Explorer Hotels

What Explorer Hotels does

Explorer Hotels is a privately held German hotel chain headquartered in Fischen im Allgäu, Bavaria, operating 11 (soon to be 12) sports-focused properties across premium Alpine regions in Germany and Austria. Founded in 2010, the chain targets sporty Alpine travelers (hikers, cyclists, trail runners, skiers) and active families, offering standardized 21 m² design rooms, an extensive breakfast buffet, Sport Spa, and dedicated Bike & Ski Areas with workshop facilities and secured sports lockers. All properties are built to Passivhaus (passive house) standards, supporting a 15-year sustainability program branded "We Care" that includes a Climate Rate discount for train arrivals, on-site EV (electric vehicle) charging, and the annual Eco Lounge festival.

The business model is direct-to-consumer and asset-light at the corporate level: bookings flow through the chain's own website, a multi-language mobile app for iOS and Android, phone, email, and WhatsApp, with no OTA (online travel agency) intermediaries. Core revenue comes from overnight accommodation (starting at €69.80 per person per night, including breakfast, Sport Spa, and WLAN) and is supplemented by seasonal deals (Summer Deal, Explorer Week, Hike Deal, Active Deal, Ski Deal, Happy Family Deal, Therme-inclusive packages), branded Explorer Camps led by professional athletes (notably the Simon Gegenheimer MTB Racing Team), gift vouchers, add-ons such as EV charging and garage parking, and a small MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) business via in-house Meeting & Events facilities.

Distribution is led by content marketing through a Tourenplaner (digital route planner), a blog, and an active social presence on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Threads. The company has 41 corporate employees and operates the chain across locations including Oberstdorf, Neuschwanstein, Berchtesgaden, Garmisch, Montafon, Kitzbühel, Zillertal, Hinterstoder, Ötztal, Bad Kleinkirchheim, and Stubaital, with a new Bayrischzell location scheduled to open on 30 October 2026.

Name

Explorer Hotels

Legal name

Explorer Hotels

Website

https://explorer-hotels.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Explorer Hotels operates a privately held chain of 11 (soon 12) Passivhaus-certified sports hotels across Alpine regions in Germany and Austria, serving active leisure travelers with standardized design rooms, Sport Spa, Bike & Ski facilities, and branded explorer camps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alpine Resort Hotels

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Accommodation (721), All Other Traveler Accommodation (721199)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Ski & Mountain Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Resort-Area Full-Service Hotels (Non–All-Inclusive) (THAGAAAD)

Keywords

• Alpine sports hotels
• Eco-friendly accommodation
• Mountain resort hotels
• Sustainable hotel chain
• Ski and bike hotels

Headquarters

HQ city

Fischen I. Allgäu

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hotel Accommodation: Core revenue from overnight stays in design rooms across 12 Explorer Hotel locations in Alpine regions of Germany and Austria. Rooms priced per person with breakfast included. Flexible booking without advance payment or credit card required.
2. Seasonal Deals and Packages: Revenue from themed vacation packages including Summer Deals, Explorer Week, Hike Deals, Active Deals, Ski Deals, Happy Family Deals, and Therme-inclusive packages. These offer bundled experiences at discounted rates.
3. Explorer Camps: Revenue from adventure sports camps including Kids Bike Camp, Trailrunning Camps in various locations. Bookable add-on experiences with professional coaches and instructors.
4. Add-on Services: Revenue from optional extras including E-charging stations (€8.80 garage parking), additional services and upgrades beyond the base inclusive package.
5. Meeting and Events: Corporate event services including meetings, incentives, conferences, and team events with indoor and outdoor facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Explorer Hotels operates a chain of 12 sports-focused Passivhaus hotels in the Alpine regions of Germany and Austria, offering overnight stays in 21 m² design rooms with inclusive amenities (breakfast buffet, Sport Spa, WLAN, Bike & Ski Area). The core offering is supplemented by seasonal deals, Explorer Camps led by professional athletes, E-charging stations, and Meeting & Events facilities for corporate groups.

