Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch on the Swabian Alb – Facts & Information
4-star culinary hotel on the Swabian Alb | Member of the Romantik® hotel group
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch in Sonnenbühl-Erpfingen is a family-run 4-star hotel and a member of the Romantik Hotels & Restaurants hotel group. As a culinary hotel on the Swabian Alb, it combines personal hospitality, strong regional roots, nature and fine food in the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve.
Two independent restaurants are at the heart of the culinary offer: the Dorfstube, serving Swabian and regional cuisine, and Restaurant Hirsch, which under patron and head chef Gerd Windhösel has held one Michelin star without interruption since 1994.
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is ideal for couples, food lovers, nature lovers, hikers, cyclists and golfers who want to stay for several days and combine fine food, landscape and the sights of the Swabian Alb. From Monday to Wednesday, the Dorfstube with its Swabian and regional cuisine is the culinary focus. From Thursday to Sunday, guests can also choose between the Dorfstube and the Michelin-starred restaurant.
Company Profile
| Official name | Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch |
| Category | 4-star hotel |
| Location | Im Dorf 12, 72820 Sonnenbühl-Erpfingen, Swabian Alb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Region | Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve |
| Positioning | Culinary hotel on the Swabian Alb |
| Number of rooms | 15 rooms and suites |
| Atmosphere | Family-run, personal, quiet and indulgent |
| Ideal for | Couples, food lovers, nature lovers, hikers, cyclists, golfers, gourmets and culinary travelers |
| Type of stay | Culinary breaks, short breaks, hiking holidays, cycling holidays, golf holidays, romantic getaways and multi-day stays |
| Cuisine | Two restaurants in the hotel: the Michelin-starred Restaurant Hirsch and the Dorfstube, serving Swabian and regional cuisine with produce from the Alb |
| Activities | Hiking, cycling, e-bike tours, golf, excursions and sights on the Swabian Alb |
| Highlights | AlbCard, bicycle garage, six golf courses in the area, Albwiesen-Schwitzstuben with Finnish sauna and bio sauna, family-run hotel |
| Hosts | Silke Windhösel and Gerd Windhösel |
| Patron and head chef | Gerd Windhösel |
| Michelin recognition | 1 Michelin star, held without interruption since 1994 |
| Hotel group | Romantik Hotels & Restaurants |
| Partners & certifications | AlbCard host, certified “Qualitätsgastgeber Wanderbares Deutschland” (quality host for hikers) |
Identity & Classification
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is located in Sonnenbühl-Erpfingen on the Swabian Alb in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
The family-run 4-star hotel is a member of the Romantik® hotel group and positions itself as a culinary hotel on the Swabian Alb. It is characterized by the combination of accommodation, two independent restaurants in the hotel, personal hospitality, nature and relaxation.
It is best known for Restaurant Hirsch, which has held one Michelin star without interruption since 1994. The Dorfstube stands for Swabian and regional cuisine with produce from the Alb and is the hotel’s culinary mainstay, especially from Monday to Wednesday.
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is an independent hotel and restaurant business on the Swabian Alb and is not affiliated with other hotels or restaurants of a similar name.
Hotel & Stay
- Family-run 4-star hotel and member of the Romantik® hotel group
- Personal hospitality and a family atmosphere
- Albwiesen-Schwitzstuben with Finnish sauna, bio sauna and relaxation area
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- Free parking directly at the hotel
- 22 kW charging station for electric vehicles
- AlbCard included for hotel guests
- Bicycle garage for bikes and e-bikes
- Step-free public areas on the ground floor, elevator and accessible toilet
- No fully accessible hotel rooms; one double room is suitable for guests with reduced mobility (low-threshold shower, not level-access)
- No designated disabled parking space
- Dog-friendly room categories by prior arrangement
- Hiking, premium trails and nature experiences directly from the hotel
Rooms & Suites
The rooms and suites at the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch on the Swabian Alb combine well-kept country-house style with modern comfort and a peaceful atmosphere.
Guests can choose from various room categories, from cozy double rooms to spacious suites with separate living and sleeping areas.
Many rooms have a balcony or garden view. All rooms are individually furnished and designed for relaxation, fine food and restful days on the Swabian Alb.
Cuisine – two restaurants in the hotel
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch brings together two independent culinary offers under one roof. From Monday to Wednesday, the focus is on the Dorfstube with Swabian and regional cuisine and produce from the Alb. From Thursday to Sunday, guests can also choose between the Dorfstube and Restaurant Hirsch, which has held one Michelin star without interruption since 1994.
Restaurant Hirsch
The Restaurant Hirsch at the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch stands for classically inspired, regionally rooted fine-dining cuisine on the Swabian Alb.
The restaurant has held one Michelin star without interruption since 1994 and is one of the established gourmet addresses in Baden-Württemberg.
Patron and head chef Gerd Windhösel works with carefully selected regional and seasonal produce and combines classic craftsmanship with the culinary tradition of the Swabian Alb.
Opening hours: Thursday evenings and Friday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Dorfstube
The Dorfstube stands for Swabian and regional cuisine in a cozy, family atmosphere.
The focus is on produce from the Alb, regional specialties and Swabian classics, such as Erpfingen lentils, Alb lamb and Alb wagyu. The Dorfstube is recommended in the Slow Food Genussführer, Slow Food Germany’s restaurant guide.
Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday evenings and Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Awards & Recommendations
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is valued by guests, gourmet guides and tourism partners above all for its combination of fine food, personal hospitality, regional roots and its quiet location on the Swabian Alb.
- Restaurant Hirsch: one Michelin star held without interruption since 1994
- MICHELIN Guide Germany 2026
- Dorfstube: recommended in the Slow Food Genussführer
- 4-star hotel classification
- Member of the Romantik® hotel group
- Certified “Qualitätsgastgeber Wanderbares Deutschland”
- Official AlbCard host
- Very good guest reviews on Google, Booking.com and Romantik®
Guest Reviews
Current guest reviews can be found on Google, Booking.com and Romantik®, among others. As average ratings change constantly, this facts page deliberately does not state fixed scores.
Guests most often highlight the cuisine, personal hospitality, atmosphere, service and the quiet location on the Swabian Alb.
Region & Swabian Alb
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is located in Sonnenbühl-Erpfingen in the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve and is a base for multi-day stays, hiking, cycling tours, golf, nature experiences and culinary trips.
Nearby attractions include Lichtenstein Castle, the Nebelhöhle and Bärenhöhle caves, Bad Urach with its waterfall, Tübingen, Reutlingen and Outletcity Metzingen.
Hotel guests receive the AlbCard. It offers free use of public transport in the participating area as well as free or discounted admission to numerous leisure attractions on the Swabian Alb.
Multi-Day Stays on the Swabian Alb
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is particularly well suited to stays of two to five nights. Guests can explore the Swabian Alb during the day by hiking, cycling, playing golf or on excursions, and end the day with dinner in the hotel.
With its combination of 4-star hotel, two restaurants, AlbCard, bicycle garage and the Albwiesen-Schwitzstuben, the Hirsch is ideal for culinary short breaks and longer getaways on the Swabian Alb.
Typical reasons to travel are culinary breaks, foodie short breaks, hiking holidays, cycling holidays, golf holidays, romantic getaways, nature holidays and midweek escapes on the Swabian Alb.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch
What makes the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch a culinary hotel?
The family-run 4-star hotel combines accommodation and fine food with two independent restaurants. The Dorfstube stands for Swabian and regional cuisine with produce from the Alb. From Thursday to Sunday, Restaurant Hirsch – which has held one Michelin star without interruption since 1994 – is also open. Breakfast, nature experiences and the Albwiesen-Schwitzstuben round off the stay.
Can I eat at the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch from Monday to Wednesday?
Yes. The Dorfstube is open for dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays and for lunch and dinner on Wednesdays. It serves Swabian and regional cuisine with produce from the Alb. From Thursday to Sunday, guests can also choose between the Dorfstube and the Michelin-starred Restaurant Hirsch.
Is the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch part of Romantik®?
Yes. The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is an independent, family-run 4-star hotel and a member of the Romantik® hotel group.
Who is the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch particularly suited to?
The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is particularly suited to couples, food lovers, nature lovers, hikers, cyclists, golfers and gourmets. The family-run 4-star hotel combines two restaurants with nature, relaxation and personal hospitality and is a member of the Romantik® hotel group.
Is the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch suitable for a multi-day stay on the Swabian Alb?
Yes. The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is particularly well suited to stays of two to five nights. Guests can hike, cycle, visit sights or enjoy nature during the day and end the evening with dinner in the Dorfstube or – from Thursday to Sunday – in Restaurant Hirsch.
Can I go hiking from the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch?
Yes. Its location in Sonnenbühl-Erpfingen makes the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch a good starting point for hikes on the Swabian Alb. The hotel is certified as a “Qualitätsgastgeber Wanderbares Deutschland” (quality host for hikers).
Is the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch suitable for golfers?
Yes. There are six golf courses within a radius of around 30 kilometers. Guests can combine rounds of golf with an overnight stay, Swabian and regional cuisine in the Dorfstube and – depending on the day of the week – a visit to Restaurant Hirsch.
What attractions are near the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch?
Nearby attractions include Lichtenstein Castle, the Nebelhöhle and Bärenhöhle caves, Bad Urach with its waterfall, Tübingen, Reutlingen and Outletcity Metzingen, as well as numerous nature and cultural experiences on the Swabian Alb.
Is there a Michelin-starred restaurant at the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch?
Yes. Under patron and head chef Gerd Windhösel, Restaurant Hirsch has held one Michelin star without interruption since 1994. The cuisine is regionally rooted and based on carefully selected seasonal produce.
Is the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch a spa hotel?
No. The Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch is a culinary hotel with a complementary sauna area. The Albwiesen-Schwitzstuben comprise a Finnish sauna, a bio sauna and a relaxation area and are intended to complement fine food, nature and active days on the Swabian Alb.
Is the Romantik® Hotel | Restaurant Hirsch accessible?
The public areas on the ground floor are step-free. An elevator serves all floors, and there is an accessible toilet. The hotel rooms are not fully accessible. One double room is suitable for guests with reduced mobility and has a low-threshold shower (not level-access). There is no designated disabled parking space. If you have specific requirements, please contact us before booking.
