Investor Ronald G. Münzer says the heart of the property will be “a top-class restaurant.” Salvatore Luca, gastronomer from Cologne, who runs the “La Vita” restaurant, will offer an exquisite cuisine.

“We will continue to operate the Kommende very much in the spirit of the former owner and also take on his staff,” said Münzer in a talk with GA on Wednesday. The plans are to renovate the castle extensively so that it “again plays a central role for Bonn.” According to the investor, five suites are expected to be added.

Renovations will begin earliest in November because Wolfgang Bartel will be in the castle until October. Münzer said the hotel would be renovated step by step while the hotel and restaurant remain open for business.

For many people in the region, it’s important that the Kommende remains a place for wedding ceremonies. “The 19,000 square meter park and the 3,000 square meters of space are ideal for weddings and similar festivities,” emphasized Münzer. The lifestyle exhibition “Lebensart”, which is also held in the castle, should hopefully be accommodated again in the first weekend of November.

Wolfgang Bartel, who has taken care of the Kommende and its guests for the past 40 years, will leave Bonn and move to Leipzig. “I am leaving the region because of my age but not with pleasure. I felt very comfortable here and I believe that I am leaving my Kommende in good hands,” expressed Bartel.

(Orig. text: Holger Willcke)