German Hotelier Says Hotel Is 'Not Suitable' For Guests Weighing More Than 20st

A hotel owner in Germany has been hit with criticism after she posted on the business's website to discourage guests who weigh more than 20 stone.

Hotelier Angelika Hargesheimer updated the website of her hotel Beachhotel Sahlenburg in the beach side town of Cuxhaven to warn visitors its facilities are 'not suitable' for people weighing more than 130kg (20.4st).

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The disclaimer states: "For reasons of liability, we would like to point out that the interior is not suitable for people with a body weight of more than 130 kilograms."

Speaking to local media, Hargesheimer explained she came up with the rule after concerns that overweight guests might damage her 'classical' furniture and that as it is a 'designer hotel', she doesn't want to have trade out her pieces for more 'sturdy furniture'.

She went on to say the statement was not discriminatory and that she had decided upon the new policy after she was sued by an 'overweight guest' whose bed collapsed while he was sleeping in it.

The man attempted to sue for damages over the incident but both parties later settled out of court.

Hargesheimer said that other 'overweight guests' had complained about struggling to fit in the shower cubicles and said the chairs used in the breakfast area were uncomfortable.

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She added that she just wants guests to enjoy their stay and it seems as though experts in the matter agree that she is not breaking any anti-discrimination rules.

Sebastian Bickerich from the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency told local newspaper Bild: "Only if an overweight person reaches the threshold of a disability does protection against discrimination exist.

"Therefore, it should be difficult for those affected to take legal action against provisions such as in the hotel you described, with reference to the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG)."

However, Natalie Rosenke from the Society Against Weight Discrimination has called for laws to cover overweight people against discrimination, she told the newspaper: "Legal protection against weight discrimination is overdue!"

While, Friedrich Schorb of the University of Bremen added that although the rules were legal, the hotel's policy was 'humiliating' and supported the 'isolation of obese people'.

Topics: World News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19