Foundation and heyday
Built in 1907, the Seehotel Borkum, originally known as the “Hotel Princess Eitel Friedrich”, embodies an important piece of German history. Named after Duchess Sophie Charlotte of Oldenburg, who married Prince Eitel Friedrich of Prussia, the son of the last German Emperor Wilhelm II, the hotel quickly became a favorite retreat for European nobility.
The Duchess, known for her love of the North Sea island of Borkum, shaped the hotel with her aristocratic flair and made it a meeting place for high society.
The hotel, with its exclusive location near the new lighthouse and the breathtaking coastline, offered its guests not only luxurious accommodation, but also a unique atmosphere that reflected the romantic aura of the Wilhelminian era. The architecture of the hotel with its characteristic Art Nouveau elements, the magnificent façade and the elegant salons, which have been preserved to this day, bear witness to the splendor of that era.
These early years of the Seehotel Borkum were characterized by glittering balls, glamorous summer parties and the special role it played as the social center of the island. The hotel served not only as a vacation home, but also as a cultural center that attracted artists, aristocrats and intellectuals from all over Europe.
Change and progress at the Seehotel Borkum
Learn more about Seehotel Borkum’s transformative journey, from its historic founding to its current role as a pioneer in sustainable hospitality.
