2024-01-12 08:14:51
What was unthinkable a few years ago is now a reality: the adults-only concept in the hotel industry is becoming increasingly popular. All well-known tour operators have adult hotels in their program. In the upscale hotel industry, however, hotels that deny entry to families with small children are rare. A newcomer in this area is the “Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort”, which was only converted from a hotel for everyone to an adults-only hotel at the end of December 2023. Hotel director Frank Nagel explains his motive for this step.
WELT: Why did you decide to implement an adults-only concept in your house?
Frank Nagel: The growing focus on peace, relaxation, nature and regeneration has contributed to our target group developing more and more into couples and adults seeking relaxation. They want an oasis of peace and an exclusive retreat to relax away from everyday stress and hustle and bustle. For us, these expectations of the guests were and are no longer compatible with a holiday with small children. The concept of an adults-only resort was the right step for us and our guests.
WELT: Are you a pioneering luxury adults-only resort in your region?
Nagel: Yes, in our area in northern and central Germany there is no comparable concept in the luxury hotel industry. We think we have found a niche here for an existing target group. Comparable houses can be found, for example, with the “Hotel Kranzbach” in southern Germany and the “Hotel Forestis” in the Dolomites. We share many regular guests with these wonderful establishments.
The “Badehäuschen” houses a premium suite for two people with a spacious garden overlooking the sea
Source: Michael Poliza/Weissenhaus
WELT: What has been the ratio between childless guests and guests with children so far?
Nagel: The proportion of families with small children on “Weissenhaus” has always been very low. Many of our guests are parents themselves and are by no means childless. You either take the time off to recharge your batteries and recharge your batteries for family life, or the children are already out of the house.
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WELT: Have you made any structural changes in connection with the repositioning, for example removing children’s playgrounds in your facility?
Nagel: No not really. We have an entire building designed as a children’s paradise including a large garden. The Kükenhaus will continue to exist, because children of all ages are welcome as part of our exclusive events, where the entire resort can be booked. Since the guests know each other at these special events, we want to offer the best experience structure for large celebrations with small guests. For this reason, all other equipment remains on site in order to ideally organize these events that take place outside of the individual hotel business.
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WELT: Hotels usually offer discounts for children based on age. Don’t children in and of themselves mean a reduction in revenue for a hotel, since it doesn’t generate revenue adequate to the number of guests?
Nagel: This consideration did not influence our decision. There are already fantastic, self-contained hotel concepts for families, and now even entire hotel chains that specialize in holidays with children. We have decided to focus on guests who long for peace and relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the family. Because when you book a spa vacation and want to fully unwind, it can be challenging when the same dynamics you may have just left behind reappear at your vacation destination.
After swimming in the pool, guests can relax by the fireplace
Source: Michael Poliza/Weissenhaus
WELT: Many adults-only hotels generally deny children and young people entry or have an age limit of 16 years or more. You allow children from the age of twelve, why are you even making this concession?
Nagel: We have been planning this decision for some time, of course we analyzed everything in detail in advance and also sought advice from hoteliers who have already successfully implemented the adults-only concept. Our personal experience is that young people aged twelve and over have already developed the necessary understanding of what it means to go on holiday in a house for adults in need of relaxation. We are therefore very much looking forward to the visit of these young adults.
Here you can also relax exclusively:
WELT: The number of hoteliers reporting problems with noisy children in their restaurants and public areas has increased in recent years. Have you experienced anything like this in your house?
Nagel: Of course we know these situations too. Children are our future, but as a host you also have to realize that it has become more difficult to do justice to all guests equally if the target group is too heterogeneous. We believe that every guest has the right to have their expectations met. With the adults-only concept, this can now be implemented more homogeneously and transparently for us and our guests.
WELT: One of your three restaurants, the gourmet restaurant “Courtier”, has been awarded two Michelin stars. Aren’t multi-course tasting menus more of a burden than a pleasure for 12 or 14-year-olds?
Nagel: Our experience is that the young connoisseurs from the age of twelve sit down in the “Courtier” with great enthusiasm, curiosity and often knowledge and are really looking forward to the courses. We are happy to offer young guests a reduced menu sequence if they wish.
Weather permitting, guests at the Courtier restaurant can also dine al fresco
Those: soenne.com/Weissenhaus
Although our gourmet restaurant is glamorous, it is particularly important to us that our guests experience an evening full of pleasure and fun. We enjoy lively conversations rather than whispers and prefer genuine enthusiasm to gentlemanly reserve. The credo of our hosts at the “Courtier” is that you are as welcome as you feel comfortable.
WELT: Were there any negative reactions to your decision to position yourself as an adults-only resort?
Nagel: So far we have received many very understanding reactions from our guests with children and promises of further visits. We are very grateful. Of course, we also understand that some guests are disappointed about the canceled holidays on “Weissenhaus”. Ultimately, not much changes, because “Weissenhaus” was never consciously positioned as a family hotel.
Frank Nagel and his hotel:
Frank Nagel learned the hotel industry from the ground up. He laid the foundation for his later career with his training as a chef. He earned his first Michelin star in the “Restaurant Funk” in Nuremberg. In 1998 he moved to management. In the years that followed, he managed, among other things, the “Steigenberger Hotel Remarque” in Osnabrück, the “A-ROSA Travemünde” and opened the “A-ROSA Sylt”.
Frank Nagel and his wife took over management of the resort in 2014
Source: Segara Communications
In 2014, Nagel took over the management of the company together with his wife Natalie Fischer-Nagel Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort. The “Hotel Weissenhaus” can accommodate up to 120 guests. The buildings are spread across the 75 hectare park. The centerpiece is the more than 400-year-old castle, and there is also a spa, the boathouse in the dunes, the listed Kavaliershaus and the “Asiabar” in the historic castle vault.
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