Indeed the demographics and the nature of the destination can be revealing. For an Alpine resort if I was in charge of the hotel I would consider simply closing because I guess they are unlikely to get lots of non-tourists which would avoid the potential burden of policing incoming guests. In a city hotel, if they ask a letter from employer and reach out to guests ahead of the stay for such letter, that is indeed a reasonable effort and not too much to ask of hotels. I guess there will still be cases of self-employed or other travellers without a letter but perhaps they could cover 80% or more of the business travel cases.

There are also other hints. If you check-in with your partner or children it´s more likely there are questions asked. Also this is not the first time and not the only reason. In March/ April touristic stays were also forbidden, but some hotels (like Adlon) were open. Also in Berlin you have to pay a 5 % Tourist tax. You mustn´t pay it if on a business trip and therefore they ask for a confirmation. I never had to proof something (didn´t visit Berlin as a tourist for over 10 years) as I always asked for a bill on my business.
Also I doubt many "touristic" hotels outside the cities are open and considering regarding the actual Situation and closures many tourists like to stay at the still opne hotels. So in 99,9 % no one will stay at one of the open hotels at the moment if not 100% necessary.

I have been required to prove the business purpose in Berlin, e.g. at the Pullman. Might have something to do with me occasionally travelling for work on the weekends.

But yeah, I agree with the previous posters that a number of hotels catering very strongly to tourists will simply close. Others may or may not police. Hotels know their customers. I bet most of the time, their judgement call whether somebody is traveling for business or pleasure is correct.

What about staying overnight at an airport hotel before an early morning flight? Surely the flight ticket showing I was leaving the next day would suffice!

What would be the purpose of this trip?

The purpose would be to get back to Switzerland where I am working. I suppose I should get a Bescheinigung from my employer saying I work there. But they will do it in French.

It probably not a bad idea.

I am still wondering about this, because I am going to be forced into this course of action due to a sheer lack of flights. For a start, I will call a couple of possible hotels and see what they say. Are there not any clear guidelines anywhere?

Not really. The ordinances are often relatively vague and leave way for interpretation.

I think your best bet is to call a few hotels and ask them what their procedures are.

Spot on. I did call the one that I reserved and they said that I don't need a government Bescheinigung or anything like that, just a letter of confirmation from my work that I have to travel. So hopefully it will all go smoothly. That was just one employee...I hope the next one doesn't have different ideas. But I reckon a statement, written in German and stamped, from my employer should do the trick.

How is the Schengen arrival experience in FRA these days - are there extra checkpoints due to Covid-19, or do you just walk to the outside like in the good old days?

German authorities reported checking several thousand of incoming travelers in FRA, of whom 20% got caught providing false information on arrival. Are they doing these checks for non-Schengen arrivals only, or is Schengen affected too?

Thanks!

Do you have a source for the 20% ?

Only German though:

https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/coro...e-b92ad1e2adc0

To avoid any misunderstanding: I am not planning to provide false info, I am just curious if I have to expect any queues leaving the Schengen airside area.