The ibis Paderborn City has successfully completed its scheduled modernisation in three construction phases. This encompassed the redesign of the guest rooms, the implementation of air-conditioned spaces, and the complete reconceptualisation of the lobby and food and beverage area. Simultaneously, new hotel management was appointed: Daniel Handschick, an experienced hotelier with regional roots in Ostwestfalen, has taken over the position of General Manager. This project represents a strategic measure for the Cologne-based hotel operator Event Hotels to upgrade existing properties, adapting them to current guest expectations and positioning them for the future in the market. The investment in the Paderborn location also underlines the importance of this regional hotel market.
The modernisation extended to all 90 rooms in the establishment. The new appearance is characterised by warm, earthy colour schemes, contemporary furniture and lighting concepts, and wood-look vinyl flooring. For enhanced sleeping comfort, Deluxe-Comfort-Boxspring beds from the Swedish specialist Hilding Anders were installed; the double beds now offer a sleeping surface of 180 x 200 centimetres. A significant technical advancement is the equipping of each guest room with air conditioning. Heat supply is initially provided by existing systems, air conditioning units, and heat pumps, with a renewal of the ventilation system planned for 2027. The bathrooms were also purposefully modernised. The hotel now offers two new room categories, Comfort City View and Comfort Courtyard, and has doubled the number of twin rooms from 15 to 30, which particularly accommodates business travellers and groups.
The transformation in the hotel’s public areas is striking. The traditional hotel bar has been replaced by an open Welcome Lounge with flexible seating areas and an integrated Marketplace. This concept combines the lobby, lounge area, and food and beverage facilities into a central meeting point. Guests now have access to a 24-hour self-service offering for food and drinks. The culinary selection includes SiSiSi bowls, prepared quickly using Swiss QuickSteam technology, and a KUKKI Station with chilled premium cocktails. The future implementation of digital check-in solutions is intended to offer additional flexibility, while personal service from the hotel team remains a central component of the concept. This reorientation reflects the hotel industry's evolution towards multifunctional spaces that integrate arrival, work, dining, and accommodation.
Progress has also been made in sustainability, with further measures planned. The ibis Paderborn City has been Green Key certified since 2024. Certification of the building according to the international BREEAM sustainability standard is being pursued. A Purezza water station offers guests filtered still and sparkling water free of charge for self-service. The structural requirements for a photovoltaic system were created during the modernisation, with its activation scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The modernisation of the ibis Paderborn City is part of the further development of the Keystone portfolio with 17 ibis brand hotels, which was acquired by Event Hotels in 2025.
Daniel Handschick, 33 years old, an experienced hotelier who most recently managed the Vienna House Easy by Wyndham in Osnabrück and has further experience in renowned hotels in Zurich and Osnabrück, takes over the management of the ibis Paderborn City. His return to Ostwestfalen, where he was born, is a special constellation. Handschick stated that Paderborn is for him the “most beautiful city in Ostwestfalen-Lippe” and he sees the opportunity to reposition the ibis Paderborn City with a modern product, a strong team, and an appealing concept for business travellers, city guests, and groups. The trained hotel professional brings extensive experience in hotel management, front office, F&B management, and revenue.
The ibis Paderborn City benefits from its central location on the inner-city ring road, which ensures quick accessibility to the Cathedral, Old Town, Pader Springs, University, and Central Station. Paderborn combines a distinct economic and academic landscape with a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, as well as regionally renowned events such as the Libori Festival. Against the backdrop of increased domestic tourism, modernised and well-located hotel offerings outside major metropolitan areas are gaining increasing importance. Especially the year 2027, when Paderborn celebrates its 1250th anniversary, will shape the cityscape with numerous events and draw attention to the city as a travel destination, for which the modernised ibis Paderborn City offers a contemporary starting point.
