40 years Althoff Hotels

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40 years as a passionate host

The story of Althoff Hotels begins in 1984...

... when Thomas H. Althoff took over the first hotel in Cologne together with his wife Elke. Characterised by ambition and high quality standards, Althoff aimed to create a hotel group that stood for excellent architecture, outstanding service and upscale gastronomy. By continuously recognising opportunities and a passion for the hotel industry, Althoff Hotels grew into a renowned brand with 18 hotels in four countries. Althoff's vision was to offer a unique guest experience and build long-term partnerships.

History & milestones

  • 1984: Thomas H. Althoff and Elke Diefenbach-Althoff found the Althoff Hotels in Cologne with the Hotel Regent International.
  • 1992: Entry into the luxury segment with the Schlosshotel Lerbach.
  • 2000: Acquisition of the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, one of the most prestigious hotels in Europe.
  • 2009: Launch of the AMERON brand, which currently comprises nine hotels in Germany and Switzerland.
  • 2020: Frank Marrenbach takes over the operational management of the company in the role of CEO and co-partner.
  • 2020: Launch of the URBAN LOFT lifestyle brand in Cologne.
  • Today, the group comprises 18 hotels in four countries.

The art of indulgence

Through the years with our culinary highlights.

In the world of Althoff Hotels, culinary delights take centre stage. With the aim of harmoniously combining excellent gastronomy and outstanding hotel services, we create unique moments of pleasure for our guests. Our philosophy of quality gastronomy is based on a deep passion for fine cuisine, unrivalled expertise and the ability to integrate exceptional restaurants into our hotels.

Althoff Festival of Master Chefs 2004
Althoff Festival of Master Chefs 2011 - Thomas Althoff with Joachim Wissler (2 stars, Restaurant Vendôme) and Nils Henkel (formerly 3 stars, Gourmetrestaurant Lerbach)
Dieter Müller at the opening of his cookery school in 2005 - The 3-star chef worked at the Althoff Schlosshotel Lerbach
Althoff Festival of Master Chefs 2011 - with William Drabble (former 1 star) and Thomas Althoff
Thierry Thercelin was a former chef at the Althoff Villa Belrose and held 1 star, seen here in 2006
1-star chef Denis Feix worked in the Zirbelstube Stuttgart
André Brauner - former chef at the Coq au Vin brasserie in the Schlosshotel Lerbach
Althoff Festival of Master Chefs 2005 - Hans Sobotka (formerly Restaurant Endtenfang Celle), Bernhard Diers (formerly 1 star, Schlossgarten Restaurant), Dieter Müller, Nils Henkel, Thomas Althoff, Thierry Thercelin, Joachim Wissler, Olivier Streiff (formerly Restaurant Le Vistaero, Vista Palace Hotel)
Regional ties with a view of the world - that's Cornelia Fischer's philosophy in a nutshell. Restaurant Überfahrt reopened in September 2024 under the management of the top chef.

A glimpse into the future

Roncaliplatz Köln

Above all, looking ahead is what drives us forward and characterises us. Even after 40 years, Althoff Hotels continue to strive for excellence and want to develop further. The forthcoming hotel openings of the Althoff Dom Hotel Cologne and The Florentin are proof of this.

The Althoff Dom Hotel Cologne will reopen after extensive renovation work directly next to Cologne Cathedral. ‘The Florentin’ will shine in new splendour as part of the Althoff COLLECTION in Frankfurt.

The Florentin in Frankfurt will also open its doors in 2025
In a total of 147 rooms, guests at The Florentin can expect upscale comfort and luxury as part of a new concept
The Althoff Dom Hotel Cologne (opening 2025)
After the opening in 2025, guests can look forward to a stylish design at the Althoff Dom Hotel Cologne

People & Moments

Schloss Bensberg Classics, Wine Awards, World Championships, Festival of Master Chefs & much more. Outstanding events, famous personalities and major award ceremonies have taken place in the Althoff hotels.

Click through the picture gallery for our favourite impressions.

