A new chapter in the history of Gebhards Hotel: In March 2026, this historic hotel joined the FREIGEIST & FRIENDS hotel group. The change of ownership also marked the start of extensive renovation work. The aim: to enhance quality in the long term, whilst preserving the hotel’s history and firmly re-establishing it as Göttingen’s social hub.
170 years of tradition
and hospitality
History brought to life
in the here and now
Founded in 1854 by the Gebhards family, this hotel has been family-run for over 170 years. Now the oldest hotel in Göttingen, it is one of the city’s most historically significant establishments. Over the years, the Gebhards Hotel has hosted prominent guests from the worlds of academia, business, politics, and culture.
Its historic halls traditionally hosted banquets, family celebrations, and social receptions. Over generations, Gebhard’s Hotel established itself as the town’s ‘living room’ and a place where people came together.
A new chapter
After decades of management by the Albes family, the new owners, Georg Rosentreter and Carl Graf von Hardenberg, are continuing the tradition of an owner-operated hotel.
More
Step by step, Gebhards Hotel is being modernised to bring back its original character. The hotel’s own restaurant was the first to be updated: the former “Georgia Augusta Stuben” has become “Georgia Augusta”. The name takes up the Latin name of the university and underlines the close connection between the city, the university and the hotel. This connection is also reflected in the ceiling design with constellations: when the hotel was founded, Göttingen was one of the centres of astronomy in Germany.
New sash windows with glazing bars make the building’s historic identity visible once again. In the rooms, natural materials such as wooden floors will in future provide warmth and a homely feel. With the comprehensive modernisation of the event rooms as well as the sauna and fitness area, the hotel is set up for the future.
FREIgeist
meets tradition
The new owners, who run the FREIGEIST & FRIENDS hotel group with six locations in the region, know what it takes to balance sustainable development with the hotel’s history. “The Gebhards Hotel is a Göttingen institution,” explains Georg Rosentreter. “We want to carry on its history, bring the charm of this hotel to life and create a place where both locals and international guests feel equally welcome.”
