Hospitality with tradition

History of the Jagdhaus Eiden

The “Eiden” has been in the family for many generations. Passed down from generation to generation, from hand to hand. A heritage we are proud to carry into the future. An honour. And a responsibility. Not only for the building, but especially for the guests who spend their most precious days of the year in our four-star Hotel Jagdhaus Eiden am See.

1294

The origins of the Ammerland dynasty of the zur Brügges lie in Aschhausen, only a few hundred metres from today’s Jagdhaus Eiden. The existence of the Stammhof can be traced back to 1294.

1791

Gerd zur Brügge, Hausmann zu Aschhausen, acquires the Heuerhaus zum Eiden in Aschhausen, laying the foundation for the zur Brügges on the farm, which was already called Eiden at that time.

1902/03

On 2 May 1902, Johann zur Brügge and his wife Marie open the Zur Erholung inn on this site. Agriculture continues to run alongside the inn business. One year later, Gerd zur Brügge (the future“Grandpa”) is born.

1948

Under his management, the business develops into the beach restaurants from 1948 onwards. Their reputation extends far beyond the Ammerland region. The game and fish restaurants were popular attractions even then, offering space for up to 480 guests to feast and celebrate.

1968

The starting signal for the hotel business sounds: “Grandpa” Gerd zur Brügge moves into the newly built Motor-Hotel-Strandperle with his wife, while their son, Gerd zur Brügge “senior” takes over the beach restaurants with his wife Helga. Both businesses run excellently and thoughts are already turning to expanding the hotel...

1971/72

On the night of 7 to 8 August 1971, a devastating fire breaks out! Within 40 minutes, the beach restaurants are razed to the ground. Fortunately, the Strandperle hotel business is spared. With hard work and a lot of neighbourly help, the restaurant business is rebuilt within a around a year: the Jagdhaus Eiden officially opens on 2 December 1972.

1976

Luck (and gambling) moves into the building. Lower Saxony’s Minister President grants permission to open a casino, the Bad Zwischenahn Casino. Marianne Koch, actress and presenter, throws the first ball into the roulette wheel on the evening of 15 January. A year later, we become a member of Romantik Hotels and Restaurants – a cooperation of historic, regionally influenced hotels distinguished by private management, personality and the finest cuisine.

1978

What belongs together comes together: the Motor-Hotel-Strandperle and the Jagdhaus Eiden merge to form one operation. Under the name Jagdhaus Eiden, Hotel Restaurant am See, outstanding food and drink is now combined with warm hospitality.

1980/81

Speaking of awards: in 1980, the “Schlemmeratlas” awards three coveted cooking spoons for extraordinary culinary achievements. Gerd zur Brügge then “reaches for the stars” and opens the Apicius in 1981 – a gourmet restaurant that is soon to be much praised, and doesn’t go unnoticed by the Michelin Guide testers. In the 1980s and 1990s, the building continues to develop splendidly: many rooms are enlarged, the wellness area is expanded and the new winter garden creates a direct connection between the restaurant and the hotel.

1996

The next generation takes over the business in the shape of son Gerd zur Brügge with his wife Silke. The new entrance hall with the hotel reception was built in 2002.

2008

The new Eiden Spa wellness area is inaugurated after 15 months of construction. Sophisticated wellness lovers now find everything their heart desires on 1,000 sqm. The four newly created rooms also include a wellness suite with every imaginable creature comfort. Other leisure and wellness facilities are renovated or expanded over the following years. Like the Kelo moor sauna, the private sunbathing lawn on the bathing beach with new beach chairs, putting green, boccia court and as a highlight: two beach wagons hand-made to an original design.

2012

The new hotel kitchen is put into operation on 1 April 2012. A year later, the game restaurant shines with renewed splendour after a complete renovation and the airy new orangery, an English winter garden, is completed.

2014

Another major milestone follows: the new guesthouse opens with 23 rooms and suites, all with sea views.

After a break of several months, the Apicius continues its culinary journey in 2014 under the direction of chef Tim Extra.

2015

A new addition to the fish restaurant: since Easter 2015, the cozy Fischerstübchen can be found where guests’ coats and jackets used to hang. Our new mill wheel infusion sauna (outside) is constructed. Just one year after the reopening of the Apicius, the young team around chef Tim Extra continues the gourmet history of our house: previously the proud holder of a star for around 30 years, the Eiden again boasts an award from the Guide Michelin that shines bright above the Zwischenahner Meer.

2016

Easter: our newly designed garden terrace and our extended winter garden open their doors.

2017

Our Apicius gourmet restaurant undergoes a complete renovation.

2018

15 hotel rooms are enlarged and renovated in March 2018. A combined heat and power plant is also built.

2019

Our Eiden Spa has been even more beautiful since May 2019! A panoramic outdoor pool with a view of the Zwischenahner Meer, a new whirlpool, a brine pool, a salt room and other relaxation oases are added.

2022

In the fall, the new gallery in the swimming pool was completed. As part of the renovation, the indoor pool was also refurbished, and there is a new relaxation area in the spa section.

Hosts of the Romantik Hotel Jagdhaus Eiden

What might the future hold?

Over 100 years of hospitality... we are deeply committed to tradition. And for us that means guiding the Romantik Hotel Jagdhaus Eiden am See into the future with heart and soul and the utmost dedication. Preserving the positives and helping it evolve. Breaking new ground and always remaining true to ourselves. Always striving for the best... on your behalf!

Be our guest and become part of the history of the Romantik Hotel Jagdhaus Eiden am See.

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