The History of Hôtel Beauséjour Colmar – An Alsatian Family Legacy Since 1913
At the heart of Colmar, Hôtel Beauséjour is much more than a building or a hotel business. It is a living home, a keeper of memory, and a chapter in the city’s story, carried forward by five generations of the same Alsatian family. For over 110 years, it has embodied a rare balance between tradition, hospitality, and modernity.
1913 – The Foundation of a Dream: Marie, Berthe, and Jean-Baptiste
The story begins in 1913, on the eve of the First World War. Marie Keller, alongside her mother Berthe and her husband Jean-Baptiste, purchases a bourgeois house at 25 rue du Ladhof, on what was then the outskirts of Colmar.
The location was chosen with care: away from the town center and the train lines, but situated along a busy road frequented by travelers and tradesmen.
The family transformed the residence into a small inn with warmth and character. Quickly, it gained a reputation for its heartfelt hospitality and generous, home-style cuisine.
To this day, Jean-Baptiste’s initials remain carved above the front door—a stone-set promise of enduring dedication to hospitality.
From Inn to Hotel – The Post-War Era and Professionalization
The establishment weathered both world wars. Through these turbulent times, it served at times as a refuge, a rest stop, and always a place of comfort.
After WWII, under the stewardship of Lucien Keller and his wife Odile, the inn evolved into a more professional hotel. The rooms were updated, and the service adapted to a broader clientele—tourists, traveling salesmen, and families alike.
In the 1960s, the family home officially became known as Hôtel Beauséjour—a name that evokes both a “beautiful stay” and the idea of a peaceful holiday retreat.
1972 – The Boldness of a Young Woman: Marie-Odile Keller Takes Over
In 1972, at only 25 years old, Marie-Odile Keller, daughter of Lucien and Odile, took the reins of the hotel on her own.
At a time when hospitality management was still largely male-dominated, she brought her own vision: a perfect blend of warm service, managerial precision, and commercial intuition. She joined the Logis de France network, a label recognizing establishments of charm and authenticity with quality dining and heartfelt hospitality.
In 1992, she oversaw an ambitious renovation: the hotel expanded, the rooms were fully refreshed, and a garden was landscaped to welcome guests for sunny outdoor breakfasts. The restaurant also found a new identity, combining elegance and warmth.
A Modern Succession – The Fifth Generation Steps In
Over time, her daughter Marie-Caroline prepared to take over, alongside her husband Stéphane Rousset.
Together, they strive to preserve the soul of the house while adapting it to the expectations of today’s guests: air conditioning in every room, EV charging stations, fast Wi-Fi, secure bicycle storage, family rooms, and modern suites.
They embrace a vision of hospitality that is sustainable, human-centered, and rooted in its territory—all while looking toward the future. The family spirit remains at the core: many loyal guests have been coming for decades, and some still remember the earliest generations of the Keller family.
Today – A Peaceful Haven Just Steps from Colmar’s Historic Center
Located only a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, Hôtel Beauséjour offers a calm retreat in a residential neighborhood.
With 40 air-conditioned rooms, a lush garden, a restaurant bathed in natural light, and—above all—a deeply human and personal welcome, this hotel is anything but ordinary.
This is not a faceless hotel. It is a living family home, one that opens its doors with a smile, a sincere look, and that discreet, thoughtful care only places run with passion can provide.
Wifi - Optical fiber
Bathroom with bathtub
Safe deposit box
Double glazing
With or without terrace
With adjustable air conditioning
LED flat-screen TV with foreign channels
TV with Chromecast Easily stream your subscriptions (Netflix, AppleTV+, Prime Video, myCanal, etc.) in total security directly to the TV in your bedroom
Pets allowed with supplement
Bathroom with shower for people with reduced mobility
Bathroom with bathtub or shower
Bathroom with corner whirlpool bathtub
