The hotel chain leaves the spa. This is the result of many years of disputes
Disputes between entrepreneurs and city authorities can be tiring and sometimes lead to the collapse of long-term cooperation. This is what happened in a famous health resort.
The case concerns the German Bad Langensalz, a spa town in the state of Thuringia, in the district of Unstrut-Hainich. Tourists and spa guests appreciate its medieval character and accommodation facilities. This will soon shrink due to the conflict. The Santé Royale hotel chain plans to leave the resort.
The end of the hotel chain in the German spa town
Already in 2027, the Santé Royale chain, famous for its luxurious sauna and swimming pool areas, advanced health clinics and innovative therapies, is to leave the Bad Langensalz health resort. The major decision was announced on Friday, March 13 in an open letter from hotel managing director Stefan Kiefer to the Prime Minister of Thuringia, Mario Voigt.
This is the result of many years of disputes with the spa and tourism company KTL. It was about, among other things, about increases in flat rates for thermal bath packages or a request for reimbursement of unjustly incurred costs for moving the so-called bathrobe corridor. It is a glass space that connects the hotel with the thermal baths – Friederiken Therme, which belong to the city. Thanks to the corridor, guests can conveniently move from point A to B without going outside or changing clothes. The hotelier is charged additional fees for this, although previously the service was free. For this reason, many guests decided not to visit the hotel.
Stefan Kiefer, who manages thermal hotels in Bad Brambach and Wolkenstein, estimates losses of millions. He accused the mayor of Bad Langensalz, Matthias Reinz, of mismanagement, but he rejected the network’s accusations. This happened even though the court ruled that the introduction of fees was unjust and ordered compensation to be paid.
What’s next for the hotel in Bad Langensalz?
According to Kiefer, the decision on whether the hotel will continue to operate as an economy hotel or be used, for example, as a nursing home will be made in the summer. If the contract with the city spa and tourist company KTL is not extended, it will mean the end of the “bathrobe corridor” and access to the thermal baths for guests.
The mayor of Bad Brambach claims that the hotel was built with public funds and cannot simply be transformed into another institution. It emphasizes the need to find a new solution and adapt the contract to changing conditions and costs.
Currently, the hotel is listed as open and accepting reservations for the upcoming dates.
