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

Architecture: In the book “Pommersche Bäderarchitektur” (Pomeranian Spa Architecture) by Wolfgang Schneider & Torsten Seegert, the hotel is described as follows: Conceptually, this building was designed as a three-axis, three-story solid structure with a central risalit protruding toward the promenade. The axial structure of the solid base is almost completely concealed by the wooden loggias in front. …

The decorative elements of the wooden loggias vary across the individual floors. The loggias on the ground floor were partially closed at an early stage and have glass weather protection on the sides. …

In a first wave of renovations, the building was extended by one floor. The loggias that had once been there were completely removed and closed off from the promenade by a stone construction to form a flat building front. … In the course of the complete renovation in 1996/97, the four-story structure was retained. In addition, the basement was converted into a full-fledged floor. Numerous elements of the original design were reinstated: the … wooden loggias at the front and the steel loggias in the central risalit … the tower-like top of the central risalit … the profiling of the plaster …

Year of construction: Around 1897

History/owners until 1945: Villa Seestern and its owner Reinhold Nagel (freight forwarder and villa owner) were first mentioned in the 1898 Rügen address book. The 1905 Binz guide stated: Villa Seestern with 23 rooms and 3 kitchens, owned by Nagel. Four years later (1909), the villa was run as a guesthouse and wine bar under the ownership of Mr. Nagel.

In 1913, the house changed hands and was acquired by L. Völcker. The offer was described in great detail in the 1925 guidebook “Praktische Winke – Ostseebad Binz Insel Rügen” (Practical Tips – Baltic Sea Resort Binz, Island of Rügen): Pension Seestern (Völker’s Wine Bar) First-class house, directly on the beach. Well-appointed rooms in every price range. Table d’hôte: at small tables in the newly furnished elegant wine bar (wines from C. Huth & Sohn, Berlin). Stables. Car garage. In the mid-1920s, the owner was Benno Völcker, later also Mrs. Völcker.

In 1933 (according to Grieben’s travel guide, volume 65, Rügen with Hiddensee, Stralsund, Greifswald, Stettin, and information for motorists), the villa was run as a hotel-pension and offered the following: Well-appointed rooms with verandas and lake views. First-class cuisine. Contemporary prices. Separate bar, liqueur, wine, and beer rooms. Elegant dance hall. It is possible that there was a new owner behind this, who was not named here. In the 1934 housing register and in a house flyer from the same year, a G. v. Lieres was listed as the owner. As a letter from 1934 shows, the owner v. Lieres always had a very personal relationship with his guests:

“Binz, June 5, 1934 Mr. H. von Katzler Wentorf. Dear Mr. von Katzler!

Thank you very much for your letter of the 1st of this month. I am very pleased that you would like to visit us in August. I am therefore prepared to charge you a daily boarding rate of 20 M. for the two rooms you have requested on the 2nd floor (1 front corner room with an adjoining second room for the two children). … In the hope that you will enjoy your stay here with us, I remain with the request to give my best regards to your esteemed wife. With German regards, your most obedient servant, G.v.Lieres“

GDR era: The summer 1950 accommodation directory ”Ostseebad Binz Insel Rügen” stated: Hotel Seestern, owner v. Lieres, 30 beds. In the following years, the company “VEB Elektroprojekt und Anlagenbau Berlin” used Villa Seestern as a company vacation home.

After 1990: After 1990, Willi Plattes from Cologne took over several beach villas, including Villa Seestern. A comprehensive renovation took place in 1997. The condominiums were sold and are now mainly used for tourism.

Current use: Vacation homes and apartments

Interesting facts/anecdotes:

An advertisement in the 1935 Binz guidebook “Praktische Winke – Ostseebad Binz auf Rügen” (Practical Tips – Baltic Sea Resort Binz on Rügen) shows that Villa Seestern was a lively place in the mid-1930s: … Visit the TANZDIELE in the evening at the Hotel “Seestern” on the beach promenade. Elegant wine and beer bars, liqueur buffet. Lively band. Funny lectures. … House balls were also on the agenda.

Photos: Boy Collection, Lutz Grünke, Binzer Bucht Tourismus Collection

Text: Binzer Bucht Tourismus