Our History

Today’s Privathotel Riesenbeck looks back on more than 150 years of history.
Originally founded as Hotel Stratmann, for generations the house was an integral part of village life in Riesenbeck – a meeting place for travellers, clubs, craftsmen, weddings and stories that still live within its old walls today.

When Hannes Lammers took over the traditional house, a careful yet radical transformation began: step by step the building was modernised, the bowling alley made way for new rooms, and old structures were lovingly restored and combined with digital technology.
The result is a contemporary private hotel that combines the charm of the past with today’s comfort – honest, personal and independent.

Today Privathotel Riesenbeck is a modern boutique hotel with digital check-in, a 24-hour living room, a self-service bar and breakfast with regional produce – and yet it remains what it has always been:
A house with heart, history and a clear commitment to genuine hospitality.

“Tradition is an obligation – and an inspiration. That’s why we are simply continuing to write the history of the house.”

📌 Timeline: from “Hotel Stratmann” to Privathotel Riesenbeck

Privathotel Riesenbeck Ursprünge im 19.Jahrhundert

🏨 Origins in the 18th Century

The historic building on Sünte-Rendel-Straße was originally run under the name “Pompey” – later renamed Hotel Stratmann. Even back then, as old advertisements show, the inn with its bowling alley and gardens was considered a place to be recommended to travellers and day-trippers.

🏨 19th Century – the Founding

Hotel Stratmann was founded in Riesenbeck at the end of the 19th century. Originally known under the name “Pompey”, the house soon advertised itself to the “esteemed travelling public” and was a popular inn for day-trippers in the Münsterland. Its location in the village centre made it a central meeting place – for travellers with horse and carriage as well as for locals. Features of this period: First mentions in regional newspapers Role as an inn for day-trippers and travellers passing through Family-run business with simple fare

Hotel Riesenbeck Geschichte“, „Hotel Stratmann Riesenbeck 1914“

📖 1914 – Cash Book and Account Books

Entries from 1914 give an insight into everyday life at the hotel: beer deliveries, settlements with suppliers, receipts for events. These historical documents show how closely the house was connected with village life. Hotel Stratmann was not only a place to stay but also an economic driver for the region.

🏗️ 1964 – Gesellschaftshaus Stratmann

In the 1960s the “Gesellschaftshaus Stratmann” (Stratmann function house) is mentioned as a central meeting place for parties, weddings and clubs. The bowling alley was especially popular – a fixture of social life in Riesenbeck.

🚧 1970s – Expansion and New Architecture

Newspaper articles from the middle of the 20th century report on a new wing, architecturally adapted to the existing building, with large flower windows that offered guests a real aesthetic treat. Family celebrations, anniversaries and birthdays were celebrated here in style.

Bau der Kegelbahnen, Saal und Großküche Hoztel Stratmann Riesenbeck

🚧 1973 – Major New Building with Function Hall, 3 Regulation Bowling Lanes and a Large Kitchen Enriches Riesenbeck

For many decades Hotel Stratmann was a lively meeting place in the centre of Riesenbeck. The large hall at the back was used not only for parties and bowling but also as a cinema – red velvet curtain included. Old newspapers praised the house as “an island of hospitality”.

🍃 The “Green Room” – a Legendary Place of Hospitality

Especially in the 1960s and 1970s, the “Green Room” at Hotel Stratmann was known far beyond Riesenbeck. With its striking colour scheme, heavy curtains and cosy atmosphere, it became a popular meeting place for locals and travellers. Long afterwards, people in the village still talked about the “Green Room” – it was more than just a dining room, it was a piece of history and a symbol of the hospitality of the house.

🎬 2000s – Cinema & Bowling Alley

The Stratmann hall with its cinema and bowling alley was a defining part of the village. Many people from Riesenbeck remember cinema evenings, club parties and celebrations.

Hannes Lammers entscheidet zum Umbau des Hotel Riesenbeck

📰 2017 – New Impetus & First Plans – Stratmann Becomes "Hotel Riesenbeck"

With the takeover by Hannes Lammers, a new era begins. The first press reports speak of new impetus in the Gärtnerquartier, where large areas are to be used for forward-looking development. Hotel Riesenbeck is named as its centrepiece – with visions of modernised rooms, extended catering areas and new uses.

Planung des neuen Privathotel Riesenbeck

🏗️ 2018–2019 – Planning & Preparation

In the following years, concrete projects are prepared: - Modernisation of the main building - Conversion of the restaurant areas into hotel rooms - New roof structure with additional apartments and hotel rooms Cooperation with partners from Riesenbeck The press regularly reports on how closely tradition and future are interwoven in the project.

Abrissfoto mit Bagger, Hannes Lammers & Matthias Rhode vor der Baustelle

🚧 2020 – Demolition of the Hall, Bowling Lanes & Ancillary Rooms

A striking turning point: the old bowling alley and the Stratmann hall are demolished. The press writes of a visible change in the village scene. Newspaper articles such as “Bowling alley disappears” and “Demolition uncovers the past” document the building work The demolition makes room for a modern extension of the hotel. Demolition photo with excavator, Hannes Lammers & Matthias Rhode in front of the building site -

🌟 2020–2021 – Hannes Lammers Develops a New Hotel Concept – Hotel Riesenbeck Becomes "Privathotel Riesenbeck"

With the demolition, work also begins on implementing the new hotel concept: Creation of a 24-hour living room with fireplace, lounge and board games. Setting up a self-service bar with wine bar & long drinks. Renovation and modernisation of the guest rooms (rain showers, air conditioning, electric blinds) Introduction of a digital check-in solution for flexible arrival. The press describes the hotel as “Hotel Riesenbeck with a new concept”.

🏠 2022–2023 – Expansion & Future Projects

The hotel conversion went hand in hand with plans for the entire Gärtnerquartier. Reports covered the development of new flats and the construction of a supermarket and a care home. The quarter was to be strengthened not only for tourism but also as a place to live in Riesenbeck. This showed that Privathotel Riesenbeck had become a central part of a larger urban transformation.

🚀 2024–2025 – Privathotel Riesenbeck Today

Today the hotel presents itself as a modern alternative to anonymous chain hotels. Under the slogan “Your break from hotel chains”, Privathotel Riesenbeck combines family hospitality with a well-thought-out, contemporary concept. Tradition and modernity go hand in hand here – and today the house stands as a symbol of the successful transformation of a hotel steeped in tradition into an innovative, privately run concept.

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“You can see how the guest rooms of the former Hotel Stratmann have become modern feel-good rooms under Rooms & Amenities.”

Where people once celebrated, our guests now enjoy regional specialities at breakfast at Privathotel Riesenbeck

“Today we combine craftsmanship, hospitality and technology in a new way – you can find out more about our values under Our Approach.”

Behind the modernisation is the Lammers family – genuine hosts with a history. Find out more about us under Meet the Lammers Family.”

“An integral part of Riesenbeck for more than 150 years – nestled between Surenburg Moated Castle and the Schöne Aussicht viewpoint.