A hotel executive with a background in Swiss luxury hospitality
David Vagelpohl has taken over as General Manager of Steigenberger Inselhotel Konstanz following more than eight years at the prestigious Baur au Lac.
He had served as Deputy General Manager since July 2022, having previously held the position of Director of Food & Beverage from April 2020 to July 2022, and Assistant F&B Manager from April 2018.
His experience at one of Switzerland’s most renowned luxury hotels has enabled him to develop expertise spanning hotel operations, fine dining and team leadership.
His career also includes positions at several established properties across European hospitality.
Before joining Baur au Lac, David Vagelpohl held food and beverage management responsibilities at Zurich’s Widder Hotel, Park Hotel Vitznau, Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa and Hotel Sacher in Vienna. Earlier in his career, he worked at Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich.
Taking the helm as refurbishment nears completion
Located in Konstanz, close to the historic old town, Steigenberger Inselhotel occupies a former Dominican monastery dating back to the 13th century.
The property enjoys a distinctive setting on an island in Lake Constance, near the German-Swiss border.
David Vagelpohl’s arrival coincides with the forthcoming completion of the guest room refurbishment, an important milestone in the hotel’s repositioning and commercial development.
According to Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, the new General Manager will be responsible for further developing the property’s market positioning, building on the strengths of its teams and continuously enhancing the guest experience.
A career combining operational leadership, food and beverage expertise and change management
Beyond his operational experience, David Vagelpohl has pursued professional development focused on hotel management and organisational transformation.
A graduate of Hotelfachschule Thun in Switzerland, he also completed a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Change & Innovation Management at the University of St. Gallen in 2022.
He is currently pursuing an Executive MBA in General Management at Fachhochschule Graubünden, which he is expected to complete in March 2027.
His professional development also includes training in quality management, leadership development and team cohesion.
Strategic Analysis | Leveraging refurbishment and operational expertise
David Vagelpohl’s appointment comes at a significant stage in the development of Steigenberger Inselhotel Konstanz.
For a heritage property with a strong architectural identity, the guest room refurbishment represents not only an opportunity to modernise the hotel but also a means of evolving its commercial positioning and guest experience.
The decision to appoint an executive with senior management experience at Baur au Lac reflects an intention to draw on expertise gained in independent luxury hospitality and high-end food and beverage operations.
His background in operational management and organisational change could help the hotel capitalise on its recent investments, refine service standards and engage its teams in the property’s next phase of development.
For Steigenberger, the challenge lies in combining the hotel’s historic character with the evolving expectations of international and regional guests visiting Lake Constance.
At a Glance
Appointment: David Vagelpohl, General Manager.Property: Steigenberger Inselhotel Konstanz, Germany.Effective date: 1 October 2026.Previous position: Deputy General Manager, Baur au Lac, Zurich.Career background: Baur au Lac, Widder Hotel, Park Hotel Vitznau, Tschuggen Grand Hotel, Hotel Sacher Vienna and Kempinski Munich.Context: Guest room refurbishment nearing completion and continued development of the property.
