History
A journey through 13 decades of hotel tradition
Immerse yourself in history with us
For 125 years, our Strandhotel Duhnen has stood for hospitality, character and moving stories. Generations have experienced unforgettable moments here – as travellers, employees or locals. Join us on a journey through time and discover how a beach hotel became a living tradition.
125 years of Strandhotel Duhnen - a journey through eras full of change, courage and living tradition
The timeline tells of pioneering spirit, courageous decisions and the close connection between the Strandhotel Duhnen and the town itself. From the first extensions in the German Empire to storm surges, new buildings and new ideas through to modern wellness worlds – every era has left its mark. Since 1896, not only has the hotel grown with each generation, but also an attitude to life that accompanies guests to this day.
Marquee Animation "History that lives on today!"
History that lives on today!
1896
In the beginning there was a house on the beach
This is how the Strandhotel Duhnen emerged from a house on the beach. “This place is unique” must have been what the restaurateur Amandus Mangels thought when he decided to build a small hotel directly on the Duhner Watt in Cuxhaven in 1893. Three years later – in 1896 – he put his plan into practice and the story of the Strandhotel Duhnen began. The first remodelling took place as early as 1898. A two-storey porch and an extension to the veranda were built. When Duhnen was officially granted the status of a seaside resort in 1902, more and more “summer visitors” enjoyed their holidays on this stretch of North Sea coast every year.
1921
Foundation stone for the Kamp Hotels in Duhnen
In 1921, Friedrich Kamp took over the Strand-Hôtel Duhnen and steered it safely through the difficult times in the years following the First World War. Even then, it was important to assert itself against the increasingly established competition. Just one year after taking over the hotel in 1923, he extended it by adding a storey and at the same time had the veranda, so popular with guests as a “box seat by the sea”, extended across the entire front of the building. The foundation stone was laid for a family business, which is now being successfully continued by the 3rd generation!
1957
A decade of the economic miracle in Duhnen too
At first, the Second World War had also left its mark on the hotel: it had served as an air-raid shelter, later as a gas and fog school and finally as accommodation for British occupying soldiers. But Friedrich Kamp was not discouraged by the desolate state of his hotel. The beginning of the upswing came in 1957 with the remodelling of the main building, which brought an increase of nine rooms and the Strand-Hotel now had 44 chic rooms. But that was not all… – the decade of the economic miracle was to continue the following year – see for yourself…
1958
Expansion through construction of the Seehotel Kamp
Thanks to Friedrich Kamp’s commercial skills and the general upswing, the Seehotel Kamp was built in the immediate vicinity of the Strand-Hotel in 1958 and opened on time for the start of the season on 24 May 1958 with 33 guest rooms and seven shops on the ground floor. Now son Klaus Kamp also joined the active hotel business and took over the Seehotel as “junior manager” and leaseholder.
1965
The Strand-Hotel grows together with the Seehotel
By 1965, Klaus Kamp had already “swum free” to such an extent that he initially leased the Strand-Hotel from his father and then took it over as owner together with the Seehotel in 1970. His first action in 1965 was the now obvious connection of the Strand-Hotel with the Seehotel. This was done with an almost 23 metre high corner building – also known as “the tower”, which became the dominant accent in the “coastline” of Duhnen and gave the Strandstraße a completely new face as Duhnen’s promenade boulevard.
Beach Hotel Secrets
We can reveal that in 1972 there was a major change in the use of the space. Until then, the Strand-Hotel had had a festive ballroom. This was where Cuxhaven residents and spa guests met for cheerful and exuberant celebrations – the legendary dance tournaments, dance galas and costume parties were particularly popular. Klaus Kamp converted this hall in 1973 into a large, then innovative hotel swimming pool. The Levitas Wellspa is still located in the same place today.
Wondering what the interior of the Strand Hotel looked like?
1957
A contemporary new building is created
Three years after the transformation of the ballroom into a swimming pool, major changes were once again on the agenda. The hotel building facing the sea had become obsolete and was to be replaced by a contemporary new building. Despite construction interruptions due to the storm surge of the century in 1976, the hotel wing with its 40 new rooms was opened in the middle of the year. Towards the end of the construction work, one floor was completed every week – a brilliant achievement!
1998
A new branch develops - the Aparthotel Kamp
“The Berlin Wall would sooner fall than the neighbouring property would ever be available,” Klaus Kamp was once heard to say. The Wall fell in 1989, and seven years later, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Strand-Hotel in 1996, it was announced to the 400 invited guests that an “agreement had been reached” with the then owner family regarding the neighbouring property. Construction work began and 1998 saw the opening of the Aparthotel Kamp with its 19 fully equipped holiday apartments. A piece of real history and the biggest construction milestone of recent decades to date!
2010
An oasis of relaxation - the Levitas Wellspa
The hotel swimming pool, built in 1973, is revolutionised once again in 2010. This was followed by a new building and the birth of the three-storey “Levitas Wellspa“. From now on, it’s pure wellness on three floors! The 600 m² wellness area includes various saunas, a relaxation area with a fireplace and a large, light-flooded hotel pool with a counter-current system and whirlpool. The perfect place to leave everyday life behind and be pampered to your heart’s content!
2021
The Strandhotel after 125 years
After Klaus Kamp died in December 1998, Annette and Kristian Kamp took over the management of the hotel in the same year. Kristian Kamp is still the owner of the Strandhotel Duhnen today and plays a key role in shaping it. Major renovations in recent years have included the construction of the “Skylounge” and the two “Skysuites” in 2015 and the renovation of the “eastwing” in 2017. 39 hotel rooms were also completely renovated and modernised in 2020. The familiar charm and the classic ambience of the Kamp Hotels have always been preserved. Then as now, our guests appreciate the relaxed hospitality and personalised service at the Strandhotel Duhnen.
