For 20 years, the Hotel HerzogsPark in Herzogenaurach has stood for a successful mix of tradition, innovation, international ambience and regional identity. The roots of the four-star superior hotel reach back even further into the past. After all, it was none other than Adidas founder Adi Dassler who, together with his wife Käthe, laid the foundation stone for today's Hotel HerzogsPark.
Famous sports stars such as Sepp Herberger and his Heroes of Bern, Uwe Seeler, boxing idol Max Schmeling or track and field athlete Heide Ecker-Rosendahl have always come to his specially built guesthouse to enjoy Dassler's proverbial hospitality in insider circles and the Palatine-Franconian cuisine of his housekeeper Veronika "Vroni" Bretting. Gradually, the crowds became so great that Dassler had the building converted into the "adidas Sports Hotel" at today's HerzogsPark location after the 1972 Olympic Games. After the family withdrew from the business, the house belonged to the newly founded adidas AG for a short time at the beginning of the 1990s. Soon, daughter Brigitte Baenkler-Dassler bought it back and expanded it into the HerzogsPark Hotel, which finally celebrated its opening on 1 May 1993.
Family philosophy in the third generation
After Brigitte Baenkler-Dassler's death, sons Wolf and Dr Marc Baenkler took over the family legacy in 2011, determined to continue the philosophy of their famous grandfather. "This includes honest, Franconian hospitality, entrepreneurial vision and our firmly anchored connection to sport, which has remained to this day," explains Wolf Baenkler. The pictures on the walls of the house, for example, document the life and company history of the Dasslers, and there are historic football boots and other valuable sports memorabilia in display cabinets. "Even the DFB Museum is jealous of one or two of these items," smiles Dr Marc Baenkler.
Business leaders, national football league teams, sports idols but also conference guests appreciate the modern hotel with its unobtrusively luxurious furnishings. The 75 rooms in the main building are flooded with light and have a wide layout. A walk-in wardrobe and an elegant bathroom are standard. Spacious suites and junior suites offer even more space for comfortable temporary living. Next door, the adjoining Acacia House offers a further 25 rooms for seminar guests. 24 flats for long-term guests round off the offer. "The regional ties of the HerzogsPark are traditionally also reflected in the cuisine," says hotel director Michael Bläser. "That's why our chef Marco Hollbauer relies on market-fresh products from the region for his refined yet genuine specialities with a Franconian touch."
The HerzogsPark at your fingertips
Michael Bläser also continues Adi Dassler's philosophy in his cooperation with suppliers and business partners. "Our strategic orientation is based on a foundation in which quality, but also values such as trust and sustainability, are highly valued. Our concept therefore relies on the idea of involving employees, business partners and guests like family members with us at HerzogsPark." The more than 500 visitors were able to see this for themselves at the big anniversary celebration last Saturday. "The great feedback on our birthday party even exceeded our expectations," Michael Bläser sums up. "The great response shows that Adi Dassler's philosophy is still modern today. I am already looking forward to the next 20 years of Hotel HerzogsPark."
