INTER SPA

What INTER SPA does

InterSPA Deutschland Betreiber-GmbH (INTER SPA), founded in 1996 and headquartered in Stuttgart, plans, finances, builds, and operates leisure baths, thermal baths, family pools, resort hotels, and wellness facilities under the Wonnemar brand and a growing portfolio of acquired properties. Core operating infrastructure comprises six Wonnemar bath locations stretching from the Baltic Sea coast (Wismar) to the Allgäu (Sonthofen), one Wonnemar Resort-Hotel (Wismar, opened November 2016), the SchwabenQuellen sauna complex and KANTO Sports Club (Stuttgart-Möhringen, acquired 2022), and a rapidly expanding set of acquired and developed hotels and resorts across the Harz, Saarland, Thuringian Forest, Erzgebirge, Black Forest, Lower Bavaria, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia regions. The company serves two principal customer sets: German municipalities, addressed through long-term Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concessions covering conception, financing, construction, and operating management of public leisure infrastructure, and individual consumers (families, wellness seekers, golfers, conference guests) at owned facilities.

The business model combines five revenue streams: recurring bath and leisure-facility operations (admissions, memberships, ancillary spending), resort-hotel and hospitality operations (rooms, F&B, events), PPP project development and construction-management fees, consulting and development services for third parties (site analysis, concept design, financial viability, retail concepts), and fitness/sauna operations at SchwabenQuellen and KANTO. Capital intensity is high, with active project investments exceeding 50 million EUR (Belasso Schwerin) and 49 million EUR (Salztal Paradies) and 16 million EUR (Wonnemar Ingolstadt renovation); project financing has historically been arranged through German Landesbanken and other banks (e.g., LBBW, DZ-Bank, HypoVereinsbank, DEPFA). The company's stated private-sector PPP model claims at least 15% cost and performance advantages versus public-sector alternatives.

Underlying technology and operations rely on in-house architectural and planning capabilities through wholly-owned subsidiary I-Plan GmbH (founded 2007) and marketing through IMM Media & Marketing GmbH (founded 2009); no proprietary software, AI/ML capability, or digital platform is disclosed. Standard web tooling (Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Maps, Google reCAPTCHA, Borlabs Cookie, Mittwald hosting) supports marketing and consent management. Differentiation rests on a 20+ year operating track record, the Wonnemar brand, distinctive bathrobe-corridor (Bademantelgang) integration between hotels and baths, regional customization of each facility, and a self-funded, debt-financed acquisition and PPP concession strategy led by Managing Director Volker Kurz.

Name

INTER SPA

Legal name

InterSPA Deutschland Betreiber-GmbH

Website

https://interspa-gruppe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

InterSPA Deutschland Betreiber-GmbH plans, finances, builds and operates leisure baths, thermal spas and resort hotels under the Wonnemar brand across Germany, serving German municipalities via long-term PPP concessions and individual consumers at owned bath, sauna and hotel facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Leisure and Recreation Facilities

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Destination Spa Resorts (THAGAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integrated Full-Service Hotel Complexes (Mixed-Use) (THAGAAAL), Multi-Unit STR / Aparthotel Management (BPAJAIAC)

Keywords

• Leisure bath operations
• Thermal spa facilities
• Public-private partnerships
• Resort hotel management
• Aquatic facility construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Bath and leisure facility operations: The company operates large leisure and family baths under the Wonnemar brand, generating revenue from admission fees, memberships, and related visitor spending. The company highlights over 2.5 million visitors per year across its Wonnemar baths.
2. Resort-Hotel and hospitality operations: The company operates resort hotels directly integrated with its leisure facilities (e.g., Wonnemar Resort-Hotel Wismar, Hotel Lamm Baiersbronn, Hotel Dreiburgensee, Gut Heckenhof, Waldhotel Berghof, Panorama Hotel Oberwiesenthal, Hotel Scheidberg, Kneipp-Bund Hotel Heikenberg), generating room revenue, F&B, and ancillary services.
3. PPP project development and construction management: Under the PPP/investor-operator model, INTERSPA plans, finances, builds, and operates facilities. Revenue includes municipal/partnership fees and construction management contributions.
4. Consulting and development services: The company offers consulting services including site and market analysis, concept development, spa concepts, brand building, financial viability analyses, risk analysis, retail and shop concepts, and demand-oriented personnel management for third parties.
5. SchwabenQuellen and fitness club operations: The company operates SchwabenQuellen (sauna/spa facility) and KANTO Sports Club (fitness), generating revenue from day tickets, memberships, and spa/fitness services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

