Nestled in the gently rolling hills of the Markgräflerland, where vineyards and fields of lettuce, pumpkins, and seasonal asparagus and strawberries define the landscape, lies the Bohrerhof – a country inn unlike any ordinary hotel. It echoes the Italian agriturismo model beloved in Tuscany and Umbria: guests stay at the heart of a working farm, experiencing authentic agriculture firsthand rather than simply observing it. And it does so with remarkable style and unwavering commitment to sustainability.

Built by the Bohrer family, vegetable farmers in the region for over four decades, the hotel is a strikingly clear three-storey timber structure using panel construction. Rather than concrete and steel, the frame draws on local Black Forest timber – fir and spruce – creating a material identity. The project employed approximately 1,500 m³ of construction timber and 1,200 m³ of wood fibre insulation, materials that slash CO₂ emissions while fostering a naturally healthy indoor environment. Choosing timber represents a deliberate departure from the reinforced concrete conventions that dominate hotel architecture. Architect Rudolf Lais crafted a refined design language that honors the rural context while speaking unmistakably to contemporary sensibilities.

All 64 guest rooms feature a southeast or southwest-facing balcony or terrace – a design strategy that maximizes light, openness, and connection to the landscape. The interiors capture the farm's ethos: handcrafted, genuine, and refreshingly pared down. High ceilings, generous proportions, and abundant daylight fill each room. Timber surfaces, natural stone, and organic wall finishes bridge contemporary design with the region's raw materials. The furnishings – solid wood tables and beds, timeless and unpretentious – reinforce this narrative. The hotel achieves an impressive 80 percent energy self-sufficiency through a expansive photovoltaic array. The Bohrers engineered their own cooling beam system fed by groundwater, replacing conventional air conditioning with a naturally efficient alternative that conserves hundreds of tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Here, a stay transcends mere accommodation – it's an immersion in sustainable practice, seasonal cooking, and the philosophy of working in harmony with nature. The sprawling grounds include a restaurant, an on-site market (stocked like a full supermarket), and e-bike access to explore the captivating region. Several thermal spas are minutes away: Vita Classica Therme in Bad Krozingen, Cassiopeia Therme in Badenweiler, and Balinea Thermen in Bad Bellingen. Worth the detour: Staufen im Breisgau, the legendary hometown of Doctor Faust – where folklore claims the scholar made his infamous pact with the devil – and home to Schladerer, the renowned spirits distillery.

www.bohrerhof.de