Interview with owner Marc Vollbracht
Wellness & Sport
The Schutzhütte combines the relaxed benefits of a wellness hotel with the active program of a sports hotel. Marc Vollbracht – owner of the Familotel Sonnenpark and also of the Schutzhütte design hotel – gives us an insight into the planning ideas and the overall concept.
The Schutzhütte will not only be a design hotel, but also a wellness and sports hotel. What was the idea behind integrating a wellness area?
Marc Vollbracht: The decision to integrate a wellness area is based on the observation of a clear trend in tourism: guests today are no longer just looking for accommodation, but for a holistic experience that combines relaxation, activity and design. In mountain regions in particular, there is a strong desire to slow down and regenerate – whether after a day of sport in the great outdoors or simply as a conscious break from everyday life. Our experience shows that wellness offers are increasingly being taken for granted. It was therefore clear to us that if we create a place that combines modern architecture with the special character of a Schutzhütte, then a well thought-out wellness area is simply a must.
The hotel’s design concept combines alpine flair with boho elements. How is this concept transferred to the wellness area?
Marc Vollbracht: In the wellness area, too, we consistently focus on combining alpine flair and boho elements. The materials play a central role here: lots of natural stone, wood with character, warm textiles and hand-picked decorations create an atmosphere that is both grounded and inspiring. The alpine reference is reflected in the clear design language and the use of regional materials, while the boho style is expressed through playful details, organic shapes and a certain nonchalance. Our aim is to create a place that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also emotionally touching – a space that radiates a sense of security and yet feels free, just like the nature all around it.
Can you give us an overview of the planned facilities in the wellness and spa area of the Schutzhütte?
Marc Vollbracht: The wellness and spa area of our Schutzhütte is being designed in a varied and lovingly thought-out way – with the aim of creating a place of relaxation and enjoyment. Two saunas are planned, including a special igloo sauna in the outdoor area, which not only impresses with its architecture, but also with its panoramic experience. The offer is complemented by treatment rooms for massages and treatments, a stylish spa bar for healthy snacks and refreshing drinks as well as spacious relaxation rooms and a cozy fireplace lounge. Another highlight is the outdoor terrace with an infinity pool that seems to merge seamlessly into the surrounding mountain landscape. The result is a place that appeals to body and soul in equal measure – with an atmosphere that invites you to linger and breathe deeply.
Which specific saunas will be available to our guests and what special features do they offer?
Marc Vollbracht: In our hotel, we deliberately focus on a fine but high-quality selection of saunas that fit harmoniously into our wellness concept. Indoors, our guests can enjoy a pleasantly mild bio sauna at around 60 °C – ideal for gentle sweating, deep relaxation and a gentle effect on circulation and skin. In the outdoor area, our igloo sauna offers a very special experience: a classic Finnish sauna at around 90 °C, handcrafted from natural wood, with a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape – puristic, intense and at the same time exceptionally atmospheric.
We have deliberately dispensed with other special saunas such as steam baths, as our guests have direct access to the newly designed lagoon adventure pool our guests can enjoy a comprehensive and varied sauna landscape. Six different themed saunas are also available there – from the sanarium to the infrared cabin. The hotel and lagoon pool complement each other perfectly: compact exclusivity in the hotel meets a variety of sauna experiences right next door.
How far along are you in considering what spa applications there will be?
Marc Vollbracht: We are currently working on our spa range with great care and attention to detail – with the aim of being able to offer our guests a treatment program that is as high-quality as it is varied. We will be guided by the most popular treatments from the Sonnenpark, which is also part of the Urberg Hotels family and has been highly regarded for years for its excellent spa and therapy offerings.
Various massages, medical-therapeutic treatments and cosmetic facial and body treatments are planned.
We are still in the final coordination phase, but we can already promise one thing: Our spa offer will not only respond to current needs, but also create space for deep relaxation and tangible well-being – with the aim of harmonizing body and soul.
