From royal estate to castle hotel
Did you know? The name “Hugenpoet” refers to the origins of the castle: “Huge” means toad and “Poet” stands for puddle or pool – a fitting description of the moated castle.
The history of Hugenpoet Castle dates back to the year 778, when it was first mentioned as a royal estate of Charlemagne. Over the centuries, the castle was owned by various noble families, including the Lords of Nesselrode, called Hugenpoet. In 1478, the castle was stormed and burned down due to numerous feuds. Near the ruin, a new castle was built in 1509, but it also did not withstand the turmoil of the time. In 1647, Johann Wilhelm von Nesselrode zu Hugenpoet had the estate, which had been badly damaged by the Thirty Years' War, demolished and rebuilt – essentially the castle as it stands today. In 1831, Friedrich Leopold Freiherr von Fürstenberg acquired the dilapidated castle in a forced auction. After extensive renovations in the Neo-Renaissance style, the Fürstenberg family moved their residence from Borbeck Castle to Hugenpoet in 1879. During the Second World War, the castle served as a depot for works of art from the destroyed Museum Folkwang. The Fürstenberg family retreated to the upper floors, while the ground floor was used as a museum until 1953.
The history of Hugenpoet Castle dates back to the year 778, when it was first mentioned as a royal estate of Charlemagne. Over the centuries, the castle was owned by various noble families, including the Lords of Nesselrode, called Hugenpoet. In 1478, the castle was stormed and burned down due to numerous feuds. Near the ruin, a new castle was built in 1509, but it also did not withstand the turmoil of the time. In 1647, Johann Wilhelm von Nesselrode zu Hugenpoet had the estate, which had been badly damaged by the Thirty Years' War, demolished and rebuilt – essentially the castle as it stands today. In 1831, Friedrich Leopold Freiherr von Fürstenberg acquired the dilapidated castle in a forced auction. After extensive renovations in the Neo-Renaissance style, the Fürstenberg family moved their residence from Borbeck Castle to Hugenpoet in 1879. During the Second World War, the castle served as a depot for works of art from the destroyed Museum Folkwang. The Fürstenberg family retreated to the upper floors, while the ground floor was used as a museum until 1953.
In 1955, a new chapter began in the history of the castle: Kurt Neumann leased the property and opened the Schlosshotel Hugenpoet with 19 rooms and a restaurant. His son Jürgen Neumann took over the hotel in 1964 and turned it into an internationally renowned address that attracted numerous prominent guests from culture, business and politics – including Sir Peter Ustinov, Anne-Sophie Mutter, the Spice Girls and Helmut Kohl.
Since 2014, Maximilian Freiherr von Fürstenberg has been the head of the company, expanding it to 36 individual rooms and suites, combining historical elegance with contemporary luxury.
In 2021, the Fine Dining Restaurant 1831 opened in the left conservatory of the castle. Under the direction of head chef Dominik Schab, who has been a key figure in shaping the kitchen team since 2003, the restaurant was awarded 2 toques in the Gault Millau. The concept combines the historical atmosphere of the castle with creative, innovative cuisine – fine dining reimagined: casual and unusual.
In 2022, the “bistro in der remise” was opened. With a spacious sun terrace in the courtyard, an open kitchen and a lovingly furnished guest room in the former stable, the bistro invites you to arrive, switch off and enjoy. With “Hugenpoet & Friends – concept store & deli”, a unique delicatessen will open its doors at the end of 2024 in the popular RÜ shopping street. The store stylishly combines delicatessen, wine bar, wine shop and deli under one roof – a place that brings the culinary culture of Schloss Hugenpoet into the urban environment.
In 2021, the Fine Dining Restaurant 1831 opened in the left conservatory of the castle. Under the direction of head chef Dominik Schab, who has been a key figure in shaping the kitchen team since 2003, the restaurant was awarded 2 toques in the Gault Millau. The concept combines the historical atmosphere of the castle with creative, innovative cuisine – fine dining reimagined: casual and unusual.
In 2022, the “bistro in der remise” was opened. With a spacious sun terrace in the courtyard, an open kitchen and a lovingly furnished guest room in the former stable, the bistro invites you to arrive, switch off and enjoy. With “Hugenpoet & Friends – concept store & deli”, a unique delicatessen will open its doors at the end of 2024 in the popular RÜ shopping street. The store stylishly combines delicatessen, wine bar, wine shop and deli under one roof – a place that brings the culinary culture of Schloss Hugenpoet into the urban environment.