Product overview

Explorer Hotels ist eine Hotelkette von 11 Passivhaus-Hotels in den schönsten Ski- und Wanderregionen der Alpen (Allgäu, Tirol, Oberbayern, Kärnten, Vorarlberg). Das Kernprodukt umfasst Design-Zimmer (21 m²) mit Panoramafenster, ein Frühstücksbuffet mit über 70 regionalen Produkten, einen Sport Spa mit finnischer Sauna/Dampfbad/Infrarotkabine sowie eine Bike & Ski Area mit Werkbank und Sportlockern. Zum Portfolio gehören zudem saisonale Deals-Pakete (Summer Deal, Explorer Week, Hike Deal, Happy Family Deal, Climate Rate), Explorer Camps (Kids Bike Camp, Trailrunning Camps), ein digitaler Tourenplaner für Wandern & Biken, E-Ladestationen, eine Explorer Mobile App sowie Meeting-Räume für Firmenveranstaltungen. Alle Explorer Hotels bieten Gratis WLAN, sind als Passivhäuser konzipiert und verfolgen ein 'We Care' Nachhaltigkeitskonzept.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Explorer Hotels Accommodation Core hotel accommodation offering across 11 Passivhaus-standard properties in Alpine regions of Germany and Austria, with design rooms (21 m²), breakfast buffet, Sport Spa and Bike & Ski Area included. Targeted at sporty Alpine enthusiasts seeking active mountain vacations.
• Explorer Deals & Packages Themed seasonal vacation packages and bundled experiences offered at discounted rates, including family deals, hiking, skiing, and sustainable travel packages.
• Explorer Camps Sports workshops and camps for all ages led by professional coaches and athletes, including Kids Bike Camp and Trailrunning Camps. Available as bookable add-on experiences with instruction.
• Meeting & Events Corporate event services including meetings, incentives, conferences, and team events with two indoor meeting rooms per hotel and outdoor venues for company retreats.
• Gutscheine (Gift Vouchers) Gift certificates for overnight stays and experiences at Explorer Hotels locations, available for direct purchase.
• E-Ladestation (EV Charging) EV charging services with Tesla and standard EV charging stations available in hotel underground garages, charged per session.
• Explorer App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling booking, booking management, Explorer Moments social photo sharing, restaurant overview, and bucket list features for guests.
• Tourenplaner (Tour Planner) Interactive digital route planner for hiking and biking across all Explorer Hotels regions, accessible to guests for trip planning.
• Frühstücksbuffet (Breakfast Buffet) Daily breakfast buffet with 70+ components featuring predominantly regional products and a do-it-yourself egg-frying station, included with overnight stays.
• Sport Spa Wellness area with Finnish sauna, steam bath, infrared cabin, relaxation room, and fitness area, available to all guests as part of the room rate.
• Lounge & Bar On-site lounge and bar serving food and beverages, available to guests at all Explorer Hotels properties.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Simon Gegenheimer MTB Racing TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExplorer Hotels is proud partner of the Mountainbike Racingteam led by current Vice World Champion and 2021 World Champion Simon Gegenheimer. The bike professionals support the hotels with their extensive experience and knowledge, conducting Explorer Bike Camps teaching proper technique.
• Sabine ReinerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional trail running coach and event organizer conducting Trailrunning Camps at Explorer Hotel Montafon.
• Alex and Tina FischlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrail running professionals leading Explorer Hotels Trailrunning Camps in Hinterstoder for beginners and advanced athletes.
• Gitti and AndyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrail running guides conducting Explorer Hotels Trailrunning Camps in Oberstdorf.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lindner Hotels & Resorts: German hotel group with sports, wellness, and resort properties across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, and Slovakia. Comparable as a DACH-rooted chain with sports/wellness-led hotels in leisure destinations.
• Alpenresort Schwarz: Family-run Alpine resort in Tirol focused on sports, wellness, and active family experiences with extensive biking and skiing amenities. Directly comparable niche positioning to Explorer Hotels within the Austrian Alpine market.
• Travel Charme Hotels & Resorts: German mid-market to upscale hotel group operating in premium German and Alpine leisure destinations (Usedom, Rügen, Sylt, Fürstenhof). Directly comparable as a German hotel chain targeting leisure travelers in resort regions with curated wellness and active-experience offerings.
• Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences: Austrian-headquartered hotel group operating family, wellness, and active hotels in Austria, Italy, Czechia, and Croatia. Directly comparable given Alpine DACH presence, family/active-customer focus, and similar inclusive amenity positioning.
• JUFA Hotels: Austrian hotel chain focused on family, active, and sports-oriented stays across Austria and neighboring Alpine regions. Comparable mid-market positioning, family and active-traveler focus, and DACH/Alpine footprint.
• Sporthotel Achensee: Sport- and wellness-focused hotel on Lake Achensee in Tirol, Austria. Comparable as a niche sports-focused Alpine property targeting active travelers with bike and ski infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• Leading Hotels of the Alps: Marketing consortium of upscale independent Alpine hotels across Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Comparable given Alpine focus and resort-format properties, though positioned at a higher price tier than Explorer Hotels.
• Maritim Hotels: Established German hotel chain with city and resort properties including Alpine-adjacent leisure destinations. Comparable as a DACH-based full-service hotel operator but with broader corporate and leisure segmentation.
• Best Western Hotels Germany/Austria: Large international hotel franchise with broad presence across German and Austrian Alpine leisure destinations. Comparable on geography and mid-market positioning, though broader and less differentiated on the sporty niche.

Emerging players

• aJA Hotels & Resorts: Emerging German lifestyle value-resort brand with focus on wellness, sport, and inclusive pricing across German and Austrian destinations. Comparable inclusive-pricing model and active-traveler focus, though broader lifestyle rather than sporty niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpdMZEcAY8bgkM3X_o0QhmA
• Facebookfacebook.com/explorerhotels
• Instagraminstagram.com/explorer_hotels
• TikToktiktok.com/@explorerhotels
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/explorer-hotel

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Explorer Hotels