Geschichte

... But he keeps on furtively looking down to the big house that is shining in the sun beside the dark strap of the street, the Schwarzwaldhochstraße (Black Forest High Road). It is the famous "Bühler Höhe". The young lad has never seen this house from the inside. What he has heard from his parents about this particular hotel wings his imagination and won't go off his mind: It is said that important, famous people spend their holidays over there. People say that it has spacious rooms with refined bath-rooms. Cooks that wear white caps. And of course a hotel manager that takes care that all those celebrities, politicians and actors are satisfied with their stay. The cheeks of the boy are flushed with excitement: Yes, this would be it! I should have my own hotel! Promptly he heard the voice of his mother: "Meinrad, are you dreaming again…?"
Yes, little Meinrad has a big dreams. But there is every reason to believe that it never will become reality. What his upright and diligently working parents earn is barely enough to support the steadily growing family, which will finally count six children (five boys and one girl). Meinrad's father, Rudolf Schmiederer, is employed by the city of Oppenau. After a long working day he takes care of the little business and the two cows on the Dollenberg together with his wife Anna. There's not even a street leading to the isolated Balck Forest farm. This explains why it doesn't mean a thing to Schmiederers when the occasional visitors enthusiastically exclaim: "What a marvellous view. It feels just like holidays!"
There is one thing the family will never allow to be robbed of. In summer they will drive to the Schwarzwaldhochstraße to pick cranberries. Then they will stop off in a cosy public house. At the age of ten, meanwhile a real scamp, Meinrad has the courage to propose his parents to halt at the famous "Bühler Höhe". The answer brought the young boy down with a bump: "That's nothing for ordinary people like us!"
This was at latest the moment when the boy realised that his parents were right. He just should forget the dream of his own hotel, his possibilities never would suffice for this. But only a few minutes later he defiantly thought to himself: "So what! If I can't have my own hotel, at least I shall be managing director of a hotel!"
For the next two years, the only way Meinrad got into contact with gastronomy was through his parent's bottle beer trade. It generated a little extra income for the family. Since at the time there was no street up to the Dollenberg, Meinrad and his brothers had to carry all the empty bottles up to the road where the empties were collected by the brewery and supply for the cellar was delivered.
The small business did quite well. Only two years later - when Meinrad had turned twelve years old - his parents opened up a little tourist restaurant with three tables and twelve seats. At the age of fourteen, Meinrad started his career and became adult when he opposed his parents' wishes. "No", he said defiantly, "the traineeship you have chosen for me does not suit me". Meinrad wanted to become cook. But it had to be a house with a certain prestige, not this one-man-business of his parents. He really wanted to learn all about cooking and become a famous cuisinier! Unnecessary to mention that the young man imposed his will (a character trait which became apparent for the first time, which is not always delighting the people surrounding him, that marks his life). Back in 1965 it was not so simple to find an alternative traineeship at once, so he had to overcome a lot of struggling. Finally, Meinrad Schmiederer took up his position in an excellent restaurant in Freudenstadt, a famous health resort and passed his examination with brilliance. And on it went with breathtaking speed! Only seventeen years old he tackled a second apprenticeship as hotel salesman. Where? Well, we hardly like to mention it because it sounds like a fairy tale: At the hotel "Bühler Höhe" of course. As young boy only his secret dreams allowed him to be there where he is now... After he mastered the second formation in a rapid and effective manner (in 1970), Meinrad applied at the hotel academy Heidelberg for the studies of business sciences... But then life took one of these curious turns which screw up a determinate life planning. Sometimes just to lead the concerned people on a different, but faster way to their goals. Meanwhile his parents' farm had evolved to a small guest-house. An extension was built onto the house and a swimming-pool installed, a little sensation for this period. The business outgrew Rudolf und Anna Schmiederer. Their modest success surprised themselves, so they pressed for Meinrad to take over the business. Being fully on his way to a position in the higher hotel trade, he did not want to hear about that. After long consequent discussions, Meinrad eventually agreed under the condition that it would be for two years only,then he would continue with his career. It was inevitable. After the two years had passed his parents told him: "Business is going so well, you simply can't let us down now." Meinrad Schmiederer, then 21 years old, said to himself: "In for a penny, in for a pound!" He got started with such enthusiasm that he did not realize that he was fulfilling his childhood dream of his own hotel, which he almost forgot by the time. The pace with which he went on was remarkable:
1974/75:first extension with extra guest rooms 1977/78:demolition of the parental home, construction of a restaurant complex equipped with a modern kitchen 1982: additional extensions and modifications 1983: Meinrad Schmiederer obtains a degree as cuisinier (with no bother). First commitments to communal politics 1984: construction of the massage and bath centre 1985: tennis court is laid out 1989/90:An important period in the history of the hotel: construction of the wellness indoor swimming pool with sauna - there is nothing comparable to be found for miles around.
In this period of building up of the hotel the solidarity of the family is the most important for Meinrad Schmiederer: The parents, the brothers and his sister, all of them are supporting him with their strength and advice. Despite all the construction work, quality aspects always followed strictest guides lines. Nowadays the ‚Health and Sport Hotel Dollenberg' offers 80 rooms (160 beds), mostly suites and junior suites. Meinrad Schmiederer stays hotel manager and ‚chef de cuisine' until 1991. Despite this double burden his results as chef are excellent: Michelin "Red Menu" and various distinctions in other hotel guides. The master has not only a knack for culinary pleasures, but is also good at finding talents: Meinrad Schmiederer encouraged the young cook Martin Herrmann who worked for him as apprentice and whose capacities stood and still stand out. Martin Herrmann, meanwhile married to Meinrad's sister Ulrike, did not disappoint his boss: in 1997 the ambitious protégé of Meinrad Schmiederer "cooks" one of the so much desired Michelin stars for the Hotel Dollenberg. A typical public house of Baden turns into a gourmet temple - who would have dreamed this! There are always new tasks and challenges tempting the hotel director: Together with his friend and successful Black Forest restaurateur Roland Dieterle, Meinrad Schmiederer is taking over the gastronomy of the world-famous Casino of Baden-Baden in 1994 which is so rich in tradition. The Hotel Dollenberg is not lacking international reputation neither. Beside all the cars with number plates coming from Belgium, France, Luxemburg, Great Britain, the Netherlands and other countries, the admission to the international hotel cooperation "Relais de Silence" in 1979 can be taken as proof. Soon Meinrad Schmiederer became member of the executive board and was elected president of "Relais de Silence" only five years later. It was in 1996 that the "Dollenberg" met the severe criteria of "Relais & Chateaux", a renown international cooperation of independent hoteliers. This small but exclusive circle of first-class hotels (only 36 houses in Germany) is committed to the famous five C's: Character, Charm, Calm, Cuisine and Courtesy. Today approximately 100 employees are working for Meinrad Schmiederer. 35 young people are receiving their formation at the Hotel Dollenberg (quite a thing in this difficult times!). 18 cooks are at work in the kitchen. The culmination of a success story? For Meinrad Schmiederer there is no doubt: It is the Michelin star which is crowning the "Dollenberg". How will it go on? Perfectly happy? "Of course not!", replies now 49 years old Meinrad, who only has little time for his hobbies (old wine and new convertibles). Then he smiles mischievously like a young boy: "I still have many plans but I will not give them all away. Maybe an even bigger swimming pool. Maybe a new restaurant..." Astonished we realize: This dreamer is not a dreamer. This man has both feet firmly on the ground. Even if his story sometimes sounds like a modern tale....