Tradition & modernity

Sonne_1806 - The naming

The Gasthaus Sonne was established in 1806 on a historic site.

The reason why so many inns were built in the old Sägen district at that time was the proximity to the Dornbirner Ache river and the construction of a convenient road from the Sägen district to Oberdorf and later to the Bregenzerwald. Dornbirn's textile history is also closely linked to this district. The first mechanical spinning mill in Central Europe was built in the "Juchen", not far from this restaurant. What was once the textile industry is now the creative industry and the digital hotspot, Campus Vorarlberg. Today, as then, a focal point in a prime location. And so it made sense to anchor this history in the hotel name.

"Sometimes, on the way to the future, you have to turn around and see what the past has to offer."

The beginnings

"This inn, on a historic site, shines again in new splendor." It was built as early as 1806, on the road that the much-named and highly deserving Ammann Caspar Rhomberg had built at the time of the "Loskauf" of Ems, which was around 1770, as a beautiful and convenient road from Oberdorf to the Sägen district. Not far from this inn, the first mechanical spinning mill in Central Europe was built in the "Juchen" in 1813. The "Sonne" was built by Jakob Fussenegger, born in 1763, who in 1805 employed 23 weavers, 2 apprentices, 3 assistants and 129 spinners at home in the cotton trade."

Family history

In 1900, the Sonne was acquired by innkeeper Josef Spiegel and has remained in the family to this day, in the heart of the textile and garden city of Dornbirn.

Until 2002, the inn, including the bowling alley, was run by Herbert and Carla Peter. In the last two years until their retirement, Herbert and Carla concentrated exclusively on the business as a "Hotel Garni", rooms with breakfast. In 2004, their son Gerald Peter took over the flourishing hotel and continuously expanded the room contingent. The superior room category was successfully established. A huge sun terrace was set up on the roof for hotel guests. The latest project in 2015 was to equip the sun terrace with a guest lounge with a large glass front. This means that it can now be used all year round.

Historical site "Sägen"

There were four sawmills on the Müllerkanal, which explains the name and address Sägerstrasse. The Sägerbrücke, the oldest Achbrücke, can be recognized from the sources around 1530, but is only documented in 1605. It is a settlement of the upper village, but the unusual development is also due to the location between Niederdorf and the southern settlements of Dornbirn.