Rough brickwork, old half-timbering, original wooden floors and creaking stairs form the original scenery, into which the minimalist design of black steel, natural fabrics and light-coloured wood blends discreetly. ‘The old remains old and is radically supplemented with modern, purist elements’ is the motto of the 1280 Die Krone, one of the oldest inns between the Black Forest, Lake Constance and the Danube Valley, whose history goes back to the eponymous year 1280. The listed building in Geisingen, Baden-Württemberg, was abandoned for a long time until it was renovated by its new owners a few years ago together with two neighbouring residential and commercial buildings and transformed into a hotel. A new extension complements the ensemble of buildings and echoes the architecture of the former Krone barn.
Travellers will find 29 rooms and suites in the four different parts of the building ensemble, all of which have different layouts and designs due to the historical structures. The three suites in the exposed roof truss of the buildings — some with a bathtub in the gallery, some with a fireplace and some with their own sauna — offer guests a very special atmosphere between history, modern amenities and beautiful views. Wellness is on offer with yoga, Pilates, in the hotel’s own fitness room or in the surrounding nature of the Black Forest. In addition to breakfast, guests can enjoy two restaurants open on alternate days with genuine, creative cuisine and the 1280 Bar in the vaulted cellar. Above ground, the meeting room with its wood-panelled ceiling, rough walls and old mullioned windows offers a large and inspiring space for creative work, workshops and seminars. A house like a stage — for the past, present and future.
What to do
Hiking, e.g. in the Unterhölzer Forest, through the Wutach Gorge or along the DonauWellen premium hiking trail ‘Donauversinkung’, biking, mountain biking and e-biking in the Donaubergland or along the Danube cycle path, swimming in Lake Kirnberg, Lake Constance or Lake Steißlingen, golfing, excursions to the Black Forest, the Schaffhausen Rhine Falls or the Triberg waterfalls as well as to the cities of Baden-Baden, Freiburg or Bad Säckingen
Why we like this house
An intriguing renovation!
This house is great for
Private and business travellers who are interested in design and are looking for a small, privately run hotel with heart and history
Sustainability
Public transport: by train to Geisingen and then by foot to the hotel
Details
| Region |
DE – Germany, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Black Forest, Geisingen Black Forest |
| Name | 1280 Die Krone |
| Scenery | In the historic centre |
| Number of guests | 29 individual double rooms and suites (an extra bed is possible in some) |
| Completed | 1280 / 2023 |
| Design | Markus Uhrig Architektur, Munich |
| Published | NZZ Bellevue (December 2025) |
| Architecture | Listed building - old, Old & new |
| Accomodation | Hotel |
| Criteria | Rooms for 1-2 (hotel), Golf, Hiking, Lake/river, Meeting, Restaurant, Sauna, Urban, Workation, No car needed |
| Same Architect | 1280 Die Krone |
One Comment
Ein außergewöhnlicher Aufenthalt in der 1280 Krone. Wir haben zwei Tage in der 1280 Krone verbracht und waren vom ersten Moment an begeistert. Die Anreise mit dem Zug war völlig unkompliziert, und schon beim Betreten des Hauses stellt sich ein Gefühl von Wärme und Wohlbehagen ein. Am ersten Tag hat es uns richtig Freude gemacht, all die liebevollen Details zu entdecken, die dieses Haus so besonders machen. Die Zimmer sind individuell gestaltet und strahlen eine gemütliche, unaufgeregte Eleganz aus. Das Personal trägt mit seiner herzlichen Art wesentlich dazu bei, dass man sich sofort willkommen fühlt. Kulinarisch wurden wir ebenfalls verwöhnt – das Essen war durchweg köstlich. Der neue Stadl ergänzt das Angebot hervorragend und fügt sich stimmig in das Gesamterlebnis ein. Ein besonderes Highlight war für uns die Bar im stimmungsvollen Gewölbekeller – ein atmosphärischer Ort, an dem man den Abend wunderbar ausklingen lassen kann. Wir waren über Silvester vor Ort und hätten uns keinen schöneren Ort für den Jahreswechsel wünschen können: ruhig, stilvoll, atmosphärisch. Ein Aufenthalt, der uns nachhaltig beeindruckt hat.