Hosts
Elena Schnaas-Bruker
Born in Bad Kreuznach, grew up in the wine village of Weiler near Bingen.
My favourite place at the Ochsen:
Right next to the great tiled stove in the parlour.
In my free time…
…I like to cook and bake everything from sweet to savoury.
I look forward to it every year:
Summer evenings with a glass of wine on the sun terrace.
Simon Bruker
Born in Villingen-Schwenningen, grew up in Titisee-Neustadt.
My favourite place at the Ochsen:
The spacious garden with the tennis court.
In my free time…
…I like to take every opportunity to go skiing and cross-country skiing.
I look forward to it every year:
To a great Black Forest summer for hiking.
History
A place full of tradition
The Ochsen is one of the oldest guesthouses in the Black Forest that has been preserved in its original style and is one of the ‘Historic Guesthouses in Baden’. Its existence dates back to the 17th century. As the main trade route led from Freiburg via Saig and Schaffhausen to Konstanz, the Ochsen has always been a post and horse exchange station. The house also owned a huge amount of land.
According to a note dated the 9th of June 1836, the Ochsen was granted real rights, i.e. the concession rested on the then existing building for all time and not on the owner or tenant as was usual. The first English visitors were recorded in a guest book as early as 1873. By 1886, there were already around 110 visitors looking for relaxation. From these years onwards, you will find the heading ‘Season’ in the guest book.
In the book ‘Der Schwarzwald’ by Wilhelm Jensen (Verlag Reuther, Berlin), published in 1890, the following sentence can be found under ‘Saig’: ‘The area around the village is completely treeless, but the good guesthouse “Zum Ochsen” is always full of regular guests’.
You can find more information about our traditional hotel here:
Time travel
1412
Laying of the foundation stone of the guesthouse.
1713
The present building is rebuilt after a fire.
1878
The guest book contains entries from the first travellers from England.
1886
Around 110 guests find rest and relaxation at the Ochsen, including celebrities such as the famous painter Hans Thoma.
1900
The Ochsen survives a major fire in Saig undamaged.
1927
Saig is described as a high-altitude climatic health resort and winter sports centre in the Reichs-Bäder-Adressbuch.
Quote: ‘Wonderful excursions in all directions. Climate a little too harsh for lung patients. Magnificent views of the Alps and the Vosges. Beautiful skiing terrain in winter. The two guesthouses are recognised as offering the best accommodation and food.’
1952
After a long period of confiscation by the French & Germans during World War II: conversion of the agricultural part into guest rooms.
1952
Under the management of Hess‘ daughter (later Kleiser), the farm is given up. It is remodelled, the new hotel building is built and thus also essentially the appearance of the Ochsen today.
1972
Addition of an extension with 45 beds, indoor pool and sauna as well as a fitness room.
1978
Remodelling and renovation of the main building and construction of a plastic-coated tennis court to expand the leisure facilities.
1980
Successful management of the Hotel and Guesthouse Ochsen by Jochen Stehle and his second wife Iris.
1981
Visit by the then Federal President Karl Carstens.
1999 – 2016
Extensive renovation work, conversions and extensions.
2024
Elena Schnaas-Bruker and Simon Bruker take over the Ochsen.
Relaxation
Pool
You can swim in our indoor pool with a water temperature of 28 degrees and a pool size of 12×6 metres.
Steam bath & sauna
Use our Finnish sauna and steam bath to relax after an active day in nature.
Experience shower & relaxation
Enjoy the tropical or icy rain of the experience shower and relax on our large sunbathing area.
Massages & treatments
We offer a wide range of massages and wellness treatments on request.
Meetings
Meeting rooms & events
A conference room for 10 people is available for small conferences and meetings.
Larger groups can meet in the Saiger Stube. Beamer, flip chart, screens and projection screen are available. We are happy to provide additional equipment on request.
Depending on the time of year, we are happy to organise free time for you with a torchlight hike, sledging fun on the Saiger sledge run (only possible when there is snow), a guided hike, a visit to the schnapps distillery or cheese dairy.