You drive along the winding Black Forest road, hear only the rustling of the trees, feel the cool air, and suddenly there it is: Lake Schluchsee. Even before you arrive, you sense that something is different here. Not just another new hotel, not a typical wellness hotel with white towels and a shallow design, but a place that tells a story, breathes, has roots, and has been reimagined.
The Hotel Auerhahn am Schluchsee is such a place. A house steeped in history. For over 400 years, it has been deeply rooted in the Black Forest, but has been reimagined since its renovation. Wood and stone, water views, restaurants, a bar, and a wellness area. A hotel where you arrive and immediately realize: someone has worked here with pride and heart.
We spoke with Marius Tröndle, Hotel Director at the Hotel Auerhahn am Schluchsee —about his choice of technology, his experiences, his guests, and his dreams. To shed light on how such a new beginning isn’t just taking place within the walls, but in the view, in the service, and in every booking.
Dear Marius Tröndle, what happens when Black Forest tradition suddenly takes on a new face? How do you describe a house that has roots yet still has the courage to be different?
“We’ve created something fresh and innovative in the heart of the tradition-rich Black Forest region, and we’re very proud of it. The Auerhahn combines authentic Black Forest tradition with a modern, design-oriented concept. Our guests experience the personal hospitality culture. No one is anonymous here; they are genuinely welcome. A culinary experience awaits guests: fine dining with regional ingredients and international influences, creatively interpreted. Complemented by sustainable practices in all areas and a passionate team, this creates a place that combines authenticity, style, and warmth.”
Many hotels are looking for the “perfect booking engine.” How was that for you? What did your IBE absolutely have to be able to do to be a truly good fit for you?
“Our requirement for an IBE was and is high usability for our guests, combined with design. Similar to the rest of the hotel. We attach great importance to our corporate identity. HNS optimally implements our requirements with, for example, fonts and colors. In addition, the voucher shop and channel manager offer us excellent usability.”
Over 50% direct bookings
When technology works, you often notice it because no one talks about it anymore. What has noticeably changed for you since you started?
“Because the Hotel Auerhahn is a new opening, it’s difficult to make a comparison. However, the proportion of direct bookings speaks for itself (over 50%).”
Sometimes numbers speak louder than words. Are there any results that particularly surprised or confirmed you?
“The large proportion of direct bookings naturally takes a huge amount of pressure off the reception staff. At the end of the booking process, guests also have the opportunity to provide brief feedback about their booking experience. So far, this has been very positive!”
Direct bookings relieve the burden on employees
Im Alltag zeigt sich, ob ein System wirklich hilft. Welche Funktionen möchten Sie heute nicht mehr missen?
“Hotelcontrol is beautifully structured and easy to understand, so you can quickly get the hang of it. The support, when you need it, is also reliable and competent. We particularly appreciate the backend statistics, which give us a clear overview of our guests.”
Every collaboration has its stories, both smooth and bumpy. Is there a moment that stands out in your memory?
“The final implementation of the new voucher shop took longer than usual, in our case. However, after the new update and a few final adjustments, our design requirements have now been met. Once again, a special thank you to the team!”
What becomes clear when talking to the Auerhahn team: New openings don’t happen automatically. They’re a balancing act between preservation and change, between Black Forest baroque and clean lines, between expectation and fulfillment.
The technology (OnePageBooking, Channel Manager, VoucherBooking, etc.) isn’t just a tool, but part of the identity. It enables what Auerhahn wants to be: approachable, personal, and aesthetically pleasing. It helps to visibly carry the history—old walls, family tradition—into the present, while simultaneously opening up space for new stories.
Anyone who wants to experience how Black Forest tradition is expressed in contemporary hospitality, in the attention to detail, in the taste, in the atmosphere, will not be disappointed at the Auerhahn Schluchsee.
Thank you, Marius Tröndle, for taking the time. We are delighted that Hotel Auerhahn is relying on our solutions and look forward to continued direct bookings and delighted guests.
The copyright of the images: Hotel Auerhahn am Schluchsee