INTER SPA (INTERSPA Gruppe) is a Stuttgart-based operator and developer of leisure, thermal, and family baths under the Wonnemar brand, with six bath locations across Germany and a growing portfolio of resort hotels. The company delivers complete turnkey solutions through public-private partnership (PPP) models covering conception, planning, financing, construction, and ongoing operations of aquatic and wellness facilities for municipalities and private investors. It also operates acquired resort hotels, the SchwabenQuelen sauna complex in Stuttgart, the Kantō Sports Club, and provides consulting, architecture, and operational management services.

Product overview

INTERSPA operates a diversified portfolio of leisure, wellness, and hospitality facilities across Germany. The core offering centers on the Wonnemar brand of thermal and leisure pools (six locations from the Baltic Sea to the Allgäu), complemented by the Wonnemar Resort-Hotel concept providing hotel accommodation connected via bathrobe corridors to adjacent water parks. The portfolio has expanded significantly through hotel acquisitions including the Gut Heckenhof Golfresort, Hotel Dreiburgensee, Hotel Lamm, Panorama Hotel Oberwiesenthal, Waldhotel Berghof, Hotel Scheidberg, and Kneipp-Bund Hotel Heikenberg. INTERSPA also operates SchwabenQuellen (a major sauna facility in Stuttgart) and is developing new resort destinations such as Salztal Paradies and Sole-Therme Bad Salzhausen. Business operations span public-private partnership (PPP) models for bath development, project development, architecture (via subsidiary I-Plan GmbH), and full-service operational management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wonnemar: Leisure baths, thermal facilities, and resort hotels operated under the Wonnemar brand. Includes Wonnemar Wismar, Sonthofen, Ingolstadt, Bad Liebenwerda, Backnang, and Marktheidenfeld, as well as Wonnemar Resort-Hotels.
• SchwabenQuellen