1st Schloss Bensberg Classics 2009
German actress and voice actress Anja Kling in a 1961 Jaguar E-Type at the Schloss Bensberg Supersports Classics 2017
Vincent de Paul is an American actor and model and can be seen here at the Schloss Bensberg Supersports Classics 2017
Barbara Schöneberger, Thomas Althoff and Bettina Zimmermann at the Wine Awards 2012
Kurt Wagner (former hotel director at the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg) and Reiner Calmund 2004
Fernando Pensato at the Althoff Festival of Master Chefs 2012
Thierry Manoncourt with his award at the Wine Awards 2007
The 2-star chef Hans Stefan Steinheuer has been taking part in Althoff Hotels events for many years, most recently as a guest chef at the Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt - seen here at the Althoff Festival of Master Chefs 2007
The chefs of the Wine Awards 2012, which were hosted by Barbara Schöneberger - including Nils Henkel, Christian Jürgens, Joachim Wissler and Bernhards Diers

The most beautiful impressions of our houses - past & present

Even if we prefer to look toward the future, we are still grateful for the path that has shaped the Althoff Hotels as they are today.

Discover our hotels in black & white, immerse yourself in the interior design of past and present days & experience the history of our hotels in Bensberg, Neuschwanstein or Hamburg.

The Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg as a former school
Built as a princely hunting lodge, it is now one of the world's leading hotels
A historical postcard of today's AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa
In one of the most charming places in Germany, at the foot of the two royal castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein
Old photo of the AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt
Today the only hotel in the UNSECO World Heritage Site ‘Speicherstadt’
Former room design in the Althoff Villa Belrose
And the current design of the rooms

Impressions of our jubilee event on 10 October 2024

The Althoff family, Frank Marrenbach and the hotel directors in front of the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg
[Translate to English:] Frank Marrenbach, Elke Diefenbach-Althoff, Thomas Althoff and Leonhard Althoff
Cutting of the jubilee cake by Frank Marrenbach and Thomas Althoff
Wolfram Kons hosted the matinée
Interview with trainees at the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, Marcus Graun (Executive Chef in charge of F&B at Schloss Bensberg) and Joachim Wissler (2-star chef at the Restaurant Vendôme)
A sand artist impressively painted the history of the Althoff Hotels in Sand - from 1984 to the present day
Sand art - the beginning in 1984 with today's AMERON Köln Hotel Regent
The matinée was a delight with various programme highlights - here you can see Thomas Althoff and Elke Diefenbach-Althoff on the podium
Henriette Reker, Lord Mayor of Cologne, also attended the event and gave a speech
Christoph Strahl (left), maître and sommelier at Restaurant Vendôme, chose the right drinks to accompany the matinée - seen here with comedian Ralf Schmitz (right)
A band provided musical entertainment
Tom Buhrow, German journalist and WDR Director General
Ireen Sheer and her husband Klaus, who met at the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, have a special history with the Althoff Hotels
Wolfram Kons, who has been closely associated with the Althoff Hotels for many years and has hosted many different events, and his wife Alexa Apermann
Thomas Althoff, now Chairman of the Board of Althoff Hotels, and Frank Marrenbach, CEO
Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia Hendrik Wüst sent a video message to mark the 40th anniversary
Dr Patrick Adenauer, part of the Althoff Hotels Advisory Board
After the matinée, fresh dishes were prepared
Various appetisers were also served
Another variation of the appetiser
[Translate to English:] Video zentrieren

Three passions - three brands

The three pillars that characterise us

As different as our brand world is, it unites our identity and the three pillars associated with it.

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Architecture, Art & Design

Outstanding architecture creates distinctiveness and gives expression to the collection concept. The organic combination of architecture and design gives our company a holistic approach.

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Excellent service

Our employees are among the best in the industry thanks to our value-orientated management, precise selection criteria when choosing employees and tried-and-tested training systems.

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Quality gastronomy

With our expertise in placing unique restaurants in hotels, we see a unique opportunity to bring top gastronomy and the hotel industry together.

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