On a very small plot of land in the middle of Amberg’s old town, five houses, three of which are listed buildings, were converted into what is now the Bootshaus.
The location
The historic Boothaus is located directly on the former lifeline of the city, the River Vils. Goods such as iron were transported to Regensburg via the river. Even today, the city is still characterised by its former shipping activities on the Vils.
Backstory
Not only do managing director Eva Bogner and owner Klaus Herdegen share a love of kayaks and Amberg, they also started the Bootshaus together. A hotel that brings all their interests together under one roof. It all started with a dream of having their own café on the Vils river, which eventually turned into the Bootshaus—a hotel composed of five buildings and its own restaurant.
Several years ago, Klaus Herdegen first set his sight on the small corner house. His vision was a property with a small flat close to the water, with his own boat directly on the Vils river. But the woman who owned the house wanted to keep it for her grandchildren. About ten years later, she finally called him and agreed to sell it after all.
Eva Bogner and Klaus Herdegen are both deeply rooted in their homeland and appreciate the hospitality and down-to-earth nature of the Upper Palatinate. At the hotel, they employ both people with and without disabilities in their team, something they find rewarding not only for themselves but also for their guests.
Interior & architecture
When renovating the Bootshaus, the aim was to preserve old elements, reuse building materials and maintain the substance of the building.
The planning phase took five years, followed by a two-and-a-half-year construction period, during which Amberg architect Georg Zunner renovated the building in collaboration with local companies and planners.
Natural building materials and sustainable techniques remained the focus of the renovation, such as ecological insulating plaster for interior and exterior use.
Bricks were carefully cleaned by hand to remove plaster residue before they were reused in the building.
Even though the listed building status presented them with challenges, they wanted to make their hotel as barrier-free as possible. Apart from two barrier-free rooms, the restaurant with event area is wheelchair friendly.
Inside, the renovated half-timbered walls, historic roof trusses, beamed ceilings, arched windows, freestanding bathtubs and hidden loggias have been given a new lease of life.
In addition to the themed rooms named after medieval professions, the hotel also possesses four suites spread across the buildings, with two of them having their own sauna. All rooms feature rough-hewn stone washbasins, rain showers and large Treca box-spring beds.
Outside, birds can also find shelter. A stork’s nest crowns the roof of the hotel, which has already found residents in its second year after opening. Nesting boxes for swifts have been placed under the roof, and for kingfishers on the embankment wall. The boxes were installed in consultation with the Landesbund für Vogelschutz (State Association for Bird Protection).
In order to facilitate climate-friendly mobility for guests, a bicycle parking area allows guests to arrive by bike and a wall box for electric cars in front of the building has been installed.
Meeting place
Overlooking the River Vils and featuring historic Gothic windows, the small ballroom offers space for private celebrations with up to 42 guests as well as for seminars and team events.
The Boothaus Library, filled with books about Amberg, is not only a place for guests to browse. The small room is also used for business dinners and smaller meetings and sessions.
Cuisine
With the morning sun dancing on the water, breakfast is served right by the river. Amidst the aroma of freshly ground coffee and warm pastries, guests can choose between a small or gourmet breakfast.
The restaurant also offers a daily changing selection of homemade cakes to enjoy alongside freshly brewed coffee.
Sourdough lovers should mark Saturday morning in their calendars, when Eva offers freshly baked sourdough bread. If guests choose to eat at the restaurant, they can enjoy the freshly baked bread any day with one of the typical Brotzeiten.
The restaurant focuses on dishes that vary with the seasons. With fresh ingredients from the Amberg region, delicacies from the Upper Palatinate are prepared.
As the evening begins, one can indulge in a fine selection of starters, main courses and desserts accompanied by matching wines or one of the beers from Amberg. The evening menu varies according to the season.
Bootshaus also offers culinary delights of a special kind ranging from a winegrower’s evening to a book presentation with accompanying menu.
Activities
At the Stadtmuseum, guests can delve even deeper into the history of the city, away from the hotel library. Who knew that the inventor of the board game Ludo originated from here?
Those who would like to learn more about the history of the Bootshaus and its restoration can take part in a guided tour, which is offered for groups of five or more people.
Located about 30 minutes away by car is Steinberger Lake, where guests can enjoy wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, or adventure golf at Wild Wake Park.
The river Vils can also be explored on long wooden boats, known as Plätten. They navigate between the Schiffbrücke in the old town and the Drahthammerwiese in the former Landesgartenschau grounds.
Those who don’t want to sit back and relax, but prefer to be active in the water, can use the hotel’s own kayaks, which are anchored right outside the doorstep. For longer trips, the hotel is happy to organise canoe hire.
Details
Rooms
Themed rooms
- Single room in the attic
- Room Petite
- Classic Double Room
- Comfort Double Room
- Family Room
Adventure Suites
- Little Suite
- Roof Suite with sauna
- Wellness Suite with sauna
- Grande Suite
Breakfast options
- Gourmet breakfast
- Small breakfast
In case of allergies or intolerances, the hotel should be informed in advance so that it can prepare everything according to the guests’ wishes. Vegan or vegetarian options are available.
Restaurant
Opening hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm.
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 8.00 to 23.00.
Little companions
Babies and toddlers aged 0 to 4 stay free of charge. For kids aged 4 to 8, it’s €25 per night, and for teens aged 9 to 17, it’s €30 per night when sharing a room with their parents.
Dogs can stay overnight for €20 per day. A dog bed and bowl are provided for them.
Happy moment packages
- Experience Amberg: Amberg City Museum, a city tour and a book about Amberg
- Wellness Delight: Early check-in from 1 p.m., welcome drink, spacious sauna area of the Kurfürstenbad (for all other rooms beside Roof Suite & Wellness Suite), 3-course menu including aperitif in the restaurant
- Culinary break: 3-course menu including aperitif in the restaurant
- Beer city Amberg: welcome drink, Bruckmüller brewery tour, beer package with pilsner glass and 6 different Amberg beers to take home
- Extended weekend: 30% discount on an additional night from Sunday to Monday
