Chronicle

From 1893 to 1905 the grounds of the current Parkhotel CUP VITALIS housed the most modernly built and furnished sanatorium in Germany at the time, the Dapper Sanatorium. At the head of the institution stood the famous doctor and proprietary medical officer Prof. Dr. von Dapper-Saalfels. In the last few years leading up to the sale of the property to the Berlin regional insurance office (LVA) in 1959 Federal President Dr. Theodor Heuß was a permanent guest.

With the sale, the name was changed to Sanatorium Rudolf Wissel. Wissel was Minister of Labour from 1928-1930, an honorary citizen of Berlin and a thought leader in the field of preventive measures for the preservation and improvement of the labour force. As it became increasingly clear that the old facilities no longer meet the requirements, the LVA Berlin decided to rebuild. Along with the therapy centre, a physical therapy institution based on the latest balneological insights was to be built. This lead to the building of the therapy centre (1974-1975, opening on 1 December 1975) and the main building (1977-1980) in two phases, finally forming a unity in design and function. A total of 38 million German marks were invested in the construction project. The requirement to preserve the trees, the position of the rooms all with a view out on the park and the layout of the grounds, including sports and relaxation areas, was an outstanding success. The design of the 150-metre long driveway with an incline to the entrance of the main building had therapeutic reasons.

In June 2012, the German Pension Fund sold the entire property to the CUP VITALIS hotel and operating company. Until its reopening in July 2013, approximately 13 million euros were invested in the renovation of the main building (16,000 square metres).

Further important steps have been and will still be taken towards further development of the enterprise.

The Spa & Sport area with another 2,600 square metres was upgraded to meet the latest technical and visual standards; two new saunas and a large salt oasis were opened in January 2014. By 2016 other highlights such as an additional large sauna area with 3 saunas (including a rock salt brine mist sauna), a large rest and outdoor area, as well as a fitness centre with the best Technogym equipment were completed. Further investments were made by completely redesigning and converting the previous restaurant into a new conference facility of about 500 square metres; opening in October 2014. In addition, a completely new area for group events of up to 230 people was created; opening in December 2014.

By the end of 2016 an on-site saline will be added to expand our "around the salt" offer.