A house with history
The history of Hotel Bloemfontein begins in 1900, when Wilhelm Wegmann created a unique home for his family on Borkum. Unlike the traditional island houses, an imposing building with a steep slate roof, bay window and tower was created – almost like a small castle behind the old dyke. Named after the South African town of Bloemfontein, the house quickly became a lively meeting place for guests and locals alike.
Early on, Bloemfontein was a place to meet and relax. Wilhelm and Seidine Wegmann ran a café here, where they offered delicacies from their own dairy farm. In the 1920s, the grounds were transformed into an adventure playground with swings, ropeways and bathing ponds – an attraction for spa guests and Borkum families.
The eventful history of the house continued: during the Second World War, it served as accommodation for soldiers and was later occupied by several generations of the Wegmann family. In 1954, the Diakonisches Werk im Kirchenkreis Hamm e. V. took over the property and ran a family recreation home there until 2006.
After years of vacancy, sports enthusiast and building contractor Günter Terfehr discovered the potential of the historic building in 2009 and began planning a modern sports hotel together with his brother Johannes. After extensive renovations, Hotel Bloemfontein opened its doors in 2011 – a place where exercise, relaxation and hospitality come together.
In 2019, the sports facilities were outsourced to the cooperation partner borkum SPORT so that hotel guests can continue to benefit from the professional training and leisure facilities. Since 2022, the hotel has been owned by Düsseldorf real estate expert Dipl.-Ing. Burkhard Walter, who is continuing the tradition of Bloemfontein as a special retreat on Borkum.
A journey through time
From a family residence to a modern sports and family hotel - the Bloemfontein has undergone a long and exciting development. Our timeline shows the most important milestones and tells the story of a unique place on Borkum.
After extensive renovation, the Bloemfontein Sports and Family Hotel opens its doors – a place for relaxation, activity and hospitality.
The Diakonisches Werk im Kirchenkreis Hamm e. V. acquires the site and uses it as a family recreation home until 2006.
The sports facilities are handed over to the cooperation partner borkum SPORT. Hotel guests still have free access.
The house serves as accommodation for soldiers during the war. Afterwards, it remains in family ownership, but the café is no longer run.
Building contractor Günter Terfehr recognizes the building’s potential and develops the idea of a modern sports hotel with his brother Johannes.
Wilhelm and Seidine Wegmann open a café with products from their own dairy farm. A large playground with swings, ropeways and bathing ponds is built next to the house – an attraction for guests and locals alike.
