LAM, BAVARIA — A routine booking request has sparked a national outcry in Germany after an Israeli family was denied a room at a 120-year-old hotel with a message stating, “Sorry, You’ll see no Jews allowed in our hotel.”
The incident occurred on June 2 at Hotel Zum Hirschen, located in the Bavarian town of Lam near the Czech border. The message, sent via the Booking.com platform, prompted an immediate backlash and led to the hotel’s removal from the site. The Regensburg Criminal Police have since opened an investigation into the matter.
The Sperl-Vogl family, who operate the establishment, have issued an apology. They contend that they have been the target of frequent fraudulent bookings and phishing attempts through the platform and they mistakenly identified the Israeli family’s request as part of this pattern. In a statement provided to journalist Tobias Huch, the hotel admitted the conduct was “unacceptable” and stated, “We and our employees are only human, and sometimes anger gets the better of us.”
A Shadow of History
The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from Jewish leaders and diplomats, who argue the language used echoes the systemic exclusion of the 1930s. Talya Lador, Israel’s consul general to Southern Germany, questioned the climate of the country, asking, “Are we back in the 1930s?” She further characterized the incident as a broader threat, noting, “Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem. We see not an Israeli problem. It is a danger to democracy in Germany.”
Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, emphasized that the hotel’s attempt to provide context does not mitigate the severity of the language. “The dehumanizing statement ‘No Jews allowed’ cannot be justified under any circumstances,” Schuster said, adding that it remains “shocking” that such a thought would be committed to writing.
The European Jewish Congress (EJC) highlighted that the case occurs against a backdrop of rising intolerance, noting that 2024 saw over 6,200 recorded antisemitic offenses in Germany, including 173 violent crimes. The EJC stated that the incident “evokes some of the darkest chapters of European history.”
The Path Ahead
As the Regensburg Criminal Police continue their investigation, the hotel remains the subject of intense public scrutiny. The Sperl-Vogl family has stated on their website that they are in contact with the police and the State Chancellery to present their perspective, while also reporting that the establishment is currently receiving “insults and threats.”
Moving forward, the outcome of the police investigation is likely to determine whether the hotel faces legal repercussions for the discriminatory message. The hotel may face long-term reputational challenges and continued pressure from advocacy groups seeking accountability. While the hotel maintains that its normal operations have not been affected, the case could influence future policies regarding how online travel platforms handle booking disputes and discriminatory conduct by their listed partners.
