Rath checks in: Europäischer Hof Heidelberg

“I lost my heart in Heidelberg… my heart, it beats on the banks of the Neckar,” sang the Viennese composer Fred Raymond. He was certainly not the only one with his enthusiasm – many an artist or intellectual found it difficult to escape the “magical magic” of the city. And my heart really warms up when I visit Heidelberg.

However, in honor of the city’s natural charm, this is due to something else this time. Or should I say on another? I have the great pleasure of being able to stop at the Hôtelière Caroline von Kretschmann in the Europäischer Hof Heidelberg.

Here I am received with a warmth that I have rarely experienced.

What strikes me as soon as I arrive in the impeccable lobby: the employees, who come from all over the world, all – without exception – speak one and the same language. And that is that of cordiality. Nobody would even think of giving the guest a room number or even asking them about it!

From the first moment I am greeted with a warm smile – and with my name. Such friendliness really gets under my skin – precisely because it is not an empty phrase, but part of the culture.

How guests are really reached

It seems to me that people here really understand that warmth is the – maybe only – way to really reach people. Stylish design, exquisite wines, delicious food and courteous service are one thing – of course. But how do you manage to create such a warm, familiar, even unusual atmosphere?

In any case, for Caroline von Kretschmann there can only be one answer: by simply loving what she and her employees do. In line with Horst Schulze’s Ritz-Carlton philosophy, she focuses on her employees and their well-being. And thus consistently implements what is unfortunately still the exception rather than the rule in some other hotel businesses. Hotels like Schloss Elmau, Vier Jahreszeiten Hamburg or Breidenbacher Hof act like the Europäischer Hof.

So much attention to detail pays off. Since the hotel manager took over the house from her parents in 2013, she has been surprisingly successful on the sometimes very fine line between tradition and modernity. 150 years ago, their grandparents Fritz and Luise Gabler brought the house into the top league of German grand hotels.

Fairness, respect and tolerance towards employees

Caroline’s parents, who are still involved in the hotel business today, continued to run it in a manner of fairness, respect and tolerance. Both were named hoteliers of the year in 2006. And now Caroline, who received the award last year, but according to her own statement, thought carefully about whether and how she would follow in these very big footsteps. Since then she has gone her own way.

But now to the house itself: I find the furnishings charming – the interior and the style of course bear witness to the long history of the grand hotel. Some might find that old-fashioned. But I like it because it’s so authentic. The European Court in Heidelberg is an institution and lives up to its reputation as such.

And where it was necessary, Kretschmann has successively rejuvenated the house: The bathrooms are up-to-date, the lobby, which I can only recommend to everyone to linger, is flawless and also on the beds (including the covers, by the way excellent quality) you can sleep well. Everything is really well thought out here. Even the furniture is maintained and restored by in-house craftsmen.

All other public areas are also great, I especially like the breakfast room and the buffet. There is something for every taste at the sumptuous and lovingly prepared breakfast. The cheese and fruit selection is opulent. And the selection of fruit has Asian proportions.

The only small drawback: With all the euphoria and attention to detail, such a historic house naturally needs several renovations. These are implemented by Kretschmann bit by bit. Take the rooms, for example: the renovations that need to be made have already begun here. The floors are brand new and just sparkle. And if the woodwork and carpets are also renewed, then the house will be in splendid condition all over again.

It seems to me that the Grand Hotel is experiencing its seventeenth spring, despite or perhaps because of its long history. And Heidelberg, too, had to reinvent itself in its long tradition as a popular tourist destination. Because the times of the really big boom are already over, as is well known.

As a center for education, science and culture, the city remains attractive to many. Above all, the demand in medical tourism has skyrocketed due to the Heidelberg University Clinic, which enjoys a worldwide reputation.

In addition, such wonderful cultural events as the Heidelberg Spring draw art and culture lovers to Heidelberg every year. The international music festival leaves nothing to be desired. And with a bit of luck you can meet the invited artists for a cup of tea in the lobby in the Europäischer Hof. Because they are all booked here in the house through a collaboration with the organizers of the Heidelberger Frühling.

Kretschmann and her team reap what they sow. She rightly won everything there is to win in a very short time. From being presented with the Hospitality HR Awards for her excellent leadership to being named Hôtelière of the Year in 2022, she has now also received the Brillat Savarin plaque from the FBMA Foundation.

Of course, all of this shows how great she works and how wonderfully she lives her philosophy. She is already a luminary in the hotel industry. However, her merit goes far beyond that. This woman revolutionized German hotel culture to some extent.

Rath’s Voyage Rating (current rating in bold):

1. Explicit Travel Warning
2. Better than under the bridge
3. So-so, not oh, là, là
4. Complaining at a high level
5. If only it were always like this
6. Great cinema

Insider tips:

Culture: World stars can be enjoyed again this year in the heart of Heidelberg: the international classical music festival Heidelberger Frühling leaves hardly any (cultural) wish unfulfilled. From March 17 to April 15, 2023, numerous events and concerts will attract visitors. This year’s motto is: TOGETHER, with which a new cycle begins. Intendant Thorsten Schmidt will organize the festival together with pianist Igor Levit over the next five years.
Story: Heidelberg is a place rich in history, and most of the historical sights can be seen on a pleasant walking tour. The Heidelberg Castle was inhabited by princes and rulers for centuries and has a very special charm.

Art: The Heidelberg art scene is lively, numerous art associations and galleries offer regular events. In the Heidelberger Kunstverein, for example, everything revolves around the promotion of contemporary art, while in the Kurpfälzisches Museum art, history and archeology from the Stone Age to the present can be admired.

About the author: As a former grand hotelier and operator of the Travelgrand.ch travel platform, Carsten K. Rath is a professional globetrotter. He travels to all the hotels he writes about for the Handelsblatt on his own account. Rath is the brain behind the ranking “The 101 best hotels in Germany”, whose partners include the Handelsblatt. Rath is also the author of the book on the ranking, co-authored by Michael Raschke (Handelsblatt).