Seegut Zeppelin, Friedrichshafen
Design-Forward Tranquility on the Shores of Lake Constance
A Historic Villa Meets Contemporary Architecture
At the heart of the lakeside estate stands the elegant Villa Gminder, a historic architectural treasure built in 1909. It’s surrounded by four striking new buildings—minimalist in form, clad in dark glazed spruce, and topped with green pavilion roofs—that create a seamless dialogue between old and new. Set within a protected park of ancient trees, this thoughtful composition fosters a rare atmosphere of stillness and connection to nature.
Nature Inside and Out
Floor-to-ceiling windows blur the boundary between interior and exterior, offering uninterrupted views of the park and inviting in natural light. Every room feels anchored to the landscape—quiet, grounded, and alive with the subtle rhythms of the surrounding forest and lake. The natural materials used throughout the estate reflect this same ethos: a celebration of beauty that doesn’t shout, but simply belongs.
Heritage and Harmony in the Details
Interior design lovers will appreciate the use of finely crafted furnishings from design houses like Freifrau and horgenglarus, along with natural linen and cotton textiles that nod to the estate’s origin. Gustav Gminder, the textile magnate who originally commissioned the villa, would likely approve of the legacy being honored with such refined restraint.
Pinus: A Culinary Ode to the Forest
Set inside the original villa, Restaurant Pinus is a standout. Named for the black pines that dominate the grounds, the restaurant offers a modern, mostly vegetarian menu built around the principles of seasonality and sharing. Think radishes with pickled trout, mushroom ravioli, or lentils with Black Forest miso—all presented together, meant for tasting and talking. The drink program is equally inventive, with herbaceous infusions, fermented beverages, and a robust list of local wines and spirits from the Lake Constance region.
Rooms Rooted in Sustainability
All 62 guest rooms across the estate are designed according to Green Eco Design principles. Expect oak floors, lime-plastered walls, silver fir details, and tactile brass accents—an elegant, understated celebration of craftsmanship and materials that are both luxurious and low-impact. It’s a retreat where sustainability is not just a theme—it’s embedded in every decision.
DNA Hotels Verdict
A masterclass in quiet luxury and contemporary eco-design, Seegut Zeppelin blends history, hospitality, and sustainability into a stay that feels both deeply restful and subtly visionary. A new benchmark for lakeside retreats.
Your hosts: Sandra & Hendrik Fennel
