Bregenz needs no introduction: Every year, this charming city on Lake Constance hosts the famous Bregenz Festival, when it looks like the set of a Disney movie. Because it lies on the route south, many travelers simply pass through the Pfänder Tunnel without stopping. That is a real mistake, because Bregenz is beautiful even beyond festival season.
Since spring 2024, it has become even more appealing. The celebrated Basel architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron have turned a historic building in the heart of town, which over the centuries housed a granary, a brewery, a cinema and a delicatessen, into a real eye-catcher: the Hotel kleiner Löwe, with eight rooms, a bar and a courtyard.
We visited on a glorious summer day, and the house with its white arch caught our eye from a distance. What a bold contrast: The facade is pure Art Nouveau, while the roof is a modern dome. But the moment you step into the lobby, with its long bar at the entrance, it is clear that this is no ordinary building. Every detail has been considered: the colors, the walls, the textures, the wood of the chairs. Magnificent.
The Owners
Lisa Rümmele, the co-owner, greets us at the bar in high spirits and offers us an espresso. “Everything here is intentional,” she says, and confirms that Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron came by several times to work out every detail with her and her husband, Johannes. Nothing was left to chance, from the staircase to the wardrobes in the rooms, which elegantly conceal the TVs. The curtains flow harmoniously through the space. Honestly, we loved almost everything about this place. And one has to admit: Those who can build the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg also know a thing or two about hospitality.
The two hosts and their small team value personal contact. In the morning or afternoon, guests gather at the bar, swap stories and are sent off with great tips. So far, every visitor seems delighted, and the guestbook is already full of praise. In an age of app-based check-ins, genuine warmth is much appreciated.
Wellness
Just a short walk from the hotel is the Seebad Bregenz, with a modern indoor pool, steam bath and sauna, the perfect place to unwind, especially in winter. The hotel offers access as an extra, including a bathrobe, organic soap, entry to the sauna area and a warm cup of tea back at the hotel afterward. You will find all the details here.
The Surroundings
Bregenz sits right on the shore of Lake Constance, so you can easily take a boat to other countries, to Romanshorn in Switzerland, say, or Meersburg in Germany. The Pfänder cable car takes you to a mountaintop in just six minutes, with a breathtaking view of the lake and the Swiss peaks, including the Säntis. You can also hike up, starting right from the hotel. Here is all the information you need about Bregenz and its surroundings.
The Festival
The Bregenz Festival takes place every year from mid-July to mid-August, when the whole city is in a state of excitement. Book a room early and get tickets well in advance; it is definitely worth it. You will find all the festival information here.
Ideal for
Anyone who loves great architecture and is looking for a personally run place to stay.
Prices
Doubles from 245 euros, including breakfast; a little more during the festival, of course.
Booking & Contact
kleiner Löwe
Kornmarktplatz 5
6900 Bregenz
Austria
Photos: © Hannes Kläger
