Geisel Family & History
The Geisel family began their dedication to service at the turn of the last century with a Lowenbrau beer tent at the Munich Oktoberfest. Karl and Anna Geisel followed this success with a restaurant, “Pasinger Weinbauer,” which led to three more taverns and the family opening their first hotel in 1935.
The following year, they purchased the Hotel Excelsior, then two years later, they added the Hotel Königshof.
Generations later, three brothers manage four hotels as well as a vineyard and wine store. Their commitment honours their great-grandfather as they provide their guests with superb accommodations and a gastronomic experience that will surpass expectations.
Timeline
1900
The success story began four generations ago with the management of the Löwenbräu beer tent at the Munich Oktoberfest, the world's biggest fun fair.
1923/24
Anna and Karl Geisel opened the "Pasinger Weinbauer" and "Zum Brüderl" restaurants and boldly introduced wine to a beer-drinking town. Both restaurants were major successes.
1933
The Geisels family opened "Bürgerbräu" on Kaufingerstraße, a restaurant with a wine cellar, butcher shop and an ice machine. It quickly became the regular meeting place for the Bayern Munich soccer team and the city's prominent citizens.
1935
The Geisel family opened the "Hotel Rheinhof", conveniently located near the main station. With two restaurants, a beer bar, an ice machine, laundry and butcher shop, it was one of Munich's most modern hotels.
1936
The Geisel family took over the "Hotel Excelsior". Under the direction of Anna and Karl Geisel, it quickly became the best hotel in the city.
1938
With the purchase of the "Hotel Königshof", the Geisel family were well on their way to becoming leaders in the privately-owned hotel business.
1943
The "Hotel Rheinhof" was damaged beyond repair. The Victorian style "Hotel Königshof" was almost completely destroyed.
1945
The "Hotel Excelsior" survived the horrifying bombing raids and was used by the Allied Forces as a command headquarters.
1950
Karl Geisel Jr. and his wife Maria began to rebuild the "Hotel Königshof".
1956
Once the American occupation was over, the "Hotel Excelsior" was returned to the Geisel family who began immediately with full-scale renovations.
1959
With extensive renovations completed in time for the Oktoberfest, the Geisel family reopened the "Hotel Excelsior" with a spectacular ceremony.
1970
Helga and Carl B. Geisel assumed management of the "Hotel Königshof" and began general renovation work in close cooperation with the famous interior designer Sigward Graf Pilati. Two years later, in time for the Olympic Games, the Königshof was reopened as a new luxury hotel for the visiting celebrities.
1973
The Gourmet Restaurant in the Hotel "Königshof" was awarded with a coveted Michelin Star.
1978
Completely redesigned, the "Gourmet Restaurant Königshof" became a trendsetter in Munich with nouvelle cuisine.
1986
The "Hotel Excelsior" was completely remodeled. Following the successful redecorating work in the Königshof, Helga Geisel worked closely with Sigward Graf Pilati to develop a totally new interior design concept.
1989
The "Hotel Excelsior" played a key role in establishing the "Summit Hotels & Resorts" cooperation agreement.
1991
The Geisel family's long tradition of selling fine wines led to the establishment of "Geisel's Vinothek".
1995
The Geisel family ventured again into new territory when brothers Carl, Michael and Stephan, the fourth generation in the hotel family, opened the "Cosmopolitan Hotel". This 3-star city hotel in the heart of Munich's fashionable Schwabing district was specially designed to meet the needs of a young target group. The hotel was completely furnished by Ligne Roset.
1996
Once again the "Hotel Königshof" underwent major renovation work. During the ambitious first phase of construction under the direction of interior designer Jochen Dahms, the number of rooms was reduced from 103 to 90 to create more spacious bathrooms, living rooms and bedrooms.
1998
The internationally renowned restaurant guide Gault Millau awarded the "Gourmet Restaurant Königshof" with 18 out of 20 points.
2000
Stephan Geisel, the youngest of the three brothers, opened "allaboutwine", a fine wine shop located on the ground floor of the Hotel Königshof. On the third floor facing an inner courtyard, an exclusive wellness area was built with sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and gym.
2001
During the second phase of renovation at the "Hotel Königshof", the number of rooms was further reduced to 87 and two new categories were added: "Superior" and "Deluxe" combine modern business rooms with timelessly luxurious styling under one roof.
2002
The Geisel family once again made history by opening a design hotel dedicated to their great grandmother. The "anna hotel" became the fourth Geisel establishment located directly on the Stachus. Designed by Jochen Dahms, this new hotel features interiors by Donghia and an innovative lighting concept with state-of-the-art LED technology. The hotel was acclaimed by Germany's popular "Architektur&Wohnen" magazine as one of Europe's 100 top design hotels.
2003
The "Hotel Königshof" was added to the exclusive list of "The Leading Hotels of the World".
2005
Hotel Königshof has been chosen for the "Hotel of the Year 2005" award.
2007
The lobby of the Hotel Königshof underwent major renovation work. Interior Designer
Jochen Dahms created a luxurious and ageless place to welcome the guests of Hotel
Königshof.
2008
Carl, Michael und Stephan Geisel received the award "Hoteliers of the Year 2008".
2009
“All about wine” is converted into “Geisels Weingalerie”. With this change of name, the
interior of Stephan Geisel´s wine shop located on the ground floor of the Hotel Königshof
is remodeled.
2011
The lobby of the Hotel Excelsior underwent renovation work.
Furthermore, the youngest Geisel establishment, a restaurant located in Schwabing
opened. The Geisels Werneckhof invites guests to enjoy high class seasonal cuisine with
international influences.
2012
The conference rooms of the Hotel Excelsior are redecorated and expanded. In addition
to room one, room two and room three, two new banqueting rooms, room four and
room five are formed. During further renovation work, the number of hotel rooms is augmented
to 118. Besides the anna hotel, anna´s next door is created. An additional double
room and a generous suite with kitchenette invite guests for longer stays.
Karlsplatz 25, 80335 Munich Tel +49 (0) 89 55 136-0 Fax +49 (89) 55 136-6113 Jobs E-Mail Us
- Visit our other hotels:
- Hotel Excelsior
- anna hotel
- Cosmopolitan Hotel
- And our partners:
- Geisels Weingalerie
- Geisels Werneckhof
