A family affair – The exclusive hotels of Oetker Collection

The story of the entrepreneurial Oetker family began in 1891 in a German pharmacy, where Dr. August Oetker invented a new baking powder in 1893.

The warm breeze plays in the tree tops, rustling the palm leaves high above my head. Somewhat fatigued by jetlag and slowly adjusting to the Caribbean humidity on the beautiful island of St. Barths, we meet for drinks outside the Villa Rockstar by the softly illuminated pool. The villa boasts six bedrooms and a white concert piano. A chef and a butler are naturally on hand to cater to guests’ every wish, one of many exciting innovations at the Eden Rock St Barths. The luxury hotel now offers 11 room categories; the rooms themselves were created by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. There’s a sensational spa and the gourmet delights at the Sand Bar restaurant, now bigger than before, are overseen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Hotel Eden Rock St Barths: new start after hurricane

“The destruction that was wrought by Hurricane Irma in 2017 is now almost impossible to imagine,” says a member of the hotel marketing team who has lived and worked on the popular Caribbean island for years. But instead of indulging in self-pity, the Mathews family, the hotel’s proprietors, embarked on an extensive course of renovation, using the opportunity to raise the standard at the Eden Rock to an entirely new level. The impressive result is partly due to Oetker Collection, which had come on board as an investor. “A happy circumstance, a perfect match,” as an insider said. After two years of refurbishment and thanks to General Manager Fabrice Moizan and his dedicated team, the legendary establishment above popular St. Jean beach now shines forth more resplendent than ever in its long history.

No half-hearted measures here, but instead, a striving for perfection and the finest quality: That could sum up Oetker Collection’s imperative. Quite the opposite to other luxury hotel chains that aims to offer their guests the same familiar and predictable product, no matter the location. In fact, each of the extraordinary establishments in the world’s most beautiful destinations has only one thing in common: its own personality paired with the highest quality service.

The Oetker family: From baking powder to luxury hotels

The enterprising Oetker family with its various different companies is firmly rooted in German entrepreneurial culture and its history dates back to the 19th century. It all started with Dr. August Oetker, a German pharmacist who developed a recipe for baking powder in 1893 – a practical and reliable invention to ensure that cakes always rise. Marketed as “Backin,” this was the touchstone for the successful rise of Dr. Oetker, a family-owned company that soon established itself as a significant player in the food industry.

It wasn’t until after World War II, when Rudolf-August Oetker, the grandson of the company founder, took over the firm, that the company started moving into the luxury hotel business. Under his leadership, Dr. Oetker branched out in various directions, the hotel sector being only one of them.

Oetker Collection's first hotel in Germany

Oetker Collection was only officially founded in 2008 but its heritage can be traced back to 1872, when the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Germany, first opened its doors. It was a hotel that Rudolf-August Oetker used to frequent quite often, and he liked it so much that in 1941, he bought it. On a sailing trip in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1964, he and his wife Maja discovered the Hôtel du Cap on the cliffs above Cap d’Antibes in the French Riviera. Five years later, in 1969, they purchased this extraordinary property as well, changing the name to Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc.

This was followed by the Le Bristol Paris, a unique luxury hotel in the heart of the French capital that the Oetker family took over in 1978. Today, the Château Saint-Martin in Vence, France, The Lanesborough in London, the L’Apogée in Courchevel, France, the Palácio angará in Brazil and The Woodword in Geneva all belong to the group.

Special destinations from St. Barths to Capri

Off the coast of the Antigua, just a few minutes by air from St. Barths, lies Jumby Bay, discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and later claimed by the British. Today, the private island boasts a resort-like hotel and magnificent, staffed villas. Families and wedding parties are particularly drawn to this discreet, secluded destination. Seven years ago, Oetker Collection took over the management of this particular pearl.

The highly anticipated opening of the La Palma hotel on the isle of Capri took place this past summer. Situated on the main drag on the southern coast of Capri (a Mediterranean island particularly popular with U.S. visitors), the hotel boasts magnificent interiors by Maltese interior designer Francis Sultana. No sooner had it opened then this top establishment was booked solid for an entire year. The hotel spa cooperates with another German brand, Augustinus Bader, while in the restaurant, Neapolitan chef Gennaro Esposito offers guests a delicious culinary experience.

Each of the carefully selected establishments joins Oetker Collection’s impressive portfolio as another stunning masterpiece.

Oetker Collection's first foray to the U.S market: the Vineta Palm Beach

The opening of The Vineta in Palm Beach, Florida, marks the German hotel group’s first foray into the U.S. market. The interior of the imposing, pale pink building, which was constructed in 1926, has been rejuvenated by Parisian interior designer Tino Zervudachi. For the second time since Capri, the hotel group has once again partnered with the Reuben Brothers, raising expectations even higher.

Timo Grünert, CEO of Oetker Collection, describes the hotel group’s characteristics as follows: “Extraordinary hotels always have a soul and a personality, created by people. Our teams share a strong family spirit, have a real passion for being hosts and genuinely care about our guests.”

“Our hotels have a soul, created by people. With a family spirit, elegance and sincere warmth.” - Timo Grünert, CEO Oetker Collection