Previous names: The name “Villa Meeresgruss” has been retained since the hotel opened.

Architecture: In the book “Pommersche Bäderarchitektur” (Pomeranian Spa Architecture) by Wolfgang Schneider & Torsten Seegert, the building is described as follows: “This building also has a number of stylistic features, not least of which result from its corner location.

It is based on a three-story solid construction with large loggias in front. The main structure consists of two side wings arranged at right angles to each other, which are connected by a diagonal single-axis corner front. The roof faces Lottumstrasse and is topped with a small decorative element.

The central entrance is located at the rear of the building.

Year of construction: 1902

History/owners until 1945: The Hans Carl and Friederike Andres family first welcomed guests to the “Haus Meeresgruß” guesthouse in 1903. During the summer months, the 19 rooms and kitchen were rented out to vacationers from all over Germany. The rooms varied in size and, thanks to connecting doors, also allowed the family’s own staff to stay there. The kitchen wing in the basement was connected to the rooms by an elevator, making it possible to serve all desired meals. More than 100 beach chairs, which were also rented out, contributed to a carefree stay by the sea. The Andres family had two children, daughter Elli and son Bruno. Bruno continued the family tradition as a fisherman and also worked as a taxi driver. His wife Hedwig helped her parents-in-law run the guesthouse. In 1945, Bruno did not return from the war, and his wife died of typhoid fever in the same year.

GDR era: The three grandchildren from Bruno and Hedwig’s marriage grew up with their grandparents Hans Carl and Friederike. Refugees were also accommodated in the Meeresgruß house. Five unheated rooms could still be rented out privately during the summer months. In 1949, these rooms also had to be handed over to the FDGB (Free German Trade Union Federation) holiday service. To escape the “Aktion Rose” (Operation Rose), grandmother Friederike fled to the Federal Republic of Germany with one of her grandchildren for almost a year. After her return, she got her property back. Friederike Andres rented out a few rooms for the holiday service. After her death in 1964, one of her granddaughters continued this until 1990. The remaining rooms were used for residential purposes. At the end of the 1980s, the house was granted listed building status.

After 1990: In 1991, the house was sold by the heirs to investors in Hamburg, who renovated it. In October 1994, the house opened as a hotel and was run by the Centralhotel chain until 2015. Julia and Thomas Adrian have been running the hotel since March 2015.

Current use: Privately run bed and breakfast hotel

Interesting facts/anecdotes: Villa Meeresgruss has wraparound balconies, which is one of the things that makes the building so special. The old staircase is also very beautiful to look at.

Photos: Meeresgruss collection, Boy collection, Lutz Grünke, Thomas Adrian, Binzer Bucht Tourismus/Christian Thiele

Text: Lothar Beyer (ϯ), Binzer Bucht Tourismus