The Bad Horn Hotel & Spa looks back on almost 200 years of eventful history – marked by change, vision, and genuine hospitality.
From whey spa to the premier address on the lake
Founded in 1827 as a whey spa and bathing establishment, the Bad Horn was a place of relaxation and healing from the very beginning. Mineral baths and whey and milk treatments attracted German spa guests in particular. The well-known Palestine traveler Dr. Titus Tobler worked as a spa doctor and shaped the medical services on offer. But the spa was more than just therapy: it was a social meeting place where “seeing and being seen” was the order of the day. Leisure activities such as billiards, sailing, and social entertainment created a lively atmosphere—a tradition that can still be felt today.
World events, change, and reconstruction
The history of the hotel has never been straightforward: it had to file for bankruptcy for the first time in 1847, followed by decades of frequent changes of ownership. A decisive turning point came in 1974, when Emil Frey took over the Bad Horn from bankruptcy proceedings. In several phases of expansion and renovation, he transformed the hotel into a themed hotel centered around nautical and maritime themes – a common thread that runs through the architecture and design today: from maritime details in the interior to the hotel's own motor yacht, M.Y. Emily, which remains unique on Lake Constance to this day.
Managed with heart and vision – then and now
A defining era began in 2009 when Bernadette and Stephan Hinny took over operational management. With great sensitivity, hospitality, and entrepreneurial foresight, they managed the hotel for over 17 years. Their commitment made the Bad Horn what it is today: a stylish retreat with soul, supported by a strong team.
The hotel was continuously developed with great passion:
2010: Opening of the 1,500 m² spa and wellness area
2020: New east wing with 42 rooms, fine dining restaurant “Wave” and lobby bar
2024: Renovation of the seminar rooms, conference areas and public zones in the central wing
2025 – The beginning of a new chapter
In July 2025, a new dual leadership team took the helm: Reto Keller as director and Louisa Rompe as deputy director & HR manager. Together with the entire team, they are leading Bad Horn into a new era – with great respect for the existing structure and the courage to break new ground. Both bring with them many years of experience, a passion for the hotel industry, and a clear shared vision: to be a place of genuine hospitality – for guests, employees, and partners alike.
“We want to preserve what has been tried and tested and strengthen it with new ideas – with humanity, quality, and an open view to the future.”
– Reto Keller
“The Bad Horn should be a place where you can arrive – for a break, a weekend, or an entire professional life.”
– Louisa Rompe
Today, the Bad Horn Hotel & Spa stands for the successful combination of tradition and modernity: a hotel with soul, run by people with passion – right on the lake, in the middle of life.
