A life dedicated to tourism
The story of the hotel "zur Sonne" is inseperably linked to its unforgotten landlady Margret Bischofberger. She was born in 1921, and in 1946, she and her husband Eugen took over the restaurant Sonne ("Sun"); it then consisted of some antique interiors, three tables and 12 chairs. The first expansion of the old Sonne happened in 1950, when 20 new beds were added. Additionally, 10 extra houses with beds were rented in Mellau to provide space for 60 - 100 guests.
In 1954, a restaurant with 60 seats was added. The first big conversion and extension was due in 1958. An additional restaurant providing room for 80 seats, and a separate house containing 30 standard beds, were also added. This is when the legendary dance and entertainment evenings began, causing Mellau's reputation as "the sinful village".
Mellau only became a place of interest for winter sports fans after 1972. The Mellauer skiing region was opened - and the Sonne opened the "Tanz-Tenne" ("Dance barn"), the first disco in the area, offering room for approx. 280 people. The hotel's refurbishment in 1977 and another conversion in 1985 resulted in further capacity extensions and a high standard of quality in the rooms. In all these years, Margret Bischofberger steered the Sonne's fate while at the same time looking after her husband and their six children. Known as "Mellau's singing Sonnenlady" she is a legend. Her guests were always kings to her. The Sonnenlady's spirit lives on in our efforts to make your time spent with us in the "Sun" as unforgettable as possible.
