Tradition meets evolution
From single hotel to global player
Our journey of success
We are able to draw on the rich experience of a hotel company with a long history and strong roots in the heart of Europe: When Albert Steigenberger took over the Hotel Europäischer Hof in Baden-Baden in 1930, he launched a unique journey of success – transforming the hotel from a single, family owned and operated location to an international player. Today, as part of H World, we can draw from our global strength and rich legacy to chart new horizons.
Milestones
Dive into our travel diary from 1930 to the present, from traditional hotel in Baden-Baden to the international hotel company H World International.
1930
Albert Steigenberger, born in Deggendorf in Lower Bavaria in 1889, took over the longstanding Hotel Europäischer Hof in Baden-Baden. By doing so, he laid the cornerstone for our company today: H World International.
1940-1950
In 1940, our founder transitioned the Hotel Frankfurter Hof into the Albert Steigenberger Hotelgesellschaft KG, laying out a path for the company. He added the Hotel Badischer Hof in Baden-Baden as well in 1949.
1950-1960
Albert Steigenberger relied on the support of his family. Working alongside his son Egon, he added multiple prestigious hotels to the company.
1960-1970
After Albert Steigenberger’s death, his son Egon Steigenberger took over and modernized the company. He concentrated on internationalizing the company, the opportunities offered by air travel, and the up-and-coming holiday tourism market.
1970-1980
The hotel group continued to expand and founded valuable subsidiaries: the Hotel Vocational School in Bad Reichenhall, the Frankhof-Kellerei in Hochheim, *H*E*A*D* GmbH and Steigenberger Consulting GmbH.
1980-1990
Steigenberger celebrated its 50th anniversary. After Egon Steigenberger’s death, the company was converted to a joint stock corporation. The IntercityHotel brand was launched in 1987.
1990-2000
The joint stock corporation grew, adding more than 40 new hotels – including five in Austria. Our IntercityHotel brand was a key focus, with the number of hotels increasing to 16 hotels. Our first holiday hotels welcomed guests on the Baltic Sea.
2000-2010
The Steigenberger Group is one of Europe’s leading hotel companies, with annual revenues of 441.3 million euros and 5,400 employees. In 2009, Brierley Investments Limited became the new owner of Steigenberger Hotels AG.
2010-2019
Our company passed a new revenue milestone in 2013: half a billion euros. The Steigenberger Hotel Group became Deutsche Hospitality in 2016. Three new brands were added to the portfolio between 2015 and 2019: Jaz in the City, MAXX and Zleep Hotels.
2020-2023
In 2020, NASDAQ-listed hotel group H World (Huazhu) took over the former Steigenberger Hotels AG, today known as Steigenberger Hotels GmbH.
2024
In 2024, the transformation to a global hotel company begins: Deutsche Hospitality is becoming H World International. Our journey of success continues: Ji Hotel is joining our brand portfolio.
