The small Badersee, - our house lake, is a real gem of the majestic crown of the Bavarian Alps, the Wetterstein massif. Surrounded by jungle and only three kilometers from the Zugspitze summit, the lake is idyllically situated in the alpine landscape. Today we invite you to a Badersee tour!

The lake

Lake Badersee is the Eibsee in miniature: The emerald green water is so clear that you often barely notice the border between water and sky. The lake is full of trout and is also home to several families of ducks. Behind Lake Badersee, the summit of the Zugspitze rises majestically and conjures up a truly magnificent reflection on the lake, as if you could touch the tip with your finger in the lake.

Lake Badersee is not fed by aboveground tributaries, but by its own springs — it has no inflow and outflow above ground. As a result, the lake never freezes over, not even in the harshest winter. Its temperature never drops further than plus five degrees Celsius, but even on the hottest days, it is never possible to measure more than eleven degrees Celsius. For these and nature conservation reasons, bathing in Lake Badersee is not allowed - not only is the water too cold for swimming, but also poses risks due to the cold temperatures. Private boat trips and fishing are also not permitted - the Badersee must remain a paradise for everyone, the flora and fauna of the lake must remain protected and our trout and waterfowl should continue to enjoy their peace and quiet.

Lake Badersee has a circumference of 580 m and the deepest point is 18 m deep. The lake got its name from the former owners, the Bader family from Grainau.

There is a mermaid in the lake, which you can admire in the crystal-clear water near the rocky island when you go out on a rowing boat on the lake. According to legend, King Ludwig II had a replica of the mysterious dancer Lola Montez, who had a love affair with King Ludwig I, sink into the lake. The bronze figure actually has its features.

The hotel

The town has been a popular destination since the 19th century. In 1871, the Grainau Benefit acquired Lake Badersee and decided to transform it into an excursion destination. An access road and a house with a viewing platform were built. Many representatives of the Munich art world came here and many successful lake festivals took place here. Even official visits were not long in coming, such as the Fairytale King Ludwig II and Queen Mother Marie of Bavaria. Ludwig II in particular was impressed by the natural idyll and once wanted to build a hunting lodge on Lake Badersee.

In 1894, the former restaurateur transformed the Badersee business into a joint stock company and created a modern hotel building, with associated outbuildings, a post office and its own lighting system. In order to ensure year-round hotel and restaurant operation, cozy reading, playrooms and smoking rooms have been set up. The hotel bus and its own carriage ran between Garmisch and the hotel on Lake Badersee.

In 1974, the Bavarian Raiffeisen Association acquired the Hotel am Badersee to build the Raiffeisen Education Center for the Bavarian Cooperatives. In 1975, seminars began on a small scale. It was then built and renovated. In June 1982, the plant of its current size was put into operation.

After the renovation of the lake house in 1996 and the complete renovation in 2012, the hotel now offers its guests the comfort of a modern first-class hotel. The 135 rooms of this alpine-style house are located either in a lakeside or in a country house. In addition to a restaurant, a bar and 22 conference rooms, the hotel also has a country house spa with unique highlights, such as the sauna with Zugspitze views and the ice grotto with real, fresh snow. Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze, is the natural backdrop for your stay at the hotel. Dream, take a deep breath, be pampered and inspired — this is how you experience the Zugspitze region with us!

A beautiful spot on earth

“Make visible what might never have been noticed without you,” said French film director Robert Bresson. Lake Badersee is beautiful in all weathers. Time and again, we have noticed that our lake is a popular photo opportunity: each of our guests certainly took a nice photo of the lakeside as a reminder of their trip.

Share your impressions! Post your pictures to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #hotelambadersee. We are happy to share the best photos with your comments on our channels.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our house!

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