What can our guests expect from the spa bar and what special offers are planned there?
Marc Vollbracht: Our spa bar is the culinary haven of peace in the wellness area – a place where pleasure and well-being go hand in hand. Between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., we invite our guests to enjoy a selection of soothing drinks and light snacks in a relaxed atmosphere. The selection ranges from soothing herbal teas and freshly prepared smoothies to selected light wines to round off the spa experience. We also serve small, healthy delicacies – ideal for recharging your batteries without losing that feeling of lightness. It was important to us that guests also feel in harmony with the place and their own bodies in culinary terms – mindful, balanced and with a touch of luxury.
What amenities await our guests on the terrace of the wellness area?
Marc Vollbracht: The terrace of our wellness area is a place to take a deep breath, let go and be amazed. The absolute highlight is the infinity pool, which blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain landscape – a feeling of merging with nature. Around the pool, cozy lounge furniture, daybeds and comfortable sofas invite you to linger – whether for sunbathing, reading or simply enjoying the peace and quiet. There is also a small bar serving cool drinks and light snacks. This makes the terrace a place where you can relax at the end of the day or simply let yourself drift off in between – without any sense of time, completely at one with yourself.
Have you already thought about what special programs or courses will be offered for guests in the wellness and sports area?
Marc Vollbracht: Yes, we are planning a varied course program that will be accompanied by experienced trainers and entertainers. We attach great importance to appealing to both beginners and advanced users – there should be something suitable for every fitness level. We are planning courses in yoga, Pilates and functional training, among others, which will take place either in the light-flooded indoor area or – weather permitting – outside on our yoga deck. The aim is not only to give our guests exercise, but also inspiration – be it for more conscious breathing, greater mindfulness or targeted strengthening. The program is flexible and is also geared towards the needs of the guests on site – personal, motivating and professionally accompanied.
What sports activities are planned for our guests at the hotel?
Marc Vollbracht: We also want to offer our guests a wide range of high-quality sports activities. A modern fitness room with selected cardio and strength equipment as well as an area for functional training with free weights awaits them indoors – ideal for an effective workout at any time of day. A special highlight is our outdoor yoga deck: surrounded by fresh mountain air and with an unobstructed view of nature, it offers the perfect setting for yoga, meditation or gentle stretching exercises. Our aim is not only to facilitate traditional fitness, but also to create spaces in which movement is combined with mindfulness and the experience of nature.
Then there will be a very special feature: direct access to the lagoon pool. How is this designed and what additional options does this offer our guests?
Marc Vollbracht: A real highlight of our hotel is the direct and exclusive access to the newly designed Willingen lagoon adventure pool, which will reopen in 2025. For our guests, admission is already included in the travel price and they can access the pool directly from the hotel in comfort and protected from the weather – without any waiting times or extra walking. This opens up completely new possibilities to make your stay even more individual and varied.
With over 940 square meters of water, the new lagoon pool offers an exceptional experience for those seeking relaxation as well as for families. In the indoor and outdoor pools with natural brine water heated to 31 °C, massage loungers, floor jets and back massage jets invite you to switch off. The spacious sauna garden boasts six themed saunas, including a sanarium, textile sauna, steam bath and infrared cabins – complemented by stylish relaxation zones and an outdoor floating area. The new aqua slide park with three spectacular adventure slides and a lovingly designed children’s area with its own pool, slide and boat canal is particularly attractive for families.
The offer is rounded off by the light-flooded architecture, spacious sunbathing areas and a bar with snacks and refreshments – all embedded in the natural backdrop of Willingen. The direct connection to the lagoon pool creates the perfect complement to our in-house spa facilities for our guests – with even more space for relaxation, activity and unforgettable moments.
Discover the Schutzhütte Spa
We would like to thank Marc Vollbracht for this very detailed interview.
Would you like to find out more about the Wellness & Sport area? Discover it at Wellness & Sport
