Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts

Chronicle

With the formation of the company “Frankfurter Hotel-Actien-Gesellschaft” the foundation stone of the Frankfurter Hof was laid on 29th October 1872.

1872 – 1900

• On 26th June 1876 the grand hotel with the name “Frankfurter Hof” opened its doors with a large ceremony. The impressive new building was built by the architects Mylius and Buntschli, 250 rooms (350 beds), 20 banquet rooms, a large dining hall created for 800 persons, elevators, steam heating and a spacious kitchen with 6.5 m high ceilings astonish guests as well as hoteliers from all over the world.
• 1891 the “Frankfurter Hof” owned the first public phone in Frankfurt and one year later in 1892, the first electric lightning.
• In the same year the hotel company decided to lease the “Frankfurter Hof” to the well-known Parisian hotelier César Ritz.

1900 – 2000

Until the beginning of the Second World War the number of guests rose constantly and even during the war the “Frankfurter Hof” existed as a platform for international guests and was not occupied by the Nazi regime.

• In 1940 Albert Steigenberger, owner of the hotel “Europäischer Hof” in Baden-Baden purchased stock majority and took over the management of the “Frankfurter Hof”.
• In March 1944 the Hotel burnt down after frequent bomb attacks. Only the facades could be saved. The hotel re-opened only 4 years later in an adjoining building with 20 beds.
• On January, 1st in 1951 Albert Steigenberger founded the A. Steigenberger Hotelgesellschaft KgaA.
• In 1958 Egon Steigenberger inherited the hotel from his father. Under his leadership the “Frankfurter Hof” gained back its excellent position in the international hotel industry.
• In 1961 the “Frankfurter Hof” became the largest hotel in the Federal Republic of Germany.
• In 1976 the Gourmet-Restaurant Français was awarded with a Michelin Star.
• The “Frankfurter Hof” was awarded the best business hotel in the world by the US magazines “Profi Travel” and “Business week” in 1992 and was listed as one of the 100 leading hotels of the world by the Institutional Investor in 1997.
• The restaurant “OSCAR*S” opens in 1996 and fascinates with a young and fresh restaurant concept.
• Investments of over DM 50 million were made.

2001 – 2009

The Frankfurter Hof celebrates its 125th anniversary. Investments were made amounting to € 10 million for the renovation of all 332 rooms and suites, the banqueting hall and banquet rooms, furthermore the design of two new banquet rooms as well as the complete reconstruction of the main kitchen. The Gourmet Restaurant Français received its own kitchen.

• 2002 Opening of the exclusive Japanese Restaurant IROHA. As one of the first hotels in Germany the Frankfurter Hof offers the possibility to surf the Internet with wireless LAN (WiFi) and with high speed in all guest rooms as well as in the public areas.
• 2005 the completely renovated five star deluxe hotel with 332 rooms and suites, 18 banquet rooms, 4 restaurants, bar and the Skyline Wellness Club combines international flair, the latest technical standard and a personal guest service which satisfies the highest demands.
• 2006 Renovation work in the Frankfurter Hof. 21 single and double rooms are turned into 10 luxurious suites, Junior suites and Deluxe double rooms. Furthermore, the Restaurant Français undergoes a gleaming refurbishment in Louis VIII style, and is finally given its own small terrace. The Oscar*s Terrasse and the exterior facade also benefit from a new coat of paint.
• 2007 The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof is selected as the Institutional Investor Hotel of the Year.
• 2008 The gourmet Restaurant Français has been awarded one Michelin star and 17 out of 20 Gault Millau points. With this, Patrick Bittner completes the first stage of his illustrious career. The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof brings the legendary “Havana Lounge” back to life. In the autumn, the management opens the hotel’s very own “Cigarrum” for smoking enthusiasts.
• 2009 Steigenberger has a new majority shareholder and lays the foundation for a successful future. The Egyptian tourism company Travco Group International Holding S.A.E. takes on the majority shareholding of Steigenberger Hotels AG.
  The gourmet Restaurant Français has been awarded one Michelin star again and 18 out of 20 Gault Millau points. Cigarrum is nominated as “Cigar Lounge of the Year 2010” by Gault Millau.