Have You Heard of... the University of Bremen’s Guesthouse?
At university, there is much to discover beyond the Horn-Lehe campus. The University of Bremen has a hidden gem downtown – Teerhof 58 – Guesthouse of the University of Bremen
When you think of the University of Bremen, you probably think of the distinct Brutalist architectural style of the buildings on the main campus in Horn-Lehe. But the university also has a different face. Located at Teerhof in downtown Bremen, the university presents itself in a northern Brick Gothic look. The guesthouse, opened in 1994, blends in with the surrounding residential buildings. Everything here is reminiscent of the warehouses that characterized this narrow island in the Weser River before World War II.
Visitors experience the special character of Teerhof 58 – Guesthouse of the University of Bremen upon entering the apartments. The rooms offer a breathtaking view of the historic part of Bremen’s city and of its maritime mile on the opposite riverbank. “Our international guests, in particular, are enchanted by the panoramic view of the centuries-old buildings,” André Deichsel reports. One of his responsibilities as head of the Administrative Department for Budget and Finance is to oversee the guesthouse.
The guesthouse has 30 apartments. It is open to the public and anyone who is interested in staying there. Guests of the university enjoy a special privilege as they can check in at a reduced rate, and in some cases, the university even covers the cost of accommodation in full. Most of the guests are international academics who are teaching or researching at the University of Bremen for an extended period of time. But it is also used by participants of summer schools and similar programs, as well as by guests of the individual faculties participating in academic projects. The faculty or department inviting the guest does the booking. The duration of the stay should be at least one week as the guesthouse is not available for shorter stays.
“The University of Bremen uses 65 per cent of the room capacity for their guests. The rest of the rooms are available on the open market through our co-operation partner Munte,” Deichsel explains. Munte is owned by the Bremen hoteliers Detlef and Jan Pauls with their company Munte GmbH & Co. KG, which also runs the hotel of the same name in the Stadtwald.
We are very grateful for our cooperation with Munte. They have taken on the entire management of the guesthouse since 2019,” states Deichsel. Before that, the university managed the guesthouse itself. However, Deichsel admits that things didn’t always run smoothly back then. “A university is not a hotel business.” This became increasingly clear in the mid-2010s. In August 2018, the building was completely modernized and refurbished.
Today, each apartment is equipped with a modern box-spring bed, desk, armchair, dining table, fully equipped kitchenette, Wi-Fi, safe, shower, toilet, and hairdryer. The rates include all utilities such as water, electricity, and heating. A weekly cleaning service with a change of linens and towels is also included. “This is very convenient for our guests. They just move in and don’t need to worry about anything,” Deichsel points out. The house has a wonderful charm. “And the location? Unbeatable!” Deichsel concludes, enthusiastically.
The Guesthouse at a Glance
Location: Teerhof 58, 58, 28199 Bremen. Approx. 500m walk from the old historic town center and the “Schlachte” maritime mile with its local bars and cafés.
Directions: Tram stop: Wilhelm-Kaisen-Brücke, tram connects directly to the central train station and the airport. Access by car for check in and unloading only, there is no parking directly in front of the building.
Facilities: 24 single apartments (21 m2) and six double apartments (34 m2). All with a box-spring bed, desk, armchair, dining table, fully equipped kitchenette, Wi-Fi, safe, shower, toilet, and hairdryer. Photos and floor plans available at https://www.teerhof58.de/en/
Room rates per person and night: Between €20 and €60 (depending on the apartment size, number of people, and length of stay)
Please book for university guests via the university’s Travel Management Office on the staff portal of the university website. This will allow you to take advantage of discounted prices. In some cases, the university may be able to cover the cost in full. For information and booking inquiries: https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/intern/staff/business-travel/overnight-stays/teerhof58-guesthouse-of-the-university-of-bremen