Our History – Gasthaus Zum Jossatal

From a tavern to a guesthouse

In 1967, Maria and Albrecht Kröckel bought an old farm with a tavern in Mernes. This laid the foundation for the later development of today’s Gasthaus Zum Jossatal.

From 1967 to 1977, the building was initially leased out. At that time, the Kröckel family did not yet run their own hospitality business there.

A new chapter began in 1977. From then on, the tavern was run by the Kröckel family. This marked the start of the family’s true hospitality history at this location.

Between 1977 and 1983, the former tavern gradually developed step by step into an established meeting place for dining and socialising in Mernes. Under the management of Maria and Egon Kröckel, the business was further expanded and firmly established.

From 1983 to 1984, a decisive step in development followed. The building was completely demolished and rebuilt, except for an outbuilding. The original tavern increasingly became the guesthouse that would shape the image of today’s Zum Jossatal for many years.

Over the decades, thanks to its location in the Jossa Valley, the guesthouse also became increasingly attractive to hikers, cyclists, motorcyclists, holidaymakers and excursion groups. In addition to the restaurant, the offer included guest rooms, hiking activities, group events such as a Spessart Robbers’ Exam, and the special beer garden right by the Jossa.

Since the 2010s, Gasthaus Zum Jossatal has been honoured and recertified several times as a “Quality Host: Hiking in Germany”. This officially recognised its long-standing focus on hikers, active holidaymakers and visitors to the Hessian Spessart Nature Park.

Between 2016 and 2021, significant investment was once again made in the future of the business. In several stages, the restaurant was redesigned, the traditional parlour was refurbished, the guest rooms were comprehensively modernised, and a new apartment was created. The guesthouse was then awarded three stars again as part of the G classification.

Since 2018, Gasthaus Zum Jossatal has been taking part from the very beginning in the regional Zickensommer as well as the Wild Weeks organised by Spessart Regional. These events stand for the close connection between hospitality, regional products and local agriculture.

Another important milestone followed in 2023: Sebastian Kröckel, the third generation, became actively involved in the family business. Since then, the guesthouse has been run together with his parents. This brings together the family’s decades-long tradition with a new generation and the continued development of the business for the future.

Today, the tavern that Maria and Albrecht Kröckel bought in 1967 has become a traditional hospitality and accommodation business with hearty, home-style cuisine—while continuing to modernise and placing great value on seasonal and regional products.