History

The Neo-Baroque house was unveiled in 1908 as a summer residence for the esteemed Bleichröder Jewish banking family.

Around the turn of the century, Heringsdorf was tipped as the “Nice of the Baltic Sea” and was a hotspot for Berlin’s glitterati. As such, the listed Bleichröder Villa quickly became one of the most recognised buildings on the waterfront promenade. Its distinguishing mark is the park-like garden with “The Bow-Stretcher” sculpture posing pride of place. After an eventful timeline, the villa was revived as a bed-and-breakfast hotel from the late 1990s.

THE VILLA BLEICHRÖDER
a postcard from the past

1908 - Spa Architecture

Hans von Bleichröder, son of the illustrious banker Gerson von Bleichröder, commissioned the villa in 1908 in the style of “spa architecture” – all sun drenched spaces, muted palettes, clean lines and embedded with lush gardens. Gerson was a financial advisor to Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, becoming one of the richest Berliners by the turn of the 20th century.

Gerson_von_Bleichröder_by_Wauters_gemeinfrei

1910 - The Bow Striker

Sculptor Ferdinand Lepcke made “The Bow-Stretcher”, an exquisite bronze cast which has characterized the villa’s standout garden since around 1910. Because of the bow, she was often mistakenly identified as Diana, goddess of hunting.

1900 - about Heringsdorf

Around 1900, Heringsdorf had begun to be known as the “Nice of the Baltic Sea” or a leafy, beach “suburb of Berlin”. The cultural elite spent their summer here. Well-known merchants and intellectuals built villas in Heringsdorf. Kaiser Wilhelm II visited Heringsdorf several times between 1895 and 1914. Its guests found a home away from home befitting of their elevated needs, explaining the stately character of Heringsdorf’s villa architecture, which is still prominent today, especially on the waterfront promenade.

Lyonel Feininger

From 1909 to 1912, Lyonel Feininger spent his summer holidays on Usedom. During this time, he created countless sketches and studies for his works – including of the neighboring Villa Oppenheim. Feininger’s work on the island is affectionately honored on the Feininger cycle path; simply start at the waterfront promenade and follow the signs.

1933

When the National Socialists came to power, the Bleichröder family left Germany. Until 1945, the villa was used as a sanitorium for the Luftwaffe, amongst other things.

From 1950

The villa was then used as a convalescent accommodation for members of the Soviet Army and then as a holiday resort for the FDGB (Free German Trade Union Federation). Trade union leader Harry Tisch, among others, regularly stayed at Villa Bleichroeder.

From 1990

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the villa was taken over by a Hamburg businessman and run as “Hotel Diana.”

2000

By the turn of the millennium, two new villas sporting luxury holiday apartments were built on the site, and the historic villa was carefully renovated in accordance with monument protection regulations. The apartments and hotel are known as the Bleichröder Residence.

2023

Villa Bleichröder, a boutique hotel on Usedom

The entrepreneurial, female-led Jaeschke family, who head up the historic boutique stay Hotel Oderberger in Berlin, took over Villa Bleichröder.

Something special

Holiday-on-the-sea

Keen to extend? After 4 nights, guests access an automatic fifteen percent loyalty discount.

Book now

Your private villa

Reserve Bleichröder in all its entirety for just you, and co. Breakfast, pool, sauna and housekeeping included. Available October through April. Fitting for family vacations, workations or retreats.

request now

Berlin Calling

Our older sibling, Hotel & Stadtbad Oderberger in Prenzlauer Berg is a historic boutique stay. With seventy rooms, a twenty meter pool and sauna, plus a much-loved breakfast and fireplace cocktail bar.