The St. Oberholz Retreat is not easy to find. Located 90 minutes by car from Berlin and Hamburg, this former estate sits far from the hustle and bustle of big cities, in the quiet village of Leizen, in the western part of the Mecklenburg Lake District.

For a long time, even the village’s 480 residents were unaware that the once-abandoned estate had been transformed into a stylish hotel.

A «Pilgrimage Site» for Managers

The remote location is intentional. Guests at the St. Oberholz Retreat seek proximity to nature and tranquility.

And it works. During the week, the hotel has become a «pilgrimage site» for managers, who work remotely from here and organize team offsites. On weekends, the house is taken over by families. Ninety percent of the guests come from Hamburg or Berlin—exactly the target audience the founders had in mind.

The St. Oberholz Retreat. (Image: zVg)

The St. Oberholz Retreat opened in 2023, and within its first year, it successfully established itself with an impressive 65 percent occupancy rate.

Created by Experts in New Work Concepts

The unconventional hotel concept was developed by Ansgar Oberholz and Koulla Louca, who co-founded St. Oberholz in 2005. Today, this internationally renowned creative hub in Berlin-Mitte is considered one of the epicenters of the city’s startup and entrepreneurial scene.

Ansgar Oberholz advises companies and corporations and is regarded as a veteran of the entrepreneur scene, as well as an expert in New Work concepts and digital transformation.

He explains: «With our retreat in Woldzegarten, we wanted to create a counterpoint to city life.»

Redefining the Traditional Hotel Experience

This philosophy is reflected throughout the entire property. There is no reception desk and no conventional lobby. Upon entering the building, guests find themselves immediately in the heart of the action, as the entrance hall is designed as an open living space.

Each room is uniquely designed, and televisions have been deliberately omitted. «We want to redefine the traditional concept of a hotel room,» says Ansgar Oberholz.

Creating encounters, promoting exchange: This is the concept of the St. Oberholz Retreat. (Image: zVg)

This approach appears to boost creativity among guests—three books were written at the St. Oberholz Retreat in its first year of operation.

Expansion Plans: Switzerland on the Horizon

Oberholz is confident that the model will work in other locations. Munich, Leipzig, and Düsseldorf are currently under discussion as the next sites. After that, the company plans to expand into Switzerland.

Could the increasing trend of companies requiring employees to return to the office jeopardize these plans? Oberholz dismisses the concern: «Remote work and co-working have become essential elements of modern work culture.»