In 2002, LEGOLAND DEUTSCHLAND opened its doors in Günzburg for the first time. In addition, a small pension/hotel with 10 rooms and 17 beds in Günzburg was offered for sale.
Since I had already finished high school at that time and was waiting for my place at university, I agreed with my parents that this was a good opportunity to take advantage of.
So I managed to buy the hotel - thanks to the support of my parents - and the journey began, in September 2002.
I, Michael Ruff-Poppler, born on 30.09.1981 in Günzburg, plunged into the hotel business without any experience. I was initially supported by my mother.
The beginning was turbulent, but the guests came, were satisfied and slowly but surely everything ran smoothly. Then my father came again and told me about the possibility of acquiring the neighboring property and thus expanding the hotel. Young and reckless as I was, I immediately agreed and the planning began. The new construction/extension began in 2003 and should eventually lead to a total capacity of 20 rooms with 51 beds.
Of course, this quickly meant that the workload was a bit high for two people, so my older brother Matthias and my partner at the time, Natika Aubert, decided to pitch in as full-time and 450-euro workers, respectively. Cleaning staff also had to be hired.
This is how the very small pension/hotel became the current HOTEL BETTINA!
In May 2004, we proudly welcomed our first guests in the new building, which brought with it a new entrance area, kitchen and breakfast room.
Now the task was to spoil the guests and to offer them a nice stay and at the same time to bring the "old building" to the same level. This task, which of course had to be mastered while the hotel was still in operation, kept us completely busy for the next few years. In 2009 all rooms were already on the same level as our new building/extension.
Already in 2008 my partner quit her original job as a doctor's assistant and started working for me completely.
In 2011 our daughter Muriel was born and completed the picture perfectly. In 2016, my mother retired, so a temp had to be hired.
The search was quickly over: Andrea Grau from Günzburg joined our team. Her universally popular manner makes her a perfect fit for our family business and she has been a permanent fixture at Hotel Bettina to this day.
Of course, the Corona crisis also hit us with full force: The slump in turnover and occupancy caused and still causes great concern, but everyone is still on board and looking to the future with hope. We don’t let it get us down!