From wellness resorts on the edge of the Baltic Sea to boutique boltholes in Berlin, Germany boasts some spectacular luxury accommodation that oozes style, sophistication and serenity. We’ve rounded up and ranked the country’s best of the best, according to the expert opinions of our discerning, travel-obsessed team. Whether you’re dreaming of languishing lakeside on a private island, sleeping like royalty in a countryside castle, or dining on Michelin-starred fare, you’ll want to bookmark these amazing hotels.
Click through the gallery to discover the most sumptuous stays in Germany to add to your bucket list...
Only opened in March 2024, this fresh-faced newcomer to Heidelberg’s hospitality scene has already set tongues wagging. With a very respectable 4-star rating, the ATLANTIC Hotel Heidelberg’s 310 rooms are set over 15 storeys – the carbon footprint of which is offset by the property being the first high-rise hotel in the world to adhere to passive house standards. Recent guests loved the hotel’s comfy beds, contemporary design and its views out to the atmospheric ruins of Heidelberg Castle.
For 27 years, a disused courthouse and women’s prison in Charlottenburg stood abandoned. But then married couple and architects Almut Grüntuch-Ernst and Armand Grüntuch saw the site’s potential, transforming it into a tranquil boutique hotel, veg-heavy restaurant and cultural hub. While certain original features, such as the cell doors, have been retained, the building is almost unrecognisable compared to its former function. Previously sealed courtyards have been opened up and landscaped, while Wilmina’s rooms are airy, bright and furnished with sustainable materials. There are myriad communal spaces to chill in too, including a lounge, library and rooftop terrace, complete with pool.
Standing grand on its own leafy island on Lake Constance, the Steigenberger Inselhotel is as majestic as the snow-sprinkled Alps that provide its setting. The hotel makes its home in a former Dominican monastery, and this fascinating heritage is preserved today in the religious frescoes that adorn the old cloister. There are 100 rooms and two suites here, as well as a traditional-style restaurant that was once a branch of the first bank to open in Konstanz. During the summer, there's a lovely lakeside terrace to relax on too.
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The Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg is something of a departure from the high-end hotel brand's usual style. There's an endearing rawness to it, an homage to its host city's industrial heritage as the ancestral home of Volkswagen. The chimneys of the car manufacturer’s plant rising up next to the hotel only adds to the futuristic, forward-thinking silhouette. Acclaimed interiors virtuoso Andrée Putman has worked her magic with the 170 intuitively appointed, sleek rooms, and there's an outdoor infinity pool and three-Michelin-starred restaurant to shout about too.
The region of Saarland, which forms part of the German border with France and Luxembourg, was a French province once upon a time. The town of Saarlouis retains a distinctly French flavour today, and LA MAISON represents a glimmer of that heritage. The remodelled villa, situated near the banks of the river that gives this corner of the country its name, has been adapted and extended to better serve its contemporary travellers, earning itself two Michelin Keys. The handsome rooms and suites, of which there are 50, can be found in the original villa, a modern annex and a new guesthouse a short distance away.
Located on Sylt, largest of the weather-beaten North Frisian Islands, Landhaus Stricker is a love letter to Germany’s Nordic roots. Holding a 5-star superior rating, it sits on the cosy and intimate end of the luxury scale, even boasting a library and a heated swimming pool. It would be tempting to spend your whole time here in your warm-toned, wooden-floored bedroom. But be sure to take a beach walk in the pure salty air of one of central Europe’s last true wildernesses. In the evening, dinner at Michelin-starred Bodendorf’s promises an intoxicating taste of the sea.
A Relais & Châteaux hotel, PURS wins us over with its pretty face alone. The brainchild of Belgian designer and antiquarian Axel Vervoordt, the hotel’s interiors adhere to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which celebrates the beauty of simple, imperfect things. This concept gives the venue an earthiness that's disarmingly soothing, from the stylishly rustic rooms to the cosy shared areas. The emphasis on natural materials continues in the kitchen too – where New Nordic and Japanese cuisines marry at the hotel’s eponymous restaurant.