Products and services

• Wonnemar Bäder (Leisure Bath Chain) A chain of six leisure and family pools operated under the Wonnemar brand across Germany, featuring thermal baths, wellness areas, sauna landscapes, water slides, and recreational facilities for families and individual visitors.
• Wonnemar Resort-Hotel Wismar A 4-star resort hotel adjacent to the Wonnemar Wismar leisure pool, connected via a bathrobe corridor, offering direct access to the spa, thermal area, and sauna/wellness facilities for overnight guests.
• SchwabenQuellen (Sauna Facility, Stuttgart-Möhringen) A premium sauna facility spanning over 7,000 m² with 18 country and theme worlds, various saunas, steam baths, indoor and outdoor pools, and spa/cosmetics applications.
• Kantō Sports Club A high-end fitness club within the SchwabenQuelen complex featuring over 60 equipment stations, wellness programs, therapy, relaxation, and exclusive private SPAs.
• Salztal Paradies (Bad Sachsa) A leisure facility being expanded into a 4-star vacation resort with 104 rooms, Medical Gym, restaurant, and bathrobe corridor connection to the existing pool and ice rink.
• Gut Heckenhof Hotel- & Golfresort A 121-hectare resort near Eitorf with a 27-hole golf course, 4-star superior hotel (78 rooms), conference center, and planned expansion to a holistic nature and wellness resort.
• Hotel Dreiburgensee A 4-star resort in Tittling, Lower Bavaria, with 270+ beds across five room categories on an 18,000 m² lakeside property, featuring restaurants, café-bar, ballroom, and a spa with sky pool.
• Hotel Lamm (Baiersbronn, Black Forest) A hotel in Baiersbronn, Black Forest, being expanded into an exclusive resort with new fitness studio, extended spa area, massage department, additional saunas, nature lake, and chalets.
• Panorama Hotel Oberwiesenthal A hotel at Fichtelberg in the Ore Mountains being renovated with new wellness area, family attractions, and energetic refurbishment.
• Waldhotel Berghof (Luisenthal, Thuringian Forest) A hotel in the Thuringian Forest being modernized with room renovations, new wellness and leisure facilities, family offerings, and energetic refurbishment.
• Hotel Scheidberg (Wallerfangen, Saarland) A wellness hotel in Wallerfangen, Saarland, integrated into the INTERSPA hotel portfolio.
• Kneipp-Bund Hotel Heikenberg (Bad Lauterberg, Harz) An active and wellness hotel in Bad Lauterberg, Harz region, with the Kneipp health concept retained under INTERSPA management.
• Sole-Therme Bad Salzhausen A new thermal spa project in Bad Salzhausen featuring hotel rooms in sustainable wood modular construction, Himmels-SPA, and sky pool overlooking the spa park.
• interSPA Freizeit- und Vital-Resort Schwerin A comprehensive resort under development on 40,000+ m² featuring a 4-star superior hotel (148 rooms), 4,000+ m² FKK sauna area, health thermal area with Schwerin thermal brine, indoor surfing facility, fitness center, tennis, squash, bowling, climbing arena, indoor golf, and family entertainment center.
• PPP Project Development, Construction, and Operations Consulting End-to-end PPP services for municipalities covering site and market analysis, conception, financing, construction, and professional operations management of leisure and family baths. Includes the full 'Alles aus einer Hand' delivery model.
• Consulting & Development Services Standalone consulting services including site and market analysis, concept development, spa concepts, brand building, financial viability analyses, risk analysis, retail and shop concepts, and demand-oriented personnel management.
• Architecture and Planning Services (I-Plan GmbH) Design, planning (Entwurfs- und Ausführungsplanung), interior architecture, ambiance design, construction supervision, and project management delivered by wholly-owned architectural subsidiary I-Plan GmbH.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15%+ cost and performance advantage for municipalities through private-sector realization vs. public-sector alternatives.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gut Heckenhof Hotel- & Golfresort (Peter Hilla)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2025INTERSPA is taking over the Gut Heckenhof Hotel- & Golfresort in Eitorf, a 121-hectare resort with a 4-star superior 27-hole golf facility, 78-room hotel, and conference center. Founder Peter Hilla built the resort over more than 30 years and will remain available in an advisory capacity. Plans include a new hotel-thermal area (2,000+ m²), 58 golf and wellness chalets, public fitness and sauna facilities, and a 10,000+ m² WaldSPA.
• Hotel Dreiburgensee (Max Zhukov)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025INTERSPA acquired Hotel Dreiburgensee, a newly renovated 4-star resort in Tittling, Lower Bavaria, from Max Zhukov, effective November 1, 2025. The 270-bed resort on an 18,000 m² lakeside site includes restaurants, café-bar, ballroom, and a historic 'Mühlhiasl' gastronomy venue. The SPA/wellness area is being expanded with sky pool, whirlpools, and steam sauna.
