Edelweiss Lodge and Resort
| Company type | Government-owned |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Recreation |
| Founded | September 2004 |
| Headquarters | Garmisch-Partenkirchen , Germany |
| Products | Hotel accommodations, conference center, dining venues, fitness facility, ski rentals and lessons, vacation village and campground |
| Owner | U.S. Department of Defense |
| Parent | Armed Forces Recreation Centers |
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort is a recreation hotel owned by the U.S. Department of Defense and managed by Armed Forces Recreation Centers. Located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, within the Bavarian Alps close to the Austrian border, the resort commenced operations in September 2004, following an investment of US$80 million.
Facilities such as the Commissary, Community Bank, and PX/BX are accessible exclusively to personnel assigned to U.S. Forces in Europe and NATO ID cardholders authorized with privileges. This includes controlled items like gas coupons, which are priced above standard U.S. rates. Military Post Offices provide services to retirees living in Germany for over 30 days who hold Box R privileges, subject to certain limitations. The resort also houses Alpine Adventures, a shop offering Bavarian merchandise and souvenirs.
History
The establishment of Edelweiss Lodge and Resort aimed to succeed older Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) hotels including the General Patton Hotel and General Von Steuben in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, as well as the former General Walker Hotel in Obersalzberg.
Following World War II, the U.S. Army converted several former German military hotels into rest and recuperation centers for its troops stationed abroad. Although these facilities served for many years, their upkeep became increasingly expensive. In 2000, approval was granted by both the U.S. Army and Congress to build a contemporary resort hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Upon its completion, AFRC-Europe discontinued operations at AFRC-Chiemsee (formerly a Reichsautobahn rest stop) and the General Patton Hotel, merging services under Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. The resort’s lobby, dining area, and conference room entrance were featured in the 2016 motion picture Eddie the Eagle.
Facilities
The resort provides 254 guest rooms and suites alongside a conference center, three dining venues offering American and German dishes, plus a fitness facility equipped with a sauna and swimming pool. Additionally, Edelweiss Lodge and Resort oversees the Hausberg Sport Lodge, which offers ski rentals and lessons at the foot of Hausberg mountain.
It also operates the Edelweiss Vacation Village and Campground, situated on Artillery Kaserne in western Garmisch-Partenkirchen, featuring rustic cabins and camping accommodations nestled in the Loisach River Valley.
Guests can participate in daily guided excursions to prominent local landmarks including Dachau Concentration Camp, Neuschwanstein Castle, Partnach Gorge, and Ettal Abbey.