Imagine: you're sitting on a sun-saturated balcony, with a good book in your lap and a tangy wind blowing in off the sea. The sound of waves rolling over themselves sings to you like a lullaby. Except this isn't the Caribbean, or even the Mediterranean – this is the North Sea island resort of 1884 Norderney. The outer shell of this 20-room boutique beachside hotel dates back to the year it is named for, yet its minimalist core – in hues of sand and saltwater – couldn't feel more current.
Luxury accommodation doesn’t come much more picturesque than the Schlosshotel Münchhausen – a former knight’s fortress turned medieval castle, turned superior 5-star hotel. Equally as charming as the building’s fairytale façade and romantic interior is the natural landscape it nestles in, whose rare trees and plants even astounded Peter the Great when he visited some three centuries ago. Rooms and suites, embellished with floral prints and jewel-toned furnishings, are spread between the castle itself and the quaint tithe barn just opposite.
For over 25 years, the family-run ROEWERS Privathotel & Spa has been a haven for those keen to distance themselves from the chatter and challenges of everyday life. A 5-star superior property, its five graceful villas are seamlessly connected by outdoor spaces, lush with ancient oaks. Close to the beach on the chalky shores of Rügen, Germany’s largest island, expect restful bedrooms with flashes of terracotta and ochre, a rooftop pool (pictured), sauna and a gourmet restaurant whose menu bends to the seasons.
Sharing a premises with the revered Elbphilharmonie concert hall, The Westin Hamburg soars like some of the greatest symphonies in the classical canon. All of the rooms in this unique building loom at least 131 feet (40m) above ground level, each cocooned by floor-to-ceiling windows to ensure there’s no such thing as a bad seat in the house. The colour palette, though muted, evokes the instant need to exhale as soon as you enter. Dine on Hanseatic cuisine in the onsite Fang & Feld bistro, where an ambient taste of northern Germany awaits, before soaking more of those panoramic views from the 8th-floor BLICK Bar.
The first 5-star hotel in the state of Saxony, the Hotel Taschenbergpalais reopened in February 2024 after a full-scale renovation. The building originally opened its doors as a hotel in 1995, and before that was inhabited for centuries by the Saxon royal family. While the hotel’s exterior is a model of Baroque sophistication, the interior is elegant in an entirely modern way. Based around a fresh colour palette of blue, sandstone and sage green, the reimagined rooms and suites have each been filled with custom-made fabrics and furnishings. There are also two restaurants, a Champagne and sushi bar and a state-of-the-art spa.
Part of the prestigious Rocco Forte portfolio, Hotel de Rome occupies the former headquarters of the Dresdner Bank, which became the State Bank of the GDR until the fall of the Berlin Wall. The hotel’s location directly on Bebelplatz, where the Nazis infamously burnt books in 1933, positions it as an ideal base for first-time visitors to the city who have a healthy budget to blow and want to see key sights; Checkpoint Charlie and Museum Island are both within walking distance. Inside, curated artworks and chic monochrome rooms, punctuated with pops of colour, confirm you’re staying somewhere super exclusive.
From the outside, Parkhotel Bremen looks almost like a parliament building, with its domed roof and symmetrical architecture, kissed by their own reflections in the waters of the surrounding Bürgerpark. This sense of grandeur continues throughout the property’s interior too, where each guestroom is individually tailored with fine fabrics and adorned with antique furniture. The generously-sized spa and wellness areas offer a discrete nod to Bremen’s maritime heritage, with water being the main theme. Take some leisurely laps in the outdoor pool, sink into a heated bath or laze in the rejuvenating whirlpool zone.
This exclusive hideaway, shrouded in nature across the Baltic from Denmark, fosters total tranquillity. It has a maximum capacity of 120 guests, all of whom must be aged 12 and over. With 11 different buildings, plus 75 hectares of unspoilt woodland and coastal scenery on WEISSENHAUS’s doorstep, you could potentially go whole hours without seeing or hearing another soul – the definition of a real retreat. From surrendering to serenity in the resort’s Schlosstherme spa, to experiencing the culinary thrills of two-Michelin-starred Courtier, you may never want to leave.