• Stadt Nidda / Bad SalzhausencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025INTERSPA signed notarial contracts with the city of Nidda for the development of a new Sole-Therme (salt thermal bath) in Bad Salzhausen. The project aims for completion ahead of the Landesgartenschau 2027. INTERSPA bears the full investment cost for the connecting robe corridor to the adjacent Kurhaushotel. The city provides the site and planning cooperation.
• Hotel Lamm Baiersbronn (David Specht, Kevin Bauer)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2025INTERSPA acquired Hotel Lamm in Baiersbronn, Black Forest, from David Specht and Kevin Bauer, effective May 1, 2025. All staff were retained. Plans include a new building with fitness studio, expanded SPA and massage areas, additional saunas, a natural lake, chalets, and expansion to over 200 guest beds.
• Sportcenter am Fichtelberg (Hagen Scharm, Mario Deckert)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2025INTERSPA acquired the Sportcenter am Fichtelberg adjacent to the Panorama Hotel Oberwiesenthal. The facility features six bowling lanes, four kegel lanes, a sea water aquarium, and a tennis hall. It will be connected to the hotel's new energy system and undergo comprehensive renovation with modern technology.
• Waldhotel Berghof (Jörg Rudolph)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2024INTERSPA acquired the Waldhotel Berghof in Luisenthal, Thüringer Wald, from Jörg Rudolph, effective January 2, 2025. All staff were retained. Plans include full room renovation, new wellness and leisure facilities, family offerings, and energetic refurbishment. The hotel continues as a popular destination for relaxation and conference guests.
• Panorama Hotel Oberwiesenthal (René Klechowitz)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2024INTERSPA acquired the Panorama Hotel Oberwiesenthal near Fichtelberg in the Erzgebirge from René Klechowitz, who will pursue new projects after handover. The hotel team was retained. Renovation, room revitalization, and a new wellness area are planned, alongside energetic refurbishment.
• Hotel Scheidberg (Familie Dietzen)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024INTERSPA took over Hotel Scheidberg in Wallerfangen, Saarland, from the Dietzen family (Manuela and Roland Dietzen), who successfully operated it since 2003. The hotel transitioned to INTERSPA's portfolio as part of its German hotel market expansion.
• Kneipp-Bund e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024INTERSPA acquired the Kneipp-Bund Hotel Heikenberg in Bad Lauterberg (Harz) from the Kneipp-Bund e.V. The Kneipp health concept remains a core part of the hotel's identity under INTERSPA management. Plans include deepening cooperation, offering Kneipp-Bund members benefits and discounts across all INTERSPA bath and spa facilities. Thomas Hilzensauer (Federal Managing Director) and Christina Haubrich (President) of Kneipp-Bund expressed support for the partnership.
• Stadtwerke SchwerincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2023INTERSPA (via parent company AIM from Passau) acquired the former Belasso leisure facility in Schwerin from the municipal utility Stadtwerke Schwerin. The city sold the asset to enable redevelopment. INTERSPA is investing over 50 million EUR to create an interSPA Vital Resort with a 4-star superior hotel (148 rooms), extensive wellness, health, sports, and leisure facilities on over 40,000 m².
• Bad Sachsa municipality (Salztal Paradies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2023INTERSPA won a European tender to take over the operating management of Salztal Paradies, an adventure bath and ice rink in Bad Sachsa. The company is expanding the facility into a 4-star resort hotel with 104 rooms. The municipality provides the site; INTERSPA provides investment capital (over 49 million EUR), development, and operational expertise. The project is scheduled for completion within two years on 30,000 m².
• SchwabenQuellen / KANTO GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2022INTERSPA acquired KANTO GmbH and the SchwabenQuellen facility at SI-Centrum in Stuttgart-Möhringen. The former owner Martin Pesch remains in an advisory role. All staff were retained. The brand and operations continue unchanged, with synergies to be explored within the INTERSPA group. SchwabenQuellen spans over 7,000 m² with 18 themed sauna worlds. KANTO Sports Club is a premium fitness facility with 60+ equipment units and exclusive Private SPAs.
• I-Plan GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationI-Plan GmbH is a wholly-owned architectural subsidiary of INTERSPA, founded in 2007. It handles the entire design, planning (entwurfs- and ausführungsplanung), and interior architecture for all INTERSPA bath and hotel projects. Projects include Wonnemar Resort-Hotel Wismar, Salztal Paradies, and Belasso Schwerin redevelopment.
