Enjoy easy walking access to all Leavenworth has to offer after a relaxing night in our room with two queen beds.

I was born in the Netherlands and raised in Ethiopia, where my family lived until I was twelve. That early experience-culminating in a solo flight with my sister from Addis Ababa to Amsterdam on my 12th birthday-sparked in me a lifelong sense of adventure and resilience.

Initially, I planned to follow in my father's footsteps as an engineer working in developing countries. But after some time in technical school, I discovered my real passion: hospitality. What began as a job serving tables grew into a lifelong career devoted to welcoming guests, creating memorable experiences, and building teams. With encouragement from my parents, who valued education very highly, I pursued a degree in Hotel Management, excelling academically and gaining valuable international experience along the way.

My career took me across Europe and the United States, from managing a campground in France to working at the Holiday Inn near Frankfurt, to attending Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Over the next three decades, I advanced through leadership positions at luxury hotels and resorts, eventually serving as General Manager of large-scale properties such as Ocean Place Resort & Spa and Seaview Resort & Spa, overseeing hundreds of employees and multi-million-dollar operations.

In 2010, my wife Andrea and I fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing the Obertal Inn in Leavenworth, WA. At 52 years old, we put all of our life savings on the line, determined to build a business rooted in community, quality, and integrity. Today, more than 15 years later, Obertal Inn has grown into a thriving hospitality company that includes the Inn itself, the Garden Haus cottage, the Wunderbar Condominiums, and multiple additional vacation rental properties-all in the heart of beautiful Leavenworth.

Penned by Hans Mulders

Our philosophy is simple: everyone who contributes to our business should share in its success. Since 2010, we have invested over $6.4 million in upgrades and expansion, while also investing deeply in our team. Every year, without fail, we've raised wages (averaging more than 6% annually), introduced robust benefits including PTO and 401(k) matching, and fostered a culture of appreciation and respect. Our goal is to reach a $25/hour starting wage by 2028.

We are proud to support a wide range of charitable organizations-locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally-through substantial annual donations. Our contributions include organizations such as UV MEND and its Food Bank, the Wenatchee River Institute, the local Youth Soccer Club, as well as numerous smaller community-based charities. In addition to our financial support, I actively serve on the Board of Directors for Chelan-Douglas CASA (www.cdcasa.org), which advocates for children navigating the foster care system, and Impact Stream (www.impact.stream), which funds critically needed infrastructure projects in West Africa. If you are in a position to help, please consider making a donation to charity.

At its core, hospitality is about care. One of my mentors once asked me why I was in this business. After some thought, I realized: we are a bit like doctors. Guests often arrive tired, stressed, and in need of rest. By the time they leave, after enjoying our comfortable accommodations and warm service, they leave rejuvenated and more relaxed than when they came. That transformation is why I love what I do.

Andrea and I, along with our daughter Anneke, are proud to call Leavenworth home. We invite you to stay with us, experience the beauty of the Cascades, and enjoy the genuine hospitality that has become our family's life's work.

Penned by Hans Mulders