Willkommen bei Romantic Travel, dem Podcast von Romantik Hotels. Heute sind wir im wunderschönen Osnabrück, in einem echten Traditionshaus: dem Romantik® Hotel Walhalla. 

Anabel Joksch
Today I’m speaking with Andreas Bernard. Hello Mr. Bernard, lovely to have you here.

Andreas Bernard
Hello, Ms. Joksch. I’m very happy to be here. Thank you for the invitation.

Anabel Joksch
You've been running the hotel together with your wife for several years.

Andreas Bernard
That’s right, it’s been over 30 years now. There’s a lot to tell, and I’m happy to answer your questions.

Anabel Joksch
I’d love to. This is a very historic building – founded in 1690, right here in Osnabrück. That’s a long and impressive history. Not many hotels can say that. Could you tell us more about it?

Andreas Bernard
Gladly. 1690 is indeed the year when the house, as it stands today, was built. But the foundation walls are much older. Monument preservation authorities estimate they date back to the 15th or 16th century. To put it briefly, in 1613, there was a devastating city fire in Osnabrück. Most of the buildings around the market square and town hall, including ours, were destroyed. The house was rebuilt in 1690 on those older foundations.

In 1648, the Peace of Westphalia was negotiated here, ending the Thirty Years’ War. The Protestant envoys stayed in Osnabrück and the Catholic ones in Münster. Many of them were housed in buildings around the market square – likely including ours. So while the official history begins in 1690, the house’s roots go back much further.

Anabel Joksch
What a fascinating historical background. Has it always been a hotel since 1690?

Andreas Bernard
The house has existed for over 335 years and has had about four major ownership changes. My father-in-law bought the property in 1985 from kind people who unfortunately didn’t have the resources to restore it. He had no hotel experience, but saw potential, renovated it extensively – and suddenly it worked. People loved the location and the charm.

Later, his daughter – now my wife – and I got involved. In the early 1990s, we took over and slowly expanded. We bought and renovated neighboring buildings, developing what was once a small guesthouse into today’s romantic hotel complex.

Anabel Joksch
That sounds exciting. So, how many buildings now make up the hotel?

Andreas Bernard
We currently use eight properties, six of them actively. The other two serve as back-of-house areas with 20 parking spaces, staff offices, and a few apartments – some of which are used by employees. Altogether, the buildings span across four streets, which is quite unusual and can’t be seen at first glance. You’d need an aerial view to appreciate the full size. It’s a complex and interesting task to run such a unique hotel – not one from the drawing board, but full of history, charm, and many discussions with heritage and fire safety authorities.

Anabel Joksch
Yes, definitely. I’m sure many of our listeners are already curious and will look up photos at RomantikHotels.com – though I bet the experience in person is even better. The name “Walhalla” – has that always been its name?

Andreas Bernard
No, originally it was called “Ratschenke” when it began serving food and drinks in 1690. It was directly across from the town hall and served as a kind of civic inn. In 1820, a man from the surrounding region bought the property and wanted to give it a more elevated identity. Inspired by Norse mythology – think of the Valhalla near Regensburg – he saw it as a place where honorable people gather, like fallen warriors in mythology. So he named it “Walhalla,” and since 1820 the name has stuck and become well-known in the region.

Anabel Joksch
A very impressive name. And Walhalla is known for more than just its name – especially the food, right?

Andreas Bernard
Yes, thank you! We know where our guests come from, and we have both local and international visitors. Many stay at the hotel just to eat. We operate three different restaurant concepts.

Our main restaurant focuses on regional and seasonal dishes – all freshly prepared. We source local game from hunters in the area, and I even hunt myself. Wild game – especially venison – is very popular, as people appreciate how sustainable and natural it is.

We also have a lounge with more of a bistro style, offering international dishes, and finally, a traditional German pub atmosphere.

Anabel Joksch
Is that the “Ole Use S-Bar” or did I get that wrong?

Andreas Bernard
That’s correct. We call it “Ole Use,” which in Low German means “all ours.” There’s a whole story behind the name. The building is our oldest, dating back to 1608. I bought it from the city about ten years ago. It has nothing to do with the Flensburg brand of the same name. Historically, local farmers would walk their land every seven years, checking border stones and declaring, “Ole Use – all this is ours.” That’s where the name comes from.

Today, the building houses our S-Bar, with a bar and restaurant across two floors. It’s run independently with its own kitchen. We’ve maintained a German tradition with shared plates – a “Food Prepared to be Shared” concept. Though, of course, guests can order individually if they prefer.

Anabel Joksch
I’ve seen that myself – some like to share, others don’t. But there’s also a special drink, right? Your own gin?

Andreas Bernard
Exactly. It’s called Use-Gin. It’s distilled in a professional distillery based on my own recipe. The English often read it as “use gin,” which works too! Ours is fresh and light, with lemongrass and coriander notes – perfect for summer. In autumn, the heavier varieties become more popular. You can enjoy it on site, buy it as a souvenir, or even order it. Despite its light taste, it still has 44% alcohol.

Anabel Joksch
Great tip! So if you’re ever in Osnabrück, stop by the Ole Use S-Bar and try the house gin, straight from the original recipe. Now, after good food and drink, guests might want to explore the city. What do you recommend to visitors?

Andreas Bernard
There’s a lot! Most first-time guests visit the town hall and the Peace Hall, which I mentioned earlier. Right nearby, there’s the Marienkirche – a former civic church after the Reformation – and the cathedral. The Felix Nussbaum Museum is also worth visiting. He was a Jewish painter murdered in a concentration camp. The museum was designed by Daniel Libeskind and was one of his first buildings in Germany – just five minutes’ walk away.

For those staying longer, there are lesser-known gems: a small Jesuit church known for concerts, the little Hase river that flows through town, and the Terra Vita Geopark – the only geopark anchored in a major German city. Osnabrück is framed by the Teutoburg Forest to the south and the Wiehen Mountains to the north, giving it a wonderfully natural backdrop.

Andreas Bernard
The city itself has about 160,000 residents, with 450,000 in the region. You can quickly reach beautiful nature spots. There are even two historic cemeteries from 1808 – St. Johannis and the Hase cemetery – lovely quiet places full of atmosphere. And we also have a fantastic zoo. Osnabrück really has something for everyone.

Anabel Joksch
Thank you for all these amazing tips! I think it’s clear that Osnabrück offers a perfect mix of culture, history, nature – and culinary delights. Before we wrap up: your hotel also has a wellness area, right?

Andreas Bernard
Yes, a relatively small but very charming spa, built in 2008 under the roof of the old Walhalla. It comfortably fits six to eight people and includes a sauna, steam bath, relaxation room, and massage options. From next to the sauna, you can even look out toward the historic Rathaus. Sometimes it feels like the old councilmen are still watching over the city. It’s a cozy, intimate space – especially popular during gray winter days when you just want to relax and unwind.

Anabel Joksch
That sounds wonderful. Thank you so much, Mr. Bernard, for sharing these insights into Osnabrück, your hotel, and its rich history. Dear listeners, don’t forget to subscribe to the Romantic Travel podcast so you don’t miss the next episode. Until then – goodbye and see you soon!

Andreas Bernard
Thank you, Ms. Joksch.