In the 19th century, the "Gasthaus zur Stadt Würzburg" (Inn to the City of Würzburg) was located on Barbarossaplatz: a ground-level building on the corner of the narrow Oberthürgasse. With its shady garden, it was already considered an oasis in the turbulent city life. In 1908, Michael Erb bought the property and had it rebuilt and renovated for three years. In 1911, the house opened as the "Würzburger Hof" in new splendor.

On the occasion of the reopening or new opening of the Würzburger Hof in 1911, the following large-scale advertisement appeared in the local and regional newspapers:

"Allow me to hereby inform a highly esteemed population of Würzburg and the surrounding area, in particular my valued neighbors as well as my friends and acquaintances, and also the esteemed business travelers and tourists, that on May 1st of this year, in addition to my previous ground-floor premises, I will be opening a modern establishment on the first floor. Based on many years of experience, I will always strive to meet the wishes of my esteemed guests through strictly real business management, good cuisine, guaranteed pure wines and draft beers from the Würzburg brewery. I would particularly like to draw the attention of travelers to my newly furnished guest rooms (with electric light), only good beds, at reasonable prices. I would also like to mention that bright export beer, directly from the tap, will be served from 4 p.m. onwards. Monday, May 1st (1911): Opening celebration with concert. Michael Erb and wife request numerous visitors."

From the beginning, the Würzburger Hof was considered one of the city’s leading addresses. In the first decade of its existence, it was even raised and expanded several times, despite the First World War and persistent inflation.

When the economy recovered, the Erb family, who owned the hotel, decided to build an elaborate new building in 1924/25, which, with its expensive interior, was intended to secure the hotel a lead over the nearby "Russian Hof". The house had more than 100 beds. The magnificent building with its stucco-decorated facade and gold-colored inscription "Würzburger Hof" was now visible from afar when approaching the city center and Barbarossaplatz from the train station via Kaiserstraße. The guests’ automobiles – still rare in city traffic compared to horses, carts and carriages – were parked by the house servant and brought to the front when required.

In the Second World War, the historic old town of Würzburg was almost completely destroyed. The Würzburger Hof also burned down during the heaviest bombing raid on March 16, 1945. The facade, including the golden inscription, was destroyed. Of the numerous details in colored marble, only the staircase from the vestibule to the first floor has been preserved.

Today, after reconstruction and careful restoration, the Würzburger Hof shines again in all its glory: the historic facade in traditional castle yellow, elegantly decorated with fine white stucco. The hotel remained in the possession of the founding family until 2012. As no successors could be found, the third generation – founder’s granddaughter Martha Heinen-Kerkel and her husband Karl Kerkel – carefully handed over their traditional hotel to new hands. Under the management of the experienced hostess Sabine Unckell, the Würzburger Hof is now continuing its history.

"I feel very connected to the family and am proud to be the fourth woman in a row to run this special hotel," says the current managing director. It has always been an individual hotel with impressively strong women – a tradition that she continues to live with passion. This dedication is noticeable in each of the 34 lovingly designed rooms and suites – from charmingly small to generously luxurious. Guests here have the pleasant "agony of choice". What also makes the Würzburger Hof so unique is the successful combination of a personal, family atmosphere and a sophisticated, international audience – a combination that is rarely found.