Schwarzmatt, a gourmet, elegant and friendly refuge

There are hotels in which you feel at home and welcome from the moment you enter, where you want to stay for a few days. The Schwarzmatt in Badenweiler is one of them.

The setting is elegant but cosy, the colors give a nice contemporary touch to the establishment which is celebrating its official fiftieth anniversary this year even though it has existed for longer.

Heidemarie Bareiss, whose daughter Rona Mast is now the owner of the family establishment, took over a small pension in 1967. The sister of the hotelier Hermann Bareiss in Baiersbronn-Mitteltal, fell in love with Badenweiler, this peaceful spa town surrounded vineyards where she loved to spend vacations. But for the family the real beginning of Schwarzmatt came in 1973, when Heidemarie had a first annex built as well as a swimming pool while a large thermal bath complex was only a few steps away. A bold move at the time but a valuable investment.

Her daughter Rona continued in this same philosophy by adding a vast spa and wellness space in 2005, “Sane e solva”. “My mother always said that customers should come for me and the hotel, not just for the environment. What happens outside the hotel is simply a plus. She was right. Our guests prefer to enjoy the zen atmosphere of our spa, being able to go there in a bathrobe rather than having to get dressed to join the thermal baths. Around 70% of our customers come back regularly,” rejoices the owner who was born in 1973, just like the hotel-restaurant!

In 1984, the old inn was demolished to make way for the current main building. Those who see a resemblance to the Relais & Châteaux Bareiss in Baiersbronn are not mistaken: Heidemarie Mast-Bareiss chose the same architect as her brother. “The Schwarzmatt is smaller, more individual than the Bareiss, with no specific space for children. But we are all driven by the same spirit of service and welcome,” says Rona Mast, a perfect and caring hostess, who manages the family establishment with all her heart.

The love of detail is visible throughout the establishment, even in the rooms, all of which are different. Certainly, the setting is not really contemporary, but we appreciate the comfort of the rooms, the excellence of the bedding, the discreet colors which soothe.

We love the bathrooms, some of which have kept their old-fashioned tiles.

Rona Mast's state of mind is contagious, all the staff are smiling, attentive and kind. "70% speak french and of course english. It is important to welcome and inform the customer in their language", estimates Rona Mast who is delighted with the loyalty of her team, some of whom have been present for 20 years.

In 2012, Rona Mast completely renovated the kitchen. To rejuvenate the image of Relais & Château, she looked for a chef capable of giving more pep to the gastronomy of Schwarzmatt. For 10 years, Oliver Mewes has taken up this challenge to the great delight of its guests. Olivier Mews knows he can count on the support of Robert Lerch, who has known the house for 20 years, and the entire team.

The one who learned all the subtleties of haute cuisine from Claus-Peter Lumpp, three-star chef at Bareiss in Baiersbronn, offers creative cuisine, enhancing regional dishes with Mediterranean influences. On the menu, small and always adapted to the season, all tastes are satisfied, meat, fish, vegetarian. Without forgetting thematic menus.

“For special occasions, as well as every Saturday evening, we offer a gourmet menu,” explains Rona Mast, emphasizing that the breakfast buffet is also open to external guests, as is the restaurant and the bar set up in 2018 as well as the afternoon 

“As for our wine list, we only offer wines from the region in order to support our winegrowers. Our french guests can rest assured, these are excellent wines, which compare well with french wines,” smiles Rona Mast as she tastes the sparkling wine elaborated for this festive year.