Top 10 best luxury hotels in Germany

Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.

Today: Top 10 best luxury hotels in Germany

Ranking as the eigth most visited country in the world according to World Tourist Organization, Germany attracts tens of millions of visitors each year to its cathedrals, rococo palaces, beer festivals, mountain peaks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and great cities (Berlin, Munich and Hamburg among them). With historic fairy tale castles, medieval villages, and idyllic natural landscapes, it’s sometimes hard to believe that most of Germany was virtually entirely rebuilt after the Second World War, although the past is very much present wherever you go. Few countries have had (and still have) as much impact on the planet as Germany, which is one of the world’s largest economies and was the birth place of the Reformation, the printing press, the car industry, and aspirin. Germany has also given us (in)famous citizens such as Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, and yes, Hitler, but also Goethe, Beethoven, and the Brothers Grimm. To help you choose from the overwhelming offer of luxury hotels, I have compiled a top 10 list with the best hotels in Germany.

There is more info below the slide show. Think I missed one? Share your favorite hotel in Germany in the comments section!

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10. BREIDENBACHER HOF, DÜSSELDORF

The Breidenbacher Hof – a former Capella hotel – is located in Altstadt Duesseldorf on the Koenigsallee, Dusseldorf’s premier shopping street. The hotel is an opulent 2008 reincarnation of a 200-year-old grande dame. As one of the most recognized hotels on the Rhine, Breidenbacher Hof transports its guests into a world of rare elegance, where the energy of today intermingles seamlessly with the architecture and beauty of the past. During the golden age of luxury travel, the Breidenbacher Hof hosted kings and czars and German nobility. As the country rose to power in the 20th century, the hotel set the standard throughout Europe for grandeur and elegance. The original structure was destroyed in 1943, and the property has been rebuilt twice – in 1950 and again in 2008. By taking the influence of turn-of-the-century architecture and melding it with modern, contemporary design, the hotel brings an unforgettable character to each of the 95 extended stay guestrooms and suites.

Hotel website: Breidenbacher Hof
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, free WiFi, and a 3 course lunch for two at the signature restaurant once per stay).

9. THE FAIRMONT HOTEL VIER JAHRESZEITEN, HAMBURG

The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is the essence of what is understood to be a Grand Hotel in the European tradition, offering an experience rich in spectacular historic charm and great luxury. Prominently located on the western side of the Inner Alster Lake shore in Germany, The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten lies in the heart of the prime retail and commercial district of Germany. All 156 guest rooms and suites are refurbished and equipped with the newest state-of-the-art technique, refitted to the highest standards in an amazingly young and detailed design with the highest level of luxury and elegance. The hotel’s four exquisite restaurants and bars offer a large choice of delicious dishes and drinks, satisfying diverse tastes. Over the rooftops of Hamburg extends the modern wellness oasis at Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.

Hotel website: Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD hotel credit to be utilized during your stay).

8. KEMPINSKI HOTEL BERCHTESGADEN, BAVARIAN ALPS

Being in the mountains is the purest form of exploration, and the Bavarian Alps have always held an irresistible attraction. A unique blend of five-star luxury, Bavarian hospitality and Alpine lifestyle make Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden one of the most special locations. Here, high in the mountains, glorious, panoramic views of the postcard-perfect scenery await, combined with the advantages of a mountain resort: the lovely Kempinski the Spa including indoor and outdoor pool area, awarded restaurants (1 Michelin star), kids club, 9 hole golf course, ski-i/ski-out access and a helipad. Exceptionally comfortable, the 138 rooms and suites radiate warmth and contemporary flair, all while offering guests a unique view over the beautiful mountain surroundings of the hotel. Families, couples, foodies, spa lovers, sport devotees and car enthusiasts praise the countless leisure opportunities available in this spectacular Bavarian setting.

Hotel website: Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade confirmed at the time of booking, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, $100 USD hotel credit to be utilized during your stay, and Virtuoso guests confirming a Maisonette Suite or above enjoy an additional $100 USD spa credit).

7. MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MUNICH

Mandarin Oriental, Munich is a calm refuge of Neo-Renaissance charm and elegance, providing the highest levels of personalized service. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Munich, within the city’s old town, surrounded by museums, the Bavarian Opera House, and theaters, and near the shopping street Maximilansstrasse and the famous Hofbraeuhaus (beer hall and gardens). The spacious 48 guestrooms and 25 suites were refurbished in 2015 and offer the finest in contemporary luxury, as does the stunning rooftop pool which offers views that stretch across the picturesque surroundings of the old town district towards the Alps. On the first floor, atop the majestic curved staircare, Matsuhisa, Munich symbolizes the introduction of the award-winning cuisine of internationally celebrated Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to Munich and Germany (the menu includes the famous Black Cod, Yellowtail Sashimi Jalapeno and Nobu’s Tacos).

Hotel website: Mandarin Oriental, Munich
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit to be utilized during your stay).
Review: read my review of The Mandarin Oriental Munich here.

6. SCHLOSS ELMAU, BAVARIAN ALPS

Nestled into the Bavarian Alps, Schloss Elmau offers a unique spa and cultural experience in a nature sanctuary. The castle is also a perfect base for year-round sports and to discover all of the fairy tale palaces of King Ludwig II, his favorite being only a three-hour hike away. The hotel celebrates the luxury of space and privacy in five restaurants, several lounges and four separate spas for adults and families as well as regular classical music and jazz concerts with some of the greatest artists of our time. Grand yet intimate interiors of the 94-year-old castle, which was rebuilt in 2007, blend subtle Oriental influences with the beauty of the pristine surroundings. Guests feel thoroughly at home in the luxuriously designed rooms & suites, which offer a liberating sense of space & privacy, some of them opening up to breathtaking views of the Wetterstein Mountain Range.

