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Maximilianstraße 2
83471 Berchtesgaden
+ 49 8652 97 990
THE EDELWEISS STORY OF PETER HETTEGGER IN BERCHTESGADEN
150 young people trained in 10 different professions, the construction of new indoor and outdoor pools, and a makeover for all rooms:
A lot has happened in the 15 years since Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden opened.
a look back by Hotelier Peter Hettegger.
I enjoy being here – Berchtesgaden has truly become my second home, alongside my birthplace Großarl in the neighboring province of Salzburg.
I first came to Berchtesgaden at the invitation of Franz Stangassinger, a traditional lederhosen maker who was a regular guest at our hotel EDELWEISS in Großarl.
He would often encourage me: “Why not start something with us?”.
Back then, I was chairman of the regional hotel association
and traveled frequently to Salzburg. In 2005, I finally made a detour
to Berchtesgaden – and as soon as I laid eyes on the Watzmann, I was captivated.
Add to that the historic town center – an absolute gem.
I could hardly believe that, right in the middle of this beautiful setting, the Hotel Post Leithaus stood empty – and that no one was willing to invest in it. I immediately started thinking it over, and after some time I came to a decision: yes, I wanted to do something here.
I’ve never lacked the courage to take on a big project. I come from a large family – I have ten siblings. When you start with nothing, you’re not afraid of losing much. I knew I could work. At my father’s insistence, I trained as an electrician and spent eight years working in forestry – even though I had always dreamed of running a guesthouse. And our family has always stuck together.
Today, 17 family members work in our two hotel businesses. Without that strong sense of unity, none of this would have ever been possible.
Our beginnings in Berchtesgaden were challenging.
A first draft plan of Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden with an investment
of 22 million euros was already approved in 2007. However, there were objections
to the development plan — the case went all the way to the Administrative Court.
The ruling was clear: the hotel was allowed, but one floor lower and wider instead. We had already planned up to the property boundary, and the old hotel had been demolished. At that point, we faced the question: what do we do now?
The court also required us to appoint an urban planner who had the trust of the heritage conservation authorities. I have always trusted my instincts and said: I will find the right person and make this happen.
I personally spoke with all neighboring landowners and tenants, working hard to convince them. Twenty-eight neighbors had to agree to and sign the submission plan. This made it possible to completely redesign the building.
We built the Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden in just 14 months — an incredible achievement thanks to the great collaboration of everyone involved. The hotel’s construction also sparked many renovation projects in the town center: facades and roofs were renewed, the municipality redesigned the pedestrian zone, and everything was given a fresh new look.
One of my most memorable moments? Receiving a book with 9243 signatures from supporters of the Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden at its opening on May 20, 2010. The hotel’s opponents were always present, but this largely silent backing really made me happy. The curiosity of the local people was huge from day one. We had ten staff members offering guided tours continuously. Today, the hotel — especially the large bar in the lobby — is a popular meeting place for locals.
We want to be part of the community, and for our guests, it’s a positive sign when the people of Berchtesgaden feel comfortable in our house.
Not only has our family truly settled in Berchtesgaden —
but for many of our regular guests, some of whom visit several times a year,
Berchtesgaden is a wonderful place to feel at home, no matter the season.
I myself really enjoy hikes to Kneifelspitze, Hirschkaser, or the Jenner. And of course, the beautiful historic town center with its year-round events. There are few regions where traditions are still preserved so authentically.
When I’m not out and about, I like to relax in the hotel’s spacious spa. Or you’ll find me at my favorite table in the bar, usually surrounded by friends and family.
Time to slow down at 69 years young? Not at all! “I still feel the drive,” I say, and together with my daughter Martina, we have exciting plans.
This coming winter, we will renovate the PANORAMA Restaurant and add a modern Skybar. It’s a truly wonderful project that we will document online with a construction diary. I often think of our pastor in Großarl, who always told me: “The only thing you’ll regret is what you didn’t do!”
More about this coming soon here:
A fest for guests and locals in Berchtesgaden
The anniversary week from October 12th to 19th was celebrated with 120 enthusiastic hotel guests, many of whom are regulars at the hotel. From the gala dinner to the kitchen party with live music, where guests could watch the chefs at work, each day featured a special event. “And because we especially wanted to celebrate with the people of Berchtesgaden, we opened the Rauchkuchl for an anniversary party on November 7, 2025. As expected, the tickets sold out quickly, and we enjoyed an unforgettable evening filled with music, great conversations, and genuine Berchtesgaden hospitality.”
