Golfing Lake Constance: 3 Courses, 1 unforgettable stay
Geisingen, of all places: a boutique hotel for golfers and other active travelers in a town that hardly anyone knows. Somewhere on Lake Constance. The Hotel Krone 1280 is uniquely different, which is probably why it has been a classic example of successful word-of-mouth marketing ever since it reopened three years ago. In any case, it’s an ideal starting point for a golf vacation on Lake Constance—provided you value individuality, are a fan of extraordinary architecture and cuisine, and are looking for high-quality golf courses rather than bargain green fees.
Staycations are on the rise
This type of vacation is called a “staycation”: a low-key getaway in your home country, free of major disruptions and unexpected crises; a stay in the popular Lake Constance region that is, on top of that, significantly more climate-friendly than a flight to a distant foreign country. A staycation also has to do with comfort and a sense of security.
The Krone 1280 conveys a sense of luxury by making guests feel immediately at home in this centuries-old complex of buildings. “Our guests are, to a large extent, repeat visitors,” says Stephanie Baintner, the general manager. More and more of them are golfers. Because of its location near the border, they come not only from Germany but also from Austria and Switzerland.
Vacationing within Germany is becoming increasingly popular as extreme weather events make planning trips abroad an unpredictable factor. The Lake Constance region, already one of Germany’s most popular domestic destinations, is benefiting from this trend. As early as 2024, the region set a new record for overnight stays, with 22.3 million guests. And the trend is on the rise.
Quality is an important issue for the region, and regional value creation and sustainability are becoming increasingly significant as strategic competitive factors. The Hotel Krone 1280 has now established strong relationships with the surrounding golf courses. The underlying principle of sustainability in operations brings people together. The Öschberghof is a GreenSign resort, and both the Schloss Langenstein Golf Club and the Owingen-Überlingen Golf Club are certified under the Golf & Natur quality management program.
In this regard, the Hotel Krone 1280 is special in many ways as a starting point for golf excursions. The complex of buildings was constructed as early as the 13th century alongside the town of Geisingen and initially belonged to the noble von Fürstenberg family. Later, the stately inn became a tavern, then a residence, and finally a pizzeria. The buildings then stood vacant for twelve years.
After four and a half years of restoration, the hotel now presents itself as a successful blend of modernity and history. Guests open a glass room door, then find themselves standing before an original door made of thick wood and enter a room constructed almost entirely of reclaimed wood from the surrounding area. “More than 50 percent of the building materials come from the region, as do more than 80 percent of the skilled craftsmen involved.” The 29 rooms and suites are individually furnished; a special feature is the “blue room,” where the aquamarine-colored walls have been exposed—a shade that was once very rare and precious.
Six buildings come together as a whole; one of them—the barn—was built entirely from scratch using wood and a steel framework, yet it by no means looks new. The wooden shingles on the roof, in particular, are a special detail. A carpentry shop from the Geisingen area crafted them by hand over the course of several months.
The hotel includes Zum Hecht, a traditional inn that has been run by owner and head chef Robert Müller for over 25 years. “Italo-Baden” is likely the term used to describe the culinary niche that has also earned it a listing in the Michelin Guide. A star is not the owners’ goal. The Hecht’s welcoming atmosphere makes it a regional attraction, explains Baintner. Together with the Agatha restaurant, they offer vacationers cuisine that, according to Müller, is above all “honest, creative, and insanely delicious.”
Golf vacations in one’s home country are likely to become more popular
Individual trips, such as this Lake Constance package, are likely to be in even greater demand in the future. According to the latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), in 2025 domestic travel not only increased by 3.0 percent while international travel decreased by 8.3 percent, but so-called alternative accommodations—booked not through major travel agencies but via booking platforms—are on the rise, with a 13 percent increase. Furthermore, air travel continues to lag behind as a preferred mode of transportation. Sixty percent of all multi-day trips in Germany are taken by car. Of course, electric charging stations are available not only at the Hotel Krone 1280 but also at golf courses. This is now standard equipment—something that businesses committed to sustainability no longer even mention.
The Krone 1280 Hotel
Hauptstraße 33, 78187 Geisingen, Phone: +49 7704 4079500, Email: info@1280krone.com, www.1280krone.com; Room rates: Prices vary depending on room category, travel dates, and special offers. As a rough guide, expect to pay around 150–250 euros per night for a double room with breakfast. In addition to the restaurant “Zum Hecht,” which is listed in the Michelin Guide and offers fine dining, there is a second restaurant, “Agatha,” which also sources its ingredients from regional suppliers.
The Golf Courses:
Öschberghof Golf Club / Severin’s Resort & Spa Öschberghof
Tel.: +49 (0) 771 84-525, golf@oeschberghof.com, Golfplatz 1, 78166 Donaueschingen; Green fee: 18-hole Old Course: approx. 110 € Monday through Thursday, 120 € Friday through Sunday/holidays; 18-hole East Course: approx. 100 € Monday through Thursday, 110 € Friday through Sunday/holidays; Daily green fee: approx. 140 € Monday through Thursday, 160 € Friday through Sunday/holidays.
Owingen-Überlingen Golf Club, Inc.
Tel: +49 (0) 7551 83040, welcome@golfclub-owingen.de, Hofgut Lugenhof, Alte Owinger Straße 93, 88696 Owingen; Green fee: 18 holes: approx. 95 € Monday through Thursday; 18 holes: approx. 105 € Friday through Sunday and on holidays.
Langenstein Castle Country Club
Phone: +49 (0) 7.774 50651, Schloss Langenstein 16, 78359 Orsingen-Nenzingen; Green fee: 18 holes: approx. 90 € Monday through Friday; 18 holes: approx. 120 € Saturday, Sunday, and holidays; 18 holes (sundowner/off-peak times): starting at approx. 70 €.
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