Perched on the outskirts of Freiburg's old town and just a hair's breadth from the beautiful Black Forest, the 5-star Colombi Hotel exudes timeless elegance. Some of the 110 guestrooms and suites gaze out onto the city's 11th-century cathedral, while all are individually decorated with unique fabrics, ornate furniture, parquet floors and dense rugs. Downstairs, the onsite fine-dining restaurant Zirbelstube boasts one Michelin star, and the Piano Bar (pictured) is a great spot to wind down with an aperitif after sampling its multi-course menu.
Telegraphenamt is a perfect microcosm for the city it calls home. A melting pot of old and new, classical and contemporary, the hotel is something of a landmark in itself. Completed in 1916, the neo-Baroque edifice began life as a then-revolutionary telegraph office, and now lies at the merging of Berlin’s historic centre and its more hipster neighbourhoods. There are 97 rooms, maisonettes and suites available to guests here, combining Art Deco flourishes from the interwar years with a tinge of neo-noir drama. A sushi bar, urban pâtisserie and taproom are on hand to keep you fed and watered.
If Queen Victoria deemed the Goldene Rose a worthy place to rest her royal head (the hotel bar is even named after her), then that’s good enough for us. Housed within a butter-yellow and half-timbered inn dating back to 1450, this petite outpost of just 43 rooms and 14 studios is the epitome of understated excellence. The neutral interiors are cool and calming, accented by exposed wooden beams, crisp white linens and industrial light fittings. Located under the roof gable and partially open-air, the Attic Spa promises to be a real highlight of your stay, featuring a heated infinity pool (pictured) and sauna area.
There's nothing understated about Schloss Lieser. From its Italian Palladian and Art Nouveau features, to its idyllic location, immaculate grounds and rooms dripping with extravagance, everything about this 19th-century property screams luxury. And we don't mind it one bit. The rooms, suites and apartments all benefit from views of either the Moselle River or the white-grape vineyards emblematic of this region – the hotel’s cellar stocks some of their wines. At Puricelli, local produce is placed centre-stage where available, while breakfast is served in the relaxing orangery.
Sitting opposite the stunning Cologne Cathedral since 1863, the Excelsior Hotel Ernst is a firm fixture of the city's historic quarter. Its 134 opulent rooms and suites, festooned in shades of royal blue, cinnamon, cream and warm honey, are – unsurprisingly – impeccably well-groomed. There are, however, a number of reasons to tear yourself away, if you can bear to. Waiting elsewhere in the hotel is Michelin-starred restaurant Taku, reimagining East Asian cuisine with a fine-dining twist, and afternoon tea is presented in the Wintergarden.
A landmark of Düsseldorf’s enchanting Aldstadt (old town) for over two centuries, the canalside Breidenbacher Hof has lived quite the life. Resurrected from the ashes of destruction and demolition not just once, but twice, the iconic hotel is a blend of its past and the present, where moody wood and Italian marble integrate with the latest technology and contemporary amenities. With two Michelin Keys – a recognised seal of excellence – under its belt, it’s no wonder the Breidenbacher Hof is a haven of sumptuous rooms and expertly curated communal spaces. Retro brasserie The Duchy downstairs is a must-visit.
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Schlosshotel Kronberg was built in 1893 for the Empress Victoria Friedrich. A collection of her original artworks and antiques remain at the property today for guests to admire. Located in the Taunus foothills just outside Frankfurt, the venue strikes a harmonious balance between honouring its imperial legacy and embracing all the thoughtful, contemporary touches that today’s travellers appreciate. It has an 18-hole golf course, a ‘Beauty Cottage’ for spa treatments and every room, regardless of square footage, has a garden or parkland view.
