Hotel Die Sonne Frankenberg
Warm, privately run luxury wellness hotel with genuine character. Half-timbered historic bones meet clean modern interiors. The vibe skews toward well-traveled German couples and foodies rather than international flashpackers — think thoughtful service, seriously good food, and a spa that earns its keep. Not flashy, but very deliberate.
Book the Philipp Soldan restaurant well in advance — it operates only Wed/Thu (18:30) and Fri/Sat (19:00), and tables go fast.
Why It Matters
One Michelin star at the Philipp Soldan restaurant (chef Erik Arnecke) and a 1 Michelin Key hotel designation. The property spans three distinct 16th-century buildings — a brewery, town wine house, and community center — with a tunnel under the market square connecting them. It is the most significant hotel on the German Fairy Tale Route in Hesse, with the Kellerwald-Edersee UNESCO beech forest National Park as its backyard. The hotel has been an official National Park partner since 2024.
Three restored 16th-century half-timbered buildings — a former brewery, a town wine house, and a civic auditorium — unified into one property directly on Frankenberg's market square, right next door to the Gothic ten-towered town hall. The hotel has been a place of hospitality since 1833 and reopened in its current form in May 2007 after a thorough renovation. It holds a Michelin Key designation for the hotel itself, while the on-site Philipp Soldan restaurant carries 1 Michelin star and 3 Gault Millau black toques. The Kellerwald-Edersee UNESCO World Heritage National Park is the main draw for outdoor lovers, and the Grimm Brothers' fairy-tale trail runs through this part of Hesse.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Double Room Classic
From EUR230 / nightSunny and cheerful — shower, safe, air conditioning, and free WiFi. Quiet position, mostly overlooking the courtyard rather than the market square. The entry-level option but still well-equipped with box spring beds, Saint Charles bath products, and spa access included.
Double Room Noblesse
From EUR300 / nightSpacious rooms with views of the historic Frankenberg Old Town. Shower as standard, partly with a separate bathtub. These are the ones to book if you want to look out over half-timbered rooftops and the medieval streetscape.
Double Room Superior
From EUR260 / nightComfortable and spacious. Some rooms have a balcony, with a choice of shower or bathtub. Dogs allowed in this category and above. A solid step up from Classic with more space and the occasional outdoor perch.
Junior Suite
From EUR340 / nightAn integrated living-sleeping area furnished to a high standard. Bathroom comes with both bathtub and shower. More generous footprint than the standard doubles without the full suite separation.
Marketplace Suite
From EUR470 / nightThe hotel's showcase suite with spectacular views over the market square and the ten-towered town hall. Large living room with seating and reading area, bookshelf, dining table, small balcony, bar, plus a separate bedroom and a spacious bathroom with bathtub and rain shower.
Soldan Suite
From EUR600 / nightThe largest and most expensive suite in the house, named after the 16th-century sculptor whose figures adorn the town hall. Fully equipped kitchen, large dining table (doubles as a meeting setup), sitting area with sofa bed, separate bedroom, bathroom with whirlpool tub and shower, plus a guest WC.
Sonne Suite
From EUR400 / nightA cosy half-timbered suite with original historic beams overhead — the most atmospheric room type at Die Sonne. Two TVs, spacious bathroom, and real character in the timber architecture.
Spa Suite
From EUR440 / nightBuilt for romance: four-poster bed, a half-timbered bay window, and a fireplace in a separate living room. Bathroom with both bathtub and rain shower. The name 'Spa Suite' suggests proximity or direct link to the spa facilities.
The Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The Ederbergland's winding country roads are a favourite with classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts. The hotel actively promotes self-guided touring by convertible, classic car, or motorbike through the region.
A seasonal culinary calendar (spring/summer 2026 published) includes Champagne Dinners at Philipp Soldan and themed culinary retreats. Limited seats — tickets must be booked in advance.
The hotel is a certified Bett+Bike partner. Curated routes range from the moderate Edersee round trip (51.2 km) to the challenging Herrenbänke-Christenberg loop (39.2 km, 480m elevation). The hotel can pack picnic rucksacks on request.
The hotel is literally next door to the 16th-century ten-towered town hall. Nearby sights include the Thonet Museum (bentwood furniture, walking distance), Liebfrauenkirche (1286 Gothic church), Monastery St. Georgen, and the Steinhaus (Stone House, dated 1319).
Given at check-in, this card provides free use of local public transport and entry to over 140 leisure attractions in North Hesse, including museums, parks, and historic sites.
27-hole golf course (plus a 9-hole Edersee Course open to all skill levels) approximately 41 km from the hotel. Hotel guests receive 20% off the daily green fee — book via reception 1-2 days in advance.
The hotel is an official National Park partner (since 2024). Trails start directly from the hotel, including the Ederhöhenweg (Stage 5, 14.4 km from Frankenberg to Battenberg), the Frankenberg viewpoint loop (9.2 km, easy), and the UNESCO primeval beech forest routes of varying difficulty.
Spa access for children, available daily 10am-1pm for hotel guests only.
A hotel-issued activity tracking card. For every 5 km cycled or equivalent sporting activity, guests earn points shown at reception. Each point triggers the planting of a tree. Guests who skip room cleaning also contribute a tree. Available at reception on request.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Flexible event rooms for meetings and celebrations. The Soldan Suite also works for small meetings.
WiFi available throughout the entire hotel.
A generous Sonne breakfast buffet with regional specialities included in all room rates. Mon-Fri 7:00-10:30, Weekends & public holidays 8:00-10:30.
New loyalty program for returning guests — collect points redeemable for rewards.
Smart TV with streaming capability in all rooms.
High-quality box spring beds in all rooms.
Saint Charles care products (organic, plastic-free, TEM-inspired) in all bathrooms.
Oliver Hemming Bluetooth speaker with wireless phone charging function in all rooms.
Electronic in-room guest directory throughout the hotel.
Pillow menu available in all rooms.
Electric vehicle charging available on-site for a fee.
Free parking in the underground car park and in front of the hotel. EV charging stations available for a fee.
On-site gym open daily 5am-8pm for hotel guests only.
Finnish sauna (90°C), bio clay sauna (60°C), steam bath (45°C), wellness pool, plunge pool, ice fountain, outdoor terraces, relaxation area with water beds and hanging loungers, Sun Oasis. Included for hotel guests.
BUILD YOUR HOTEL DIE SONNE FRANKENBERG PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning