Doree in Paris or “the nui Franz” in Vienna can now be found on the reference list.
Hotels are a lucrative investment, especially in major cities, which is why financiers or funds enter the profitable sector and then have the hotels operated by renowned names such as Steigenberger or Kempinski.
There is no trend in hotel furnishings: Bachhuber has already designed French flair, Scandinavian elegance, sporty modern furnishings and luxury in all variations.
He is increasingly involved in the development of completely new hotel concepts, such as the “Lean Luxury Concept” from Ruby Hotels.
Using the example of the “Alsik”, he explains that the planning and construction phases take too long to follow a “fashion”.
In this case, preparations began in 2013, six years before the opening.
I hope that the planning and expansion process goes well so that we can meet the quality and cost targets we have set ourselves.
And, of course, after a punctual opening date, I hope for many bookings, enthusiastic regular and many new guests and a successful pre-opening.
Since 2012, Rudolf Bachhuber has been focusing on joint strength with the co-founding of “hotelknowhow”, a network of hotel tourism specialists, engineers, architects, construction and other experts who together are specialists for the entire hotel development process – from the feasibility study to construction, furnishing, operator search and facility management.
Bachhuber is currently keeping a low profile when it comes to its own location.
The offices are located at the rear of an apartment hotel near the Rottal-Terme spa.
Contemporary new build in the town center.
This is set to change next year: Rudolf Bachhuber has bought the site with the former inn in the Hofmark area of the spa town and is planning a contemporary new building, much to the delight of the market.
The plan by Brixen architect Markus Tauber (winner of the “German Design Award 2018”, among others) is dominated by wood and glass.
The company’s own property with 1,000 square meters of gross retail space is set to cost around 2.3 million euros.
Construction will begin in the next few weeks.
The team is also set to grow.
The move is then planned for summer 2020.