The number of visitors increased when the reconstruction of the decaying castle began. Due to necessity, an inn was erected in 1860 on an outcrop on the northwest side of the castle, which today is called "der alte" or "the old." The builder was architect Hugo von Ritgen. His intention was to build a place for food and lodging that could be used as a guesthouse for the old, venerable fortress.

After only half a century, Ritgen's creation, despite the changes and additions, was not large enough for the increasing number of visitors. The building was demolished, and construction began on a new hotel. The present Wartburg Hotel was built between 1913 and 1914 under the leadership of well-known castle researcher and architect Bodo Ebhardt. They used the local red brown stone conglomeration, and the building was kept to the style of typical Thuringian framework constructions. The hotel fits historically and architecturally with the castle, but the layout is modern and spacious. Inside it is beautifully furnished. Even one hundred years later, it is still a wonderful and highly recommendable attraction.

»Hotel auf der Wartburg«