A Small History of the House from 1957 to 2018

 

On Good Friday of 1957, Johann Adam Gensert and his wife Elfriede officially opened the restaurant & café “Zum Odenwaldblick”, as it was called back in the day. Shortly thereafter, our house became a popular destination for the entire metropolitan area of Frankfurt.

Restructuring the original building in the mid-sixties by adding an additional room as well as an open terrace, it was quickly accomplished to accommodate more people. By the mid-Seventies the building underwent further conversions. While again enlarging the restaurant, the first 19 hotel rooms were built

In 1984 the then open terrace was rebuilt to feature a fixed roof. As a result we could accommodate up 180 guests.

After the demise of founder & owner Johann Adam Gensert in 1986, his son Johann Gensert took over the business together with his wife Anja – with the ever-present good spirit of the house, Elfriede Gensert, being a reliable & admirable support throughout. In 1992 & 1995 the entire house was thoroughly renovated. Both the restaurant and the guest rooms were modernised. Moreover, with the help of Austrian firm Voglauer, 6 additional guest rooms were added to the hotel.

On 31st January 1998 a large fire destroyed major parts of the building. Thorough rebuilding was necessary. The grand reopening took place on 1st July 1998.

 

In 1999, a large Bavarian “Biergarten” capable of seating another 100 guests was added. A 20.5 kWp photovoltaic plant was built on the roof of the house in 2010. This plant yearly produces the power needed for 4 houses. Also, an air conditioning unit was added in 2011 providing comfortable conditions in all our guest rooms. With this, our house remains the first and only among all other hotels in the area. Most recently, our restaurant kitchen underwent heavy modernisation in 2012

 

The year 2017 – marking the 60th anniversary of the business – should suggest large festivities. Unfortunately, however, the sudden death of the senior boss Elfriede Gensert in November 2016, herself being always around until the very end, caused the festivities to be rather toned down.

 

At this point, we’d all like to thank you very much for your continued support