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Welcome!

The Bären

familiar. authentic. heartfelt.

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Handcraft – Tradition – Passion – Gratification

Our hearts beat for our guests and the Bären. For four generations, our family philosophy has been ‘coming home’ and that means more than just arriving, a philosophy that guides all we do.

With a traditional butcher shop, regional products, lovingly furnished rooms and a warm and friendly service, the Bären is our guests’ home away from home. Seasonal products guarantee not only varied, but also nutritious foodstuffs. You can enjoy homemade specialties such as real Swabian dumplings, our “Bären ham” .... or zesty jams and jellies made from organic fruits all year round.

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One Family, four Generations

—  Since 1907

The Bären is a traditional family business run by the Ellinger-Kugler family.

Already in the fourth generation, daughter Laura Pfannkuch and her husband Hannes Pfannkuch are breathing new life into the Bären. A trained butcher and cook, Laura conjures up fine delicacies for every taste using regional and organic products. In her well-organized and skillfully managed kitchen, she creates home-made, loved by all, tried and tested, almost forgotten, and many new dishes.

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The Bären Story

On 27 July 1693, a devastating fire ripped through the town of Marbach, nearly destroying it.
After the fire, the Bären was rebuilt. Since Gottlob Ellinger acquired the business in 1907, the Bären has been a butcher’s shop, hotel and restaurant.

Even in the past, the ‘bear’ danced in our historic guest rooms, restaurant and hall ...
Dance lessons since the 1920s, dashing balls à la ‘The Great Gatsby,’ association festivities, annual celebrations of all kind, round tables, election events, Schiller readings, weddings, family celebrations, excursions ...

Centrally located, the Bären is firmly rooted in Marbach’s old town; it sits adjacent to the town hall, on the historic town square and in the immediate vicinity of Holdergassen. From here it is only a short walk to all the sights of ‘Schiller City.’

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Sustainability

... concerns all of us!
In order to make our climate-relevant footprint as small as possible, we are exploring different options, some of which we have already implemented:
Heat recovery through our cooling systems
Installation of energy-efficient and quiet cooling units
Reduction of all disposable items and conversion to items made from recycled material
Conscientious waste separation
Eco-friendly laundry practices in the hotel

Marbach am Neckar

—  City history

Marbach became famous as the birthplace of Friedrich Schiller, who was born on 10 November 1759, the son of a surgeon and daughter of a well-respected Marbacher family.
Tobias Mayer, an eighteenth-century scientist and astronomer, was also born in the city. Marbach’s most famous sights include the old town; the Schillerhöhe, also the site of the Museum of Modern Literature and the German Literature Archive (LiMo) design by David Chipperfield; and the Neckar Valley bikepath. The hiking trails of the Bottwar Valley and the royal seat of Ludwigsburg are just a short drive away. Marbach offers much for those interested in culture, outdoor activities and those just wishing to relax.

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