Having welcomed its first guests back in 1813, Hotel Nassauer Hof has more than 200 years of stories built into its illustrious walls. The hotel may have played host to international celebrities, world leaders and monarchs in its time, but it extends the same premium service to all its clientele. Foodies will love ENTE, Nassauer Hof’s in-house gourmet restaurant and the proud owner of a Michelin star. A rooftop thermal pool, brimming with the naturally warm waters that lie beneath Wiesbaden, is the icing on this 5-star property’s cake.
At this stately spa retreat on the banks of the Scharmützelsee, in the so-called ‘Land of a Hundred Lakes’, a pair of pearl-white villas bring a flavour of the French Riviera to bucolic Brandenberg. Recognised as a Michelin Two Keys property, Villa Contessa is a dreamy 5-star resort with just 14 rooms and suites, so there are times when you’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Whether ensconced among ivory cushions around the indoor pool or walking the lake’s perimeter at sundown, guests will find it impossible not to unwind during their stay.
Originally conceived by King Ludwig I of Bavaria and opened in 1841, the Bayerischer Hof has been welcoming Munich’s well-heeled visitors ever since. But its beguiling history doesn't end there. Following the hotel’s near-total destruction during World War II, it became the site of Munich’s first post-war restaurant. Now, a two-Michelin-starred eatery is one of several here – and you’ll find both a cinema and theatre onsite too. The 337 rooms and suites come in a variety of styles, from colonial African to English country house. This light-filled boudoir is the divine Penthouse Garden Suite.
This 300-year-old castle, tucked away in the countryside near Cologne, is a former princely hunting lodge – and still has the power to make today’s visitors feel like royalty. Though dressed up like a wedding cake on the outside with its Baroque architecture, the interior of Althoff Grand hotel Schloss Bensberg is nothing less than the epitome of modern luxury. The pinnacle of the accommodation offering is without question the Presidential Suite, which comes with its own private sauna and jacuzzi bath. But wherever you lay your head here, you won’t be disappointed.
Set on the Baltic Sea’s biscuit-crumb coast, this palatial hotel – with its pristinely white façade and paradisiacal setting – encapsulates the spa heritage of the town it presides in. Germany’s oldest seaside resort, Heiligendamm has been a popular destination for serenity-seeking travellers and wellness-savvy aristocrats since the 19th century. It was also the first resort to pioneer the use of saltwater in health treatments, a tradition continued by the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm’s pampering programme. For unparalleled luxury, book a junior suite with a sea view (pictured) and feast on Michelin-starred meals in the intimate Friedrich Franz restaurant.
As quintessentially Berliner as currywurst, bierkellers and the Brandenburg Gate (which it overlooks), Hotel Adlon has been an iconic fixture of the German capital for more than a century. Though the building standing today is not the same that opened its doors in 1907 – and played host to the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein – it feels no less historic. The legendary 5-star property swells with 385 rooms and suites, all clad in opulent uniforms of mustard, mahogany and gold. Luxury-leaning travellers will find everything they could possibly wish for here: haute cuisine, a decadent spa and even a shopping arcade.
Earning itself the crown jewel of all hotel accolades, the Michelin Three Key distinction, this lavish lakefront property brings a dash of modern luxury to the shores of the Tegernsee. The Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt describes itself as an elegant nature resort with one of the most sought-after spas in Europe, where pioneering treatments revolve around the four elements. Pair this with the gastronomic delights of five different restaurants, including an Italian ristorante and a region-inspired fine-dining concept, and you'll find yourself struggling to leave the hotel to explore the awesome Alpine surroundings.
Another holder of the Michelin Three Keys, this curvaceous beauty on the fringes of Lake Alster tops our ranking of Germany’s most luxurious hotels. Named for one of 19th-century Hamburg’s most prolific shipping tycoons, The Fontenay sits right on a circular hiking trail ringing the city, and was described by its architect Jan Störmer as his ‘Hotel in the Park.’ It simultaneously succeeds in blending in with and standing out from its verdant environment, providing a high-end urban oasis capped with a rooftop spa, two-Michelin-starred restaurant and plush bedrooms that all face out into the green beyond.