Creativity and ideas don’t spring to life at the push of a button, nor do they always emerge in a conventional work environment. Innovation needs breathing room, places that foster tranquility and productivity, and an environment that stimulates workflow while also allowing for relaxation: this is precisely where the concept of d’Kammer in idyllic Illerbeuren comes in, as its managing director, Julia Staudinger, deliberately chose not to create a typical conference hotel.
The former farmhouse, which Staudinger and her husband Michael renovated, captivates not only with its blend of historic structure and contemporary, award-winning architecture. The mix of modern workspaces, abundant nature, and high-quality accommodations is also inspiring—and offers ideal retreats for team off-sites, workations, and retreats.
Innovative Ideas for “New Work” Spaces
Six generations of her family had already lived on the farm on the outskirts of Illerbeuren when Julia Staudinger took it over from her parents in 2017. The rural farm that had belonged to her grandparents was now a thing of the past—and the future rested with Staudinger, who was determined to preserve the property where she herself had grown up. A forward-thinking and sustainable concept was needed.
“A contemporary home that preserves the old.”
First, guest rooms were prepared in her grandmother’s former home; then, as requests for accommodations continued to rise, the extensive renovation of the barn and threshing floor followed. The focus was on preserving the historic building fabric, using regional materials (hemp-lime plaster, spruce/maple), and reusing old building materials. The result: “a contemporary home that preserves the old,” as Julia Staudinger says.
In addition to vacation rentals for tourists, Staudinger also created spaces that are ideal for team retreats, workshops, and workations, as she wanted to adapt to the “New Work” paradigm. “We’re going to see more and more companies wanting to celebrate being together,” Julia Staudinger is convinced. Today, d’Kammer offers spaces where productivity can flow optimally—with easy access to nature and plenty of opportunities to unwind after productive hours.
Orchard + reliable Wi-Fi = Workation
Anyone who works remotely and values peace and quiet as well as being close to nature will feel right at home at d’Kammer. People working on laptops aren’t a distraction here—they’re part of the concept—and can go about their work in various attractive locations: in their own apartment, in the bright barn, at the Kammer Kafé, or at a table in the middle of the 6,000-square-meter orchard that surrounds the farm. Stable Wi-Fi is available throughout the house and in the garden, making video calls and working with large amounts of data a breeze.
Focus and Flow, Work and Vacation
Distances are short at d’Kammer, allowing for an ideal blend of productivity and relaxation: In the Kammer Kafé, the former milking parlor, a freshly prepared, three-course Slow Food breakfast is served daily—“garnished” with little stories about the origins and regional ingredients used. For those who want to work up a sweat between two work sessions or after work, it’s just a few steps to the Finnish sauna with a cold-water shower, lounge furniture, and a fire pit. And it’s only a five-minute walk to the banks of the Iller River, which offers refreshment in the summer and is a popular spot for ice swimming in the winter.
Team Offsites: Meetings in the Tenne
As part of the renovation, the former Tenne was transformed into a space for team meetings, workshops, and conferences. Up to 20 people can work on their projects and brainstorm in this bright room, which features a kitchenette and a foosball table. The large glass front lets in plenty of natural light in any weather, creating a friendly, open, loft-like atmosphere. A flipchart, whiteboard, presentation kit, and 85-inch TV are available, as are beverages, snacks, lunch, coffee, and homemade cake.
Work with an All-Inclusive Package
Teams that want to work undisturbed and stay focused can rent the entire d’Kammer exclusively. “We’re a venue where a group can have the place all to themselves,” says Julia Staudinger. Upon request, she and her staff will put together team activities nearby for the free hours—ranging from adventure golf and watercolor painting classes to cheese or chocolate workshops, all the way to a visit to the famous Illerbeuren Open-Air Museum. They offer tips on places to eat or even organize fine-dining events with an in-house chef. For the team members’ overnight stays, the vacation home and the five apartments are available; these were created in the converted barn and, like the entire complex, are designed in a unique blend of Allgäu charm and Scandinavian design.
Retreat Under Ancient Roof Beams
In the carefully restored attic of the former farmhouse, soft light filters through the ancient roof beams onto the spruce wood floor. Up to 19 people regularly spread out their mats here for yoga retreats, which are often complemented by fasting hikes, meditation, or qigong. For the organizers and participants of the multi-day retreats, which take place throughout the year, the premises and the immediate surroundings of d’Kammer offer the perfect setting: there are places for retreat and for community, the expanse of the orchard meadow, and the cozy garden sauna. Mats, blocks, bolsters, straps, and blankets are available in 19 different varieties, as well as a Bluetooth speaker and dimmable lighting for atmospheric sessions.
Perfect for passionate cyclists
Nature lovers who enjoy cycling will find plenty to enjoy on the Iller Cycle Path or the Allgäu Cycle Route—both routes run practically right outside our door. For road and gravel bike riders, Julia Staudinger and her team also have a very special “treat” in store: tours curated exclusively for d’Kammer that feature well-maintained paths through idyllic landscapes and are extremely popular. Guests can safely store their bikes in the bike garage and even perform minor repairs there.
An active break from everyday life
In addition to the bike tours, hikes, trips to the weekly market, or a visit to the famous Illerbeuern Open-Air Museum directly across from the farm are perfect additions to an active getaway. During the day, Julia Staudinger and her team provide meals for retreat participants upon request—but guests can also prepare their own meals in the large barn, at the outdoor kitchen, or at the pizza oven in the garden.
Award-Winning: The Architecture and the Hosts
d’Kammer—specifically Julia and Michael Staudinger—and Memmingen-based architect Alexander Nägele have received numerous awards for their thoughtful, sustainable, and innovative renovation of the farmhouse. The online portal “Urlaubsarchitektur,” a treasure trove for people who love vacation accommodations with exquisite architecture, selected d’Kammer as one of the “20 Most Popular Hotels and B&Bs of 2025.” The year before, Julia Staudinger had been honored as “Tourism Professional of the Year” by the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism.
None of this comes as a surprise when you wander through the rooms at d’Kammer, where the attention to detail and the successful blend of historic elements and modern design are evident everywhere. And when, out in the orchard, your laptop awaits new, creative inspiration…
You can find more information about d’Kammer here.