• IMM Media & Marketing GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIMM Media & Marketing GmbH is a wholly-owned marketing subsidiary of INTERSPA, founded in 2009. It handles marketing activities across the INTERSPA group of companies.
• AIM (from Passau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIM from Passau is identified as the owner of the Wonnemar-Bäder in Germany alongside INTERSPA's operating role. AIM is referenced as the purchasing entity for the Belasso Schwerin transaction. AIM-Geschäftsführer Robert Maier is involved in project planning discussions.
• MundelArchitektenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMundelArchitekten with offices in Marbach am Neckar and Dresden is commissioned as general planner for multiple INTERSPA projects including Salztal Paradies and Belasso Schwerin redevelopment.
• Horst Haag ArchitekturbürominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTERSPA originated from the Stuttgart-based architectural firm Horst Haag, which had decades of experience in bath and thermal construction. The INTERSPA GROUP emerged as an independent company from this heritage.
• Walter Bau AGminorOthersWalter Bau AG was the construction company (Bau) for the Wonnemar Wismar project.
• Tauber BauminorOthersTauber Bau was the construction company for the Saturn Arena Ingolstadt project.
• Geiger SchlüsselfertigbauminorOthersGeiger Schlüsselfertigbau was the construction company for Wonnemar Sonthofen (20.5 million EUR project).
• Pellikaan Bauunternehmen Deutschland GmbHminorOthersPellikaan Bauunternehmen Deutschland GmbH served as general contractor for the Murrbäder Backnang Wonnemar (16.0 million EUR) and Wonnemar Marktheidenfeld projects.
• Ed. Züblin AGminorOthersEd. Züblin AG served as general contractor for the Wonnemar Resort-Hotel Wismar (12.2 million EUR project).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alpamare: Alpamare operates a large thermal waterpark and spa in Pfäffikon, Switzerland (with a former German sister site). Direct peer in the German-speaking thermal/waterpark operator segment, serving similar day-visitor and short-stay leisure demand as Wonnemar facilities.
• EuroParcs: EuroParcs operates holiday parks with leisure facilities across Germany and the Netherlands, including indoor swimming, wellness, and family activities. Comparable to INTERSPA's mixed leisure/lodging offerings and growing acquisition-based expansion strategy in vacation regions.
• Tropical Islands Resort: Tropical Islands operates a large indoor tropical-themed destination resort in Krausnick, Brandenburg, Germany, combining waterpark, sauna, hotel, and overnight accommodations under one roof. It is the closest direct peer to INTERSPA's Wonnemar bath + resort-hotel integrated model within Germany.
• Miramar Weinheim: Miramar is a thermal spa and leisure complex in Weinheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Direct regional peer to Wonnemar, operating a similar thermal bath + sauna + wellness + day-visitor model in southern Germany.
• Center Parcs (Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs): Center Parcs operates family leisure parks with indoor subtropical swimming, wellness, and accommodation across Germany and Europe. Comparable to INTERSPA in combining family leisure pool, wellness, and short-stay lodging as an integrated product offering.
• Therme Group: Therme Group develops and operates large-scale wellbeing destinations (Therme Bucuresti, planned Therme Manchester, Therme Scotland). Direct peer in the destination spa/thermal resort category, focusing on integrated wellness + leisure complexes, similar to INTERSPA's Belasso and Sole-Therme developments.

Broad incumbents

• Accor SA: Accor is a major European hospitality group operating luxury, premium, and resort brands including spa and wellness properties. Broad incumbent relevant to INTERSPA's resort-hotel strategy and European leisure accommodation footprint.
• Marriott International: Marriott is the world's largest hotel company with extensive wellness, spa, and resort brands. Broad incumbent overlapping with INTERSPA's resort/hotel operations and offering spa/wellness amenities as part of a much wider global portfolio.
• TUI AG: TUI is a global tourism conglomerate owning hotels, resorts, and cruise brands across Europe. Broad incumbent in destination leisure and resort accommodation, overlapping with INTERSPA's resort-hotel segment but operating at much larger scale across multiple geographies.

Regional players

• Lindner Hotels & Resorts: Lindner is a German family-owned hotel and resort group with strong wellness and spa positioning across German vacation destinations. Comparable regional player focused on wellness-resort hotels in Germany, overlapping with INTERSPA's acquired resort portfolio (e.g., Hotel Lamm in Baiersbronn).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/interspa-gruppe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INTER SPA