Hotel kleiner Löwe

The city hotel Kleiner Löwe is located between the shores of Lake Constance and the city centre directly on Kornmarktplatz, Bregenz’s centre for art and culture. Built in the 17th century as a brewery extension for the neighbouring Gasthof zum Goldenen Löwen, it was later used as everything from a cinema to a nightclub until a roof fire led to the building falling into disrepair. Only the neo-baroque façade remains, which still tells the story of the early 20th century and its time as a bank. Today, a new five-storey building by the renowned Basel architects Herzog & De Meuron rises up behind it, housing a small hotel with eight rooms, a space for cultural events and a private flat.

The 8 metre wide and 23 metre long building with a barrel-shaped roof is a modern and self-confident addition to the original façade, while at the same time respecting the historical setting of the neighbouring houses. The two side firewalls and the arched roof are clad with a white metal skin that matches the colour of the ornamental façade. Due to the side firewalls, all the interior rooms are orientated towards the front sides and look out through large areas of glazing either towards the lake or the green inner courtyard towards the Pfänder and Bregenzerwald. This also applies to the hotel rooms and bedrooms on the first and second floors, some of which can be combined for families. This is because all the walls were designed as floor-to-ceiling furniture elements, behind which there is not only plenty of storage space, but also connecting doors in some cases. The other furnishings were also customised by the architects. The rooms on the garden side are decorated in light green and have floor-to-ceiling windows, while the rooms facing Kornmarktplatz blend in with the light blue façade and have box-type windows with seating niches or small roof terraces. Wooden louvres on both sides provide shade and privacy. The public lounge on the ground floor serves as a hotel lobby, breakfast room and café for external guests and can be flexibly reconfigured for different purposes thanks to mobile furniture and curtains.

The overall atmosphere of the house conveys a pleasant feeling of warmth and understated elegance, which results from the interplay of oak wood and fabric-covered elements in soft colours. In addition, round to semi-circular shapes create harmony in the room. Inspired by the floor-to-ceiling arched windows of the historic façade and the curved scroll ornaments in the gable. While cultural and city life pulsates on the Kornmarktplatz square in front and pedal boats wait for a trip, guests can relax in the densely overgrown inner courtyard and reflect on all their experiences.

What to do

Whether Lake Constance, the festival, nature or art and culture - Bregenz combines all facets: the shore of Lake Constance is two minutes away, for swimming, walking, cycling or boat trips, on the other side of the hotel the local mountain Pfänder awaits with numerous paths for hiking or biking, even a cable car leads to the summit, those interested in culture can reach the Kunsthaus Bregenz, the Vorarlberg Museum and the Vorarlberger Landestheater in a few steps, visit the Bregenz Festival, architecture excursions and trips to the region

Why we like this house

A small, refined hotel that combines old and new in an elegant and understated way. From the exterior façade to the wardrobe wall.

This house is great for

Whether alone, as a couple or with the family, for a city trip, a stopover, a business trip or a nature and culture holiday on Lake Constance

Sustainability

Whether alone, as a couple or with the family, for a city trip, a stopover, a business trip or a nature and culture holiday on Lake ConstanceEarth heating, public transport: Bregenz train station is approx. 10 minutes' walk away

Owner

Originally, journalist Lisa Rümmele and entrepreneur Johannes Glatz did not want to live in the centre of Bregenz or run a hotel. However, when the historic building stood empty for a long time after the fire in 2013, the couple decided to buy the property, construct a new building together with Herzog & De Meuron and create an inviting place that enriches the cultural life of the city and brings locals and guests together.

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with a white background, the accommodation is still fully available. If an accommodation has more than one rentable unit, days with free capacities are shown with a light grey background. On days with a dark grey background, the accommodation is not available.

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