Our Story
Ulrike & Jonas Schäfer
For us, hospitality is far more than a profession – it is our passion and has been at the heart of our lives for more than twenty years.
With Braefield House, we are fulfilling a long-held dream: creating a place where genuine hospitality, exceptional cuisine and the tranquillity of the Scottish coast come together to create a truly memorable experience.
This listed historic house in Portpatrick is our most personal project to date – shaped by everything we have learned and experienced throughout our shared journey.
Jonas Schäfer found his culinary inspiration in French and Mediterranean cuisine. His philosophy is based on seasonal ingredients, regional produce and an honest, craft-driven approach to cooking that places the character and flavours of each region at the centre.
After his career in music, Jonas brought his experience into the world of hospitality and gastronomy. His professional journey began as a sound engineer at the renowned Abbey Road Studios in London and Hansa Studios in Berlin. He later became a manager of successful artists and co-owner of a record label and music publishing company. These years shaped his creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and his commitment to combining quality with passion, precision and personality – values that continue to define Braefield House today.
Ulrike is a trained nurse and later studied Political Sociology and Social Work. Before her time in Romania, she was actively involved in Germany in social and political initiatives supporting peace, social justice and equality. From 2004 to 2015, alongside developing our boutique hotel in Transylvania, we dedicated ourselves to supporting disadvantaged children, young people and families. Ulrike focused particularly on the professional development of social work in Romania, promoting reflective professional practice, peer case analysis and the exchange of expertise among practitioners. She later published a specialist book on this subject, reflecting her commitment to respect, empathy and responsible action.
Together, we founded Valea Verde Retreat in Transylvania and developed it into one of Romania’s most renowned boutique hospitality destinations. International travel journalists from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Austria and Scandinavia featured the project, while the restaurant received a Gault&Millau Toque and was awarded Best Hotel Restaurant in Romania.
From 2018 to 2020, we had the great honour of managing the guesthouse of His Royal Highness Prince Charles in Deutsch-Weißkirch (Viscri), Transylvania. During this time, we were privileged to welcome His Majesty King Charles III, together with his guests, as well as numerous personalities from the worlds of culture, business and society. These years further shaped our understanding of discretion, personal service and hospitality at the highest level.
Our work was also featured in the award-winning British television documentary Help! We Bought a Village on Channel 4, introducing our journey to an international audience.
With Braefield House, we begin a new chapter. Here, we bring together our experiences in cuisine, hospitality, culture, business and social engagement with our love for Scotland. Our aim is to create a place where guests feel genuinely welcome, find time to relax and experience the true meaning of hospitality.
We look forward to welcoming you personally to Portpatrick.
With Braefield House, we are fulfilling a long-held dream: creating a place where genuine hospitality, exceptional cuisine and the tranquillity of the Scottish coast come together to create a truly memorable experience.
This listed historic house in Portpatrick is our most personal project to date – shaped by everything we have learned and experienced throughout our shared journey.
Jonas Schäfer found his culinary inspiration in French and Mediterranean cuisine. His philosophy is based on seasonal ingredients, regional produce and an honest, craft-driven approach to cooking that places the character and flavours of each region at the centre.
After his career in music, Jonas brought his experience into the world of hospitality and gastronomy. His professional journey began as a sound engineer at the renowned Abbey Road Studios in London and Hansa Studios in Berlin. He later became a manager of successful artists and co-owner of a record label and music publishing company. These years shaped his creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and his commitment to combining quality with passion, precision and personality – values that continue to define Braefield House today.
Ulrike is a trained nurse and later studied Political Sociology and Social Work. Before her time in Romania, she was actively involved in Germany in social and political initiatives supporting peace, social justice and equality. From 2004 to 2015, alongside developing our boutique hotel in Transylvania, we dedicated ourselves to supporting disadvantaged children, young people and families. Ulrike focused particularly on the professional development of social work in Romania, promoting reflective professional practice, peer case analysis and the exchange of expertise among practitioners. She later published a specialist book on this subject, reflecting her commitment to respect, empathy and responsible action.
Together, we founded Valea Verde Retreat in Transylvania and developed it into one of Romania’s most renowned boutique hospitality destinations. International travel journalists from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Austria and Scandinavia featured the project, while the restaurant received a Gault&Millau Toque and was awarded Best Hotel Restaurant in Romania.
From 2018 to 2020, we had the great honour of managing the guesthouse of His Royal Highness Prince Charles in Deutsch-Weißkirch (Viscri), Transylvania. During this time, we were privileged to welcome His Majesty King Charles III, together with his guests, as well as numerous personalities from the worlds of culture, business and society. These years further shaped our understanding of discretion, personal service and hospitality at the highest level.
Our work was also featured in the award-winning British television documentary Help! We Bought a Village on Channel 4, introducing our journey to an international audience.
With Braefield House, we begin a new chapter. Here, we bring together our experiences in cuisine, hospitality, culture, business and social engagement with our love for Scotland. Our aim is to create a place where guests feel genuinely welcome, find time to relax and experience the true meaning of hospitality.
We look forward to welcoming you personally to Portpatrick.
Valea Verde Retreat
Co-founded and developed into one of Romania's most renowned boutique hotels.
Gault&Millau
Awarded a toque for culinary excellence.
King Charles III.
Personalized hospitality for King Charles III, his guests, and prominent figures from the worlds of culture, business, and society.
Best hotel restaurant
Awarded as Romania's "Best Hotel Restaurant".
Media Presence
"Help! We Bought a Village" — Channel 4
Our work was featured in an award-winning British television documentary and presented to an international audience.
Royal Connection
From 2018 to 2020, we managed Prince Charles’s guesthouse in Viscri, Transylvania. That experience shaped our commitment to discretion, personalized service, and hospitality of the highest standard.