This is us

Introducing the Schlehdorn family

Our staff will welcome you with a smile in authentic Black Forest costume. At the beginning of your stay we will spoil you with a welcome drink. Grandpa Dünnebacke always said “Not being at home and still feeling at home” and we live and work by that. Wherever you go, you will see the Black Forest.

We are proud to be able to offer you six unique accommodations that have been designed with great attention to detail. You can find out more about our range on our overview page.

Satisfied employees

At the Schlehdorn family, our employees take center stage and their opinions and ideas are very important to us. Together, we want to shape the future of the hotel industry. Every single voice in our team is proof of the uniqueness and diversity that we value so highly in our company.

I started my dual study program at Schlehdorn in October 2025. My interest in travel ultimately led me to the “Tourism Management” program. I was particularly drawn to the hotel industry. I then made a conscious decision to choose Schlehdorn as my practical training partner. Despite my high expectations after my first interview, I was particularly impressed by the charm and great working environment at this family-run hotel.

Leopold Nageldual student

As a native of the Black Forest and a trained chef and master chef, I can look back on a proud 35 years of work experience. During this time, I have worked for numerous employers, but none were like the Schlehdorn family. As head chef at the Köhlerei, I have the opportunity to pass on my love of cooking to young talents. In my job, creativity and emotionality, but also discipline and ambition are crucial. At the end of the day, it's all about making the guests happy. I still remember the words of a guest who once said to me: "A chef is like a conductor, you have to be able to put everything together, people and ingredients." These words inspire me every day and show me that my work is much more than just preparing food - it is an art that connects people and makes them happy.

Frank BeckertChef de cuisine at Köhlerei

I still remember my first day as a trainee at the Hotel Schlehdorn. I had just finished school, was away from home for the first time, excited and unsure, but the warm welcome I received from the Dünnebacke family and my colleagues immediately made me feel that I was in the right place. After three years, I had successfully completed my Bachelor's degree and was faced with the decision of what to do next. The Schlehdorn family had offered me so many opportunities and I had learned so much that there was no question for me that I wanted to continue my professional future here. I now have the opportunity to accompany other employees and especially our junior specialists on their journey as Head of Training & Further Education. It's a huge responsibility, but also an incredibly fulfilling task.
Since summer 2023, I've also been responsible for organizing and running events in our Schlehdorn family, which I really enjoy. I am grateful for the support and the trust placed in me. I don't just feel part of a company here, but part of a family. The Schlehdorn family has shown me that you can achieve great things together. I am looking forward to the coming years in our company and am excited about what lies ahead.

Elena GießelmannTraining & further education management

I am now almost a fixture at the Hotel Schlehdorn - I have been working here for over 25 years. I started out as a kitchen assistant under Martin and Susanne Dünnebacke, and later worked in the cold kitchen and in the wellness area. Over time, I wanted to develop further and completed various training courses to become a wellness therapist.

Over the years, I have witnessed countless changes and yet I have always stayed - because the Hotel Schlehdorn is more than just a place of work for me. It is my second home. The guests and the team are close to my heart and that's what makes my work here so special.

It's hard to imagine the Hotel Schlehdorn without me as an all-rounder - and that's exactly how it should stay.

Renate SchroppWellness therapist

Nach meinem Uniabschluss in der Ukraine als Dolmetscherin war ich so sehr in die deutsche Sprache verliebt, dass ich mein ganzes Leben in 2 Koffer eingepackt habe. So bin ich dann in Deutschland gelandet. Auf meinem Weg bis heute gab es zahlreiche Jobs, verschiedene Herausforderungen und unterschiedliche Menschen. Aber erst hier im Hotel Schlehdorn habe ich das Gefühl bekommen, dass der Job wirklich Spaß macht und dass die Herausforderungen geschafft werden können. Und das alles weil die Hotelgeschäftsleitung immer da ist, dich zu unterstützen und man mit Kollegen positive Energien austauschen kann. Seit einem Jahr gehöre ich zu dem Service Team und es gab noch nie einen Abend, an dem ich nicht neidisch auf unsere Gäste war 🙂 Sie sind glücklich nach gutem Essen, nach freundlicher Bedienung und das gibt mir das beste Gefühl, dass mein Team und ich einen sehr guten Job gemacht haben! Als Mitarbeiter fühlt sich man sehr wertgeschätzt. Man bekommt für jede Stunde und für jede Leistung einen Dank. Als mein Aufenthaltstitel in Gefahr war und eine Rückkehr in die Ukraine drohte, konnte ich auf die Hilfe der Geschäftsführung zählen – das Vertrauen und die Unterstützung dort geben mir Sicherheit. Und das findet man heutzutage nicht überall!

Yuliia PotapenkoService

I'm Momirka and I've been working for the Schlehdorn family since 2017. I started in the Köhlerei, back then it was still called Seehof, on the first floor. In 2023, I was promoted to deputy housekeeper and today I am the housekeeper. I particularly appreciate the fact that I can constantly develop here and that I am always given new opportunities and exciting tasks. It motivates me to be part of a team that places its trust in me and recognizes my potential. The opportunity to fill management positions internally shows me that my commitment is seen and encouraged. In this way, I can experience the #Change from our mission statement every day.

Momirka VujicHead of Housekeeping

What we stand for. Our corporate mission statement

The fundamental values of our Schlehdorn family are summarized in our mission statement. The mission statement forms a kind of guard rail on our path into the future. It helps us to stay on the right track and forms the foundation of our company’s long-term success.

#gastgeber|aus|leidenschaft

– Cordiality and friendliness are the principles of our actions and are much more important than being able to do everything perfectly.
– High quality is the basis for our success.
– Everyone contributes their own personality and respects that of others.
– We live and love the Black Forest and create enthusiasm for our hotel, the industry and the region.
– Our guests are at the center of our attention and have priority – each of us is a host!

#respekt

– Everyone is equally valuable and welcome – diversity is what sets us apart!
– We are a team and help those who need help – together we are strong!
– We treat each other as equals – every position in our company is important!
– Mutual understanding starts with the language we use, which is why we mainly speak German at work.

#feedback

– Openness, respect and mutual trust are the prerequisites for constructive and objective feedback.
– Praise and criticism drives us on, motivates us and allows us to grow, regardless of our position.
– You learn from your mistakes, especially if you talk about them.

#verantwortung

– Our actions make a significant contribution to the success of our company and we are aware of this.
– We handle our company’s resources with care.
– Those who give a lot can also expect a lot.
– We are also aware of our responsibility towards our employees and the industry as a whole and therefore pay particular attention to training and further education.

#veränderung

– Nobody is perfect, but we work every day to become a little better.
– We are open to new ideas and face challenges with motivation.
– Everyone should recognize potential, contribute ideas and implement them together.
– Decisions can be questioned – it is allowed to be smarter today than yesterday!