the seegärtli in spiez

6 hours ago

4 min read

A Place That Endures and Evolves

The Seegärtli in Spiez Bay combines a unique lakeside location with relaxed, warm hospitality. Since May 2022, Caroline Reber and Juri Seidel have been leading this long-established establishment into the next generation – together with a family that has shaped the Seegärtli for many years.

A Family Business in Transition

Some places stay with us throughout our lives. We know the view across the lake, remember a meal on the terrace or a summer evening when we only meant to stay for a short while – but ended up lingering much longer. Hotel Restaurant Seegarten Marina, affectionately known to many as the “Seegärtli”, is one of those places. And for Caroline Reber, it is also part of her family history.

Her stepfather, Manfred Beutler, now in his nineties, shaped the business for many years. Her mother, Marianne Beutler, remains the heart and soul of the establishment to this day: always helpful, supportive and there whenever she is needed. Since May 2022, Caroline Reber and Juri Seidel have been managing the Seegärtli together. This generational transition marked the beginning of a new chapter. The aim was clear: to lead the establishment into the future without losing what makes it so familiar and special to so many guests.

Restaurant after the renovation – modern, welcoming and with its familiar character. © Seegarten Marina

Preserving What Works, Embracing What’s New

What works well should remain. And where it makes sense, there should be room for something new. This approach shapes the development of the Seegärtli. Changes are introduced carefully, step by step – with respect for the history of the establishment and an eye to future generations of guests.

But it is not just about the rooms and facilities. The people are equally important. Many employees have been part of the Seegärtli for years, some for more than 30 years. During the major restaurant renovation in 2024, retaining the well-established team was therefore a key priority. After a four-month closure, the restaurant reopened with a modern, fresh look without losing its familiar character.

The final stage of the hotel renovation will follow in spring 2027, including the replacement of the heating system. Once completed, all rooms will be fully renovated and air-conditioned. Modern comforts and new materials will come together with views of the lake and Spiez Bay. The aim remains the same: the Seegärtli should continue to evolve – while still looking and feeling unmistakably like the Seegärtli in the years to come.

f.l.t.r. Marianne Beutler, Juri Seidel, Manfred Beutler, Caroline Reber. © Seegarten Marina

Arrive, Unwind, Enjoy

Right by the water in the heart of Spiez Bay, locals mingle with holidaymakers, regular guests with new faces, and families with couples looking to enjoy a pleasant evening. The view stretches across Lake Thun to the Niesen and the mountains of the Bernese Oberland. Lake and land also come together on the menu, with fish dishes alongside meat specialities and popular classics. From late afternoon onwards, the pizzeria adds to the choice. Pizza, incidentally, has a long tradition at the Seegärtli. Manfred Beutler recalls that his establishment was one of the pioneers in the area – with the first pizza oven and the first soft-serve ice cream machine. Even back then, new ideas found their place by the lake.

And then there are some things that are best left unchanged. First and foremost is the entrecôte served in a small pan, which guests finish cooking at the table to their own taste. The idea behind it reflects the character of the entire establishment: good food without unnecessary fuss, in a place where you are happy to linger a little longer.

Restaurant before the renovation. © Seegarten Marina

A Place You’ll Want to Return To

Perhaps it is precisely this combination that makes the Seegärtli so special: its unique location, the history of the establishment and the people who have shaped and developed it over generations. Whether enjoying a coffee on the terrace, having lunch overlooking the lake, spending an evening in the restaurant or enjoying a few days’ holiday in Spiez, today’s guests experience an establishment that has changed and will continue to evolve.

What matters most has remained the same: its closeness to the lake, its relaxed hospitality and the feeling of being in just the right place. That is precisely why, for many people, the Seegärtli is more than simply a hotel or restaurant – it is a place they are always happy to return to.