The impressions and memories are still fresh to give you a proper review on the 5-star superior resort Der Öschberghof.
Claus Feldt (Management consultant: golf & sport, Der Öschberghof) invited me to their FAM trip. This is how I spent 4 out of this world days at Öschberghof.
Do you remember the last IGTM that was held in Ljubljana in 2018? If I remember well, only 1 German golf resort represented Germany. It was the Schlosshotel Kronberg.
It is really surprising when we know that Germany is the #2 golfing country in Europe (not far behind the UK) with 644 943 registered golfers (Source: KPMG: Participation Report for Europe 2018).
Germany could have a much bigger role in the European golf tourism industry even, if not all of its 731 golf clubs are prepared for attracting and welcoming international golf tourists.
Der Öschberghof – Today
Originally, Öschberghof was a country and golf club with an affiliated hotel. It was opened in 1976.
Between 2015-2018, Öschberghof was was comprehensively and fundamentally renovated and redesigned. They invested 60 million Euros to become a 5-star superior resort with
- 110 guest rooms, 3 junior suites, 13 suites;
- Two 18-hole and one 9-hole course;
- Exclusive ÖSCH SPA extends over 5,000 sqm with various saunas, steam baths, an ice lounge, indoor and outdoor infinity pools as well as a 550 sqm ÖSCH GYM;
- 400 sqm banqueting hall for up to 300 people.
- 4 restaurants: ÖSCH NOIR (Fine Dining), the “Esszimmer” (upscale international cuisine with regional influences), the Ristorante and Pizzeria Hexenweiher (Italian specialities) as well as the Öventhütte (Alpine cuisine);
- They have got a very impressive cigar (100 kinds, including their own brand) and whiskey (120 kinds) offer. Plus, they have got their own produced rum: Single Cask Selection: Panama Rum (Sherry-cask aged).
- 140 parking lots for hotel guests and another 200 for the visitors.
What was really impressive in Öschberghof is their dedication to detail and caring about their guests like me.
They combined 60 countries’ luxury resorts’ best practices and combined them with their own ideas to provide exceptional hospitality.
It was unbelievable to find such smart solutions in my room (see picture above) that I have not found in any other 5-star superior hotels where I had been to in the past.
Just to give an idea, you wake up in the middle of the night because you need to go to the rest room. Instead of turning on the lights, here the sensors are activating the lights in such extent that it is not disturbing at all.
Öschberghof – golf offer
We might say that to have a 45-hole golf course with golf academy, pro-shop, golf club cleaners, driving range (both covered & open) is nothing special.
However, when we can customize (this is not equal to the regular club fitting) every part of our golf equipment within maximum 48 hours then we feel the difference.
Toro will launch its electronic mowers 1st in Europe in Öschberghof in 2020.
They are already using Toro’s Lynx Central Control to optimize their water consumption.
Öschberghof has got 7 reservoir lakes, various streams, and drainages. They are water independent from external sources.
Today, 22 greenkeepers are working on the 45 holes.
The will to manage everything internally is very typical to Öschberghof. They have even got a petrol station.
Öschberghof – Messenger Marketing
When you are thinking about how to ease and improve your guests’ experience at your golf resort/club, it is wise to understand which technology solution or device or application they are already using frequently.
In July 2019, WhatsApp was the most popular messenger application with over 1.6 billion monthly active users worldwide.
WhatsApp market penetration is the highest in the Netherlands, at 85%, followed by Spain (83.1%) and Italy (83%).
In Germany, the WhatsApp penetration is 81% (Facebook Messenger’s: 46%).
It is popular since it is simple, fast, and secure to use. Our guests want convenience at every step of their customer journey.
Customers will do more business with the golf resorts/clubs that are easiest to work with.
I expect that self-service customer service will gain momentum since we are demanding more intimacy during our stay.
This is why I think Öschberghof’s decision to utilize WhatsApp is a bold move.
I have not found demographic data about the German WhatsApp users, but I know that in the UK:
- 76% – ABC1 status
- 59% – 45-54 age group
- 42% – 55-64 age group
- 34% – 65-75 age group
In some golf resorts I have already seen that they are using WhatsApp for calls (e.g. The Oitavos in Portugal; La Meridiana Hotel, Resort & Golf, Italy).
So far only at Öschberghof I found where guests can book book tables via WhatsApp.