Hotel website: Schloss Elmau
Tip: get comlpimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit to be utilized during your stay).

5. HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI BERLIN

The legendary Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, first built in 1907 and located right next to the Brandenburg Gate, regained its status as Germany’s most prestigious hotel after its reopening in 1997. This is the meeting place for heads of state, royals, politicians, stars and starlets, intellectuals, artists, designers and entrepreneurs, and last but not least, the Berliners themselves. Business and leisure travelers find respite in the hotel’s 307 guest rooms and 78 diverse luxury suites with opulent designs and unique stories. The illustrious Restaurant Quarré (with summer terrace) and the two-Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer impress with inspiring menus and spectacular views of Brandenburg Gate. More exciting dining experiences await in the pan-Asian Sra Bua and in the Lobby bar, known as the most vibrant living room in Berlin. The Adlon Spa by Resense offers a lovely retreat from the busy city.

Hotel website: Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. confirmed room upgrade at the time of booking, daily breakfast, early check-in, guaranteed late check-out till 2 pm, seasonal welcome amenity, free phone calls, and 80 Euro hotel credit to be utilized during your stay).

4. THE FONTENAY HAMBURG

In 1816, Hamburg-based shipbroker John Fontenay acquired a unique plot of land on the beautiful shores of the Alster lake in the heart of the city. Today, it is the site of the Fontenay Hotel, which offers lakeside luxury at its best. The Fontenay is a reflection of modern Hamburg: open-minded, cosmopolitan and exceptionally welcoming. A homage to the Hanseatic city, the luxury hotel is tailor-made for the many national and international visitors who come to discover and rediscover Hamburg. The hotel’s Hamburg-born star architect Jan Störmer titled his initial drawings ‘timelessly modern, modern classic’ and his fascinating, sculpture-like architecture mirrors the fluid lines of the lake and surrounding parkland, creating the perfect balance between nature and urbanity. Flooded with daylight, all 131 rooms and suites feature parquet flooring, walk-in closets and balconies, primarily with lake views.

Hotel website: The Fontenay Hamburg
Other accolades: The Fontenay Hamburg also features in my top 10 list of the best new luxury hotels of 2017.
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD hotel credit to be utilized during your stay).
Review: read my review of The Fontenay Hamburg here.

3. THE RITZ-CARLTON WOLFSBURG

The architecturally renowned Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg is the most elegant hotel in Germany’s most prosperous city, which is home to Volkswagen’s worldwide headquarters. Adjacent to the Volkswagen factory, the hotel demands that you swot up on pioneering architecture before you arrive. Armed with the right terminology, you’ll be primed to describe the style nuances of the hotel’s interior designer Elliott Barnes. It will also help keep your mouth closed when you see the hotel’s jaw-dropping floating pool. Inspired by an industry that thrives on mobility, this luxury hotel embraces fast-forward motion with high-tech surroundings and a contemporary aesthetic while still providing an array of opportunities for guests to relax in 170 stylish guest rooms and exclusive suites, a soothing spa, and an award-winning restaurants, including the 3-Star Michelin-rated AQUA, the epitome of modern European dining.

Hotel website: The Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg

2. ALTHOFF SEEHOTEL ÜBERFAHRT, BAVARIAN ALPS

This elegant nature resort on the banks of Lake Tegernsee is situated only 45 minutes from Munich in the most beautiful Alpine nature. Here you can experience one of Germany’s most beautiful year-round leisure destinations. Whether you wish to relax and unwind, actively enjoy nature, blend in with the jet set, do sports, or experience the most authentic cultural highlights, the Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt is an ideal starting point for all kinds of holiday pleasures. This wonderful retreat, directly by the lake, awaits with newly refurbished rooms and suites in a stylish design; outstanding culinary delights in five different restaurants, including the creative cuisine of one of the world’s best three-Michelin-starred chefs, Christian Jürgens; and a 32,000-square-foot luxury 4 Elements Spa by Althoff, featuring Europe’s first all-suite spa.

Hotel website: Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD hotel credit to be utilized during your stay).

1. BRENNERS PARK-HOTEL & SPA, BADEN-BADEN

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, an Oetker Collection hotel, has been a place of relaxation and diversion for the traveling elite since 1872. Here guests can enjoy all that Baden-Baden is renowned for with one of the most advanced spas in Europe, offering luxurious therapy and longterm cures while surrounded by refreshing natural parkland and high culture. Situated in a large, private park facing the famous Lichtentaler Allee, Brenner’s Park Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden radiates the ambiance of a private estate for the well-heeled guest. One hundred rooms combine luxury and comfort with elegant furnishing such as antiques and Carrara marble bathrooms. Standard rooms have views of the Lichtentaler Allee, while deluxe rooms have vistas of the Oos River. The best rooms are the deluxe rooms, which are more spacious. Guests have a variety of dining options including the revamped Wintergarten, where health-conscious Mediterranean dishes are served with views of Brenner’s Park.

Hotel website: Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking this hotel via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD hotel credit to be utilized during your stay).