Would you like to treat yourself to a true gourmet weekend with wellness, world-class cuisine, elegance and exquisite service? But your “green conscience” is getting in the way? How about combining luxury with sustainability? You can at the Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort.

Treat your palate at the 2 Michelin-starred Eisvogel restaurant

The Birkenhof calls itself a 7-star hotel: 5 stars for the hotel and 2 stars for the restaurant Obendorfer’s Eisvogel. The restaurant was founded by the hotel’s chef, Hubert Obendorfer, who is also known as a radio chef and author. The restaurant has been awarded one star for a long time and received a second star in 2020.

Since 2022, his son Sebastian Obendorfer has been the sole chef at the Eisvogel and has managed to start his career immediately at the 2-star level. The fact that the Michelin Guide awarded him two stars right away is a rarity in the gastronomic scene, so expect an exceptional culinary experience!

A special feature is that Sebastian Obendorfer, despite his Michelin-starred cuisine, prefers to use regional ingredients.

Morning to evening regional delicacies

A menu at the Eisvogel is of course the culinary highlight of a gourmet weekend, but even at breakfast you will realize that you are not staying in just any hotel, but in one where every detail is just right. The bread is baked in-house, the jams are homemade by the kitchen… everything is fresh and comes from the immediate region. This is an important factor for sustainability, as it avoids long transportation routes. Instead of water flown in from far away, you will find good taste from Germany.

If you are interested in “New German Cuisine”, you will find one of its most important representatives in this house!

Sustainability at The Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort

The Birkenhof manages to be both a 5-star luxury hotel and the highest GreenSign level (Level 5). Our Green PearlsⓇ partner achieved this through its commitment to energy efficiency.

• The hotel’s two cogeneration units provide climate-friendly heating for the entire hotel complex, including the spa area
• Electricity for the saunas is generated ( when possible ) by a photovoltaic system (another PV system is in the planning stage)
• It also generates its own electricity using a wood gasifier
• The remaining electricity used is green generated

The hotel is also committed to other areas of sustainability such as biodiversity, regionalism, social justice and waste reduction. Read more in this interview with Lukas Obendorfer.

Sustainable gourmet weekend: “Gourmet Dreams 6-Course” with 2 overnights

The “Gourmet Dreams 6-Course” package is available year-round and includes delicious full board and use of the spa.

Friday (arrival day)

We always recommend the train as the most sustainable travel option. For example, from Munich Central Station there is a direct connection (2 hours) to Schwandorf Station. This is the closest train station to Hotel Der Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort. However, the station is still 23 kilometers away, so you will need to take a taxi from there.

If you are traveling by electric car, the hotel offers charging stations in the parking lot.

In the afternoon ( from 3 p.m.) you can check into the room of your choice and freshen up after your journey. You can enjoy the magnificent view of the Upper Palatinate Lake District and perhaps take a short walk before getting ready for dinner. On Friday evening, you will be served a 5-course gourmet dinner, which you can choose from a variety of options.

Saturday (day for connoisseurs)

Today is a day of unparalleled indulgence. After waking up in the premium beds of the spacious rooms, enjoy breakfast with homemade bread and selected delicacies from the region.

Then it’s time to make the most of the spa. A bathrobe, slippers and fluffy towels are provided (however, for sustainability reasons, we recommend that you bring your own slippers and bathrobe from home).

The wellness area of the hotel consists of

• Outdoor water world with outdoor pool and natural swimming pond
• Indoor pool with waterfall
• Jacuzzi
• Sauna area (Finnish sauna, panorama sauna, tower sauna, textile sauna, steam bath, infrared loungers, ice lounge, plunge pool and seven relaxation rooms)
• Juice Bar
• Gym and exercise room

The hotel’s “afternoon treat” changes on a daily basis and includes a soup, bowl, pasta dish, salad, cake and fruit. But leave enough room for the 6-course star menu! 🙂

Fine dining in the evening

In the evening, dress for your fine dining experience. The restaurant dress code is described by the hotel owners as “smart casual“. For women, this means a dress or blouse with a skirt or trousers, and for men, long pants with a shirt or polo (a jacket and tie are also welcome – you can’t really go wrong).

A 6-course menu by top chef Sebastian Obendorfer awaits you in the 2-star restaurant Obendorfers Eisvogel. Here you can enjoy a wide range of culinary delicacies, finely decorated, perfectly tempered, full of character – a delight for the senses.

Sunday (departure day)

On Sunday you can enjoy another delicious breakfast before checking out at 11am.

Finally, here is an overview of the services for a weekend of gourmet dreams 6-course:

• 2 nights
• Breakfast buffet
• Afternoon treat
• 1 x 5-course gourmet menu
• 1 x 6-course menu at the Eisvogel restaurant
• Free use of the spa area and fitness room, including juice bar
• Bathrobe and towels
• Free use of the generously redesigned spa

The great thing is that you will not only be spoiled for a weekend, but you will also be supporting the sustainable efforts of a hotel that is a role model in the luxury scene, showing that sustainability and luxury can go hand in hand.

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