THE Breidenbacher Hof in Düsseldorf celebrated its bicentenary last month.
Situated on the main shopping avenue in Düsseldorf, the Königsallee, the traditional hotel boasts a colourful history with several changes of ownership and major refurbishments, but through it all the property has upheld its reputation as a hotel of repute while transforming itself into a modern grand hotel.
Since reopening in May 2008, the hotel shines in a new look but without forgetting its history, while elegantly combining tradition and modernity.
Today, celebrities like Pink, Carlos Santana and the AC/DC band members love the Breidenbacher Hof because it not only offers a unique service but above all privacy and safety.
“If Hollywood stars and other celebrities come to Düsseldorf, they usually stay with us,” says general manager Cyrus Heydarian proudly, “and usually the public doesn’t even notice. This is why so many stars stay with us. We care for their privacy!”
But its not just celebrities who favour the traditional hotel on the “Kö” but also Düsseldorf citizens who welcome having their hotel back, he says.
“The main challenge was to win back the heart of our citizens. They had their own solid picture of the Breidenbacher Hof in their minds – the traditional hotel with its Breidenbacher Eck restaurant and Grill Royal, a meeting place known as the culinary living room of the city,” says Heydarian.
He continues: “The Breidenbacher Hof was rebuilt fundamentally. The whole interior design is new. It is a design that embodies clearly the spirit of a modern grand hotel. We want guests who knew the Breidenbacher Hof from the past to still visit us. However we also want to address a new and young generation that expects a modern design. The environment is unique, private and luxurious and conveys a sense of affinity.”
At the Breidenbacher Hof, tradition meets state of the art, conservatism meets Zeitgeist. Its guests range from presidents, managers and international celebrities to Düsseldorf citizens who just like to meet in the lobby lounge for a coffee or a drink with friends in the popular Capella Bar.
“The secret of the hotel’s success lies in its employees,” says Heydarian. “We don’t want it be a luxury hotel only. There are too many of them already. We want our guests to have an unforgettable stay and to experience the philosophy that is behind the Capella brand – which is individual, warm and excellent service. It is every single employee and their hearts which give this house its soul.”
Occupancy rates at the hotel have been growing steadily, especially from the GCC countries and the Middle East contributes about 15 per cent to its clientele.
“Our guests from the Arab region visit the hotel throughout the year; however the peak is during the summer months. Middle Eastern guests love shopping on our luxury shopping boulevard Königsallee which is just around the corner. Many guests also come for medical treatments in Düsseldorf. With two clinics located in the hotel, treatments and the comfort of our luxury property can be combined easily,” added Heydarian.
To celebrate its 200th anniversary, the Breidenbacher Hof will offer several anniversary activities and packages. For the months of May, June and August special packages are already in place with travel agencies across the GCC.